Kihei life

Posted by: elfcroft | August 12, 2011

Elleair

Elleair Golf Course is located on the mountain side of Piilani Highway south of the Safeway shopping center. Maui golf courses are more likely located 1,000-3,000 ft altitudes and not ocean side. I don’t know how that came about. Perhaps because all beaches are public or the terrain is more accommodating. The result is that Maui golf courses have stunning panoramic views. If you are not ready to play a round, may I suggest the driving range at Elleair. It is lit to 8 p.m. I consider the driving range one of the best values for Maui activities. Go ahead, look around!

Elleair

Elleair Driving Range

Golf Driving Range 2

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: elfcroft | August 12, 2011

Graven images

These digital images are of graven images one modern and the other estimated at 200-300 years old. (Note: Although tiki sculptures are associated with Hawaii, they are Polynesian.)

Hawaii’s oral traditions (meles) tell stories of gods and goddesses. It is very rare to see images of any description of Pele, goddess of fire and Maui, sun-god even today in any manifestion of art. To this day it seems tabu/forbidden/discouraged/bad luck.

Sun God Maui

Goddess sculpture

What I have posted are photos of a goddess sculpture and Maui the Hawaiian sun-god. They are located at popular destinations one centrally located and the other more remote. Perhaps you will recognize them during your island visit.

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Posted in Art, Quiz

Posted by: elfcroft | July 23, 2011

Down the road

South of Azeka shopping center and north of Kalama Park is Kukui Mall with features of arched windows and tiled roof. Tenants include the movie theater, Starbucks, doctors offices, etc.

Kukui Mall

Oceanside (across South Kihei Road) is a Fire Station and the Public Library. The rock structure is a fishing shrine that dates back 700 years.

Fishing shrine next to Library

Kihei Public Library

Reference Material on the Shrine

I closed the loop by including the reference material on the shrine. 🙂

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Posted in Local, Shopping

Posted by: elfcroft | July 17, 2011

What’s new?

A bicycle path.

Begin Bike Route

Under construction.

Bike route under construction

Parallel to and in between South Kihei Road and Piilani Highway, along Liloa Street. Park benches are in place and drinking fountains are installed. This new path is due west of the Safeway shopping center.

Safeway

The segment west of the Aquatic Center is completed. The south end of the bicycle path passes the elementary school and leads to the newest park.

New Park

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Posted in Activities, Local

Posted by: elfcroft | July 9, 2011

No parking allowed in park?

No parking?

Waipulani Park

This lovely park features wide open green space on the beach! It is a favorite launch site for wind surfing and kite boarding when the trade winds are gusting. The tennis courts are available to the public.

Any place along a west-facing beach draws people in the evening to watch the sunset.

Waipulani Park

Beach

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: elfcroft | July 6, 2011

Art Project

I couldn’t help but notice these mosaics at Kalama Park yesterday. The mirror pieces made it glow with the setting sun.

"Cherish the Reef" (ocean side)

Kalama Park 2008

Reef Mosaic, (mountain side)

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Posted in Art, Local

Posted by: elfcroft | July 5, 2011

What’s that?

House to the east

House to the North

My guess is that tomatoes are the garden vegetable of choice on the mainland. Here in Kihei, it looks like papaya!

Papaya, The Melon of Health by Chester D. French, copyright 1972, gives an interesting account of the evidence of the curative and nutritional properties of nature’s miracle fruit. He worked 50 years with science and has practical experience in the field, laboratory and packing plant. Interesting!

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Posted in Dining-Food, Flora

Posted by: elfcroft | July 4, 2011

Azeka

http://mwgroup.com/azeka.asp

Azeka Market Place: is like main street in many small towns on the mainland, except parking is central and the buildings are on the perimeter.

Just some of the enterprises: Post Office, Ace Hardware, Florist, Vet, Gym, Hair and Nail salon, Doctor offices, Quilt Shop, Coffee Shop, Bank, Dining (American, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Island). There are no ocean views. Look up to the east for a view of Haleakala Summit.

Azeka Market Place

USPS

ACE

Haleakala summit above the clouds

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Posted in Dining-Food, Local, Shopping

Posted by: elfcroft | July 3, 2011

Orchids

These exotic flowers are not just for luxury resorts. Orchids are often used in traditional leis. The upcountry region has several orchid growers. It is not unusual for “collections” of orchid plants to be seen in local homes. The varieties available from Home Depot and Wal-Mart are shown below.

Home Depot orchids

Wal-Mart orchids

Wal-Mart orchids too

The best option for buying direct from the growers is the “Swap Meet” on Saturday mornings at the Community College site. Most growers will ship to the mainland.

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Posted in Flora, Shopping

Posted by: elfcroft | July 2, 2011

Dining Favorites of Locals

Three restaurants come to mind.

Cafe O’Lei Great prices. My favorite location is at the Dunes on Maui Lani Parkway. The view of the West Maui Mountains is beautiful. Cafe O’Lei is often chosen for business lunches, convenient to Kahului and Wailuku.
Da Kitchen The portions are HUGE.
L&L Drive In One of the locations is in the Safeway Shopping Center.