Outrageous Surf School: Surf Lessons
Whenever I review a surf school, I tell the instructor that I know very little about surfing and to treat me as if this is my first time surfing. This way I can see how the school treats their students and the information I provide to me readers is that much more helpful. It’s really not that much of a stretch either; I’m not that good of a surfer. I have a long way to go before I will even consider myself to be a beginner. The instructors at Outrageous Surf School not only took me at my word, but they made me feel good about it. My kids on the other hand were… [more]
West Maui Parasail
With the West Maui Mountains behind us, we began our walk down the street into Lahaina Town. One of the many things I love about living on Maui is that, from the right location, everything is within walking distance. We are lucky enough to live in the right location for all the activities in Lahaina Harbor. This morning was a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are. This morning we were headed into Lahaina Towne to go parasailing with West Maui Parasail. One of two parasailing companies on Maui, West Maui Parasail has two locations on the West Side: Ka’anapali… [more]
Tiny Bubbles Scuba School: Introductory Dive
Visibility: 60 feet. Maximum Depth: 32 feet. Duration: 48 minutes. Wild Life: Over a dozen sea turtles and countless fish. Not bad for my first ocean scuba dive. About a year ago, at the grand opening of Umalu at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa on Maui, I had the good fortune of meeting Tim “Timmerz” Rollo, owner and dive instructor of Tiny Bubbles Scuba School, an SDI and PADI facility located at the Ka’anapali Beach Club just north of Black Rock on the west side of Maui. Having never been scuba diving before, I found it fascinating to listen to the… [more]
Maui Eco-Adventures: The Best of West Maui Mountains
Even if you think you’ve seen everything there is to see on West Maui, and even if you think you’ve already been everywhere there is to go on West Maui, you owe it to yourself to experience West Maui with Maui Eco-Adventures. Their “Best of West Maui Mountains” hike takes you to places well off the beaten path, places that aren’t part of the common itinerary. Very few tours that I know … [Read More...]
David Paul’s Island Grill
Family Night Out is one of the best parts about being a restaurant writer for 808 Reviews. There is something very special about the whole family getting dressed up to go out to dinner, even in a town with a casual dress code like Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. The idea of dressing for dinner is still extremely worthwhile. Along with button down Aloha shirts and dress shorts for me and my two sons and … [Read More...]
Ride around Lahaina with Aloha Mopeds
Start of a Perfect Day It was another perfect day in Lahaina on the Valley Island of Maui when we started our day of moped riding, there was a little drizzle and a cool breeze. The clouds over the west Maui mountains was just starting to burn off as we drove down the Honoapiilani Highway to Aloha Mopeds. To be quite honest, I was a little nervous about my first moped ride. I rode a bicycle when I … [Read More...]
Nikkis Pizza – Maui
If you want to come in for a quick breakfast on the go, or enjoy a leisurely meal you can’t go wrong with Nikki’s Pizza. Come as you are barefoot or in your slippah’s for Nikki’s dining experience full of Aloha. Conviently located in the food court at Whalers Village at Ka’anapali. Stop in when you need a break from your shopping. Nikki’s Pizza previously known as Pizza Paradiso … [Read More...]
Snuba and Burgers and Slides, Oh My!
Snorkel Trip Aboard The Pride of Maui Today we had a terrifically fun time on The Pride of Maui snorkel trip. Check back soon. The full review will be published in a few weeks. … [Read More...]
Goofy Foot Surf School
We arrived just after 7:15 am (check in was at 7:30 for the 8:00 lesson) and we weren’t even the first ones there. The first thing I noticed was that everyone was happy and smiling. This seemed very odd at first being that it was so early in the morning and the coffee bar next door wasn’t open yet. And that’s when it occurred to me. The students, including my wife and I, were about to have … [Read More...]
Outback Steakhouse in Lahaina
Located above the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at the Lahaina Gateway is a wonderful place for lunch called Outback Steakhouse. I know, there are Outback Steakhouses all over and you are probably wondering, “Why go to an Outback Steakhouse when you’re on vacation on Maui?” The answer is simple, good food, good service, and if you are in a hurry, the lunch is served fast and well … [Read More...]
Quicksilver: Snorkel Trip
A Trip to Molokini Crater on the Quicksilver Have you ever imagined the perfect way to celebrate your birthday, only to be disappointed when the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream turns out to be low-cal carob cake, with no added sugar, and sugar free non-dairy ice cream substitute? If you want a sure fire way to make certain you have a good birthday with no artificial sweetener, then you … [Read More...]
