If you’re planning a visit to Maui, the island has more than enough choices for dining. The economy traveler has the option of sticking with the grocery store for sandwiches and chips. If you’re not worried about price, then you can choose from many different fine dining places like Spago at the Four Seasons, Gerard’s in Lahaina, or the new Mala Wailea at the Wailea Beach Marriot. But if you’re looking for something with amazing scenery, decent food, and great prices, then you might want to consider dusting off your putter and heading for the golf course.
Actually, you don’t even have to golf to eat at a course’s restaurant. Most course restaurants are open to the public, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy a great meal while taking advantage of natural beauty that golfers pay a pretty penny to enjoy. For some reason, though, this option isn’t on most visitors’ radars. And that makes it even more of a reason to consider it. But why are golf course restaurants so inexpensive? My guess is that the management of most of the courses use it as a bonus treat for the golfers. You have to figure that a golfer pays a couple hundred dollars or more for one round of golf, so giving them a break on food is no big deal. But not all golf restaurants are on the cheap side, so below I’ve compiled a list of restaurants that have the perfect combination of awesome scenic beauty, good food, and unbeatable prices. And keep in mind that the recommendations are for lunch only (many golf restaurants aren’t open for dinner service).
Kahili Restaurant at Kahili Golf Course, Central Maui: This is at the top of the list for good reason. It is located on the lower bluffs of the West Maui Mountains overlooking Maui’s central isthmus, giving it amazing bi-coastal views and an awesome look at the Haleakala Volcano straight ahead. The main seating area is a balcony overlooking the golf course. The menu consists of nicely priced burgers, sandwiches, and salads. When you’re eating there, you get the feeling you’re dining at a 5-star location with 2-star prices. Overall, this is my #1 choice.
Clubhouse Restaurant at Makena Golf Courses, South Maui: This location would be #1 if it weren’t for Kahili’s bi-coastal views. But it isn’t far behind in scenery. It’s located at the 10th hole of Makena’s South Course, and its terrace looks straight towards the Makena lava cone and the Pacific Ocean. It’s hard to describe how beautiful the surrounding are. And the food is pretty good as well. I had a big juicy burger for lunch. But they have a pretty extensive menu of sandwiches, meats, and local plate lunches. If you’re in South Maui around lunchtime, this is a must-stop.
Honolua Store at Kapalua Bay Course, Northwest Maui: This isn’t a restaurant as much as an old-school convenience store. But there is a lunch counter towards the back where many locals grab a nice, big plate lunch. There’s also a grocery section with other food options. The food is great, but the payoff is being surrounded by Kapalua’s Cook Pines, which makes you feel like you’re in a tiny village in the Rockies. But the downside is that you lose the service that comes with a restaurant. There are tables on the store’s wrap-around balcony for seating, though. And for those who are passing by Kapalua with rumbling stomachs, this is a good place to stop for an inexpensive on-the-go meal as well.
Mulligan’s on the Blue at Wailea Blue Course, South Maui: This is one of the few course restaurants that is open for lunch and dinner. It’s a great Irish Pub nestled on Wailea’s very first golf course, the “Old Blue”. The food is a little more expensive, especially if you’re eating dinner there. But it’s still well within the reasonable range. If you are planning a dinner at Mulligan’s, the sunsets are great. And there’s usually a live band belting out great Irish music. You’re surrounded by lots of woods, but not as much golf course since the restaurant actually faces the parking lot (a little bit of a negative in my opinion). But it’s still a fun place for good pub food with some fancier choices, a nice beer selection, and great live music at night.
Kaanapali Restaurant at Kaanapali Golf Courses, West Maui: If resort golf courses are your thing, you’ll love the restaurant at the Kaanapali Golf Courses. The location overlooks a well-grooomed golf course with fairways, fountains, bunkers, and blue skys. If you’re looking for natural beauty, this isn’t the place. There are lots of high-rise resorts lining Kaanapali Beach in the distance, so you’re right in the thick of the bustling tourist action. But some people actually prefer that to the rustic natural settings. And the food is not bad for the price.
Pineapple Grill at Kapalua Bay Course, Northwest Maui: While the Pineapple Grill is about 3 minutes away from the Honolua Store, it’s a world away as far as scenery goes. You’re overlooking the Kapalua Bay golf course, and you’re completely surrounded by a near forest of Cook Pines with million-dollar homes scattered above on the gentle bluffs. You’ll find the menu to be on the more expensive side when compared to other places on this list, but if you’re willing to pay a bit more for amazing scenery, the Pineapple Grill is worth it.
