Hawaii Vacation Tips - Tiki Travel

W weirduncletiki Member Grape Town, California Joined: Mar 26, 2002 Posts: 756	W weirduncletiki Posted posted on Tue, Nov 19, 2002 3:47 PM Aloha! I'm just back from my latest Hawaiian adventure. This one was rushed as I visited four islands in four days. I was on four islands (Kauai, Oahu(twice), Hawai'i, and Maui) one of the days just making connections! A work schedule for sure, but if you gotta do it, I can't think of a more pleasant environment in which to to be so hectic. Here are a few tips that I vaguely recall from this blur of a trip: Kauai: For decor, check out Coconuts Island Style Grill. The chairs, tables, menus and even the floor are all made from coconut. Very nicely done. I was there during prep-time and didn't get to eat, but if you do, be sure to try their chili water. It's the local Hawaiian seasoning on many a table in the islands and the recipes are ancient and varied. I was fortunate enough to be there when the old fellow who supplies them was making his delivery. One taste of this potent condiment and I was hooked! He bottles it in 16 ounce plastic Pepsi bottles and I bought one on the spot. He uses traditional ingredients such as vinegar, chilis, garlic, and water. The neato part is that he also puts a pinch of Kauai red dirt in every bottle. Wowee! http://www.coconutsislandstylegrillandbar.com The dining room of the Princville Sheraton offers a breathtaking view of Hanalei Bay with it's azure water and dramatic mountains. A beautiful resort and you'll certainly pay for it. I say skip the hotel (unless you're honeymooning or just looking to luxuriate) and just jump in the water. A more beautiful spot is hard to find. Golfer? Have breakfast, lunch or twice-a-week dinner or once a month wine dinner at Joe's On The Green located at a golf course, the name of which escapes me, in Poipu. An open-walled, bar and restaurant with stunning vistas of the ocean and the mountains including Mount Waialeale, the wettest (most precipitation) spot on earth. Not a tiki joint, but you may enjoy it. The Big Island of Hawai'i: I was only on The Big Island for about 7 hours and the only meal I ate was poke from a local market. If you like that kind of thing, I can't recommend it highly enough. The fellow I was working with is a judge at Chef Sam Choy's annual poke contest and he thinks this market has the best poke around. It's called KTA Superstore in Kailua-Kona. The poke counter is in the back. We had ahi shoyu, marlin korean-style, ocean salad and steamed rice. A most excellent lunch! The Four Seasons Hualalai has a beautiful beachside bar with gigantic cocktails. It's called the Beach House. Although I was working and didn't try one, the maitai on the menu seemed like the real thing(no pineapple or orange juice listed as ingredients). Their Club Grill had a fine view and seemed like a nice luch spot. The Pahui'a restaurant there looked like a real classy joint. Dark and old-Hawaiian looking with an upscale and up$$ menu. The Martini Yacht Club in Kailua-Kona is a new restaurant with a view of the water, an old-time sailing/aviation theme, a fine winelist and a menu with an abundance of fresh seafood prepared in various sauces and styles. Do not miss seeing Kona Village. http://www.konavillage.com Even if you have to sneak in, check out their tikis, a-framed dining room, private thatched hale guest rooms, beachside "Bora Bora Bar," etc. Room packages include your meals so if you just want to laze about and worry about nothing, stay here. No phones, no tv's, just you in your tiki village escape. This is a tiki lover's place for sure! I happened upon a farmers market in Kona. Don't know how often they have it, but this was a Wednesday around 11:00am. It was right on the main road across the street from the water. Huge selection of local, tropical fruits and veges. Also there was a stall run by the Aholelei family who makes tapa and carves tikis. They are originally Tongan, but now reside in Kona. I purchased a tiki walking stick (I was not popular with airport security) carved by Uncle Sio. Their tapa designs were also marvelous. If you're interested in their work you can call (808) 334-1762 and ask for Saloté. Maui: Again, I was here for mere hours so I didn't get to see too much. I will say that if you want to be surrounded by beauty in a heavily themed restaurant, you must check out Kincha at the Grand Wailea Resort http://www.grandwailea.com/dining/kincha.asp The photos on the website do not even come close to showing off the amazing Japanese decor and details. Boulders, bamboo, a stream, a table over a small pond, a sushi bar looking out on rock waterfalls, etc., etc, etc. I did't eat here, but boy, would I love to. Not tiki, but quite a spectacle. My meal on Maui was at the local branch of the L&L Drive Inn plate lunch joints. http://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com Seriously large and yummy plates of food. Mix plate with curry is good grinds. Da kine! Oahu: If you're looking for that rare United Airlines tiki decanter, they've got quite a variety. If you want Okolehao or pineapple brandy, grab it off the shelf. The place is The Liquor Collection and it's in the Ward Warehouse 1050 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu (808) 524-8808. Craving some poke and wine? Go to Tamura's at 3496 Waialae Ave. Honolulu (808) 735-7100. Mainly a fine wine shop, they do have a side counter where they make their own fresh poke and it is superb! Several kinds are available every day. Great to take on a picnic. If you can swing it, have a cocktail at the Oahu Country Club. Sit in their lounge and gaze out of the picture windows over the golf course, down the Pali, across, the harbor and into the Pacific. Wow! And no, I'm not a member and I don't know who can get you a table. Work sometimes finds me in these places. The Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu has their Mahina Lounge. Not tiki, but they specialize in flaming drinks and deserts and also the always impressive pousse cafe. Drinks were not over $6 and that included the one served in a pineapple. The maitai was strong and almondy, no orange or pineapple juice (a rarity around here). Not too shabby. The highlight of Honolulu, of course, is La Mariana Sailing Club. Gecko and his lovely lady accompanied me there on Friday night which, if you can swing it, is THE night to go. All the old-timers are there singing along to the piano. There are some solos and some group sing-alongs. It's just an amazing vibe! So genuinely happy and celebratory. Gecko and I even got in on the act. I wish I had had a video camera to capture the sounds. Just watch out for the bartender, he may drink your drink when you're not looking! I'll post some photos in a bit. Aloha! -Weird Uncle Tiki [ Edited by: weirduncletiki on 2004-08-17 10:49 ]

