sushi cravings

watanabe san effortlessly creates individual sushi masterpieces of what i consider to be hands down the best sushi on maui. if you love huge cuts of the freshest seafood and sushi rice seasoned to perfection, you have to try sushi paradise is kihei. don't be deceived by the location or ambiance, each sushi is personally crafted by owner and chef watanabe, and each bite a explosion of balanced flavor perfection. but come early or after eight, or you'll be in for a long wait. here are my personal favorites...

aji nigiri :: hold the shoyu

salmon skin roll

hamachi + toro nigiri

spicy salmon roll :: super buttery avocado

rainbow roll :: some pieces have three type of sashimi layered on top

first family vacation mauna kea style

body surfing is crystal clear waters

we took our first family vacation on the island of hawaii, starting off at the mauna kea beach hotel. the fabulous rooms were recently renovated and refurbished by john hara associates, which took three rooms and transformed them into two rooms with an extraordinary bathroom complete with its own lanai. the manta restaurant is has wine bar and a breathtaking ocean view. at night the manta rays can be seen feeding in the shallow waters - an awesome sight to behold.

white on white bathroom :: the tub may have been kingston's favorite part of our stay

where sweet dreams happen

amazing golf course views

above the clouds :: views from haleakala

getting wild with branches

this beautiful natural sculpture, "on the wild side", by patrick dougherty was a 2011 artist in residence project, but still can be enjoyed on the grounds of hui no'eau.

bird's eye views: OGG-HNL

waikapu side of the west maui mountains

kahakuloa, maui

east honolulu, hanauma bay + koko head

airplane shadow over maui sugar cane fields

a mediterranean feast

thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. it's all about spending time with family and friends eating delicious food, without the commercialism of christmas. the theme for this year's thanksgiving feast - mediterranean! there was shwarma with tzatziki (or kalua turkey for the tanksgiving purists), onions, kalamata olives, shredded cabbage, tomatoes and cucumbers to stuff your pitas with. plus sides of mediterranean stuffing and mashed potatoes, tabouleh, and cranberry sauce. sorry to disappoint, but there was no pumpkin baklava, just baklava and a yummy orange spice pumpkin pie. so looking forward to leftovers!

a very happpy thanksgiving