Hawaiian Islands

Maui, HI ~ Our 3 favorite places to stay

shaunaaguirre — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:30:29 +0000

There are many VRBO condos and luxury resorts to choose from on the Island of Maui. We opt for the hotels that offer a more local experience reflective of the tranquil lifestyle of the Islands. Our first choice is the Best Western Pioneer Inn in Lahaina. This hotel harkens back to the days when Lahaina was one of the whaling capitals of the world. Built in 1901 and restored and remodeled, the rooms have private lanais. In addition, it sits across the street from the world-famous Banyan tree. The central location of this property offers a great jumping off spot for touring the north, east and west parts of the Island. In addition, just steps away from the hotel you have access to numerous recreation activities. You can take a whale watching tour or a day boat to Lanai. Scuba and snorkeling trips and world class fishing charters are easily accessible. They also have an entertaining bar that features live music on a regular basis (If you’re there say hi to our friend Donna who bartends here!) The Banyan Tree The banyan tree was planted in 1873. Since then it has grown to 60 feet tall, has 16 major trunks apart from the main one and the circumference of the tree covers almost two acres of land, making it one of the largest banyan trees in the world. At dusk, there are thousands of Myna birds that return to sleep for the night. The boisterous caterwauling is a spectacle to behold. Famed Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia spent many days painting the tree. There are multiple annual events that happen in the park surrounding the famous tree. Our favorite is Halloween night when Lahaina shuts down its main street and there is an epic costume contest under the tree. It’s one of the most fun Halloween events we’ve ever experienced. Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel Our second favorite is the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel. This oceanfront hotel sits directly on the world-famous Kāʻanapali beach and features 11 acres of stunning tropical gardens and world-class ocean views. It is considered “Hawaii’s most Hawaiian hotel.” All of the oceanfront rooms have private, spacious lanai’s. You’ll be afforded long walks on the beach and the swimming here is fabulous. Just to the west of the resort is Black Rock, also known as Puʻu Kekaʻa, was once revered as a place where the spirits would leap from this world to the next. This area is a dynamic snorkeling and swimming area. The clear waters offer a fishbowl experience and it is a great spot for paddle boarding, swimming, snorkeling and if you’re adventurous, some cliff diving. From December to May, humpback whales travel to the protected waters of Kā’anapali, making it one of the top whale-watching destinations in the world. The Bamboo Inn, Hāna, Maui Thirdly, we can’t recommend the Bamboo Inn in Hāna enough. The Bamboo Inn offers three oceanfront accommodations, each with a breath-taking view looking across Hāna Bay toward the Waikoloa peninsula, the easternmost point on Maui. A trip out the Hana highway can be done in a day if you have time constraints but we recommend you take a whole day to get there and stay the night and spend a whole day returning. There are so many detours, side roads, hidden beaches and waterfalls along this road to Hāna. You really need 48 hours to experience it all. In this case, the destination is the lesser part of the trip and the journey is the real experience. Check out our other blogs featuring the best beaches, best hikes, best food and best sites Maui has to offer.

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Kaua’i, HI ~ Our top 6 favorite sites to see

shaunaaguirre — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 15:00:19 +0000