Aloha! I'm just back from my latest Hawaiian adventure. This one was rushed as I visited four islands in four days. I was on four islands (Kauai, Oahu(twice), Hawai'i, and Maui) one of the days just making connections! A work schedule for sure, but if you gotta do it, I can't think of a more pleasant environment in which to to be so hectic.
Here are a few tips that I vaguely recall from this blur of a trip:

Kauai:
For decor, check out Coconuts Island Style Grill. The chairs, tables, menus and even the floor are all made from coconut. Very nicely done. I was there during prep-time and didn't get to eat, but if you do, be sure to try their chili water. It's the local Hawaiian seasoning on many a table in the islands and the recipes are ancient and varied. I was fortunate enough to be there when the old fellow who supplies them was making his delivery. One taste of this potent condiment and I was hooked! He bottles it in 16 ounce plastic Pepsi bottles and I bought one on the spot. He uses traditional ingredients such as vinegar, chilis, garlic, and water. The neato part is that he also puts a pinch of Kauai red dirt in every bottle. Wowee!
http://www.coconutsislandstylegrillandbar.com

The dining room of the Princville Sheraton offers a breathtaking view of Hanalei Bay with it's azure water and dramatic mountains. A beautiful resort and you'll certainly pay for it. I say skip the hotel (unless you're honeymooning or just looking to luxuriate) and just jump in the water. A more beautiful spot is hard to find.

Golfer? Have breakfast, lunch or twice-a-week dinner or once a month wine dinner at Joe's On The Green located at a golf course, the name of which escapes me, in Poipu. An open-walled, bar and restaurant with stunning vistas of the ocean and the mountains including Mount Waialeale, the wettest (most precipitation) spot on earth. Not a tiki joint, but you may enjoy it.

The Big Island of Hawai'i: I was only on The Big Island for about 7 hours and the only meal I ate was poke from a local market. If you like that kind of thing, I can't recommend it highly enough. The fellow I was working with is a judge at Chef Sam Choy's annual poke contest and he thinks this market has the best poke around. It's called KTA Superstore in Kailua-Kona. The poke counter is in the back. We had ahi shoyu, marlin korean-style, ocean salad and steamed rice. A most excellent lunch!

