Mahalo to all of my loyal readers, but the time has come for me to stop blogging and get out there and enjoy this beautiful view!
Aloha!

There's no end of Mexican food places in Central Maui, but they either don't serve cervezas, have bad atmosphere, bad service, or just plain have terrible food.  While on a recent trip to the Queen Kaahumanu Mall, we decided to try out the new Fernando's location (they are also in the Maui Marketplace's Food Court- so I already new they had great food...) and found a Mexican restaurant that served all of our requirements- and then some!

It's a clean restaurant (down at the end, near Sears, and has served up everything from Italian to Vietnamese since the Arby's shut down) with festive, if typical, Mexican restaurant decor.

After scanning the menu, which is more elaborate than the typical tacos and burritos menu, our excellent server, Tricia, recommended the Molcajete, which is kind of like fajitas, it comes out sizzling on a lava rock, and is served with two kinds of meat (your pick), grilled onions, and surprisingly yummy cactus.  Tricia also informed us that it's plenty for two, especially if you get two tortilla orders, and she was correct.

Tricia also talked us in to the fried ice cream, which was probably the best I've ever had.

And of course, we had beer.

But the best part of the story is that our two-year old daughter loved her quesadillas from the kids menu, and sat through an entire dinner.

So, there you have it- great food, cold beers, excellent service, and a happy child = return customers!

as delicious as it looks...

While I was stuck in traffic trying to get in to Paia today (at 10:30am?), I contemplated my next blog posting.  A thought had occurred to me a while back, about the new proliferation of consignment shops on the island, but the vacation mode of the holidays took over and the thought escaped my mind.  Despite having a two-year old in tow, after a quick stop at the post office, I headed up Baldwin Avenue to check out Sassy Seconds, a consignment shop that I had driven by several times, but had never checked out.  It turns out I was too late.

The shop was taken over by a new owner, Davida, late last year, and is now called Isle Empress.  While there are still a few consignment items available, Davida is hoping turn the shop into a storefront for local artists and designers, including clothing and swimsuit designers, jewelers and photographers.  In the mean time, Davida has stocked her store, located on Baldwin Avenue at the Paia Train Depot, near the old sugar mill, with beautiful finds from a recent shopping trip to Asia.

Davida is actively looking for designers to feature in her shop and invites anyone to stop by.  In addition to information for this blog posting, I walked out of the shop with an awesome new dress.  Now I just need someplace to where it!

And for all you fans of shopping out there on Maui- I've just created a Facebook page - to post tips or inquiries!  Click here to join!

It can sometimes be hard to get into the holiday spirit on Maui, with little chance of a white Christmas, sledding, or snuggling up by a fire, but this weekend there are almost too many events to choose from.  Here is just a small sampling of events that one can partake in- starting with Santa's schedule-

Santa is scheduled to make an appearance at First Friday in Wailuku, spend Saturday morning making gingerbread cookies with the kids at the Queen Kaahumanu Mall, then he may even make it up to the Christmas event in Makawao on Saturday evening, although i haven't been able to confirm this yet with his elves.

There are several performances that shouldn't be missed, including Annie at the Iao Theatre, The Nutcracker at the MACC, and the Seabury Hall Christmas Show- call this morning if you want tickets!

There are also several craft fairs this Saturday- including the Haleakala Waldorf Faire!  What are you up to this weekend?

While most other parts of Maui are growing and changing, it’s always comforting driving up to Makawao, a place where remarkably little has changed in the fifteen years since I graduated from high school there. The most noticeable change is the absence of Kitada’s Saimin shop, which is now- in typical Maui fashion- a yoga studio.  Another sad departure is the original Maui Hands, with locations now in Paia, Lahaina and Kaanapali.
But those seeking a nostalgic tour of Makawao will be thrilled that Komoda’s Bakery still sells the world’s best donuts and cream puffs, Casanova still has delicious wood-fired pizza and hopping late-nights, and Polli’s is still a family favorite for Mexican cuisine.
One change for the better is the major renovation of the Rodeo General Store.  With the departure of Down to Earth, the natural food store, Rodeo now offers an amazing selection of vegetarian offerings, plus a beautiful deli and sandwich shop.
Besides eating, Makawao is a great place for shopping, with a wide range of boutique and specialty shops.  Makawao is known as a paniolo (cowboy) town, and for anyone needing that perfect pair of boots or cowboy hat, it’s sure to be found at either Aloha Cowboy or the Piiholo Ranch Store.  My personal favorite shop is Little Tibet, with beautiful, original jewelry, and great prices.
Hot Island Glass offers free entertainment with their glass blowing demonstrations, and Viewpoints Gallery has a frequently rotating selection of works by local artists.
Makawao is also well-known for their holiday festivities, notably- The Fourth of July Parade and Rodeo, and the annual Christmas in Makawao Town.  Mark your calendars for the upcoming Christmas event- Saturday, December 5- starting at 11am and culminating in the lighting of the Norfolk Pine at 5:30pm.  Ho, Ho Ho!