A New Week Begins

Saturday, Nov. 10th - One week down. One week to go. Today marks the halfway point of our stay. We have new people coming to the island. There is Rockin’ Girl and Bikin’ Boy.

Before meeting our company at the airport, Hubby earned a Haleakala-sized pile of Brownie Points by driving me up to Makawao to buy the carton of Haupia ice cream I saw last week. We put our ice packs in an insulated grocery bag I didn’t know we had and stored all of that in the condo unit’s cooler. Double insulation!

Makawao was about a half hour side trip to the airport. Zip we’d fly in, grab the ice cream, and zoom we’d head off to the airport. Except... driving into bucolic Makawao wasn’t anything like we’d seen before.

And Kamoda’s was spilling over with customers. There was a line out the door. From where had all these people come? Hubby could not find a place to park. He drove down Baldwin Ave. to the end of town and circled back through the residential streets, meeting me in front of Kamoda’s where I packed the ice cream in the insulated bag, strategically arranging the ice packs around the carton, then placed the bag in the cooler where it would sit for the next two hours.

The airport parking lots were packed with people. The airport was packed with people. Packed. I’ve never seen so many people on this island, ever.

After we collected Rockin’ Girl and Bikin’ Boy, we headed to the condo. You will recall there is a carton of ice cream in the back of our car that needs to go in the freezer. The ice cream, which melted very little, found its home. Our company settled in and we headed out for a bit of lunch.

At 4pm we headed upstairs for Mai Tais before heading out to dinner. We returned to Spago at the Four Seasons Resort for the last night of Restaurant Week. The resort grounds were beautiful. The terraced patios, flowing fountains, multi-leveled pools all lead down to the beach level where many people stood around watching the magnificent sunset. We saw the torchlighter running across the patio in his loincloth stopping occasionally to blow his conch and light the torches.

I think Gordon Ramsey must have invaded Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and caused some trouble because the restaurant seemed to have some real problems. The food was good but very, very late getting to the table.

When they set a fork and spoon at each of our places for “complementary dessert,” I felt as if I were being held captive. I just wanted to go home. On our way out, we saw the mass of people at the bar, in the waiting area, and outside near the podium. It was nearly 8pm when we left. I wonder if those people ever made it to the table for their supper.

Island Time

 Thursday, Nov. 8th - We are tired from staying out so late. Yup. We were up until 10pm.

The condo is almost out of food but we don’t care. We don’t plan to have the problem we’ve had in past years.

At 5pm we headed out to the Fairmont Kea Lani. We did not plan to dine at the restaurant that had been my favorite for many years... which shall remain nameless.










Instead, we headed to the recently refurbished Ko.








Ko had one of thThe best Chi Chis I’ve had on this side of the island. We chose off the Prix Fixe menu. Oishi Sushi, Lumpia, and Portuguese Bean Soup as appetizers. Entrees included “Paniolo” Bone-In Rib-Eye Steak, Pancit Noodles, and Island Fried Rice. Dessert: Chantilly Cake and Plantation Pineapple Cake.








We rolled home, with many doggie bags, and sat out on the lanai to cool off before heading to bed.

Here comes the wind . . . Trade Winds

Monday, Nov. 5th - Ray heard the call of the cinnamon rolls early this morning. He and Jane stood in line at Cinnamon Roll Fair for a good twenty minutes for freshly baked rolls. I have to warn the readers of this blog that one can inhale their tempting aroma throughout the parking lot and, sometimes, down a block or two in every direction of So. Kihei Road.


“The Herd,” the people from upstairs, is off at the crack of 9am to march their way up and down the coastline of Wailea. It’s no light-hearted undertaking and I am ashamed to say I did not join them. I’d really have to get into shape to join them. Someday . . . maybe.

Jane and Ray head back out to the shore. This time it’s Turtle Town near Makena Landing Beach Park.  Alas they only saw two turtles. They returned to Ulua Beach since the first trip had been so successful, but the water was choppy and vis was poor.

Since the water was choppy . . . that meant the Trade Winds had returned. I cannot wait until tomorrow to see the clear sky and the many blues of the ocean.






Dinner tonight: Humuhumukunukuapua’a located at the Grand Wailea Resort. 

I have been wanting to dine here for the last few years. Making reservations using Open Table makes life for us much easier. They do not participate, which is why it has taken us so long to get there.

Humuhumu was a very cool place. The restaurant was under thatched huts and surrounded by water filled with ocean fish. Inside there was a lagoon where diners could choose their own Hawaiian spiny lobster companion for dinner.


We chose selections off the Prix Fixe menu. Yes, yes . . . I would dine here again.

The Island . . .

Sunday, Nov. 4th - Something weird is happening on the island . . . sounds like an episode of LOST, huh? It’s hazy and all the blue is washed out of the water and sky. The sugar cane lacks the green color that washes across the valley to the base of the dormant 
volcano. It’s muggy and a bit warmer than normal. I thought it was because I had just come from the gentle frost of California.

I heard that the trade winds aren’t around to blow the volcano ash from the sky. Volcano ash? I thought our volcano was dormant . . . and there was a second or two when I felt a bit panicked. Then I was reminded about Kilauea on the Big Island. Oh . . . THAT volcano. The haze is supposed to last until Tuesday. I hope it doesn’t take any longer than that.

Apparently we missed several bits of excitement. It’s okay that I missed it. I like my life nice and calm. Two weeks ago there was a tsunami warning and the sirens around the island went off in the middle of the afternoon. People who were having their lunches or shopping in the marketplaces had to evacuate to higher ground. They were kept there for hours until the danger, the possibility of danger, had passed. This was caused from the Vancouver's 7.7 earthquake Oct. 28th.