The Four Seasons Hualalai has a beautiful beachside bar with gigantic cocktails. It's called the Beach House. Although I was working and didn't try one, the maitai on the menu seemed like the real thing(no pineapple or orange juice listed as ingredients).
Their Club Grill had a fine view and seemed like a nice luch spot.
The Pahui'a restaurant there looked like a real classy joint. Dark and old-Hawaiian looking with an upscale and up$$ menu.

The Martini Yacht Club in Kailua-Kona is a new restaurant with a view of the water, an old-time sailing/aviation theme, a fine winelist and a menu with an abundance of fresh seafood prepared in various sauces and styles.

Do not miss seeing Kona Village. http://www.konavillage.com Even if you have to sneak in, check out their tikis, a-framed dining room, private thatched hale guest rooms, beachside "Bora Bora Bar," etc. Room packages include your meals so if you just want to laze about and worry about nothing, stay here. No phones, no tv's, just you in your tiki village escape. This is a tiki lover's place for sure!

I happened upon a farmers market in Kona. Don't know how often they have it, but this was a Wednesday around 11:00am. It was right on the main road across the street from the water. Huge selection of local, tropical fruits and veges. Also there was a stall run by the Aholelei family who makes tapa and carves tikis. They are originally Tongan, but now reside in Kona. I purchased a tiki walking stick (I was not popular with airport security) carved by Uncle Sio. Their tapa designs were also marvelous. If you're interested in their work you can call (808) 334-1762 and ask for Saloté.

Maui: Again, I was here for mere hours so I didn't get to see too much. I will say that if you want to be surrounded by beauty in a heavily themed restaurant, you must check out Kincha at the Grand Wailea Resort http://www.grandwailea.com/dining/kincha.asp The photos on the website do not even come close to showing off the amazing Japanese decor and details. Boulders, bamboo, a stream, a table over a small pond, a sushi bar looking out on rock waterfalls, etc., etc, etc. I did't eat here, but boy, would I love to. Not tiki, but quite a spectacle.
My meal on Maui was at the local branch of the L&L Drive Inn plate lunch joints. http://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com
Seriously large and yummy plates of food. Mix plate with curry is good grinds. Da kine!

Oahu: If you're looking for that rare United Airlines tiki decanter, they've got quite a variety. If you want Okolehao or pineapple brandy, grab it off the shelf. The place is The Liquor Collection and it's in the Ward Warehouse 1050 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu (808) 524-8808.

Craving some poke and wine? Go to Tamura's at 3496 Waialae Ave. Honolulu (808) 735-7100. Mainly a fine wine shop, they do have a side counter where they make their own fresh poke and it is superb! Several kinds are available every day. Great to take on a picnic.

If you can swing it, have a cocktail at the Oahu Country Club. Sit in their lounge and gaze out of the picture windows over the golf course, down the Pali, across, the harbor and into the Pacific. Wow! And no, I'm not a member and I don't know who can get you a table. Work sometimes finds me in these places.

The Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu has their Mahina Lounge. Not tiki, but they specialize in flaming drinks and deserts and also the always impressive pousse cafe. Drinks were not over $6 and that included the one served in a pineapple. The maitai was strong and almondy, no orange or pineapple juice (a rarity around here). Not too shabby.

The highlight of Honolulu, of course, is La Mariana Sailing Club. Gecko and his lovely lady accompanied me there on Friday night which, if you can swing it, is THE night to go. All the old-timers are there singing along to the piano. There are some solos and some group sing-alongs. It's just an amazing vibe! So genuinely happy and celebratory. Gecko and I even got in on the act. I wish I had had a video camera to capture the sounds. Just watch out for the bartender, he may drink your drink when you're not looking!

I'll post some photos in a bit. Aloha!

-Weird Uncle Tiki

[ Edited by: weirduncletiki on 2004-08-17 10:49 ]

Post #14232 by weirduncletiki on Tue, Nov 19, 2002 3:47 PM