august • 2016 keiki cover models

We want to say Mahalo to Lisi and Washington Amotai for sharing their keiki, Loseli Tu‘uholoaki Amotai and Lapana-Hafoka Tauaifaiga, with us this month!

Mom worked as Assistant Night Manager at Makena Beach & Golf Resort for the past few years, and dad is a musician who plays guitar in the band “Homestead.”

The family lives in Waiehu, and Lapana will be starting third grade at Waihee School, where his favorite subject is reading. Loseli attends Iao Intermediate and loves art classes. She dances hula, Tahitian, and Tongan dance with the youth at the family’s church.

Mom shares, “Our kids are our inspiration and future, and without them we have no light. Loseli is definitely the family diva and Lapana-Hafoka is our little football star!”

 

 

cafe del vino: a little slice of europe in ma‘alaea

I still remember the first time I ate escargots. It was at a little French restaurant in downtown San Jose, California, before that area underwent its renaissance in the late 1980s. Janice, my dining companion, announced we had to try the escargots. I was more than skeptical, thinking of slimy garden snails that come out from under cover after a rainstorm. “You’ll love them,” Janice promised. So we ordered escargots. I stabbed one of the critters with the petite fork that had been brought to our table specifically for that purpose, and with closed eyes and a pinched facial expression put it in my mouth. While Janice observed me with a knowing smile, intense garlic and butter flavors danced on my palate. The snail itself was tender, slightly chewy, and not at all scary. In fact—dare I say it—the escargots were delicious! I was hooked!

Fast forward to present day. Let’s face it…there just aren’t many opportunities on Maui to satisfy a passion for escargot. Happily, the odds for doing so increased greatly with the opening in March of Cafe del Vino at the Maui Harbor Shops in Ma‘alaea, where owner Guido Hauwaerts, and Executive Chef Danny Paquette, serve up authentic European dishes (including escargots), along with an array of tapas, pastas, seafood, and wine.

maui chef’s table august 12 & 13, 2016, at the mill house in waikapu

The Mill House will be offering two nights of their exclusive Maui Chef’s Table this month when Executive Chef Jeff Scheer will be collaborating with Chef Eddie Lopez and Chef Sheldon Simeon. A seven-course, pre-set menu will be executed in their open-air kitchen. Guests will be encouraged to interact with the three chefs during this fun evening!

This event takes place Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13, at 6pm, at The Mill House at Maui Tropical Plantation, 1670 Honoapiilani Hwy, Waikapu. Cost is $190 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity; price does not include alcohol, which will be available for purchase. No outside alcohol is allowed on the premises. Reservations and advance ticket purchase are required. Tickets are available at http://www.millhousemaui.com and by calling 270-0303.

“Chef Sheldon is one of Hawai‘i’s best chefs and biggest personalities. I’m looking forward to enlisting his incredible palate and knack for adding an element of surprise. Chef Eddie is one of the country’s best pastry chefs and chocolatiers. I am excited to incorporate his talents into the savory portions of Chefs Table. I am ready to get into the kitchen with these chefs and have some fun!” enthuses Mill House Executive Chef Jeff Scheer.

kids summer windsurfing camp with hst

Maui is world famous for windsurfing, and summer is the perfect time to learn in the protected cove at Kanaha Beach Park. HST camps are designed for kids ages 6 to 15. Each sailor will have their own gear and enjoy plenty of attention in HST’s excellent small group camps. Camps were held in June and July and continue through August from 9 to 11:30am Mondays through Saturdays. Any 3 days for $229. Reservations are required; great for visitors and local keiki, Call HST Windsurfing at 871-5423.