Maui Time Food & Drink

Best of Maui Goods & Services 2009

Sort by: Title | Date | Rating | Feedback spacer

Sort Order: Ascending | Descending

Displaying 20 records found.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Best Bookstore, Winner
Borders Books & Music
Address: 270 Dairy Rd., Ste. 190, Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-877-6160
Website: http://www.borders.com
Even though Maui has been giving Borders love for two years in our Best of Maui edition, it’s not immune to the economic downturn. The mega-bookstore that carries thousands of books and music in a comfortable and convenient package is one satellite store short this year. The closing of Border’s at Whaler’s Village in West Maui was a disappointment; especially when seeking out their sections solely dedicated to all things Hawaiian and Maui-centric. Yet there is a silver lining. The Best Bookstore winner still has its Borders Express stores open in Kihei and the Queen Kaahumanu Center in Kahului, as well as the larger version—just Borders—on Dairy Rd. in Kahului. Islandwide. HN

| calendar | listing |

Best Plate to Buy an Ukulele, Winner
Bounty Music
Address: 111 Hana Hwy. #105, Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-871-1141
his past winter, when it rained nearly every morning (at least in Wailuku), I would hear the neighbor kids walk up and down the street, strumming their ukes in a manner most eerie, a quality that the rain seemed to amplify. “Only in Hawaii,” I would think before hitting the snooze button. Ukulele’s versatility and potential for musical innovation has been a well-kept secret on the isles. Anyone not aware of the uke’s multidimensional nature will be astounded upon walking into Bounty and seeing the colorful plethora of these little stringed instruments hanging from the shop’s walls and doorways. They come in all shapes and sizes, and the staff is well versed enough to get you the perfect instrument to suit your needs. 111 Hana Hwy. #105, Kahului, 808-871-1141. KB

| calendar |

Best Auto Mechanic, Winner
Bruno Goldberg
Address: 253 Nehe Pl., Makawao, HI 96768
Phone: 808-572-5689
The independent, community mechanic who runs his shop like his own garage (and possibly in his own garage) has been eclipsed over the years by big chains and dealerships. So it was refreshing to see both first and second place in this category go to guys who keep it small and local. Obviously, though, it’s the reliability and quality of the work that matters most. Judging by the support they received from readers, these guys both have plenty of loyal, satisfied customers. (Note: A message on Goldberg’s machine said he’ll be out of the shop ‘til July 27). 253 Nehe Pl., Makawao, 572-5689. JS

Best Laser Hair Removal, Winner
Dr. Bennett's Med Spa
Address: 62 Baldwin Ave., Paia, HI 96779
Phone: 808-579-8979
The friendly and reputable staff of Dr. Bennett’s Med Spa are at the ready to resolve any hair issues. With affordable packages and top-of-the line laser technology you won’t believe the hairlessness you can achieve here. I went in to get my underarms done and there was no shaving for months—just smooth skin all the way. 62 Baldwin Ave., Paia, 808-579-8979. JR

Best Place to Pretend Gambling is Legal on Maui, Winner
Fun Factory
Address: 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-873-6229
Having a young child is what drew me into the Fun Factory. Little did I know the place has two sets of clientele: kids who come for the whack-an-alligator and air hockey, and adults who come to rack up tickets and claim prizes. Pop in any time of day and you’ll see them—full grown folks who’ve figured out how to game the system and turn their tokens into small appliances. I’ve got my eyes on the toaster. Maui Mall & Queen Kaahumanu Center, Kahului. JS

Best Place to get Waxed, Winner
Grace Beauty Day Spa
Address: 62 Baldwin Ave., Paia, HI 96779
Phone: 808-579-9779
If graduate level mass media ethics taught me anything, it is the following: when profiling a bikini waxing salon, it’s best to adopt an approach that utilizes a categorical imperative rather than one that embraces utilitarianism or moral relativity. As such, we agree for these purposes that unwanted hair should be removed and done so by any means necessary, and that hot wax is a most effective means of removing hair from what one researcher calls the “bathing suit area” (which shall subsequently be known as BSA). Paia’s Grace Beauty salon does so in a manner that clearly pleases a high percentage of Maui Time readers. Hair removal practitioners are willing and able to remove hair in the BSA to a degree determined by the owner of said hair—bikini, bikini deluxe or full-on Brazilian. 62 Baldwin Ave., Paia. 579-9779. KB

