As a world class destination resort, Maui offers some fantastic dining options. The quality of our restaurants is bolstered by the island's access to fresh produce and seafood. We also benefit by the diversity of cultures on the island that bring a variety of food preparations from throughout the Pacific and other parts of the globe. Maui restaurants and resorts do not have to go far to find the culinary talent that prepares our island's food. The Maui Culinary Academyat Maui Community College prepares students in one of the three specialties of culinary arts, baking and restaurant supervision. Students at the Culinary Academy have the opportunity to showcase their skills at The Class Act Restaurant and Exhibition Kitchen. The Class Act is a real jewel of Maui. It offers a four course g... 10/29/2008

Solar Power on Maui  - We're embracing the power of the sun here in Hawai'i, and businesses in Maui County have been busy installing solar panels to reduce their energy costs and footprint. The Realtors Association of Maui is currently covering their rooftop with as many panels as will fit, in hopes of saving a whole lot of money for members.  Rising Sun Solar is installing some uniquely shaped panels in addition to the regular rectangles we're familiar with.  The job is not done yet, so no word on how much is being saved, but I will post updates. Haleakala Solar Inc. are also busy this week installing sections of photovoltaic receptors on the roof of BJ Furniture Store in Kahului Maui. The project on the 22,000 square foot roof includes 810 panels, the largest photovoltaic system ever... 10/23/2008

Kahului Maui is the central part of the island. Kahului is where you find the malls and Kahului airport. It is the center of Maui. From Kahului it is easy to drive to any where on the island.  This makes it a great place to call home.  The newest development in Kahului is Maui Lani. You will find beautiful golf course properties.  Here is the sales for this year for Kahului area.   Steven Nickens The Wailea Group LLC.   CMA Summary Report Residential - Sold   Residential Summary Statistics   High Low Average Median LP: $1,090,000 $398,500 $593,740 $589,384 SP: $885,000 $375,000 $576,919 $579,550  ADDRESS  Status  District  Sale/Rent  Liv-SF  DOM  LP  $/Liv-SF  SP  $/Liv-SF  480 W One Street  SOLD  Kahului  For Sale  850  192  $485,000  $570.59  $375,000  $441.18  806 Pala Circle  SOLD  ... 08/20/2008

Zippy's opens on Maui Here on Maui it's a really big deal - a new Zippy's restaurant.  Talk about pent up demand!  Some people have been going every day since they opened about a week ago.  And aren't we special...Maui Zippy's prices are slightly higher than those on Oahu. Zippy's is a fast food restaurant from Oahu, where they have 24 outlets.  Zippy's was started by the Higa family in 1966, even before the first McDonald's opened in Hawaii.  They specialize in Zip Pac (bento box), Zip Min (ramen) and Napples (turnovers), chili, local style food and Napoleon's Bakery.  They are located in Kahului, in a prime location on the corner of Hookele Street and the Mokulele Highway by King's Catheral.  That's close to WalMart and Home Depot in case you don't know. I have not yet ventured to th... 08/19/2008

Brand new subdivision Na Hoku, Maui Lani - here's the new front yards being installed by Maui Lawn and Landscape. Maui's central valley is very sandy, and these new subdivisions in Maui Lani need to have soil delivered.  Shown here is the composted mulch that you can buy from the county's green waste recycling program.  It's good stuff for your yard, made from shredded yard waste - you know, all those coconut palm fronds and what not. For more info about where to get this vaulable resource - here's a great website for the Maui Recycling Group.  Find out where to recycle those items you have no need for, on Maui. For more info about buying or selling a home on Maui - here's another great website where you can search active listings - WWW.EASTMAUI.COM  Call a local Maui Realtor - Georgin... 08/12/2008

Manana Garage Restaurant - A Latin American Eatery 33 Lono Ave, Kahului Maui HI, 808 873-0220 The other day I had lunch at the Manana Garage - citrus jalapeno glazed grilled salmon on a spinach salad, with fried purple sweet potatoes, and warm jalapeno cornbread.  Delicious of course!  I've only eaten there about 3 times, and it was good every time.  The food is Cuban/Latin American, which is a little different than the usual fare here on Maui.  They've been in business long enough that they must be good.  Many other restaurants come and go, but they have survived.  They are available for private parties and business meetings. Manana Garage is one of the few nice restaurants (as opposed to fast food outlets) in Kahului that is open for lunch and dinner.  The colorful decor is lively an... 07/31/2008

I like to take my camera everywhere, and when I'm on an errand trip with my husband I get out and take pictures while he's picking up parts or whatnot.  I snapped this quick shot in the window of the Ah Fook's Supermarket in Kahului Maui, and without realizing it, got a nice picture of the tree reflected in the window, which is also part of their logo.  It looks pretty cool don't you think?  Ah Fook's is one of the older grocery stores on Maui, and they have reopened in a smaller store since the fire at the Kahului Shopping Centera few years ago... but just a few doors down.  This shopping center is soon to be developed into a shiny new town center for Kahului - A&B have some lofty plans to revitalize this area, and I hope that there will be room for this classic store. Thinking about m... 07/05/2008