If you’re looking for a different kind of dining experience, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with any of these places. All of them offer something rare in Hawaii… inexpensive food with some of the best views on Maui.
The big news here on the island is that snow actually fell on Maui yesterday. A storm passed over the island, bringing the windchill on top of Haleakala to just 20 degrees. It was pretty strange seeing snow at the top of the volcano’s summit while driving home yesterday. And for at least one day, when people talked about ice on Maui, they weren’t talking about the island’s meth problem!
Haleakala weather is one thing many visitors tend to overlook. When I was there a few months ago, I can’t tell you how many people I saw getting out of their car wearing slippers, shorts, and t-shirts. On the summit of a 10,000 foot volcano, that ain’t gonna keep you warm! So if you ever plan on visiting Maui, remember that a trip to mighty Haleakala requires warm clothes no matter what time of year it is. Here’s a link to current Haleakala weather conditions (click here), as well as a live webcam of the crater (click here).
And here’s one last tip for those planning a visit to the Haleakala summit… finish the trip at the beach! The Haleakala crater is like a window to a different world. And there’s no better way to highlight the difference than to drive straight from the cold summit to Baby Beach at the far end of Baldwin Beach Park in Paia (click on the Google map above for a suggested route). That way you can enjoy two extreme climates in one day, and finish your journey with a relaxing swim.
A reader of this blog recently asked me if I had any insight about moving to Hawai‘i. Her inquiry got me thinking… I’ve been showing a pretty rosy side of island living on this website. I’ve talked about deserted beaches, tropical forests, angelic DMV employees, and my beautiful commute to work. Now that I think of it, though, I haven’t talked about the more gloomy side of living on Maui. But that ends right now, as I explore the dark side of paradise.
There isn’t any… just kidding.
Life here is definitely a compromise. At the end of the day you have to love living here so much, you’re willing to give up a lot of things you were used to on the mainland. And I’m not talking about the lack of fresh strawberries. I’m talking about saying goodbye to some of the comfort features of mainland life. I’m talking about living in a small apartment instead of a house. I’m talking about cutting back on eating out… or not eating out at all. I’m talking about having to get a second job to help pay the bills. I’m talking about not being able to afford a plane ride to see family. This is the unfortunate “luxury tax” that is placed on you as a resident… a price you must pay for living in an exceptional place. And to be happy here, you must be willing to pay that price. With the exception of those who are WOA (wealthy on arrival), this is a universal truth. People who live here work their arse off. No doubt. But strangely enough, I’ve never heard a resident complain about any of it either.
The past few weeks, Maui has experienced what can only be described as an invasion of visitors. Crowds of people are everywhere… at all the beaches, all the restaurants, all the shops. And with throngs of the tourists come the inevitable wave of rental cars clogging the unprepared roads. This phenomenon is something new to me. I’ve never lived in a place where rental cars outnumber local cars. In the last several weeks I’ve been cut off, pushed off, pulled off, and flipped off by people driving the cars on this list. So now it’s time for revenge…
That’s how I came up with the top 5 cars to avoid renting. Why did I pick these specific cars? For three main reasons. First, they’re the most popular cars to rent, which in turn make them easily identifiable targets for potential crimes like theft and vandalism… something that can really ruin a vacation.
Second, if you want to experience local island life during your stay on Maui, the last thing you want to do is look like every other visitor. You might feel special after booking that cherry red Mustang convertible for your stay. But when you get here and you’re surrounded by thousands of cherry red Mustangs just like yours, it loses its luster.
And lastly, I hate the kinds of people that drive these rental cars. They’re disproportionately more likely to be rude, inconsiderate, and very anti-aloha. When residents see swarms of these cars on the road, they have to try and control the urge to run them off the road. If I had a shiv, I’d be popping tires all over the island.
So, without further delay… here are the top 5 most despised rental cars on Maui…
Chrysler Sebring Convertible - by far, the most hated rental car on the island. People who rent these cars instantly lose their ability to drive.
Chrysler PT Cruiser (regular and convertible) - for tourists that want to see the sights without actually getting out of their car.
Ford Mustang Convertible - for balding, aggressive men who want to show how laid back they really are (but they’re not).
Chevrolet HHR - (see Chrysler PT Cruiser)
Dodge Calibur - used by those who try and walk the fine line between the PT Cruiser and Mustang.
ALTERNATIVES - check out these traditional car rental alternatives…
Bio Beetle - drive around in an eco-friendly VW beetle. You’ll stand out a bit, but residents will appreciate your environmental efforts.
Aloha Campers - drive, eat, and sleep in the same vehicle… a VW Westfalia van!
