7 Years in Maui and So Much Has Happened

This week marks the 7^th anniversary of my move to Maui. What a seven years it has been! Looking back I am astounded at all the progress we’re seen in the Maui Nui food world. I’m not only speaking of the restaurant openings and closings, celebrity chef shifting, new culinary talent appearing, old stalwarts retiring, new favorites emerging, or old favorites coming back to claim their turf. Those items are newsy, but inevitable pretty much anywhere. What I’m talking about are all the things that currently exist on Maui that didn’t a mere seven years ago; those things that arrived to make my life here more enjoyable.

For the first few years after arrival on island it seemed every social gathering was marked with at least one discussion of the “things we wish we had here.” The conversation always started, “Maui is wonderful, but I miss…” and the commenter would mention a few things integral to total happiness presently absent from the Maui food scene. Things most often noted (besides a great haircut, Bed Bath and Beyond, and hospital on the West Side) were good pizza, Chicago style hotdogs, real Italian beef, a true gourmet pantry store, a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, a place to get imported cheese that wasn’t shrink wrapped, authentic Mexican and Indian restaurants, Italian style gelato, to name but a few items on the wish lists.

Reminiscing on these chats, it occurs to me there may actually be something to the notion of putting your desires out there for the universe to  manifest. After all, just a few years of dreaming and all these things seem to show up! Or, maybe in our free-enterprise society someone was bound to notice a niche in the market and when those particular stars cross, the right person, the right opportunity – voila! You got gelato on every corner and Whole Foods in Kahului. You’ve got Chicago-style hotdogs in Maalaea at Aloha Deli! It’s mind-boggling.

We now have Penguini’s in Pa`ia and `Aina Gourmet dishing up home-made versions of the frozen Italian confection in Honua Kai.  We have Maui Prime in Lahaina, Wine Stops in both Kihei and Lahaina, and Gourmet food shops in Wailea, Kaanapali, and even the Kaanapali Ocean Resort North Tower catering to home chefs with gourmet ingredients from around the globe! We can now obtain Mozzarella Fresca and Burrata cheeses  (at times) at Lahaina Farms or Who Cut the Cheese in Kihei.

Maui now has many wonderful pizza choices, from Flatbread in Pa`ia to Pizza Madness in Kihei. Even the Ritz Carlton serves a delicious thin-crust version from their room service menu (available at the bar – but don’t tell them where you heard it.)

And Mexican food?! When I moved here from Austin, Texas the lack of great Mexican and Barbeque was almost painful. Now it seems a great new Mexican place pops up regularly, including one soon-to-be unveiled in the old Giovanni’s space at the entrance to Kaanapali. As for Barbeque, I’ve been won over by Kalbi Ribs to the point I barely miss Brisket and when I do now there’s Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse in Kihei.

A few things we didn’t even think to ask for have appeared. There’s French creperies, including the forthcoming Paradise Found in the old Quizno space at the Lahaina Center.  For a short while the dearth of Naan and Indian curries was resolved by the opening of Shangri-La in Kihei.  Sadly, it was shuttered recently, but we hope someone steps up to the Tandori and tries again.

Overall, in seven short years Maui has edged closer to truly having it all. Let’s do our part to ensure the courageous entrepreneurs who cater to our hearts’ (and stomachs) delight will continue to prosper and thrive long into the future.  And by all means, continue dreaming!

- Marti