Best of Kahului, Maui

My dad and his family are from Maui and I love returning here time and again. I like that the island is big on local community events. Casual and informal, there's always something going on. Just check the local papers or flyers at the restuarants.

Kahului, the main city center is not an exceptionally unique Maui town, but it is a good center for living must-haves: Costco, Barnes and Noble, Krispy Kreme and the biggest mall on the island.

But there are other stops to explore:
Tasaka Guri Guri (Maui Mall stripmall) - the best homemade ice treat on all the islands

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum - great historical site of labor and commerce
Maui Film Festival: June 17-21 (Maui Community Cultural Arts Center) - a great way to catch some well made films

Typically my usual Kahului stops include:

Starbucks at the mall - multiple outlets for laptop work by the window and comfi chairs.
Food Court at the mall - indoor eatery under glass roof; quick, easy and convenient
Airport - can't get anywhere without this joint
Macy's - the main department store on the island
Borders Bookstore - small but they'll get you what you need (even if it has to be shipped)
Krispy Kreme - a stop right before the airport (take back donuts to friends/family on Oahu)
Costco - after your flight arrival to the island pick up your goodies (on the way to Kihei, etc)
Bark Avenue - best couture pet store in all the Hawaiian islands. love the maui branch even over the hawaii kai branch.

Where's it at:
Maui Arts & Cultural Center One Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732
808.242.2787

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum 3957 Hansen Road, Puunene, Maui, HI 96784
808.871.8058

For other Maui side trips see my post on the Best of Wailuku and Best of Kihei (forthcoming).

"Downtown" - Honolulu Tapas & Business Model

From the owers of Town comes a tapas venue named Downtown (not that any of these names aren't already confusing in Honolulu. Town for example isn't located in town, but in Kaimuki.)

Located in the Hawaii State Art Museum, Downtown is a dim lit place that serves small portioned meals > order a few plates per guest and enjoy their creative menu.

This summer I was impressed with the business plan of Town and Downtown > truly eco conscious, earnestly concerned about issues of sustainability, and always supporting local Hawaii farmers and businesses whenever possible. They are known for giving back to the community (notice they are at many local events), and for not mixing business with politics. Tney have proven they can do the latter and still stay financially afloat, if not soaring to new heights. This is a company that works with integrity > they know what they are about and they don't waiver. Truly respectable.

If I were to run a restaurant, I would ask for business consultation from Town/Downtown > I like what they stand for - orgainic food, quality service, community partnerships, and business with integrity. Moreover the manager of Downtown is truly a warm, approachable and sincere guy. Kudos to the restaurants!

Downtown

at the Hawaii State Art Museum (behind the gift shop; ground level)

250 S. Hotel Street

808.536.5900

Limited hours: Monday-Satruday, 11am-2pm

Butter Post-Its

i loved it when i saw it, and almost bought it. then i thought..."hmmn, i'd have to write really really small notes to myself...notes the size of a pat of butter!"

i have a thing for post-it's...just gotta have them around. i think it's one of the most helpful inventions of the 1980s...or 1990s. when were they invented?

anyway, you can get your butter-post-it-pad at Ward Center...in this little corner store that sells Japan types of finds (with bad customer service) near the TAJ store (i think).

and while you're at it, why not pick up some toast--a ceramic butter tray toast that is....

and matching wallet...

okay, maybe not the wallet.

Roy's Chocolate Souffle to End Childhood Hunger

From Sept 20-26th, a portion of every Chocolate Souffle ordered at any Roy's location will be donated to "Share Our Strength" organization to end childhood hunger in the U.S.

It's a good cause but funny concept--spend alot of money dining at Roy's for dinner and then only a small portion of the price of the dessert is donated? Nonetheless, I'm still a fan of Roys (still can't say enough about the Hawaii Kai location) and will be supporting this cause.

To see other participating restaurants in cities across the U.S. click here.

For more info:

http://strength.org/
http://www.roysrestaurant.com/news/GADO_press_room.html

Asian American Fashion Designers - Aloha Rag

One of the most fashionable places to shop on the island, it's New York-meets-Honolulu at the Aloha Rag. This botique has a wider collection of desingers that Neiman Marcus....best yet, I love that they highlight established and up and coming Asian American fashion designers. Only in Hawaii, me-thinks, would such a store pay homage and centralize such designers in one room:

...the now-famous Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, and Alex Yamaguchi...as well as notable Asia-cross-European designers: Kaito Hori & Iku Furudate, Rei Kawabuko, Yoshinori Kotake, Kenji Ikeda and Kitsune. But the items aren't cheap so be sure to leave your wallet at home...or come with a suitcase full of cash.
But this is not just a space for Asian American desingers. It's majority collection includes regular upscale European and American fashion designers: Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Chloe, Diane Von Furstenberg (whose pieces I like), D&G, Givenchy, Lanvin (and oh so much more).

The best part is, that they have super sales (40-80% off)...but be prepared to wait in line for an hour to get in the doors. With the low Hawaii state tax...this store makes shopping here real bliss.

ALOHA RAG HONOLULU
1221 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 115 (Pensacola/Kapiolani)
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
808.589.2050

Asian/American Designers Take on Fashion Week 2009

Cheering on the success of these Asian/American Fashion Designers:

Derek Lam (San Francisco, CA)
Fourth generation Chinese American, his grandparents were garment industry workers and owners. Trained at Parsons in NYC, he worked under Michael Kors.

Philip Lim (New York City, NY)
This Chinese American New Yorker has a new "Go Green Line." Just made it big in the design world a couple years ago in his early 30s.

Anna Sui (Michigan to New York)
Spear heads the "save the garment center" campaign in NYC to fight zoning laws.

Vivienne Tam (Hong Kong)
One of the few designers from China that made it big in Europe and the U.S. Lovely floral spring collection.


Jason Wu (Taiwan to New York City)
A first generation Chinese American, this newbie went to Parsons and studied in Paris. We'll be seeing more of this designer who got his big break at the 2009 Presidential Ball.

Okinawan Festival

{aren't these girls just great?!}

The Okinawan Festival is going on this weekend (Sept 5-6) at Kapiolani Park. I recommend taking the shuttle for $1. The Okinawan Soba & Andagi (Okinawan donut) were really good...and the obon dance in the middle of the big park was a sight to see. Other entertainment include an Andagi eating contest, taiko and live Hawaiian music.

More info:
www.okinawanfestival.com