Navigating our blog

Posted on by Chris Murray

Check out our latest entries under RECENT POSTINGS or browse by subject matter using the drop down menu under BLOG CATEGORIES. Click on any picture to make it bigger. The general contents of each category are described below.

ACTIVITIES

Sun bathing, snorkeling, boogie boarding, surfing, whale watching, golf, tennis, hiking, concerts, sightseeing:  there’s no end of things to do on Maui. Learn about beaches, our favorite snorkeling spots, cools hikes, and much more in this section of our blog.

RESTAURANTS

There must be 20 restaurants within walking distance of Maui Vista and lots more by car – including some worth a long (for Maui) trip. Check this section to learn about some of our favorites.

DESTINATIONS

Thinking of driving to Hana? Checking out Mount Haleakala? Cruising Up Country? Shopping in Lahaina? Sight seeing in Makena? Hiking in the West Maui Mountains? We’ve done all that and more. This section of the blog has barely been started, but check back from time to time as we add new material.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Maui is more than beaches and sunshine – there are lots of things to do and see when your sunburn starts to ache or when you want some other diversion. From movies to fine art and street musicians to concerts, Maui is home to many artists, muscians, other entertainers and entertainment. We keep adding to this section because there’s lots to enjoy.

CONDO EXTRAS THAT SAVE YOU MONEY

We provide a LOT of extras at Maui Vista 2418. You can save money (and room in your suitcase) by using the free toys and extras that we provide.

SHOP LIKE A LOCAL

Where are the best places to buy groceries, fresh produce, fish, meat, souvenirs? We’ve been there, done that. Check this section to read what we’ve learned.

MISCELLANEOUS

When it doesn’t fit elsewhere, we put it here.

 

Cafe Mambo

Posted on by Chris Murray

Paia (pronounced pa-ee-uh) is a fun little town on the north side of Maui – sort of a cross between New Age and Hippie. Very popular with both locals and visitors, Paia has a number of small restaurants and Cafe Mambo is one of our favorites. It’s easy to find – there are only two main streets in Paia. Located at 30 Baldwin Avenue, Cafe Mambo is a short walk from the town’s one and only stop light.

Cafe Mambo (in Paia and now NEW YORK!) boasts “the second best burger on Maui.” To me, their Kalua Pig Burger would be number one anywhere. Kathy loves the fresh fish island burger without the cheese. The fajita plate is huge (and delicious). Nice beer on tap too. We haven’t tried everything, but everything looks great.

Family oriented – including high-chairs for the little ones. Check out the unisex bathroom even if you don’t need it – not another like it in the known universe.

A word to the wise: parking is tricky in Paia. On street parking is a matter of luck. There are two free public parking lots – one as you enter town and another on Baldwin Avenue not far from Cafe Mambo but on the opposite side of the street. Nothing in Paia is far from anything else.

While you’re in Paia, check out the surfers and/or wind surfers at Ho’okipa a few miles down the Hana Highway.

You can pack light if you stay in Maui Vista 2418

Posted on by Chris Murray

You can leave all that big bulky stuff at home if you stay in Maui Vista 2418!  No need to hunt for and rent toys when you get here. We provide beach towels, beach mats and Tommy Bahama beach chairs; boogie boards, snorkle gear, children’s sand toys, and more. Like to play tennis? There are six championship courts at Maui Vista with free unlimited play. No need to bring a racket – we provide those too. (Of course, if you’re a fanatic you’ll want to bring your own!)

Let’s see – you’ll need a swimming suit or two, a couple of pairs of shorts, a couple of light shirts or tops, sandals and a hat. I’m sure I’ve left out a thing or two, but you get the idea. Maui Vista 2418 is a WELL equipped unit.

The Five Palms

Posted on by Chris Murray

Great half price (but still pricey) appetizers and happy hour in an elegant location. Great mai tai’s and coconut shrimp.

It’s too far to walk from Maui Vista unless you’re a real hiker. Located at the north end of Keawakapu Beach at 2960 S. Kihei Road, it’s a short drive south toward Wailea.

VERY POPULAR – arrive early to get a table without a long wait (well before 5:00 PM – earlier still if a Friday or Saturday).

Grocery Stores

Posted on by Chris Murray

Before you head out to the store for the first time, check the cupboards, freezer and frig to see what might already be there. This may save you from buying things like salt and pepper, butter, paper products, detergents and more. Since Maui banned the plastic bag in 2010, you will need to bring some of the cloth bags supplied in our condo. I also ALWAYS bring the cooler (located in the hall closet) and ice packs from the freezer.

Foodland is the closest grocery store to Maui Vista. (See map below.) You can walk there in ten minutes – ok if you’re not carrying too much on the way back. Convenience comes at a price – literally. Most things at Foodland cost more than other grocery stores and we think the choices are more limited and the produce not always the freshest. If you go to Foodland, be sure to bring the Makai card attached to the condo key in order to get the sale prices.

Safeway is the best bargain for everyday items (except produce). It’s a short drive just off the Piilani Highway at Pi’ikea Street.

Times Market, a couple of miles north of Maui Vista on South Kihei Road, often has good specials. Look for fresh fish and produce. But don’t expect to save money on everyday items. Check out the sale items that look good and then finish your grocery list at Safeway.

A drugstore for groceries? See the bakery items at the front of Long Drugs. Then, go to the very back and there, between the pharmacy and the booze, is a small section of produce and Maui raised beef. The beef is organic and grass-fed. If you’re making hamburgers, get the 85% lean – we think the extra lean is too dry. Also, local growers drop off produce on the way to the farmer’s market several days a week. The prices are about half that of Safeway and the quality is usually top notch.

Life’s a Beach – Funky and Fun

Posted on by Chris Murray

Life’s a Beach has good bar food, billiards and drinks. It’s a ten minute walk north of Maui Vista on South Kihei Road just before the Foodland grocery store.

Five dollar lunch is always worth a try. Happy Hour all day on Mondays and from 3-6 other days. Home of the $6 carafe’ of Happy Hour Mai Tais. Live entertainment many afternoons and evenings…including Karoke some nights.

Get an outside table and watch the world go by – from Massaratis to jallopies; mopeds to Harleys; skateboarders to strollers in swimsuits and bikinis – never a dull moment!

You’ll see families with young children at Life’s a Beach during the days but you probably want to leave the kids at home at night.

Fish are plentiful at Charley Young Beach

Posted on by Chris Murray

Local families (even some tourists) fish almost every day by the rocks at the north end of Charley Young Beach across the street from our condo at Maui Vista 2418.

When people fish from the beach, as brother and sister Shelly and Rodney are getting ready to do in the picture to the right, the hook is baited, weighted, and cast far out in the surf. The fishing rod is then posted in the sand with a bell on the rod. Everybody sits back, relaxes, chats with friends, reads a book, catches some rays – whatever they want to do. When the bell rings, everybody jumps up to see what’s on the line. If it’s a big fish, a crowd will gather.

Want to try it? In Hawaii you don’t even need a license to fish!

Check out this beauty Shelly caught!