Finding My Beach

Kaanapali and Lahaina
(Ninth of a Series)

Days 5 and 6 - December 19 and 20, 2013


Returning from our Hana Highway drive, we continued to West Maui and checked into Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas.  While this resort is different from our previous accommodation, it's still homey and comfortable nonetheless. Our hotel room, though much simpler and needed updating, is spacious with two queen beds, a dining table for four, and a small balcony with a view. And this time, we have a kitchen! It's stocked with all the utensils you could ever need. The boys were so excited that after dinner, we went to buy groceries for breakfast the next day.

The next morning (before our Kahoma Ranch adventure), I made scrambled eggs and bacon that the boys have been craving. I opted for a traditional Hawaiian breakfast with Portuguese sausage, my favorite passion fruit/guava juice and some banana bread that we bought from the Halfway to Hana store. So satisfying!

Then we were ready to do more fun stuff. The good thing about staying in Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas is that it fronts the famous beach of Kaanapali. All we needed to do was bring our oversized towels, walk a few steps, and then settle into our chosen spot in the beach.

After 5 straight days of activities, we decided today was going to be a just-lounge-on-the-beach day.

This is what Hawaii is all about.  Just relaxing and kicking back.

Pretty good waves out there.

Hang loose. I found my beach!

Staying in Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas also made it so easy to access Front Street in Lahaina where all the restaurants, shops, and all the action can be found.

The historic town Lahaina is a hot spot for restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

Shopping along Front Street in Lahaina. He got some more authentic Red Dirt T-shirts.

Alan wanted to get more of his favorite Original Red Dirt T-shirts. So we stopped at that store and chanced upon the owner himself, Randy Williams! Inside the store was a TV playing a video loop of Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs episode about Randy's red dirt shirts. It wasn't until I saw the video that I recognized him. While Alan was browsing, Trevor and I enjoyed chatting with Randy. He regaled us with behind-the-scenes stories of the video. Really nice guy.

After some souvenir shopping, we went to Kimo's for dinner.  This is where I had the delicious glazed and baked "opakapaka" or pink snapper. We had a wonderful time here. Food was great, ambience delightful, and the local band's music was really good! 

Kimo's is also known for its gigantic Hula Pie dessert.

A little throwback: That's Trevor and me in 2000 when we ate at Kimo's during our first Maui visit.

Other places we visited during this trip:

Whaler's General Store - I know that ABC Stores and Hilo Hattie's are very popular for souvenirs and Hawaiian made items, but don't miss this store in Front Street. They have unique offerings that are worth checking out.

Aloha Mixed Plate - To get my Hawaiian fix, I had the traditional Lau Lau -- pork wrapped in Taro leaves and steamed in an underground oven -- and a side of Lomi Lomi or salted salmon tossed with local tomatoes and Maui onions. What I really wanted to order was the Ali'i Plate which includes Lau Lau, Kalua pork and cabbage, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Poi, Macaroni Salad, Rice and Haupia for dessert. But that sounded a bit heavy for dinner.

Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant - One of our fellow Kahoma Ranch adventurers talked us into going here.  She said the Chinese food here is really good... and she was right. The young waiter who attended to us was so nice and gracious too.

Honu Seafood and Pizza - This was our first restaurant choice when we arrived here but they were closed for a private party. Ugh! Thankfully, we had another chance. It's a very cute restaurant and they have a menu with gluten free options.  You ought to try the Crab Mac n' Cheese!

Castaway Cafe - Fellow guests of Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas were raving about this cafe on site. We decided to give it a shot before checking out. We took a table in the outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. There I leisurely enjoyed my late lunch and my Mai Tai. Then off to our next hotel venue.  I guess this season is a bit popular and so Alan had to book our stay into 3 different resorts.


This story was continued from Clouds of Red and Chasing Double Rainbows. The last remaining stories of this series coming up next.