Best Hotel/Accommodations, Winner
Grand Wailea Resort
Address: 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, HI 96753
Phone: 808-875-1234
My my, Maui Time readers like to lounge in the lap of luxury. With its 50,000 square foot Spa Grande, three champion golf courses, fine dining and high-end shopping, the Grand is a bastion of upscale entertainment and relaxation. To their credit, the Grand also has lots of kama’aina deals to tempt us locals, discounting rooms, meals, spa services and weddings. Just one sunset viewed from their pool deck with a fancy cocktail in hand is all you need to get hooked. 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 808-875-1234. JR

| calendar |

Best Head Shop, Winner
Hawaiian Holy Smokes
Address: 320 Ohukai Rd. #303, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: 808-879-2826
I wonder what it’s like to work in a head shop. No, really. The characters would be extremely interesting; perhaps enough to write a book. That’s how Ken Kesey developed the characters for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, except his place of employment was a mental ward. Anyway, this Kihei head shop has all your legal tobacco smoking needs covered, including water tobacco pipes, rolling paper for rolling large tobacco cigarettes, scales for weighing mail to help you determine postage and more. Expect reggae music and a barrage of red, yellow and green when walking through the door. 320 Ohukai Rd. # 404, Kihei, 808-879-2826. KB

Best Paddle Board Rental, Winner
Hawaiian Island Surf & Sport
Address: 415 Dairy Rd., Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-871-4981
With stand-up paddle boarding’s exploding popularity has come a profusion of rental outlets. There are multiple worthy options on-island, and which place you go really depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s convenience and selection, wade into Hawaiian Island Surf & Sport. With an array of options to suit all sizes, styles and skill levels, they’ll have you in the water in no time. And, while this category is about renting a paddleboard—which is a good option considering their expense—if you fall in love with the sport and want to own, Surf & Sport can certainly oblige. 415 Dairy Rd., Kahului, 808-871-4981. JS

Best Local Surf Shop, Winner
Hi-Tech Surf Sports
Address: 425 Koloa St., Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-877-2111
For more than 20 years, Hi-Tech has stayed on the cutting edge of board-riding technology, by providing an array of quality equipment from the industry’s leading shapers and designers. From sails to sunscreen, Hi-Tech sells everything one needs for some serious playtime in the water. But beyond years of selling merchandise, Hi-Tech has been a time-tested supporter of Maui’s surfing community. The shop sponsors several amateur surfers, and owner Kim Ball is leading the fight to have public schools sanction surfing as an interscholastic sport. 425 Koloa St., Kahului, 808-877-2111. BE

Best Recycling Center, Winner
Kihei Recycling Center
Address: Welakahao Rd. off Piilani Hwy., Kihei, HI 96753
What makes a good recycling center? An easy-to-access location? Check. Convenient hours? Check. People who’ll help you sort your bottles and cans and hand you a few bucks for your trouble? Check. Kihei Recycling Center also boasts remarkably few flies. I’m not saying there aren’t any, but considering the place is full of sticky beer and soda residue and old crusty cans, you’d think it’d be swarming with insects. Not so. I don’t know if the center necessarily deserves credit for this (though they do keep things relatively clean), but still, it makes the chore of tossing out your reusable refuse, if not pleasant, at least wholly tolerable. Welakahao Rd. off Piilani Hwy., Kihei. JS

Best Local Boutique, Winner
Mahina Boutique
Address: 23 Baldwin Ave., Paia, HI 96779
Phone: 808-579-9131
Website: http://www.mahinamaui.com
I have a problem. I can’t walk into Mahina without buying something. And I’m not the only one; the girls I work with always seem to be wearing some cute new thing from there. Luckily for me the clothes are super affordable and luckily for us the inventory changes constantly so we can keep shopping there without all wearing the same outfit. Maui doesn’t have a lot of unique boutiques, but thank the fashion gods that there are a few good ones like Mahina. 1913-B South Kihei Rd., Kihei, 808-879-3453. JA

| listing |

Best Hardware Store, Winner
Marmac Ace Hardware
Address: 334 Alamaha St., Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-877-3931
Website: http://www.acehardware.com
Though much smaller than big name stores like Lowes and Home Depot, Marmac Ace Hardware makes up for its lack of size with a knowledgeable staff and extensive selection. They’re conveniently located and not too big to get lost in. Earning the name “the helpful hardware store,” Ace is definitely the place for all your hardware needs. 334 Alamaha St., Kahului, 808-877-3931. CP

| listing |

Best Scuba/Snorkel Shop, Winner
Maui Dive Shop
Address: 2463 S. Kihei Rd. Suite A-15, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: 808-879-1533
All activities are enhanced by superior gear, but that’s especially true with snorkeling and SCUBA. A crummy mask can turn snorkeling from awesome to lousy, and with SCUBA, well, when it comes to breathing underwater you kinda want to make sure you’ve got everything in working order. Maui Dive Shop has been serving the island’s sublevel needs for more than 30 years (the first shop opened in the Maui Mall in 1978). From novice to pro, local to tourist, they’ve got the equipment and expertise to make sure your aquatic adventure is safe and memorable. Dive in. 2463 S. Kihei Rd., Suite A-15, Kihei, 808-879-1533. JS