Jane and Ray are gung-ho adventurers. They headed out to Snorkle Bob’s for snorkeling gear and swam around Ulua Beach. There were lots of fish. So many that Jane could not point out which ones on a Hawaiian Fish identification card. She also had a close encounter with a sea turtle that made a lasting impression.

Ray saw some BIG fish in the murky distance . . . an Ulua perhaps?

Hubby and I mailed a letter at the post office and went on the hunt for Rosalani’s Haupia ice cream. Not at Times Market, not at Long’s, not at Safeway . . . The hunt continues. If I don’t find some soon I’m going to start a riot!

On a happier note . . .  Restaurant Week in Wailea has begun, lasting from Nov. 4 to Nov 10. Located in the Four Seasons Resort, Spago is our first dining pleasure. Hubby ordered the Poke cones to start and seared Sashimi for an entree. The rest of us stuck to the Prix Fixe menu.

I love, love, love, love that place.

Last Things To Do Before We Leave

Monday, November 14th:

I can't believe we only have three more days. We're thinking about cleaning out our fridge and gathering our belongings.

It's not that bad. Our fridge really looks more like the pic on the left.

We've been very good about buying only the items we need.

I'm making a real effort to read as many books as I can. This is the only time where I can spend hours at a time reading. It feels wonderful!

Hubby and Mrs. Dirtboy spend some time reading too. And Dirtboy? Well, he has fun doing other things to keep himself occupied.

“Someone” has a bit more work to do, and “Mrs. Someone” isn’t all that pleased about it . . . again.

We have reservations at Spago tonight located at the Four Seasons Resort . Spago was my favorite restaurant last year. I can't wait to see how it measures up this year.

This is pretty much where we sat. Our table overlooked the water and the beautiful Four Season's grounds as well.

We heard the conch blown in the background at sunset, and the torchlighter ran about setting fire to the torches.

Our waiter, Mattew, told us he hailed from the San Francisco area and had relocated to Maui a month ago. I hope he's having a good time on the islands. The service was wonderful. Actually . . . the Four Season's, Spago and DUO, had the best service during this year's trip.

Before ordering there was a taste of Thai Coconut soup presented in a demitasse set before each of us.

I remembered the soup samples they handed out between courses last year. The tomato soup was on this year's menu. Was I willing to pay $22 for a bowl of tomato soup? I'm pretty sure I could make a meal of it with the homemade breads they pass out: caramelized Maui onion focaccia, sourdough, sourdough with rosemary, Kalamata wheat (with olive), and garlic flat bread.

Hubby was compelled to order the Aviation drink.

He also asked for the Spiced Ahi Tuna "Poke" in Sesame-Miso cones. I think I saw a tear roll out of his eye when he bit into one. Yes, it was that good.

Spago did not participate in this year's Wailea Restaurant Week but they did offer a Three Course Prix Fixe sunset menu for $49. After looking over both, we decided on the regular menu.

He ordered the pan seared Ahi.

Mrs. Dirtboy had caramelized Pork Chops with Maui onion and papaya accompanied by baby bok choy and a Maui sweet potato puree.

Dirtboy and I both ordered the Thai Seafood & Pineapple Coconut Red Curry. It came in a little covered bowl, served with brown and Jasmine rice and a trio of chutneys: spicy, coconut, and sweet.

This was so, so, so, so, so good.

We declined the dessert . . . we have Hubby's Birthday cake from a few days before and my Haupia ice cream to finish. When Mattew brought the bill, he also brought this goodie.

There was no room for Haupia ice cream and cake after I ate my snickerdoodle and sweet blackberry.

Mrs. Dirtboy and I are reconsidering the bowl of soup. Dare we go back for dinner once again before we leave?

Just so you know, the dinner off the regular menu was a bit more expensive than the three course meal from the Prix Fixe menu. So I guess the Prix Fixe is a better deal for the diner.

Saturday

November 12th:

It's College Football today . . .

Here is one of our guys watching football. . .

Here's the other one.

We have leftovers for lunch and we make a sizable decrease the number of our boxes

You didn't think we ate all that food every night, did you?

Dinner this evening is at the Four Seasons Resort

At sunset there's the customary blowing of the conch and a guy who runs around in a loincloth to light the torches

This is the final day of Restaurant Week and we dine at DUO

They have an impressive all-you-can-eat Raw Seafood Bar. Crab, shrimp, prawns, poke, and several types of oysters are piled high along this magnificent display.

Seating is indoors, outdoors, we sat someplace in the middle.

The DUO Prix-Fixe menu:

Choice of: DUO Double Chop Salad (Blue Cheese, Spicy Pecans, Pineapple, Bacon bits, Papaya Seed Dressing) or Caramelized Maui Onion Soup with three cheese crust

Entree: Braised Beef Short Rib, Sir Fried Vegetables, Potato Puree or Pan Seared Catch of the Day Sautéed Kale, Fingerling Potato, Mushroom Hash, Red Thai Curry Sauce

Choice of: Island Trifle, layers of Coconut & Guava Custards, sponge cake & Pineapple flambéed in rum or Waialua Estate Crème Brulee with grapefruit sorbet

The service was the best we've had on the island and the food was delicious.

As a bonus we received this piled-high, apple-flavored cotton candy to our table. It was unexpected and fun!

We stayed up until 8pm!

P.S. Maria don't forget about our 1pm scheduled nap!