Outrageous Surf School: Surf Lessons
Whenever I review a surf school, I tell the instructor that I know very little about surfing and to treat me as if this is my first time surfing. This way I can see how the school treats their students and the information I provide to me readers is that much more helpful. It’s really not that much of a stretch either; I’m not that good of a surfer. I have a long way to go before I will even … [Read More...]
There’s a New Shave Ice in Town: Humuhumu Shave Ice
There's a new place for shave ice in Lahaina: Humumhumu Shave Ice. It's located at the Lahaina Gateway, across from the Lahaina Cannery Mall, right next to Footlocker. They are currently open from around noon till about 5:00pm every day. Try a shave ice with some of their homemade flavors like Tiger's Blood, Blue Hawaiian, Passion Fruit, and many more. For more information, … [Read More...]
Mala: An Ocean Tavern
We arrived on the wrong night. Not that any night could possible be the wrong night for dining at Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina. It’s just that we arrived a day earlier than we were expected. Two weeks earlier I had spoken with Lisa Chappel, Mala’s General Manager, to arrange our dinner so I could write this review. During the course of our conversation, I inadvertently entered the wrong date … [Read More...]
Start Me Up Sportfishing
Waking up at 2:00 in the morning is not something I generally look forward to, but this morning I was up a full half hour before my alarm went off. I was having a hard time even getting to sleep ever since I found out I would be going out with Start Me Up for their nine hour fishing trip. The reason for leaving so early in the morning is that the fish don't feed until the sun comes up, and we … [Read More...]
Breakfast with a Beautiful View at Betty’s Beach Cafe
Thursday morning is the best day to go Betty's for breakfast. That's because Wednesday night is Lobster night at Betty's, which means that they have lobster available for breakfast on Thursday morning. They have two specials: lobster eggs benedict and lobster omelette. Betty's Beach Cafe is a nice little restaurant with an incredible view of the beach, water, and waves. Located on the southern … [Read More...]
Canoes Restaurant
When my family and I moved to Maui almost six years ago, one of the first restaurants we tried was Canoes Restaurant on Front Street in Lahaina. The view was fantastic and the food was good, but nothing to be overly excited about. Over the years, we returned several times. As always, the view was fantastic. Sometimes, the food was fantastic and sometimes, the food was, well, not too good. Lately, … [Read More...]
Outrageous Surf School: Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons
My new favorite sport is stand up paddle boarding also known as stand up paddle surfing. I’ve only gone out a few times, but I have a blast each time. Sometimes I stand up and paddle by myself; sometimes I stand up and paddle with my children riding on the front of the stand up paddle board. (they take turns.) Every time, I thoroughly enjoy it. It’s great exercise, one of the best core … [Read More...]
Erik Pietsch – The Whaleshark
Erik Pietsch got his nickname about ten years ago when he was the captain of a Whale Watch tour in the Lahaina Harbor. The story I heard was that while on the trip, Erik spotted a whaleshark in the water somewhere between the islands of Maui and Lanai. Now, you have to understand that whalesharks don’t often make their way in to the waters near Maui and seeing an actual whaleshark was apparently … [Read More...]
Art by Riki
Riki and Tom Inzano are multi-media artists with an eclectic background that includes special effects, murals, t-shirts, postcards, chess pieces, and of course sand sculptures. With a huge following on the mainland, Riki and Tom still chose to move to Maui to provide their family with the Island lifestyle. Here, they have been embraced by locals and visitors alike, bringing the spirit of Aloha … [Read More...]
West Maui Parasail
With the West Maui Mountains behind us, we began our walk down the street into Lahaina Town. One of the many things I love about living on Maui is that, from the right location, everything is within walking distance. We are lucky enough to live in the right location for all the activities in Lahaina Harbor. This morning was a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are. This morning we were headed into … [Read More...]
The Plantation House: Eggs Benedict
Having been to The Plantation House for dinner, I was very much looking forward to going again. The food is fantastic, the servers friendly and knowledgeable, and Chef Alex Stanislaw... well Chef Alex is amazing. When the opportunity presented itself to try all six variations of Eggs Benedict featured at The Plantation House, I jumped at the chance. For years, I have heard people rave about them; … [Read More...]