Over the years we’ve visited this Island many times. In this blog, we will share our top 6 favorite Kaua’i sites. Some are mainstream and a couple that are off the beaten path. Whether you have a week or just a couple days, these are the best Kaua’i sites you won’t want to miss! Waimea Canyon This area is the largest canyon in the Islands and is aptly called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Starting at the beach in the town of Waimea, take the Waimea Canyon drive to the top. As you travel up the road to the Canyon viewing area you’ll pass through several different landscapes. For example, you’ll see Norfolk pines, Koa trees and maybe even some wild boars. The vista at the top is spectacular. The canyon spans over a mile wide and 3500 feet deep. There are several waterfalls visible from the lookout point. If you want to hike, you’ll be in heaven because there are over 45 miles of trails in the area. The added bonus is the presence of street vendors in the parking lot selling sugarcane and banana bread in addition to many more locally made snacks. Back in the town of Waimea, be sure to stop at Jojo’s shave ice for some of the best shave ice on the island! Shave ice looks very white due to its small water particles. Added Flavored syrups are absorbed by the ice instead of surrounding it. There is rarely a need for a straw for a properly made shave ice confection, since the flavors are in the ice and not at the bottom of the cup. Although the traditional American flavors are common, shave ice in Hawai’i is often flavored with local ingredients such as guava, pineapple, coconut cream, passionfruit, li hing mui, lychee, kiwifruit and mango. Hawaiian shave ice is traditionally served in a conical paper or plastic cup with multiple flavors and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or adzuki bean paste at the bottom of the cup. Sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top is sometimes called a “snow cap”. This style of shave ice is common on the north shore of O’ahu, as well as on Maui, Kaua’i and the Big Island of Hawai’i (where it is called “Japanese style”). Wailua Falls These falls are one of the most picturesque places on the island. Just north of Lihue, the access is easy and parking is just a couple steps away from this spectacular view. These falls are where the Wailua river pours out in two streams to a pool below. There are plenty of hiking trails that take you down to the pool below or to the top of the falls. However, you can get perfect photos of the falls from the viewing area. The drive up to the falls is as picturesque as the destination. Stone Dam This breathtaking garden is on the North side of the island and an easy hike on the Wai Loa loop trail that leads you to the dam. Fortunately this 4.5 mile round trip path is easy enough for children. Along the way you’ll pass the largest mahogany ranch in North America. Once you arrive at the dam, not only are there numerous places for a picnic. This is considered a meditation garden and provides many places to sit quietly. Just above the damn is a spot where you can jump in and swim. The dam was built in the late 1800’s to assist the sugarcane farmers with irrigation. Each stone was hand carved and it is a now a beautiful backdrop to this lushious garden. Thisis a Kaua’i site we go back to on every visit! Nāpali Coast There are two main ways to see the Nāpali coast, by boat or trail. You can jump on one of the many charters from Port Allen that includes snorkeling tours and sunset dinner tours. Or, you can hike the Malala trail that starts at Ke’e Beach and goes to Kalalau Beach. The boat charter will give you a view of the coast that you can’t see any other way. The sunset tour will give you some of the best photos of your trip. The hiking trail is a fun day trip. The trail is 11 miles long so you can do all of it or as much as you want. It is a rugged trail with spectacular vistas of the area. The added bonus is the usual presence of a shaved ice truck in the parking lot. It’s just what you’ll need after a long hike! Spouting Horn blow hole Located on the Southside near Koloa is the natural landmark, Spouting Horn blow hole. This site has great importance as part of the ancient Hawaiian legends of the Island. The spouting is always consistent and reliable and the sounds it makes when pushing thru the lava tubes is haunting. If the weather is good, there are some street vendors selling locally made products that range from jewelry to home decor. It is a great place to pick up some souvenirs while supporting local artisans. Hanapepe Art Walk & swinging bridge One of our favorite Kaua’i sites is the Friday Night Art Walk in Hanapepe. The main road through town is shut down and filled with street vendors. The shops along the street open their doors and welcome locals and tourists. The food vendors sell local favorites like lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake, plate lunch and guava lemonade. The plate lunch (Hawaiian: pā mea ʻai) is a quintessentially Hawaiian meal, roughly analogous to Southern U.S. meat-and-threes. However, the pan-Asian influence on Hawaiian cuisine, and its roots in the Japanese bento, make the plate lunch unique to Hawaii. Standard plate lunches consist of two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée The art galleries are fun to explore and many of the artists are available to speak with. Just to the north of the center of town is the Hanapepe Swinging bridge that spans the Hanapepe River and connects the residential area to the business district. Located on the South side of the island between Waimea and Lihue, this little town is off the beaten path and worth a detour. Be sure to check out our other blogs of Kaua’i for the best beaches and best eats on the island.

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Maui, HI ~ Our favorite Maui Grinds!

shaunaaguirre — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 04:56:29 +0000