Maui Cruisers Car Rental - the best way to go, with used (but well-maintained) Toyotas and Nissans that have a ‘weathered’ look. Best for blending in with the locals! Tel. (808) 249-2319 or 1-877-749-7889
In a throwdown between The Equalizer and Quincy, who would win? This question has haunted me since my roomate Elario posed the question over 10 years ago. But don’t get me wrong. The question doesn’t haunt me because I can’t figure out the answer. The Equalizer would kick Quincy’s butt, of course. Quincy was a pacifist. The Equalizer had a gun and a silencer. What haunts me is that I can’t convince my former roomate Elario of that undisputed fact. He thinks that Quincy’s intellect would win the day. I say The Equalizer’s gun would take care of Quincy’s intellect. Now, I need you, the readers of this blog, to weigh in on the subject. In a face-to-face throwdown, who would be the last man standing - The Equalizer or Quincy?
You might be asking what the hell any of this has to do with Hawai‘i. The answer is… it doesn’t. It’s been a slow week, OK?
Several weeks ago, I heard from a Mom at the park that there had been a string of brutal murders in the town I live in, Kihei. She went on to say that there had been several brutal rapes in the park that our children (keiki) play in, all be it very late at night. She then added that there had been a female’s body found in the dumpster behind the Safeway Supermarket, which happens to be right across the street from where we live. She claimed that the police were covering it up so the tourists didn’t get the jitters. She also claimed that a reliable source at the hospital informed her of the facts. I, of course, believed every word of it and told about 10 different people the inside scoop about the Kihei murders. Read the rest of this entry »
For the last six days or so, the islands have been pummeled with winds, rain, flooding, and high surf. A woman from work told me that this is what’s called a “Kona Storm“. Then she added that sometimes they last 14 days! And wouldn’t you know it, I left my rubber boots on the mainland… damn. Read the rest of this entry »
Have you ever heard of “buyer’s remorse”? You know, that feeling of regret when you buy a big-ticket item like a car, a house, a private jet. Well, the same thing sort of happens when you move. You find yourself dealing with regret for leaving friends and family. You start to glorify the place you left, remembering only the things you liked about, and forgetting everything else. And you start to get really, really homesick… maybe to the point that you begin to second guess your reasons for moving in the first place.
It is at this point, when you feel sick, scared, lonely, trapped and regretful… that you should avoid making decisions at all costs! And the reason is that you will, without a doubt, make really bad decisions about your situation because you’re reacting to confusing emotions rather than common sense and reason. We made that mistake with the decision to move back to California (see my previous post). It was a decision that was made when neither my wife or I were thinking clearly. Each of us were separately dealing with the stresses of relocation in our own ways, which caused tension in our relationship that I won’t go into right now (maybe I’ll explain when I write the Hawaiian O’Brien book). But I will say that the common stresses of moving combined with our own tensions to create a very toxic environment in which neither one of us were thinking clearly. But that’s changed, and we’re thinking clearly now.
That’s why I’m happy to announce that we will be staying here on Maui. That decision was made at the eleventh hour, the night before my wife was due to leave the island and begin our relocation efforts back in California. I’m not really prepared to go into detail about what happened these last 4 weeks. Don’t worry, though. It all makes for juicy blog entries, so I’ll be doing lots of explaining in the months ahead. But all I can say is that now, as the dust settles, we have decided to stay here on Maui for the year that we had originally committed to. And I couldn’t be happier, because I love it here. And I don’t know if I’ll want to stay for a year, 5 years, or forever. I’m not thinking that far ahead. But I do know that the next time we make a decision about where we’re going to live, we would have given Maui a fair chance. And no matter what, that’s good enough for me.
So for those of you still tuning in to this blog, I apologize for my long absence. But I’m back, and I plan on exploring this island to the fullest in the coming months, and sharing my experiences with you. Maui is a truly incredible place, and I hope that you return to this blog to take part in my adventures with me.
The past few weeks, Maui has experienced what can only be described as an invasion of visitors. Crowds of people are everywhere… at all the beaches, all the restaurants, all the shops. And with throngs of the tourists come the inevitable wave of rental cars clogging the unprepared roads. This phenomenon is something new to me. I’ve never lived in a place where rental cars outnumber local cars. In the last several weeks I’ve been cut off, pushed off, pulled off, and flipped off by people driving the cars on this list. So now it’s time for revenge…
That’s how I came up with the top 5 cars to avoid renting. Why did I pick these specific cars? For three main reasons. First, they’re the most popular cars to rent, which in turn make them easily identifiable targets for potential crimes like theft and vandalism… something that can really ruin a vacation.
