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Maui: Morning Walk, Part 6

As we continue the uphill walk along Office Road, we find more hibiscus — these are a beautiful yellow with a red center.



And now we arrive at the Honolua Store — built in 1929. It is a bit like a small general store with a modest selection of groceries plus resort clothing and souvenirs.

I have been coming to Maui long enough to remember when they had a gasoline pump out front (to the left of this vantage point). It was removed when the EPA enacted requirements for double-shell gasoline tanks to reduce the possibility of leakage into the soil. I assume that due to the expense and the fact that a gas station opened in Honokowai that the resort decided that selling gasoline was no longer a requirement.

Then about five or six years ago they added on a small luncheon/deli counter to the back offering a variety of light meals, especially local favorites (span musubi, anyone?) partially because the workers at Kapalua frequently eat here — usually on the covered deck on the left side of this photo.

On my previous visit, the store was being refurbished. I was able to peek in and see that they had removed the floor — my guess was this was necessitated by the ravages of termites and dry rot. In the process, they closed off the old front entrance and added this new, automatic door at the side. Perhaps I am an sentimental traditionalist but I preferred the old layout — of course, that won't keep me from shopping here for a few items from time to time.


Just uphill from the Honolua Store is a small collection of restaurants and shops. This complex was build when the Kapalua Bay Hotel was demolished. Some of the shops that were there moved to this new location.

By the way, the Japanese restaurant here (Sansei) is very good — a bit pricey but I really like it. Unfortunately, on this visit, we stopped by but could not find anything on the menu that Johnny would eat. He is still stuck in a picky-eater stage — so we had to go elsewhere that night.


Just a few steps further uphill is the building that used to be the new pro shop for the Kapalua Village Course (which replaced the older one which stood at what became the second hole — that building has been re-purposed). Interesting planning since they closed the Village Course a few years later.

This building now houses the Kapalua Logo Shop where you can find just about any article of clothing and many household items with the Kapalua butterfly logo on it.

This is also the spot where a shuttle bus will take you to the entrance of the Kapalua Arboretum. I have mentioned this before in LAHP — one of my favorite things to do on Maui — it's free, so don't miss it.


And just a few steps further is an 18-hole putting course. It is complimentary — if you have a putter and golf balls. Beyond is the driving range for the Kapalua Golf Academy offering lessons as well as use of the driving range.

A remnant of the old Village Course remains --- three holes which are maintained and which you can play for only $25.


Next I backtrack a few steps to Kapalua Drive and walk past some old plantation buildings which have been re-purposed into office space and the Kapalua Chapel — the latter holds services every Sunday morning.

This is also the spot where I was able to score a lot of Kapalua golf shirts (yes, I have a sizable collection). For years, the logo shop would have a logo-wear sale in early November where the clothing was 50% off retail. Yep, the years when I timed my visit right, I would stock up. In fact, I usually ended up having to ship my "good buys" home — no space in my luggage. BTW, I checked online to see if they are still holding that annual sale and could find no mention of it. 'Tis a shame if it has been discontinued.


On the other side of Kapalua Drive we can see the old warehouses. By their appearance, I guess that they were used back when Kapalua was a plantation — probably to store equipment for working the fields. Now I suspect they store merchandise and supplies for the resort.


A few steps further and we encounter another enchanting roadway with Cook's pine trees on both sides. Would you believe that this road used to support two-way traffic? In those days, you had to hop off the road if two cars approached from opposite directions. Now it is one-way only — makes me feel much safer.


Looking between the trees to the right is the 2nd green. To help visualize the previous stops — the low building in the center of the picture is the chapel plus offices. To the right more offices. Beyond the trees to the left is the Honolua Store and the Village shops. Beyond the trees to the right is the Kapalua Logo Store.


Just turning your head a bit to the left produces this view. Honestly, it is hard to keep going — it is so beautiful, it is mesmerizing.


But eventually, we move on and reach the highest point on Kapalua Drive which looks out to the Golf Villas. These condos overlook part of the Bay Course — I think this would be a wonderful vacation rental option even if you are not a golfer. Not only do you see the course but the ocean beyond.


To be continued...

Life is good.

Aloha,
B. David

P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com