There are hundreds of places to eat on Maui. Some are super touristy, but there are some very special locals spots that we will show you. Check out our favorite Maui grinds at some secret spots off the beaten path. Tamura fine wines and is a hidden gem and local favorite hiden under the guise of a liquor store, but actually features some of the best Poke on the Island. Their poke/deli counter features over 30 types of poke. The line at the counter consists of local workers and fishermen. Our favorites are the spicy sesame poke and the wasabi poke. It is the perfect place to pick up a couple of small deli containers of poke to put in the cooler and enjoy while exploring the Island. There is a location near the airport and this is always our first stop when we arrive on the Island. Lahaina Grinds Since 1977, Kimos’ has been serving up classic Hawaiian cuisine as well as their World-Famous Hula pie. Grab a table on the deck, overlooking Lahaina bay and enjoy their signature prime rib or classic Kimo’s style fresh fish. Here you’ll taste the original aloha of Old Lahaina Town. Kimo’s has live entertainment on the weekends and is the quintessential Maui grinds restaurant. One of the most popular restaurants in Lahaina is Cheeseburger in Paradise. This ocean front Jimmy Buffet styled restaurant is home of the legendary 5-napkin Cheeseburger. Since 1989 they have been serving up a unique brand of Aloha in this amazing location. Although a more touristy restaurant, the view of the ocean in front of Lahaina and the beach walk-up make it a must. Off the beaten path This family owned business located in an old Hawaiian fishing village called Kahakuloa between mile markers 14 – 15 (ask for Aunty Jan or Pam), and directly across of mile marker 38 if you’re driving from the Kapalua area. Kahakuloa Head (Pu’u Koa’e) is located in a very remote area in West Maui (on the island’s north shore) near the sleepy village Kahakuloa. The 636-foot (194 m) hill is a scenic landmark, but not many people make it here. The main reason is because the only road that leads here, Kahekili Highway (Route 340) isn’t really a “highway.” Many people consider it hazardous and one of the spookiest roads they have ever driven. The road hugs the sea cliffs and is very narrow (often just one lane), with many blind curves and no guard rails. So not many people visit this part of Maui. But, if you’re feeling adventurous, the reward is worth the trip. The views along the road are spectacular and pass by the Nakalele blow hole. The lilikoi lemonade is one of the best things we’ve ever drank and the banana bread & lilikoi butter are deeerrricious! Hana Ono Grinds Visiting Hana is a special treat. The Hawaiians say that “only the truly blessed make it to Hana.” Some visitors whole-heartedly agree after making the long and winding trip on the Road to Hana. But once you’ve reached Hana, Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill is truly another gift if you arrive before 2 pm. Just about a mile past the world famous Hasegawa market you’ll lfind a food truck with picnic tables and pop up tents. They feature tacos, bbq chicken nad one of the best Kalua pork plate lunches we’ve ever had. The Hawaiian style mac salad is spot on and the pork, slow cooked for hours is scrumptious, this is easily the best Maui grind meals we have on the Island, seriously better than some of the expensive restaurants here. These are our top 5 favorite Maui grinds places. Check out our other blogs of our favorite beaches, places to stay and sight-seeing opportunities on Maui.

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Kaua’i, HI. ~ The best Local places to eat on Kaua’i

shaunaaguirre — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 03:30:37 +0000

There are many great places to eat on the Island. However, if you want to avoid the touristy places and enjoy some great Ono Grinds, we’ve done some extensive research (to the dismay of our waistlines.) Here, will share our favorite places to eat on Kaua’i. Our top 5 places to eat on Kaua’i Shrimp Station: With two locations on the Island, this place is the Bubba Gump of Kaua’i. Koloa Fish Market: Authentic Hawaiian food with an abundance of fresh local seafood. Kaui’i Food truck: This truck posts their GPS on social media and is worth the effort to find them. Kalaheo Steak & Ribs: Serving the best steaks on Kaua’i for over 30 years. This a must visit restaurant on the Island. Ishihara Market: Located in an Oriental grocery store, the deli counter in the back has some of the best Poke on the Island. Shrimp Station A locally owned and operated business sure to give you the true Aloha spirit. There are two locations on Kaua’i. One on the way to Waimea and one on the way to the North Shore. The coconut shrimp here is some of the best we’ve ever tried. This scratch cooking restaurant features spicy Thai shrimp, sautéed shrimp as well as garlic shrimp, shrimp burgers and shrimp tacos. There’s a small area for dining in or you can pick up some take out and head to the closest beach. Either way, this meal won’t disappoint. Koloa Fish Market In the heart of Koloa, is the Koloa fish market. This restaurant has been a mainstay for locals for years. This is a great place to pick up some food to take to the beach or eat on a bench in the park across the street. The menu has a lot of creative and authentic Hawaiian dishes as well as some amazing Poke and a great plate lunch. The food is always fresh and inexpensive making it a place you’ll want to come back to. Kaua’i Food Truck The Kaua’i food truck is one of the best plate lunches we’ve had on the island. In addition to the traditional Kalua pork plate lunch, they have some awesome fresh fish and a dynamite shrimp plate lunch. Typically found in Koloa, the burger with gravy (loco moco) and the Hawaiian Mac salad will make you do a happy dance. Kalaheo Steak & Ribs We’ve had our fare share of great steaks but this place ranks in the top. The atmosphere embraces the history of the Hawaiian cowboys “Paniolos” that dates back to the late 1800’s. Taking advantage of the abundance of cattle farms in the island, the aged beef is top notch. The interior harkens back to the old cattle ranching days. While we were sitting at a window seat on our most recent visit, a couple of guys on horses literally rode by on the sidewalk. After a day of exploring this side of the Island, this is the perfect place for an amazing dinner Ishihara Market This is hands down our best place to eat on Kaua’i. This hidden gem is an Oriental grocery store with an amazing deli counter in the back. It is the best poke we have had on the island. Choices range from spicy ahi poke to fresh shrimp poke and many more options. The garlic edamame is something we have tried to recreate at home to no avail. Do yourself a favor and pick up an assortment of deli containers and head up the road to MacArthur park for a picnic. This is a meal you won’t soon forget. For more tips on the best of Kaua’i, check out our blogs on the best 5 beaches and the best 5 sites to see.

