Photo by: Dale Walsh

Bubba Gumps is a really fun place to dine. Shrimp heaven to say the least. Ocean front dining in Lahaina, Bubba Gumps is a great place to stop for lunch. The menu is moderate in price starting at $12.95 and capping at about $22.00.

Bubba Gump’s is like a box of chocolates!  You never know what the great tasting food you’re going to eat there.

Bubba Gumps is open for both lunch and dinner. The menu is the same all day, so take advantage of the ambience during the day for lunch, or and early dinner. The views are outstanding of the waterfront.

The fun at Bubba Gumps begins with the license plates on the table. The license plates (sign) flips up with one side stating “Run Forrest Run” and the other side stating “Stop Forrest Stop”.

If you want the server to stop the license plate must be showing “Stop Forrest Stop”. You will be surprised how quick they stop when you flip the sign over. The staff at Bubba Gump will also come around to the tables and quiz you on the movie Forrest Gump.

The very best thing about Bubba Gump’s is the view. Do whatever you can to sit at one of the tables that overlook the water. Then order a blue Hawaiian,  throw back some fried stuff, and enjoy the scenery.

Good food and good service. A must for dining in Lahaina, Maui.

Kapalau Beach – Maui

Located on the upper west side of Maui, is beautiful Kapalau Beach.

Kapalua is definitely the ultimate luxury resort area on the entire island of Maui. Kapalua Resort is an incredible 1650-acre resort with gorgeous Pacific Ocean views.

Kapalua Bay is home to the protected white sand, Kapalau Beach and is popular due to its scenic beauty. But the beach is often uncrowded.

The bay is formed by two reefs that form the C-shape cove, featuring tranquil, deep blue water.

Maui’s Kapalau Beach offers wonderful snorkeling opportunities as well as great scuba diving and of course, swimming.

The bay’s calm water makes Kapalau Beach a relatively safe beach for visitors of all ages. Note that there isn’t a lifeguard on duty.

The lush tropical setting makes a perfect backdrop for a wonderful day at Kapalau beach.

If you get hungry, remember to pack your own food as there are no concession stands on the beach. so you’ll need to bring your snacks and drinks with you.

Parking at Kapala Beach is convenient but limited, and located nearby the public restrooms and showers.

Courtesy of: Royal Kaanapali Course

The beautiful Ka’anapali Resort on tropical Maui is home to two championship golf courses. The golf resort is situated on about 1,200 acres of land that’s home to ancient Hawaiian royalty. Golfers will enjoy endless panoramic views of both the Pacific Ocean and West Maui Mountains.

The Royal Kaanapali Course opened its lush fairways in 1962. The golf course offers 6,700 yards and a par 71 course. The Royal Kaanapali Course was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest in 2008. The scenic golf course is the perfect choice for an avid golfer.

In addition to its breathtaking scenery, the Royal Kaanapali Course is well recognized as a world-class golf facility. Even the easiest holes here are a challenge.

In addition, the Royal Ka’anapali Course is one of only two courses anywhere in Hawaii, designed by Robert Trent Jones.

The Royal Kaanapali Course layout takes full advantage of the lush rolling landscape. The course offers gentle, sloping fairways along with large, contoured greens. This combination makes the Royal Kaanapali Course both distinctive as well as demanding.

The greens here are expansive, yet contoured. It’s difficult to decipher the varying slope and pitch of greens. The high sun angle along with the Bermuda grass make putting quite a challenge.

Courtesy of: Royal Kaanapali Course

The Royal Kaanapali Course was previously named the Tournament North Course. The challenging Course begins at sea level, then works its way through the resort out to the Pacific Ocean’s edge at the 5th hole.

The world championship course has been host to many major golf tournaments including the Champions TOUR Ka’anapali Classic, LPGA Kemper Cup, Senior Tour’s Ka’anapali Classic and Wendy’s Champions SKINS GAME.

For more information please visit Royal Kaanapali Course

The Beach House restaurant -Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – Maui

The stunning Beach House restaurant is located at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui.

Near the beautiful Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy a delicious lunch, including salads, sandwiches, as well as other local Hawaiian island entrees.

The outdoor settings at The Beach House are incredible. As you eat your meal or sup on an island cocktail, enjoy the views of the ocean, soothing sounds of waves, talented surfers and sometimes even a whale, during the whale migration season.

Creating a natural canopy over the restaurant, there are over forty towering coconut palms gently swaying in the ocean breezes.

The Beach House also offers patrons a private dining room for intimate meals or special occasions.

If you’re looking for one of the premier beachfront restaurants on Maui, then plan a visit to The Beach House for great tropical cocktails and fresh, light fare.

