Jennifer "ergo" L.'s Profile

A great intro to kayaking the open seas.  Steve was gruff but friendly, knowledgeable, and well versed in catchy Hawaiian phrases.
My dad and I did the Turtle Reef kayak/snorkel trip.  The water was pretty rough the day we went, but we still saw plenty of sea life.  Tons of turtles and fish, and Steve even pulled up a small octopus (which inked like mad at the abduction) and let me hold it (SUPER COOL) plus two different types of urchins (don't worry uni urchin, I won't be eating you).
I was a little concerned that I would be too out of shape for this sort of nonsense, but the paddling was pretty minimal.  It was a short tour though; we got into the water around 8 and were back in the car around 10:30.

A great, though very short tour (that may just be because I wanted more time though).  The weather could have cooperated a little better over Haleakala, but what are the odds of that?
Our pilot Emery was nice, entertaining, from the Bay Area (where I'm from) and had plenty to chat about without being TOO chatty.  His music was perfectly timed, and he managed to show us a "very rare" complete double rainbow.
A fantastic experience; I finally got to ride in a helicopter!!!!!!

I guess it was decent Mexican.  The steak tacos were good, the chimichanga was the "best" my stepmom ever had.  The guac was meh, as was the cheese enchilada.  The chicken taco was icky.  There is a salsa bar and I hear it's byo in here for alcohol.  It's in a strip mall and is more closely related to La Salsa than a sit down restaurant.  The thing that got me though; no restrooms?  Really?  I had to go hunting through the other establishments in the area to find one.  Fail.

Tried out the beer sampler during a super quick stop.  They were offering:
Mango wheat - a decent wheat
Bikini blonde - meh
Big swell IPA - waaay too hoppy
Coconut porter - Woah coconut; I want to dip macaroons in this one.  That's not a good thing with beer I don't think.
I ended up ordering a pint of the Mac Nut Brown - it was tasty, I didn't get to finish it though as the airport was calling.
The Hawaiian version of the Cuban (with kahlua pork) was fab, and given the Mauiians great love for the seasoned fry, these were the best I had.
Sustainable, local, hydroponic, all around touchy feely, environmentally friendly ingredients and practices (they give the leftover beer gunk, grains n stuff, to farmers for feed - Mmm, beer flavored cow) make me a fan.  Food is good, beer is good, Maui Brewing Co. is good.

Pretty much in love with every fantastically whimsical piece in here.

Right along the waterfront in Lahaina; happy hour is 2-6 daily ($3 mai tais!!!).  The cucumber kimchi is awesome, the teriyaki stuff is good as well.  A solid Hawaiian mixed plate joint.
Please don't let your children feed the birds.

Good baby burgers, onion rings and fries and super sweet drinks.
It's a chain, it's here, whatever.  Nice ocean views.
It's exactly what you're picturing so if that's what you're looking for, you'll find it here.

Holy Gods I'm in love with this place.
I would just like to mention that I found a three bedroom, three bath, penthouse unit (with full kitchen, giant lanai, bbq, wine fridge, gorgeous decor, view of the ocean) for $500 a night.  
Also, a one bedroom (max occupancy is 4) for $250 a night.  King bed in the bedroom; queen pull out in living room; plus lanai.
Also:
   * Fully furnished lanai
   * Completely equipped kitchen with stainless steel Bosch appliances including refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave and washer / dryer
   * Beautiful wooden cabinetry and granite countertops
   * Wireless Internet access
   * Flat-screen TV
   * Direct-dial phone
   * Fine linens and bath products
I am TOTALLY staying here next time I go to Maui.  In the fall.  When it's cheap like it is now.

Eh.  It's a total Embassy Suites even though it's not anymore.  A bit rundown, even though they've clearly given it a facelift recently.  It's just the dated overall construction that's a bit of a turnoff, not the rooms themselves, which were actually quite nice, large, and clean.  Service was good, but they don't follow their own rules and leave your towels for reuse which always irks me.
The pool is large, the slide is fun, there is a hot tub and a little pool with a waterfall that falls into it.  The barbecue area is large and the cues are nice, new and well maintained (very clean).  The $60 charge for the cabanas seems pretty ridiculous during the off season, but they certainly seemed to be getting it.
I hardly saw any geckos.  :o(
The kitchenette was nice, but it would've been better to have a small cooktop, though you can get a rice cooker and an electric skillet brought to your room.
But, why oh why would you spend $200 a night to stay here (especially in a room with a view of the highway) when Honua Kai right next door is absolutely stunning and goes for only $50 more (in November at least).

Super slow service, hit or miss live music, insanely overpriced gross drinks, mediocre food.  I loved one of the guys and his guitar; he was good and his song choices were perfect; there was another guy later in the week that I considered tipping to STOP playing.
I ordered a mai tai and had to bring it back because it just tasted. . . off.  When I told the bartender, he asked "off how?" and I said, "like the juice is old or something" and without missing a beat he said, "oh yeah."  It was clearly no surprise that the juice might be old.  Gross.  I swapped it out for a margarita which was also pretty gross; I threw most of it away.  The pina colada I had the first night was decent though.
I don't mean to split hairs, and I know this is a business and you charge for the things you sell, but $2 for gross soda water from the gun that tastes a little like it was made with sea water?  Really?
If it wasn't right here I certainly wouldn't have bothered more than once and it is definitely NOT a destination stop along your beach walk.