Chef James at `Aina Gourmet

`Aina, the latest in the I`O and Pacific`O franchise, breathes needed life and aloha into Honua Kai, Maui’s newest full ownership oceanfront resort. Those few entitled souls who are among the first to settle in are finding their every wish is `Aina’s command. From attentive poolside service to inclusive in-room dining; from stocking pantries to catering parties; from breakfast, lunch and dinner service to freshly made desserts and handcrafted gelato, `Aina has it all covered.

It’s too bad there aren’t more takers right now. Although the upstart hotel sold out quickly two years ago before ground was even broken, construction was recently completed just as the market tumbled and tourism took it on the chin. It’s a temporary setback; I’m sure, since the setting at the northern most edge of Kaanapali is pure magic.

Koi Ponds --`Aina at Honua Kai

Stepping inside the mammoth open-air lobby I felt obliged to mimic the koi swimming peacefully in nearby lily ponds. I didn’t dive in; but I did take a seat and meditate on the view. As the sun began its daily disappearing act I was roused from my reverie by a spectacle of purple and orange light reflected in the ponds surrounding the al fresco dining and pool area. Drawn near the shore, I noticed the neighboring beach has been extensively upgraded; manicured and combed so that now bears no resemblance to the once overgrown cove which formerly attracted only those hoping to withdraw from social life. Lovelier but still a little lonely, it won’t be long before crowds discover this hidden gem, along with `Aina next door.

With a beautiful, spanking-new setting, good food, joie de vivre, `Aina quivers with good vibes. The market/café/coffee shop/ice cream parlor/produce vendor/wine shop, seems to have it all, including locally crafted hand churned gelato that tempts all who enter with flavors such as apple banana and limoncello. Need a dozen flavors of sea salt? Searching for an extensive wine selection at reasonable prices, like a half bottle of Rombauer for $20? Crackers, cheese, vinegars, seasoning, spices, fresh garden produce from O`O Farms – all here and priced equivalently to what you’d expect to pay in a chain store – if only they had such fine provisions or `Aina’s appealing and helpful servers.

There is no liquor service yet, per se, but you can order from the café menu, buy a few beers from `Aina’s cooler, and picnic at the tables on the lanai. Highly recommended is the fish wrap, ceviche and beet salad made with golden raisins, my favorite.

To introduce everyone to the new multi-tasking gourmet shop and café, Aina hosted a Grand Opening , Sunday, May 31st, 12 – 4 p.m. complete with coffee roasting demos, wine and menu tasting, and a 10% kama`aina discount. Face-painting, lei-making, and a chocolate fountain had the kids twirling in the sunlight while adults stocked up on gourmet treats.

Serving breakfast, lunch, light dinner, carry-out, room service, gourmet grocery, wine shop seemingly all hours of day and night.

`Aina Market
Honua Kai Resort
130 Kai Parkway
Kaanapali, Hi 96761
808-662-2832

Locally grown produce at `Aina