The Beach House serves lunch & cocktails daily, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Beach House
Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – Maui
808-669-6200

Waihua Spa – Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

The luxurious Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is a AAA Five-Diamond resort located on 54 lush acres in the northwestern corner of Maui.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua recently finished a massive $180 million transformation, featuring 463 guestrooms that includes 107 one and two-bedroom Residential Suites.

Waihua Spa is clearly one of the best and largest spas on Maui. Waihua Spa opened in 2008 and is 17,500-square-foot of pure luxury.

The meaning behind Waihua Spa is the word Waihua , which describes water and its pureness in every way imaginable. You will see how the inspiration of various Hawaiian design elements were integrated into the concept of Waihua Spa.

The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua’s Waihua Spa features 15 treatment rooms, an outdoor whirlpool, separate facilities for both women and men, plus a coed relaxation area.

With the soothing sounds of nearby Pacific Ocean, immerse yourself into a soothing state of relaxation and luxury pampering.

At the Boutique Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, you can enjoy a wide variety of pampering treatments and therapies that are all based on Hawaiian healing, and integrated with the many flowers, plants, herbs plus fruits that can be found on tropical Hawaiian islands.

As you enter, enjoy ladies and gentlemen’s relaxation lounges. You will notice an elegant decor that features soothing rain showers, and heated whirlpools in Hawaiian grotto areas. There are also eucalyptus infused steam rooms, in addition to luxurious cedar saunas.

The spa suites at Waihua Spa are very spacious. Be pampered with an assortment of  massage, body and facial services, along with other personal amenities and garden showers.

If you want to enjoy the fresh, outdoor Hawaiian air, try the open-air relaxation lounge. Unwind in the tranquil whirlpool located amongst a Hawaiian taro patch garden.

The Waihua Spa was recently awarded one of Spa Magazine’s “Favorite Resort+Hotel Spa in Hawaii and South Pacific” in the 2010 Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Awards.

For more info on the The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Waihua Spa, visit: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui/Spa/Default.htm

The Alaloa Lounge at the luxury The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is a favorite locale for lounging at sunset and watching picture perfect Hawaiian sunsets.

The readers of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine have named The Alaloa Lounge as the “Best Lobby Lounge” on Maui.

This upscale resort lounge is the ideal place to watch the sunset, have an informal lunch, begin a magical romantic evening on Maui, or just get gather with friends and enjoy your Hawaii experience.

The Alaloa Lounge can be found just inside the main entrance of the incredible Ritz Carlton Kapalua on the west shore of Maui.

This beautiful lounge provides indoor and outdoor seating, in addition to sweeping Pacific ocean views, including both Molokai and Lanai islands.

The Alaloa Lounge offers a wide variety of thirst quenching specialty cocktails, both imported and domestic beers, plus premium spirits and incredible appetizers and desserts.

You can enjoy light fare throughout the day, as The Alaloa Lounge now offers a casual lunch menu.

The Alaloa Lounge was formerly named The Lobby Lounge.

Sit in the newly-expanded spacious lanai for an whale watching experience. You can enjoy the amazing views between the months of December and April.

Hours of operation:
- Light Fare Appetizers: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Appetizers: 5:30 to 10 p.m.
- Cocktails: 4 p.m. to Close

Alaloa Lounge
One Ritz-Carlton Drive
Kapalua, HI
96761
(808) 629 6200

Hookipa Beach Park, Maui

Located on Maui’s world famous Hana Highway, you can find Hookipa Beach Park.

Hookipa Beach Park is known around the world as one of the best windsurfing spots around.

Due to the great windsurfing found at Hookipa Beach Park, each year the area will host two popular world-class windsurfing competitions.

The Red Bull and Aloha Classic windsurfing competitions provide a chance for the best world-class windsurfers to battle it out on Maui.

In addition, Hookipa Beach Park offers other water sport competitions each year

Lined with cliffs, surfers from around the world enjoy riding the unique break and large waves that the beach provides.

For nature lovers, view the large underwater coral reef by either snorkeling or swimming. Beware that the large waves and pounding surf are very dangerous, especially during the winter months.

There isn’t much of a beach at Hookipa Beach Park. You can walk along a small piece of white sand, found behind a wide, rocky shelf.

To get to Hookipa Beach Park, from Kahului you would drive northeast on Maui’s famous Hana Highway until you reach Hookipa Park.

Courtesy: Pineapple Grill at Kapalua

Located on Maui, Pineapple Grill in Kapalua Resort is a wonderful romantic restaurant.

