No Ka Oi

Heading off to Maui, "No Ka Oi", it is the best.  The weather was sizzling, perfect weather to head to the white sand beaches, snorkeling at Wailea and Kapalua Bay with the family.  Beginning poolside, a little pina colada or mai tai.  No mixes here.

Traditional mai tai recipe:
7 fl oz dark rum
7 fl oz golden rum
3 1/2 fl oz triple sec
3 1/2 fl oz orange liquor
3 1/2 fl oz orgeat (almond) syrup
juice of 4 limes
1 dash of grenadine
ice cubes
pineapple slices and mini umbrellas for garnish

Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake for about 10 seconds, then strain into glasses.

add ice cubes, then garnish.

Hailemaile's mai tai

Our first mai tai at the Hailemaile General Store.  Loved the lime zest.

Our last three days were spent in Wailea, checking out all the local happy  hours, which usually began at 3:00 pm.  The Ko happy hour also paired $10 pupus.  we also checked out other neighborhood happy hour mai tai's at Tommy Bahama's, and Beverly Gannon's restaurant at the Gold and Emerald Golf Course clubhouse, which has spectacular views of Molokini and the incredible Hawaiian sunsets. New on our list, was Merriman's monkeypod bar which has a spectacular lilikoi foam and sliced pineapple topping off their fabulous mai tais.


Sadly finishing out our vacation with an incredible dinner of Lobster Tempura and grilled Hawaiian fish. The tempura was paired with three dipping sauces; a spicy-sesame, a pineapple sweet chili garlic and a grapefruit soy sauce, served on a bed of rice.  I had one of several classic mai tais, which each had a float of Hana Bay dark rum.

A tremendous selection of local distilleries have popped up.  Who would of thought sugar cane
and distilleries, it's an entrepreneurial heaven.  Costco had a stellar selection of local
liquors to start your vacation.

Ko mai tai