MAUI ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER - KAHULUI MAUI HI The 17th Annual Slack Key Guitar Festival - June 22, 2008 One Cameron Way (off Kahului Beach Road) This past Sunday was the annual Ki Ho'Alu (Slack Key Guitar) Festival on Maui.  Every year a number of well known and lesser known artists come together for a wonderful musical event on our sunny isle of Maui.  I can't believe this has been going on for so many years and they can still offer it to us for nothing.  THANK YOU to the sponsors.   The venue is the outdoor A&B Amphitheather which is a grassy enclosed area facing the stage.  Some bleachers and folding chairs are set up at the back, and you can bring a blanket or beach chair if you want to sit closer to the performers.  I went with a friend and we brought some chairs and got a good ... 06/25/2008

Bamboo Maui Inc.On the Hana Highway in Kahului. PO Box 1433 Wailuku HI 96793808 244-2299 For that  tropical touch...They have a great selection of bamboo products for building and home improvement.  Coconut wood flooring and columns too. flooringpolesplywoodfencingtrimfurnishings          cute imported furniture made from natural fibers like wicker and rattan.  carved wood boxed and statues to decorate your island home.       Owner Michael Bailie will help you find what you're looking for.Open every day except Sunday.Come on by this easy to find warehouse on the Hana Highway in Kahului.  They have a great website where you can shop for products and prices, and learn why you want to use bamboo in your next home improvement project.    05/07/2008

Maui Community College in Kahului has a program called VITEC - Vital & Innovative Training and Economic Development Center.This year they are offering for the first time, GREEN classes, and here's what's available:Go Solar and Save - about PhotoVoltaic equipment, costs, government incentives  $39.Energy and Environmental Efficiency: Cost Saving Applications in your Home and Business - decrease your energy bills, new technologies and practices for home and business, overview or an array of sustainable living options, conservation, design principles, green building, passive solar   $44.BioFuel Industry Expands - biofuel and biomass development updates, ethanol, Maui use and lifestyle  $34.Wind Power for your Home or Business - innovations in wind turbine tehnologies, practical info, feasa... 04/29/2008

 My Blog to-do list is getting so long, I am trying to get caught up - so here's a quick shout out for a store I discovered over the holidays...ELISE!It's a consignment and overstock clothing store on Maui.They are located in Kahului (the main city) at:310 Alamaha St. Unit 3/4808 893-5473They even have a website!I checked them out a few months ago and bought a few tank tops - the prices are good and the clothing is in very good shape.  Mostly women's things, but there was some stuff for kids and men too.  Nice friendly little store with a pretty good selection of smaller sizes.If your husband is nearby buying paint or floor tiles, drop in and see if there's anything you like.  I guarantee you will like the prices.  Living on Maui is not cheap, so it's always good to know how to stretch ... 04/07/2008

Since I've been on a "garden and flowers" theme lately, here's another post in that vein.While I was working on my Kula Newsletter today I came across this article in the Honolulu Advertiser, describing some of the local news for Maui.... they mentioned the WEED & POT CLUB in Kahului Maui, Hawaii.  I had no idea such a thing existed!  I guess it's thirsty work so they provide plenty of water to drink.  Here's what they had to say:WEED & POT CLUB - Maui Nui Botanical Garden's Weed & Pot Club meets 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at 150 Kanaloa Ave. in Kahului to weed, rake, trim, transplant nursery plants, and do other beautification and maintenance work. Tools, gloves and drinking water provided; bring sunscreen, wear shoes.If you're looking for more info about Kahului Maui I have plenty ... 03/14/2008

 MOVING TO MAUI HAWAII INFO - KAHULUI - 96732So you want to move to Kahului Maui, and you've decided you  need some help.  Let me be of assistance.... I hope these links will be just what you're looking for.  When you're ready to make the move, let a local expert be your guide.  Of course there is so much more to know before you come here to Maui, so doing your own research is essential.Kahului was once known as "Dream City" when it was first established as an alternative to the plantation camps of old.  That era (the '50s and '60s) brought a whole lot of cinder block homes to families who had never owned a home on Maui.  Most of those homes are still around, and a lot of newer subdivisions have been created in recent years.The Island and The Bluffs are Kahului's most prestigious gated ... 03/03/2008