Pineapple Grill just celebrated its one year anniversary and has been a popular restaurant on Maui for both locals and tourists.

Kapalua’s Pineapple Grill has been popular with food critics as well. The restaurant has recently been awarded two best new restaurant honors in two separate reader polls.

Food lovers will find a tasty menu featuring several excellent seafood entrees. Pineapple Grill calls their food offering Maui-style “Pacific Island Cuisine.”

Chris Kaiwi, who is Pineapple Grill’s managing partner was quoted, “We’re creating a fun atmosphere without sacrificing a sense of elegance.”

The restaurant also offers a wonderful beer and wine list.

Courtesy: Pineapple Grill at Kapalua

Pineapple Grill features a popular happy hour. As you enter the restaurant, you’ll walk past the large bar, featuring a black-marble island with plenty of stools for enjoyable bar-top dining.

Pineapple Grill overlooks the golf course at Kapalua Resort – The Bay Course and there are distant ocean views to be enjoyed.

One of the favorite dishes is a dessert – the restaurant’s famous pineapple, upside down cake!

For a fantastic fine dining experience, without the high price, Pineapple Grill should be your choice.

The restaurant is open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Pineapple Grill
200 Kapalua Dr
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 669-9600

Courtesy of: Kimo’s

Kimo’s has long been a local Lahaina landmark on Maui. Its restaurant customers are offered wonderful waterfront views of the Pacific Ocean.

You can find Kimo’s restaurant in the heart of Old Lahaina Town on the main street of the shopping district.

Kimo’s has been around for well over 20 years, and this casual restaurant has been delighting both visitors and locals ever since.

At Kimo’s, there is nothing better than just sitting outside on their deck or at the bar eating and enjoying your favorite cocktail, and take in the incredible Maui beach views.

Kimo’s is often crowded so plan ahead and make your lunch or dinner reservations to be safe.

Kimo’s is also a favorite watering hole, and it offers live music on the weekends.

One thing you can always count on at Kimo’s is their exceptional service and ultra friendly staff.

You know what they say – “Always save room for dessert!” At Kimo’s, a must have is their famous Hula Pie dessert – YUM!

Kimo’s
845 Front Street
(808)661-4811

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa has unveiled a brand new high-tech telescope for the luxury resort’s unique cosmic experience – Tour of the Stars.

Guests at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa will be able to view Hawaii’s celestial skies with the new Celestron high-definition 14-inch aplanic telescope. The new Celestron telescope is Hawaii’s only recreational HD telescope.

Due to the new Celestron telescope, Tour of the Stars guests will enjoy better views, greater clarity, and more photography opportunities from the state-of-the art equipment.

In addition, local Maui schoolchildren will also benefit, as Hyatt Regency Maui donated their prior telescope, the Meade 16-inch reflector “Great White” to Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina in a special celebration in late June.

The Hyatt Regency Maui’s new Celestron CGE PRO 1400 HD computerized telescope is the largest in its class. The telescope truly provides an infinitely superior flat clear image, that will ensure an improved image quality and excellent astrophotography opportunities.

“It’s very rare for people to have access to this kind of cutting-edge telescope,” says Edward J. Mahoney (“Eddie”), the resort’s Director of Astronomy and NASA Solar System Ambassador. “This new telescope will enhance the overall experience of the resort’s Tour of the Stars by giving guests access to unique, crystal clear celestial observations.”

Since the introduction of the new telescope, Mahoney plans to lead more entrancing astronomy tours, in addition to special star-parties in conjunction with notable celestial activities. Stargazers will have the chance to view little-seen constellations and take close-up photos of the moon’s surface, while learning intriguing stories of ancient Polynesian way-finding and constellation myths.

The Tour of the Stars program runs about an hour long and is offered nightly at 8:00pm, 9:00pm, and 10:00pm. The price is $25 per person for adults and just $15/per person for children.

A special romance-inspiring, couples-only Romance Tour of the Stars at 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday includes champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries.

Concluding five years of dedicated use, Hyatt Regency Maui will present the Meade 16-inch reflector, “Great White,” which continues to offer excellent image quality, to Sacred Hearts School.

Mr. Mahoney is currently a teacher of science enrichment classes at Sacred Hearts School, and will be able to develop an Astronomy Club and to host stargazing parties among the students once or twice a month with “Great White.”

“We’re grateful to Hyatt Regency Maui for their incredible generosity,” remarks Susan Hendricks, Principal of Sacred Hearts School. “Thanks to the Hyatt Regency Maui’s donation, teachers and students will be able to conduct astronomical studies that previously had not been possible.”