Editor: Christie Stilson

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has opened at Lahaina Gateway Center. This new franchise is the eighth location with five located on O`ahu as well as in Japan and the State of Washington. They feature a 50′s theme and a range of burgers, fries, shakes as well as sandwiches. Take out is available. Located near Foodland Farms they are open 10am – 9pm.

www.teddysbiggerburgers.com (808) 661-9111.

Jay’s Place Pasta, Pizza and Subs opened in February at the back (mid-level) of the Wharf Shopping Center. They are open 10am-10pm and the restaurant is named for their son Jayden. A very affordable menu that can be enjoyed in their dining room or as take out. (808) 661-6699.

KA`ANAPALI — The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is a gem on the West Maui coast. With a perfect location for beach activities and just footsteps from shopping and dining — this is what a Maui-bound vacationer has in mind. I recently had the opportunity to enjoy a couple of days exploring the property. My first stay at the Sheraton …ever! Although I’d often come to snorkel I hadn’t had an overnight here. The first night we made sure we had a prime location (you can watch from the beach or one of two of Sheraton’s outdoor bars) for a view of the cliff diving. Another new experience for me. Shortly before Sunset there is a flurry of activity. The music at the oceanfront bar includes a lady doing some lovely hula and as the sun sets … the conch blows. A young man clad in a pareau runs around the resorting lighting the gas torches. He continues up along the spit of edge of Black Rock (Pu`u keka`a) and continues up lighting more torches as he goes up the rocky slope. The culmination is his offering of a wreath to the Gods and he tosses it into the ocean. Then diving in himself. The ceremony happens each evening.

If you are interested in a spa treatment The Spa at Black Rock opened in 2009. A boutique spa and salon they offer a range of beauty treatments. The salon also offers manicure and pedicure stations (space enough for several ladies or gents to be accommodated at a time) and spa treatments with a variety of exclusive products. If a lomi lomi or other massage or facial treatment is not in your plan … be sure to stop by and check out their line of products. Treat yourself and purchase one of their fine line of products — perhaps a face mask, oil or lotion and enjoy an evening spoiling yourself in your hotel room!  I tried some foot cream after a day of extensive walking my feet were so much happier!

If you’re planning a wedding you might think Sheraton! Up on the top of Pu`u Keka`a (where the old lobby was located) is an outdoor area overlooking the entire resort and the ocean. An indoor wedding can be arranged in the connecting room should the weather not cooperate. It is a lovely location for a ceremony and reception!

www.sheraton-maui.com/weddings/overview

Don’t forget about their lu`au which happens several times each week. For reservation information (866) 716-8109. Their website also has a real time camera set up on the top of black rock! www.sheraton-maui.com

KIHEI — I never made it to Three’s Bar & Grill for dinner but I did stop by with friends for one of their dynamite breakfasts. An outdoor patio lacks an oceanview, but they make up for it in food quality and prices. Breakfast is served 8am-11:15 and lunch begins 11:30-4pm with dinner starting at 5pm. The breakfast menu had Tropical French Toast stuffed with liliko`i cream cheese and guava jelly – yum. Pancakes or specialty pancakes start at just $2.50 each. Build your own omelet with the basic price of $6.95 and add items for $.50-$1. I had their eggs Benedict (albeit without the bread as I’m no-gluten these days) and they were delicious and perfectly cooked. Food came out quickly and hot from the kitchen. Lunch items include kalua pork quesadilla ($9.95) and an assortment of flatbreads. Most items under $16.95 for lunch with dinner in the $20-33 range. 1945 S. Kihei Road. (808) 879-3133.

Look for the Wokstar flyer (or pick one up at their restaurant) and check to see if they still have the buy one get one 50% off coupon on the back. Happy hour is 3-5pm and also valid 10pm until closing. Even without the coupon it is a great value and generous portions. The rice and noodle bowls run $8-9 and are loaded with veggies and great flavors like Indo peanut stir fry, teriyaki udon and Thai red curry. We tried three different options and all were wonderful! Add chicken, tofu, pork, shrimp or mahi ($3-5 extra) Seating outside on picnic benches is fun and casual. Keikis menus too! We were full and happy with change to spare. Also open for breakfast beginning at 9am. 1913 D. South Kihei Rd. (808) 495-0066.

HANA — Hana is the most constant of all ‘towns’ on Maui. But the main tourist accommodation in Hana is having a re-birth. Joy Berry and Chris Manning are the owners of the Green Tea Hotel Group with some fresh ideas for this classic Maui hotel. What was the Hotel Hana Maui will officially become The Travaasa Hana on June 30th. This is the second of their hotels (the first is in Austin, Texas.) A luxury retreat described as an ‘experiential wellness resort.’ The Travaasa Hana states that they will ‘rekindle the romance of old Hawai`i with warmly appealing ambiance and gracious service.’ They are adding new adventures, new culinary experiences as well as culture, fitness and wellness/spa options that promise to be authentic, fun, and enriching. Guests can choose to do as little or as much as they like and hopefully will extend their stay in Hana. The property includes 47 plantation-style Sea Ranch Cottages and 23 low-rise bungalow “Garden View” suits. All rooms feature organic linens and plenty of pampering amenities and all rooms are devoid of radios, clocks and televisions. (They don’t mention internet service.) The Sea Ranch Cottages are breezy and tropical and some feature private hot tubs on their patios. Minimum age for the cottages will be 16 years. The Sea Ranch Cottages will be all inclusive so meals and activities will all be a part of the daily rate. The Garden View Suites will remain a la carte. The programming will reflect the small town local traditions of Hana and include a historic tour of Hana town, guided coastal and garden walks and even throw net fishing demonstrations. Other activities include ukulele lessons, lei making, bicycle tours, stand up paddle boarding, outrigger canoe paddling and landscape and digital photography.

