Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

Had a chance to rediscover the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens this past weekend as they hosted their annual native Hawaiian plant sale. Lots to learn and lots of lovely photo ops as well!

What a great place whose mission it to “protect Maui Nui’s rich native plants and cultural history”. They offer self guided or docent led group tours. It’s a magical garden filled with lots native and polynesian introduced plants. Learn about how they grow, their unique and individual characteristics and their importance in the Hawaiian culture yesterday and today.

MAUI NUI BOTANICAL GARDENS

150 Kanaloa Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732

Open Monday – Saturday, 8:00am – 4:00pm

Shop Around the Corner: Ku’au Store

If you’ve ever driven through Pa’ia and continued down Hana Highway, there’s no way you could have missed this iconic row of surfboards long the makai (oceanside) of the road. You are moments away from the legendary, the iconic, Ku’au Store. Formally known and beloved as Ku’au Mart, this eatery was established in 1942. It sat idle for a few years but was recently re-enegerized with new life, new paint, and new food!

Their offerings include paninis, plate lunches, wraps, poke, smoothies, fresh pressed juices, an array of coffee beverages, local fruits, veggies and snacks as well as the local ‘mart’ fare that you would expect.

It’s the perfect spot to stop and have lunch or to grab and go. There are minimal table and chairs outside as well as the coveted wooden hightop right near the door which we envy every time we visit and which is why we think this shop is worthy of a post here (along with the rest of the charming details i.e. handwritten colorful chalkboards, light details, surfboard wall and more).

Next time you’re in Pa’ia and looking for a charming, quick, easy lunch spot- this is the place!

And P.S. Did I mention the food is ‘ono!?!

KU’AU STORE

701 Hana Highway

Open Daily, 6:30am – 7:00pm

Shop Around The Corner: The Maui Swap Meet

Whether you are a Maui resident or visitor, the Maui Swap Meet truly has something for everyone. While this isn’t a traditional ‘shop around the corner’ there are treasures galore here. About 200 vendors gather each week on the UH Maui Campus (parking is a breeze) each Saturday to offer Maui fresh produce, food, handcrafted goods and an array of traditional ‘swap meet’ style items.

The selection of fresh fruit ranges from common papayas, bananas, oranges, seasonal items like lychee and mango all the way to specialty treats like dragon fruit, jackfruit and sour sop. The selection of herbs and veggies runs the same gambit of variety.

#hawaiianstylehale

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Fresh cut flowers flowers are set up in buckets on several corners throughout the lot. Every tropical, colorful flower you’ve even seen makes an appearance ready to be a centerpiece for tonight’s dinner, a housewarming gift for friends, or a happy Saturday treat.

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The array of food trucks and delectable desserts offers your usuals and some surprises. Mexican, Greek, local flair, specialty hot dogs, crepes, baked goods, shaved ice, macaroons, fresh pressed juices & lemonades & more meet any craving that might come your way.

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There are booths filled with kitschy trinkets and genuinely handmade treasures that will leave even the most discerning of shoppers walking out with something.

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THE MAUI SWAP MEET

UH Maui College Campus

310 W Ka’ahumanu Avenue, Kahului

Saturdays, 7:00am – 1:00pm

TIPS:

-Wear sunscreen, wear a hat

-Bring water and your own reusable shopping bag

-Have some cash on hand, the admission is .50 and the bulk of the vendors accept credit cards but just in case

-Go early! It’s cooler and you’ll have first pick!

Happy Aloha Friday

Doris Duke’s Shangri-La

Shangri-La

[shang-gruh-lah, shang-gruh–lah]

noun

1. an imaginary paradise on earth, especially a remote and exotic utopia.

2. a faraway haven or hideaway of idyllic beauty and tranquility.

We recently had the opportunity to experience a true hidden gem on the South Shore of O’ahu. Doris Duke’s Shangri-La is one of the most amazing, breathtakingly beautiful sites to see. Doris Duke visited Hawai’i on her honeymoon with James Cromwell in 1935. She fell in love the people, the culture, the spirit and the land.

The 4.9 acre property they acquired boasts sunset & Diamond Head views and fronts the ocean including the well-known swimming hole “Cromwell’s”. Doris Duke was said to be friends with the famed Kahanamoku ‘ohana and had a deep love and appreciation for the ocean.

Doris’ love of Islamic architecture, style, color, history and culture is infused in almost every aspect of the home. The collection of cultural and historical items are meticulously displayed throughout and this famed collection is said to be the second largest collection of Islamic Art in the United States, right behind the MET in New York. Details small and large speak volumes to the amount of time, energy, money and imagination that went into every aspect of this estate.

While it was a very private personal residence during Doris’ life, in her later years, she proactively began to prepare it to be a museum of sorts that would be open for generations to come after her passing. There are a plethora of opportunities to visit the home. The tour guides are charming storytellers who are passionate about Doris, her legacy, Islamic art and sharing these magical moments with anyone willing to listen. For more information, visit the Honolulu Museum of Art’s side here: http://honolulumuseum.org/385-about_shangri_la

While some definitions of shangri-la refer to an imaginary or far away magical land – Doris Duke’s Shangri-La is real and closer than you think.

Shop Around The Corner: The Coziest Tropical Nook You Ever Did See

Got a chance to recently visit one of Waikiki’s newest hotspots – Urban Outfitters! It’s Hawai’i’s first UO and not only is it filled with it’s share of local designed goods, it’s got the coziest little corner nook that was worthy of a spot on this here blog! It’s modern rattan furniture, wooden plant stands, funky pillows & rugs and tropical fauna make for the perfect little corner. Not to mention the glass windows that front Waikiki’s infamous Kalakaua Avenue which make for the ideal people watching perch.

URBAN OUTFITTERS, WAIKIKI

2424 Kalakaua Avenue

DIY: Fall Plant Stakes

Here’s a festive, inexpensive way to get into the Fall spirit.

What you’ll need:

Printable ombre words (Download here: thankful, blessed, fall )

Skewers

Double sided tape

Gold paint pen

Color/paint all of the skewers gold in color. Situate the circles at the top of each skewer (one on each side) and secure with double sided tape.

Happy Fall!!

Printable: Hawaiian Style Hale Recipe Cards

With all the technology available, there are a few things we like to do the old school way. Filing recipes is one of them! If you’ve got butter fingers like yours truly, all electronic devices should remain far, far away from the kitchen rather than front and center in the confetti of flour and coconut.

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There is something nostalgic about a hand written recipe. Whether it was passed down from your mom, dad, grandma or grandpa, it’s a piece of history that you can recreate. Grandma’s andagi. Aunty’s chicken long rice. Mom’s legendary pumpkin crunch. Whatever it is, let’s keep these tasty memories going for generations to come.

Print them up for your own use, or as a gift. Handwrite some of your own special recipes for a new bride or a include in a gift basket along with the ingredients needed. Most importantly, do all your cooking with aloha and your kitchen will always be blessed. Find the free download here! Recipe Cards 3×5

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Mya’s DIY Ombre Beach Art

We LOVE when our readers share their DIY projects! Our 10-year old friend Mya shared these photos of her ombre canvas beachy wall art pieces. Please send us pictures of your Hawaiian Style Hale DIY projects, we’d love to share them here.

They look fabulous up in your new bedroom, great job Mya! You can find the link to the DIY tutorial here.

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