Tourists = Ice Cream

Ok, I love ice cream too.  As a matter of fact, sometimes there is nothing I would rather eat than an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.  Not the frozen yogurt, but the GOOD STUFF, with enough saturated fat to clog a garden hose.

It seems that if you are a tourist on Maui, you MUST eat ice cream.  Do they hand out flyers on the plane rides over here stating that you have to visit at least 3 ice cream parlors while in the Islands?  Do the cruise ships deprive people of my favorite dessert?  I was on an Alaska cruise once with Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess, and there was enough ice cream on that ship to rebuild the Bering land bridge.

Today in Lahaina, Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of The Seas was anchored off town, and I'm assuming most of the people milling about sucking on ice cream cones were from the ship.  There were signs all over Front Street stating "Boat Day" and "Welcome Cruisers."  How do I know these ice cream aficionados were tourists?  Look and tell me they're from around here.

The interesting part is that I could have gotten within five feet of their faces and taken the shot and they would not have known.  Entranced and enamored with the magical frozen sugar, dairy balls, these people were dedicated to the art of spooning, licking and completely zoning-out.   Word to pick pockets, "Go for the guys with the ice cream!"

In all seriousness, thanks for visiting Maui folks.  :-)

Even the pavement ate some ice cream today.

Here are the tourists lining up to board lifeboat tenders to return them to the mothership, where they'll spend the night.

Shave Ice

In addition to Guri Guri, another more widespread local ice cream representation of Hawaii, known as shave ice, is found throughout Maui.  Basically the Hawaiian version of the Sno-Cone, shave ice is exactly that - machine chopped ice flakes, and in the case of the kind served at Local Boy Snack Shop, paired with a scoop of ice cream at the bottom of the cup.  The entire ball is then coated in your choice of various flavorings and served with a spoon.  Refreshing, simple, and sure to bring a smile to your face.

Here's Kori shaping a Papa Nui shave ice, their largest size.  

Local Boy Snack Shop is located in Kihei in the shopping pavilion across from Kalama Park.

Hoku and Kori serving it up, thanks!

Tasaka Guri Guri

Tasaka what?  Tasaka GURI GURI, that's what.  Falling somewhere between sherbert and ice cream, guri guri is an authentic, refreshing, local  treat that has been made in batches on premises for years.  Not really gelato and not really sorbet, you must taste it to experience what I'm trying to describe.





Stroll on in to this Maui landmark and order yourself "two scoops, mixed up,"which means one scoop of strawberry and one scoop of pineapple guri guri for $1.10 (the only flavors btw).  Totally no-frills, the delicious and affordable concoction is dished up in a small paper cup with a wooden ice cream mini-paddle.   People flock here.  Located in a corner location at the Maui Mall in Kahului, this place serves a seemingly steady stream of fans.

Tasaka Guri Guri reminds me of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor or candy store.  Items are placed around the storefront in an organized, yet random manner, and edible goodies abound around every corner.  Look over here and stare at multi-colored gumballs piled inside a vending machine or look over there and wonder at an assortment of savory chips.  See those 3 different bags of Hawaiian-made chips on the right side of the pic?

Bill Clinton has been here.

Come in a relive a slice of your youth.  Even if your not from Hawaii, you'll know what I'm talking about when you step inside.  I sure did.  Good times my friends.