Aloha Day1 continued - Pie and a Luau

Chocolate mac pie & Banana Cream

Our official first day in Maui has been busy. We started the morning walking on Kaanapali beach. We heard there was a seal on the beach north of us but we didn't venture off to find it. However we did see whales from our hotel room!!! Late morning we got a hold of our rental car so that gave us an opportunity to explore beyond the hotel. First stop, Leodas Kitchen and Pie shop in Olowalu for lunch. Homemade bread, fresh pies and great service! I tried the banana cream pie and macadamia chocolate pie. A coconut and apple pie awaits in the fridge. It is a fantastic lunch spot and not hard to find.

Tonight we went to the Old Lahaina Luau since everyone who goes to Hawaii should go to a luau at least once. The luau setting is quite beautiful, an enclosed tree area located right by the beach. And we got to see our dinner cooked, the pig buried in a the sand pit covered with taro leaves. The food was eh. Buffet style and all so foreign! ;) I gave it my best college try and sampled most of the food - pork steamed in a taro leaf, fish, steak, taro salad, fern salad, island fried rice, poi, and sweet potato in coconut milk. The night ended with a very energetic show. The hula dancers have quite the hip movements.

So things I've learned today:
1. Plastic shopping bags have been banned in Maui since 2011. Only paper grocery bags available at the store.
2. My new favorite juice is called POG - Pineapple, Orange and Guava. A light refreshing beverage.
3. The Calgary Stampede is more famous than I knew - our server at the luau knew it was the 100 anniversary this year!