Cafe Prana Nui

Back on May 31, I took this pic of a curiously painted student transport vessel in the parking lot of the Haiku Marketplace:

"What the hell is this?" I thought to myself.  This was right before I posted my series of pics on Maui cruisers and abandoned vehicles on June 1.  Naturally, I thought someone abandoned their mobile home and some inspired locals felt like expressing themselves after visiting the paint section at Home Depot.

In all seriousness, the purpose of this bus was revealed today in the form of the "soft opening" and Hawaiian blessing of Cafe Prana Nui in Haiku.

It's a short bus restaurant!  Why didn't I think of that?

To quote the giant banner, with a focus on "organic, local, vegetarian, macrobiotic, ayurvedic, aloha" inspired cuisine, I'm anxious to try their offerings.

Note: the "TACO" sign in the below image actually belongs to the food stand NEXT to Cafe Prana Nui.  Also really tasty IMO!

For more info:  Cafe Prana Nui

Kool Keokea

People sometimes ask me where Oprah lives on Maui.  Well, I know of one property that is up here - way, way upcountry near the town of Keokea.  So far up that it's actually cool and mild during the day.

How to get to her house?  Sorry, go stalk this celeb on your own time!  No star maps from me buddy!

One of the most prominent and well-known stops in this tiny picturesque town is Grandma's Coffee House.  G-Ma's serves some of the best Maui-grown coffee around and has a wonderful old-fashioned feel with a scrumptious homemade breakfast and lunch.  Here's my egg salad sandwich I enjoyed on their outdoor deck:

Here are some local "black and tans."

For more info on Grandma's : Grandma's Coffee House

Wailuku Eats Part Deux

I'm not exactly sure why, but I love to eat in Wailuku (this post is a continuation about eating in this town).  Perhaps it's because I still find places in Wailuku I merely hear of in passing and always wish I'd patronize, but for some reason miss.  Here are two such establishments that today, marked my first visit.  It will certainly not be the last.

Ichiban Okazuya

I can almost understand why I've never been to Ichiban Okazuya.  It's tucked away from the main drag of Wailuku, and to be honest, I only came across it because I was wandering around looking to shoot "beauty" in the drab government buildings that make up the bulk of this town.  As soon as I saw it, I remember hearing about it in a newspaper awhile ago, and I always wanted to go, but I filed the restaurant away in the "to do" category.

Finally, I arrive and step inside.  The first thing I feel is that this place is old-fashioned in a really good way.  Four to five people scurrying around inside behind the counter amid sizzling and rising steam, serving up containerfuls of local Asian cuisine - a type of cooking you won't find outside Hawaii.  Ichiban Okazuya is intimate and charming, and is pretty much take-out only.

I present my official Office Max special, Maui Observer business card and ask if I can take some photos inside.  The owner - an older Asian man (most likely Japanese) who is also cooking, politely declines with a smile.  I understand, no problem.  I place my order - which is probably as boring as I can make it since I'm planning on running later in the afternoon and I need predictable and proven fuel - that consists of Korean chicken with steamed vegetables, brown rice and pickles for $7.50.  By the time I pay and stroll out with lunch in hand, there's a line of people out the door.

If you want to look inside, you're just gonna have to see for yourself.  :)

2133 Kaohu Street, Wailuku
808-244-7276

































Dad's Donut Shop

I like donuts, always have.  I've driven by this place many a time intrigued by the colorful sign and the charming quaint storefront appeal.  I found out today that this joint is home to some great - here it is again - old-fashioned - donuts with a modern Hawaiian twist.  Firstly, the donuts look like little cupcakes.  Second, there's nothing entirely too fancy about them - no cream filling, no chocolate sprinkles or snowman shapes.  Finally, the little donuts come in various tropical flavors like lilikoi and mango.  Another bonus - Dad's doesn't use any trans fats.

I ordered a maple glaze for the princely sum of 78 cents!  Including tax!

For more info, please visit : Dad's Donut Shop

Kihei Fat Boy

Sometimes, there's nothing better than a plump juicy burger.  To satisfy those cravings, there's a new burger joint in Kihei called Fat Boy Burger.  Located in the old fish and chips place next to Starbucks in the Kukui Mall on South Kihei Rd, FBB is the offspring of Fat Daddy's Smokehouse and BBQ, also in Kihei.

Anxiously awaiting indulging my taste buds, I ordered a regular Fat Boy with Fries.  As you can see, there are enough fries for two and the actual burger patty itself is made from a secret recipe that I swore I wouldn't divulge, even here on Maui Observer.  Sorry, but the results were all there nonetheless - wonderful meaty goodness that I seriously gulped down in less than a minute.  I eat fast anyways, but this Fat Boy just begged to be devoured.

I must have looked like some kind of maniacal pig man to the tourists sitting next to me as they watched me gobble down a beef sandwich with all that wonderful rainbow-colored sauce smeared all over my fingers and lips; basically the entire bottom half of my face.  I didn't actually wipe until the deed was done and I got up to get a napkin.  Devoured in record time!  The pink colored sauce is chipotle which I used as a fry bath and an additional coat of burger drizzle.  I couldn't eat all the fries, so I took the remainder home.

The burger cost $8 and the fries $4.  I just realized though that according to the banner in the pic,  Fat Boys are $5 from 2-5pm.  I ate at 2:45pm?

Here's Nick, the guy that cooked my burger and actually brought it out to me!

Juliane Darty of Haiku takes a burger order from Mike Ross of Kihei

Wailuku Eats

Wailuku is the government and business hub of Maui.  During a stroll at lunchtime, it is easy to find various office workers, medical personnel and government staff milling about and enjoying their lunch breaks.  Wailuku is probably the only place where you will consistently find people wearing long pants and even suit jackets.







If you want local flavor, Wailuku is the place to be.  My first stop is a Wailuku institution - The Little Giant of Happy Valley - Takamiya Market.

When I first moved to Maui, I told my friend who was living in Kihei to take me to a local place to eat.  He and his wife took me to Tommy Bahama in Wailea.  Hmm, that's about as local as Captain Cook.

In retrospect, I wish they would have led me to Takamiya.

Abutting Happy Valley, Takamiya Market exudes an utilitarian and no-nonsense yet relaxed vibe.  Once entering, I'm hit immediately with the smell of seafood and game.  This is truly a market.

If you really want to sample "local" food, this place will let you choose from a myriad of prepared cellophane wrapped dishes such as beef liver, turkey tail, booze cake, hoisin pork ribs, shrimp kimchee, ahi teriyaki, corned beef hash patties, and fried chicken gizzards, just to name a few.  Most, if not all the dishes - which remind me of Spanish tapas or Japanese bentos - are priced under $5.00.

In fact, there are so many dishes that I feel like I'm in candy store.  If there is an order to the mayhem, I can't tell.  The apparent haphazardness, at least to my untrained eye, is part of the appeal.

Before departing Wailuku town, I make a stop at Rumbold Sausage King across from Main Street Bistro and MAPA.  It was still early, so the lunch crowd hadn't arrived yet, but I couldn't resist the smell and ordered a grilled Polish sausage with onions, mustard and a guava juice.  

The operator - A.J. - declared that this is one of his several locations.  Just before I arrive, a local businessman ordered the same dog as me, which he wolfed down in literally 2 minutes.

The dogs here are not puny and skinny, they are juicy, plump, and reminiscent of succulent cuts of meat bursting with savory goodness.

For more Wailuku dining coverage, check out Wailuku Eats Part Deux.