Best Local Clothing Designer, Winner
Maui Thing
Address: 9 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793
Phone: 808-249-0215
Anything that utilizes an octopus as its primary emblem gets my vote. Adding to Maui Thing’s worthiness in this category is that it signifies a shift in consciousness on-island—a move toward localism, sustainability and community-mindedness. Most of the items sold here are locally created screen prints featuring a whole slew of funky designs for dudes, ladies and even the young’ns. Some sport an oversized peace sign, others the telltale cephalopod and many, of course, feature the brand’s super positive slogan, “Stuck on Good.” Their Wailuku shop is usually hopping on First Fridays, when they feature the likes of the Vince Esquire Band and the Throwdowns. 7 N. Market St., Wailuku, 808-891-8595. KB

| calendar | listing |

Best Tattoo Shop, Winner
Pacific Rootz Tattoo & Body Piercing
Address: 847 S. Kihei Rd., # 102, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: 808-891-1828
I’ve always believed that the body is a temple. And what’s a temple without a bit of decoration? Pacific Rootz specializes in Polynesian style tattoos, or tatau. The only problem I have with tattoos is I never know what I want to get. Maybe sakura flowers? Or another gamer tattoo (to stay true to my roots)? The regular Pacific Rootz artists are Samson, Tom and Jasn. Jasn does amazing piercing work, for those of you who would rather adorn your temples with a different type of decoration. To see samples of their work visit myspace.com/pacificrootztattoo. And don’t forget to tip your artist! 1847 S. Kihei Rd. #102, Kihei, 808-891-1828. YT

| listing |

(4)

Best Second-Hand Store, Winner
Rainbow Attic
Address: 1881 S. Kihei Rd., # B5, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: 808-874-0884
Website: http://www.rainbowatticmaui.com
Maui Time readers like the great deals and eco-friendly shopping at Rainbow Attic, which has been on-island for 17 years helping folks make money by selling their unwanted and lightly used items. Their stock includes furniture, home décor and designer goods, and their selection is great for tropical island wear. Whether you need sunglasses, a desk or a Coach purse, you can shop smart and recycle at Rainbow Attic. 1881 S. Kihei Rd. #B5, Kihei, 808-874-0884. JR

| listing |

(1)

Best Green Business, Winner
Rising Sun Solar
Address: 810 Kokomo Rd. Suite 160, Haiku, HI 96708
Phone: 808-579-8288
Email: trish@risingsunsolar.com
As more and more people wake up to the reality that non-fossil fuel energy sources are a necessity—and as the government rolls out intriguing tax incentives—it’s a good time to be in the solar power business. And there are few better places to be in the solar power business than Maui. Rising Sun does both commercial and residential installations and has the expertise to tailor a system to your specific needs. If you do it right, you’ll be helping the push for a more sustainable future and saving money on your power bill. Here comes the sun, indeed. 810 Kokomo Rd., Suite 160, Haiku, 808-579-8287. JS

| calendar |

Best Salon, Winner
Soleil Luna Salon & Spa
Address: 242 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: 808-662-0203
The relaxation begins as soon as you step out of the hot Lahaina sun and into this perfectly air-conditioned, peaceful Mecca of beauty and pampering. I’ve never had my hair or nails done here, but I’ve seen plenty of smiling, satisfied customers strutting out the door, their TV commercial hair blowing perfectly in the breeze. I adore the cucumber infused water that’s served in the waiting room, and there always seems to be good specials going on for facials and waxing. 242 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, 808-662-0203. JA

Best Pet Supply Store, Winner
The Pet Shop
Address: 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-877-3040
The pet shop at Maui Mall is the king of all Maui pet supply outlets. They carry pretty much everything you need for your furry or feathered friends. From dogs, cats, and fish to chameleons and frogs, they’ve got you covered. What to feed them, where to house them, how to play with them—you name it. They have an exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable staff of animal lovers who can help demystify the finer points of pet parenthood. 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, 808-877-3040. CP