 THE KAHULUI MAUI AIRPORT - OGG KAHULUI GOOGLE MAPWhat can travelers expect when they arrive on Maui?  Here's a brief description of the Maui airport located in the town of Kahului.Kahului Airport is relatively small, and it's located right on the northeast side of town, by the ocean.  It was once a single building with a tree growing up in the middle of the baggage claim area.  That tree has been cut down, and the airport greatly expanded, but it still retains a friendly character, with a huge central skylight next to the 5 baggage carousels.  All the gates funnel into the baggage area. Our latest addition to mainstream homogeneity is the Starbucks Coffee shop right there by the baggage, where it used to be a dusty corner.  You might laugh, but this is HUGE for Kahului Airport.  Before... 02/26/2008

Pride of Aloha Ships Out       Norwegian Cruise Lines have announced that they will be re-stationing the Pride of Aloha vessel to Asia this summer with Star Cruises.  The Pride of Aloha will be out of service in Hawaii effective May 11 2008.  This will leave only one ship in Hawaii making the inter-island cruise, the larger Pride of America.  Pride of America will spend one night in Maui's Kahului Harbor (shown here) on its weekly cruise.  The company has lost million$ in the past 4 years due to foreign-flagged cruise ships operating in Hawaii and driving down prices.      Some think this change will be hard on local merchants, while others see it as a good thing for the harbor and the canoe paddlers who are feeling the pressure of increased harbor traffic and improvements. . . For mor... 02/12/2008

Latitudes - Maui Furnishings 261 Lalo St. A-2, Kahului Maui HI 96732  Phone: 808 893-0650  Fax: 808 893-0671 NancyG@LatitudesInHawaii.com Once you buy that brand new home or condo on Maui - then what?  Do you need some nice upscale furnishings to make it your own?  You will want to look for Latitudes, in Kahului, across from Hondador Lumber.  It doesn't look like much on the outside, but once inside you will be blown away by the selection of wonderful furniture, lighting, and home decorating items.  They have a showroom up front, some rooms upstairs, and a warehouse around the back.  You can spend a lot of time browsing through the store, and talking with the salespeople about your needs.   KAHULUI INTERACTIVE MAP  Whether your'e relocating to Maui, or a Kama'aina, you can be sure to f... 02/09/2008

Maui Harley Davidson150 Dairy RoadKahului HI 96732808 877-7433  FAX 808 877-1856Store Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30AM - 6:00PM. Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM Want to buy or rent a Harley when you come to Maui?  This is the place!  Right on Dairy Road in Kahului close to the airport.  The only Harley dealership on the island, Cycle City Maui/Maui Harley Davidson also sell Audi, Kawasaki and Vespa...  cars, bikes, watercraft and scooters.  They'll also take your trade-in for a new vehicle.  The service department is top notch.  The retail shop sells helmets, leathers, t-shirts and other accessories.  This store is leading the way in energy efficiency.  The whole roof is covered with solar panels that are used to make ice, which melts and circulates through an air conditioning system ... 02/08/2008

(AR members: As a service to consumers I have started a Maui Map Series and realized that I should have this same info on my website.  Don't forget to "pay yourself first" as they say - be sure to update your own site with plenty of good local info for consumers.) Kahului Maui HI 96732The map below includes the Kahului Airport, Kahului and Wailuku towns on the North Shore of Maui, surrounding Kahului Harbor. This is often refered to as Central Maui or the Central Valley.  Driving EAST on the Hana Highway will take you to Spreckelsville, Paia and Haiku and eventually Hana. Driving SOUTH will take you to Kihei, Wailea and Makena on the South Shore. To the WEST are the West Maui communities. See my website for a fully interactive version of this map and more Kahului info such as Kahului ho... 02/04/2008

    MAP   MAUI MALL- Kahului's friendly shopping center, located right across from the Kahului Harbor.The Maui Mall has been here a long time, serving the community for decades.  A recent facelift has spruced up the front, shown here above.  This shopping center is very convenient for visitors on the cruise ships and Hawaii Superferry, they can just walk over from the docks across the street!  The Kahului Airport and Costco are only 5 minutes away too, so be sure to stop here on your way to or from the airport.  On their website you can find a complete list of vendors by category.On Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there's a Farmers Market selling locally grown produce. If you've been here long ago, you'll remember this is where Woolworths used to be, on the back side.  Now that space is o... 02/02/2008

Big Box Stores on Maui - Kahului Maui HIYou might be curious about what's available on Maui for shopping.  Do we have those big box stores that we can't seem to live without?  The answer is YES we do.  Here's the short list of what's available in the main city of Kahului.  These are all located within a few blocks, along Dairy Road: WalMart Lowe's Home Depot Office Max Costco Wholesale And that's it.  Most of them are fairly new... like in the past 10-15 years or so.  I suppose there will be more coming, but I have a feeling the County Council will try to put the brakes on, or at least impose some limits.  I think there has already been talk about a maximum size of any future developments.  They really are a bit disruptive on the status quo around here.   KAHULUI MAPIt's funny whenever ... 01/12/2008