Some months ago Peter Longhi was invited by Joy Berry and Chris Manning to give new inspiration to the property’s fine dining restaurant. Chef of the restaurant is Barry Villiarimo who happens to have his roots in Hana town. The Ka`ukiki Dining Room will showcase ocean-table cuisine using local organic fare and meat sourced from Hana and the island of Maui whenever possible. You can even enjoy cooking demonstrations and nutritional skills classes to take a bit of Hana and Hawai`i back home with you.

The all-inclusive rates at the Sea Cottages start at $499 per person per night based on double occupancy, excluding tax and service charge. Rates include adult only accommodations, three meals per day plus snacks, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, daily spa treatments, all resort activities, use of sporting equipment, wellness classes and the option to utilize The Spa facilities. Daily shuttles will run to Hamoa Beach and transfers to and from the Hana airport as well as valet parking are included. Rates for the Garden View Suites start at $400 per night double occupancy.

Grand opening special rates are available at Travaasa Hana through 2011. The name Travaasa comes from the sanskrit word ‘pravaasa’ which means journey combined with the word “travel.’” Their website notes that ‘we wanted a destination hotel that would give us the joy of the journey, the magic of arriving somewhere new and getting a sense of place. No such place existed so we decided to create it. Visit www.travaasa.com/hana or call (855) 868 7282.

KAHULUI – Marriott Courtyard coming in 2012 on Haleakala Hwy. near the airport!

MISCELLANEOUS — After so many false starts for the Hawaii Superferry it finally opened for operation only to have it suddenly shut down for a variety of legal and environmental issues. Apparently that was not the last chapter of this story. For a variety of legal and environmental issues, it also proved a valuable means to travel between Maui and O`ahu. A new bill would create a way for the Department of Transportation in Hawaii to oversee ferry operations. This would include the purchase of the Alkali and the second ship, Huaka`i which was never even launched. The federal government apparently purchased the vessels out of the bankruptcy of the Superferry company. So while this bill could pass — the superferry may or may not return to operation in Hawaiian waters.

For all these years visiting Maui I have rented a lot of cars. However I’d always gone to the ‘name brand’ businesses. On a previous trip I’d met up with a fellow from Aloha Rent-a-Car and learned more about gently used rental vehicles. I gave them a try and was more than pleasantly pleased. We needed a car with a big trunk and lots of seating but not a van … so the Ford Taurus that they set us up with was perfect. It was a couple of years old and had a few nicks and dings in the finish. The inside was in great shape. They have just about every type of car you want from Jeep Wranglers to convertibles and 8-passenger vans. Even specialty cars for those of you who need to haul a windsurf or kiteboard. Because they don’t have a fleet of just one or two types of cars they actually customize and assign the perfect car for you. They have free airport shuttle and the office is just a mile from the airport. If you arrive late you can arrange to pick up your car from the airport parking lot. I figure it saved 30% or maybe a little more! The guys are nice and very helpful and the secret in savings is the fact they are off the airport ‘grounds.’ I had no idea that all sorts of fees for services and rental add-ons are required for those rental car companies that are ‘on property.’ So that is all of the name brand companies. You may remember Word of Mouth Rent A Car and they were absorbed into Aloha Rent a Car. Word of Mouth has been doing business on Maui since 1975. Give them a call and compare prices! (808) 877-4477. From US and Canada 1-877-452-5642 or 1-800-870-4084. Emailinfo@mauivans.com or visit them online at www.aloharentacar.com

Several of my favorite long time hiking books are out of print. Heard about a new one but haven’t tried it out. It’s by Sara Benson and it’s called Top Trails Maui. The book represents 37 day and overnight hiking options. Some are easy trekking and others are suited to folks with a little more ability and stamina. I especially liked the graphic at-a-glance review of all the 37 trails. It lists the page number, the degree of difficulty, miles, type of trail (loop, out and back, semi loop and point to point). Also included are whether they can be used as a running or biking trail, if they are child friendly, if pets are allowed, if a permit is needed and even wheelchair access (several of the beachwalks along sidewalks are included as hikes and are handicapped accessible. I’m not sure the resort beachwalks are really a hike but they are a trail of sorts! Terrain includes if it is a forest, beach, stream, mountain etc and also included are what types of flora or fauna might be spotted. If a trail is steep it is also indicated on the chart and whether there is swimming, camping, or if it is an archeological hike, historic or geologic. I checked out the Olowalu Petroglyph listing and it was one I visited many many years ago. They do still list that it is over private property and it is important to make trekkers aware of this. At least for now, it isn’t really posted as no trespass. The individual reviews of each trail shares the best time of day to go and tips on finding the trail. Also important on Maui is change in elevation which can be significant! There were some trails new to me, for example King’s Highway South. It is 3.7 miles along the coast from Pailoa Beach just outside of Hana town all the way to Hana Bay Beach Park. I had no idea that the trail was accessible for the entire distance! If you are looking to get out of town and experience some of Maui’s outstanding beauty then this book is for you! With clear and concise directions and plenty of details (even GPS waypoints!) this newly revised and updated book is a winner. Published by Wilderness Press . Retail price is $17.95.

Special events that may be of interest to you! August 13 – at the Hasegawa Fairground in Hana, the Hana Cultural Center Hooaulea. August 24 – 28th the annual Photography Festival and workshop at the Hyatt Regency in Ka`anapali. September 10th – set out to experience the 52 miles of curves and bridges as you race along the Hana Hwy. Relay begins at 5:30am. (Might be a good day NOT to drive to Hana.) www.hanarelayhawaii.com. September 29th – opening day of the Maui County Fair. October 17th the Ukulele Festival at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

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