Maui Christmas!
‘Tis the season for lists – and here are the Top Ten Maui Things I’m looking forward to most this holiday season.
Part One – Dec. 1-15, 2010
1) The Annual Tree Lighting at the Ritz Carlton – Thursday, Dec. 2
Ritz Carlton Glows Glorious for the Holidays
Why? Start with the cheery festivities, joyful singing, happy faces of children, Elves climbing up the walls and into the building through the magic of technology, Santa’s anticipated arrival, hot chocolate and cookies. Plus, as kama`aina we get half price sushi at Kai from 5:30-6:30 pm! An overnight stay at the lush hotelier is the best way I know for getting in the spirit – even better than Burl Ives singing “Frosty the Snowman.”
2) Japengo’s Coming to Town! In Time for Christmas!
Why? Hyatt Kaanapali GM Mike Jokovich tells me there will be a soft opening of the hip new sushi restaurant prior to Christmas, which means I can bring family and friends there to celebrate! The Japengo location in the La Jolla Hyatt really impressed me when I dined there many years ago so I’m looking forward to enjoying equally stellar sushi in the Kaanapali ‘hood. I’m also eager to see the results of the 75 million dollar face lift of the new Japengo space. I think that’s even more than Cher paid…
Nutcracker is Sweet on Maui
3) Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes – Nutcracker Sweets! Dec. 5, 3-5 p.m.
Why? Because it just isn’t Christmas without Tchaikovsky and one hundred adorable keiki dancing around the Ulalena Stage making hearts melt faster than snow in Lahaina. Cost is $20 adults; $17 children 12 and under, but the experience is truly priceless. I see visions of sugarplums already.
4) Roselani’s Pumpkin and Eggnog Ice Cream Flavors
Why? Made solely for the holiday season, I wait all year to indulge in these delicious goodies. To get a holiday fix of homemade flavors I formerly imported Homer’s ice cream from back home in Chicago, but with the amazing local goodness of Roselani’s, that’s one thing off my “to do” list and on my Top Ten List!
5) Beaujolais Nouveau!
Why? According to Who Cut the Cheese website, “Beaujolais Nouveau is made from the Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grape, better known simply as Gamay. The grapes must come from the Beaujolais AOC, but grapes from the ten “cru” appellations are excluded. By law, all grapes in the region must be harvested by hand. This is because Beaujolais is made using carbonic maceration. The grapes are not crushed but are put whole into a sealed space with a little added CO2 and allowed to ferment inside the skins and creating nice balanced acidity.” Release of this wine signifies the end of the harvest and not coincidentally, the perfect wine to pair with holiday foods like turkey and ham.
6) Snow in Lahaina! Banyan Tree Lighting Dec. 6, 6:30-8:30 pm
Snowman Lahaina Style
Why? Though it’s not exactly a food related event, lighting the Banyan Tree in old Lahaina Town complete with enough shave ice for a snowball fight is about as magical as it gets! Roll around in the “snow” then make your way to item number 5 to “warm up.” Or have a wonderful dinner at the Pioneer Inn, Lahaina Grill, Gerard’s, or go casual and hearty at the new Famous Dave’s Barbeque on Front Street. (See Divemaster Richard’s review at What’s Cooking Maui.)
7) Sweet Paradise Chocolate
Why? Now that the mercury is dipping into the 60’s at night, the timing is opportune for conjuring images of the Polar Express by sipping a delicious hot chocolate at Sweet Paradise Chocolates in Lahaina or Waillea. With those gorgeous gold gift chests of chocolates in the window, you’ll find it impossible to leave the store empty handed. Who’s on your gift list? Teachers, hostesses, mom-in-law, sweethearts; no one would say no to Sweet Paradise. Hint, hint…
Gingerbread House Fest and Holiday Craft Fair – Slow Food and Whole Foods
Gingerbread Edible Craft
Why? Like a match made in heaven, pairing these two on Christmas is like Santa and Rudolph; Shepherds and Wise Men; Currier and Ives. Plus is there anything more lovely than crafts you can eat? Handicrafts covered in candy and frosting rank particularly high. It all happens on December 18th, Whole Foods Kahului, 10 am – 3 pm with Team Gingerbread stepping up at 2 pm. I predict some little Gingerbread Man losing his head.
9) Jingle Swells, Jingle Swells – Waves and Whales!
Why? Why? It goes without saying, but now is the best time to be on Maui and experience all the island has to offer before hoards of delighted visitors arrive starting December 19th. Book that oceanfront table; take a whale watch tour; blissfully surf big jingle swells. Merry Christmas, indeed!
10) First Light – Maui Film Festival December 15 – January 2
First Light Films 2010
Why? Barry Rivers’ dedication to bringing the best new movies and Oscar worthy films to Maui is worthy of an award itself. The Maui Film Festival gives us new cause at the close of each year to thank our lucky stars all over again. The inspired stories on screen help set the mood for gratitude and introspection.
This year features, The Kids Are Alright, Jack Goes Boating, Moa’s Last Dancer, and so many others are sure to become long term crowd and critical favorites. Oh, and yes, they usually serve really great food before the movies, catered by various local restaurants.
Visit the website for complete schedule and more information.