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Kaua’i, HI. ~ A locals tour of the best beaches on Kaua’i

shaunaaguirre — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:00:41 +0000

One of our best friends lives on Kaua’i and so we do our best to get there at least once a year. We spend our days bouncing from beach to beach and we will share our favorites with you in detail. Our favorite days are our beach days! Our typical flight from Southern California arrives about 5pm as do most from the mainland. We always make our first stop at Costco to stock up and then straight to the closest beach we can find. 5 best beaches on Kaua’i Polihale State Park Beach: You’ll drive down a dirt road to get here and 4wd is recommended however you can still make it in a car. You’ll need to get a permit to camp here but that is fairly easy. Poipu Beach: Awesome snorkeling and swimming beach with many resorts nearby for food and beverage. This beach has been voted #1 beach in America. Parking lots are ample and access is easy. Brennecke’s Beach: Located adjacent to Poipu Beach, this is the perfect beach for body surfing and boogie boarding. Maha’ulepu beach: You’ll take a 2 mile dirt road with some bumps in order to get here. Great hiking and lots of trees for shade. Salt Pond: Great beach for swimming in the coral reef protected cove and awesome beach for a sunset. Polihale Beach Camping over-night at Polihale beach on Kaua’i is an epic experience usually reserved for locals. Campsites line the bluff and you can camp out under the stars without a tent. This beach is the longest stretch of beach in the State of Hawaii. The road leading to the beach is an old sugar cane hauling road. Even though we recommend a 4wd you can still easily access it without one. Access to the road is where the Highway 50 ends. This seventeen mile stretch of beach sits on the edge of the Na Pali coast and the views are spectacular. Swimming is limited to the area called Queens Pond due to strong rip currents. You can fish along the shore line, take the longest beach walk ever, do some epic shelling and enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau. Even if you are not going to spend the night, this is a great beach to spend the day. There is no shade on the shoreline so you’ll want to bring an umbrella. Be sure to stop at Ishihara Market to stock up on water, beverages and some of the best Poke on the Island (Check out our blog on best places to eat on Kaua’i.) Poipu Beach State Park They aren’t joking when they say this is one of the best beaches in the world, this beach really has something for everyone. Considering this is the sunniest part of Kaua’i, beach days here are long and therefore, awesome. The series of coves of volcanic rock make it an epic snorkeling spot and a great place for kids to swim. Due to the fact that there are lifeguards here every day, it is considered one of the safest beaches on Kaua’i. In addition, the bonus is that there are several hotels nearby and you can access them for food and drinks or belly up and have a cocktail. Not only are there many rental kiosks which offer snorkel equipment, stand up paddle boards and surf boards there are also restrooms and showers that are plentiful. Brennecke’s beach We love this beach! If your looking for a perfect body surfing and boogie boarding beach, this is it. It’s just adjacent to Poipu beach and within walking distance of Brennecke’s beach deli where you can get delicious sandwiches and any supplies you might be missing. The snorkeling is great here and turtles are usually around and close to shore. Maha’ulepu beach Just down Poipu road past the Grand Hyatt take the 2 mile dirt road and you arrive at Maha’ulepu beach. The drive is about 15 minutes to the dirt parking lot. A short walk down a dirt trail and you you’re greeted with a visually stunning and secluded beach that is definitely off the beaten path. You can also access this beach via the Maha’ulepu Heritage trail that takes you along cliff and sand dune bluffs and provides great vistas of Shipwreck beach. While this isn’t the best swimming beach, if you want to get away from the crowds, this is the perfect place for a picnic, a book and a beer. Salt Pond This beach is named for the natural salt ponds that lay adjacent to it. The beach is flanked by a coral reef and so it is mostly calm and a great place to relax and play in the water. Although this is in fact a mostly a locals spot, it’s a great place for sunset and you can see the Forbidden Island of Ni’ihau. It is also a great beach for shelling! Secret Glass beach Shhhhhhh! Just over by Port Allen Harbor behind the Kauai Island Brewing company, is a beach full of sea glass. If you’re on your way to Waimea Canyon, be sure to take the short detour. It’s just about a two minute drive off Highway 50 and you can spend some time checking out the glass. Additionally, if you’re crazy about sea glass like we are, it’s absolutely worth the trip. Although the glass is remnants of an old bottle and auto glass dump here, if you have never seen a glass beach, you won’t want to miss it. McBryde Sugar Plantation Cemetery – Added Bonus If you continue along the dirt road past Glass Beach you’ll come to a bluff and just on your right is the McBryde Sugar Plantation Cemetery. The cemetery contains the graves of Chinese and Japanese sugar plantation workers of the late 1800s and early 1900s. However before 2013, the cemetery was totally overgrown and it was difficult to see. Due to a massive clean up effort by a local resident, you are now able to view them. It’ definitely worth the few minutes it takes to get there. Check out our other blogs for the best eating and site-seeing on Kauai!

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