Maui – Days 1 & 2

This past week I was a lucky girl.

My parents own a timeshare in Napili, Maui for 2 weeks every 2 years. This summer is our summer. I got a week off work, the BF and I flew home to Indy and met up with my sister’s BF, then we all flew out to Maui.

Day 1 – Saturday

I had the pleasure of seeing some of my family on my Dad’s side. Two of my cousins and my aunt were with my parents and sister the week prior to us flying out. It was wonderful to see them, and spend sometime with them before they went home.

All Saturday consisted of us playing in the waves with boogie boards, laying on the beach, and relaxing. We lucked out and had perfect weather.

That morning we walked up Pineapple Hill (Kapalua) to the Honolua Store for breakfast with the family. They have a lot of traditional hawaiian food (such as the loco moco*) and saimin. The bf and I shared a breakfast burrito with fried rice, my sister had waffles, her BF had the burrito. My cousin ordered the loco moco, and my mom the saimin. The best part about the Honolua store is that you take your food outside and look over Kapalua/Honolua Bay while eating. Beautiful scenery with amazing food.

Taken with Instagram

For my extended family’s last night we went down to Lahaina and had dinner at Captain Jack’s Island Grill. It was amazing! Everyone was satisfied  My Mom, my cousin, and myself all ordered fish tacos. My other cousin, my Aunt, and my BF ordered fish and chips. My Dad had an Ono fish sandwich, my sister had the Ono special (curry & something else…), and her BF had a burrito.

And because it was my cousin’s last night, they ordered a few chocolate cake shots!

Recipe for a Chocolate Cake Shot:

1/2 oz Frangelico Hazelnut liquor

1/2 oz Stoli Vanil Vodka

Sugar

1 slice of lemon

To Make the Shot: Using an old fashioned glass, frost the rim using lemon juice and sugar. Mix together the liquors and pour into the glass. Dip each side of the lemon slice in sugar. To Take the Shot: lick the sugar off the rim of the glass, throw back the shot, and bite the lemon.

*Loco Moco is a traditional hawaiian meal that seems like it would be the perfect hangover cure. It consists of 4 things; hamburger patties, rice, eggs, and brown gravy. The best way to order it is with the egg over easy and the rice sticky. I know it sounds gross, but if you are ever on Hawaii you should try the loco moco.

Captain Jack’s Island Grill sits right on Front Street, on the second level of the building over looking the banyan tree and the ocean. Check it out for yourself at 672 Front Street, Lahaina HI 96761.

Day 2 – Sunday

Our second day was much more eventful than the first.

We drove a little ways down the road to Hana (Hana Highway) and hiked through a bamboo forest to waterfalls. It was so cool. The waterfalls were beautiful, and we got to swim/jump into the pools!

On the road to Hana they have these amazing rainbow eucalyptus trees. They are very surreal, but so pretty. It’s hard to believe they even exist unless you see them for yourself.

On our drive we stopped at a little fruit stand on the side of the Hana Highway. I got the smoothie of the day, and a bag of coconut candy to share with everyone. Fruit stands are so fun, and you can find some of the best local fruit so be sure to check them out when you are driving around the islands.

After we were done with driving we went back to Paia and ate at the Mambo Cafe. It was a sort of burgers, beer, and drinks place. They served organic beef for the burgers (Maui raised beef!), fresh caught fish for the sandwiches, and delicious homemade french fries. They also had kalua pork sandwiches, and main entrees.

I had a tropical burger (pineapple, ect.), the BF had the kalua pork, and my sister had a curried chicken dish. Everything was amazing, and the service was excellent. I highly recommend trying this cafe if you ever find yourself hungry in Paia.

After eating at Cafe Mambo we wandered around (shopped) and went down to the Ono Gelato Company. Another place that I now consider a “must try” if in Paia. The Ono Gelato Company had so many interesting flavors. I had the seamist (a lemongrass, coconut, and something else I can’t remember combo) and lilikoi while I really wish I had stopped to look because they had something called the Lilikoi Quark; a goat cheese lilikoi flavor blend that is out of this world.

After our long, eventful day we relaxed and had a few appetizers at the Sea House in one of my favorite hotels, the Napili Kai. It’s a few minutes walk down the beach from where we stay so it is perfect for an easy meal at the end of a long day. And it is always delicious. If you are in Napili and looking for a great place on the beach (with an amazing view!) you must stop here.

Cafe Mambo: 30 Baldwin Avenue, Paia HI 96779 – they are also opening a second location in New York: 3 Moniebogue lane, Westhampton Beach

Ono Gelato Company: 1280 South Kihei Rd #101A, Kihei - 115D Hana Highway, Paia - 815 Front Street, Lahaina (all locations are on Maui)

The Sea House: Located at Napili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road Napili, HI 96761

Don’t forget to check out my Flickr photostream and Tumblr for more photos!