In the waters off the Wailea Resort area, on Maui's southern coast, lies the marine preserve of Molokini, the exposed rim of a submerged, extinct volcano. Molokini's clear, protected waters attract more than 250 species of colorful and curious pelagic fish-and the equally curious divers and snorkelers who sail out to meet them each day. 

In 1992, Congress established the waters surrounding the islands of Maui County as a marine sanctuary-an act that is helping Maui's biggest endangered species pull back from the brink of extinction. 

Humpback whales migrate each year between Hawaiian waters and the Arctic Circle. The Arctic provides a rich feeding ground, but it's here in Hawai'i that the whales mate and bear their young. In 1900, an estimated 15,000 humpback whales existed in the North Pacific. By 1968, when a ban was finally placed on hunting them, only about 1,000 humpbacks remained. 

Thanks to efforts by such organizations as the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary-all located in Maui-humpbacks are making a slow but determined comeback. Scientists believe that about 4,000 to 5,000 humpback whales come to Maui each year. 

From November until as late as the end of May, Maui's waters teem with these majestic giants. Indeed, Maui is one of the few places in the world where you can watch the whales from shore. To protect them, thrill craft such as jet skis and speed boats with parasailers are prohibited during whale season. 

All ocean vessels are required to stay at least 100 yards away from the whales, but as visitors aboard whale-watching cruises will happily tell you, no restrictions keep the whales from coming up to investigate the boats. 

During whale watching season you can get a bird’s eye view of Maui’s largest visitors, they measure an average of 45 feet long, from the air on a helicopter tour.  Or if watching these fascinating creatures on land is more your style you can easily view them in Maui from Ka’anapali Beach, McGregor Point, west of Ma’alaea harbor, or from Pu’u Ola’i near Makena State Park. 

You might also encounter these giants of the sea if you take a ferry from Lahaina to Maui’s sister islands of Lanai or Molokai. If you are on Lanai, Hawaii’s most enticing island, three good lookout locations for the humpbacks are Kaiolohia Bay (Shipwreck Beach), Keomuku Beach and Manele Bay. On Molokai you can expect to see whales from Kaunakakai harbor area, Kaluakoi and the Kalaupapa peninsula.

Maui offers visitors a host of opportunities to explore nature-both for learning and for play, even if they are not visiting during whale watching season. 

Maui is the year round host to the delightful Green Sea Turtles, the fascinating Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, and the rare Hawaiian Monk Seals. You can learn about other marine life such as the Spotted Eagle Ray, Sandbar sharks and Moray eels at the Hawaiian Aquarium in Maui Ocean Center. Their Whale Discovery Center that traces the humpback’s 7,000 mile round trip journey from their Alaskan feeding grounds to the warm, sheltered waters of Maui Nui. The Center has interactive exhibits so it’s fun as well as educational to learn about Maui’s largest annual visitors. To learn more about whales you can go to any of the events listed: 

Marine Events 

Dec 06 
Humpback Whales arrive back in Maui! 

Feb-07 
Great Maui Whale Festival 
Includes the Great Whale Count sponsored by the Pacific Whale Foundation and Parade of Whales as well as Whale Day Celebration with live entertainment, fun run, free talks, a craft fair, slide shows and food booths in Kihei. 

Whale Quest Kapalua 
Celebrates Maui’s most famous visitors with lectures, interactive displays, events, films, art, and photo exhibitions. Naturalists join visitors for whale sightings and interpretive walks in Kapalua. 

Whale Month on Maui 
Join the festivities at Maui Ocean Center, the Hawaiian Aquarium as they celebrate Whale month with a Sea of Love dinner at their Ma’alaea, Wailuku location. 

March-07 
Ocean Arts Festival 
A free Ocean film festival kicks off the event, which features educational presentations, video displays as well as Maui artists who will display their best ocean-themed art for sale. Hawaiian musicians and crafters add to the fun in this Lahaina based event. 

Events and dates subject to change.  Please go to www.visitmaui.com/calendar.html  for the latest information 
 
 

· Greens to Grinds or where to find great golf and delicious food on Maui! 

Golfers visiting Maui swing through svelte fairways and sumptuous fare without ever leaving the club. 

Maui, Hawai`i – Course architects may disagree, but it’s arguable that the definition of “signature hole” should be expanded to include the one commonly known as “No. 19.” 

True, when “Arnold Palmer” means a cold drink and the only things you’ll swing are a fork and knife, the restaurant at the golf clubhouse hardly makes a difference to your handicap. But it certainly does contribute to your overall golf experience, and if golf isn’t about enjoying yourself, then what is? 

This is absolutely the case on the island of Maui, where an 80-minute or so drive along some of the world’s prettiest coastline will take you past 180 resort fairways – all worth playing – and a number of clubhouse eateries – all worth checking out. 

So if you’re dreaming about your next golf vacation, read on for the latest news from Maui’s golf scene, including the greens and the “grinds,” a local expression for good food. 

Kaanapali Resort on the west side of Maui is home to two eye-pleasing courses – the Tournament North and the Resort South – and an open-air restaurant, Mango Cafe.   The courses are quite possibly the most Hawaiian in the state.  More than a thousand mature coconut trees grace the fairways, picturesque island views abound, and sightings of indigenous birds and ulua fish are common. 

Kaanapali is also one of the best golf values on Maui. The nine-hole rate is just $50 on the Resort South course for tee times after 4 p.m. daily. The North Course is currently closed for renovations. Private individual and group lessons led by PGA instructors are also available daily.  When you check in at the pro shop, be sure to pick-up the complimentary tee packet. 

Above the pro shop is the Mango Cafe, a casual open-air restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The eatery lives by the motto “Serving Comfort Food Island Style,” and is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

A few miles up the coast is the world-renown Kapalua Resort, home of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Mercedes Championships.  Kapalua features three must-play layouts:  the Village, the Bay and the prestigious Plantation Course, a grand design that tests the best of the best.   The Kapalua Golf Academy is Hawaii’s most comprehensive, state-of-the-art golf training facility. 

Over the past few years, Kapalua Golf has made significant enhancements to its courses.  The Bay Course installed a new irrigation system and concrete cart paths.  The Village Course renovated its first green and several teeing areas, and modified its landscaping to open up more picturesque views.  The Plantation Course recently renovated its greens.  All are great reasons to visit now. 

In addition to its great golf, Kapalua offers three exceptional dining venues at its clubhouses. Vino, at the Kapalua Village Clubhouse, specializes in contemporary Italian cuisine.   Under the direction of celebrated chef and owner D.K.  Kodama, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, with mid-day service in between. Signature items include homemade seafood ravioli, delicious grilled steaks, and braised lamb shanks. 

Over at the Plantation Clubhouse is the Plantation House Restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the popular eatery offers Hawaiian Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and island produce.  Guests’ favorites include six or seven creative eggs benedicts, and a generous range of fresh island fish preparations.   The Plantation House Restaurant has been honored for having the “best ambiance” for dinner, and Alex Stanislaw as Maui’s best chef. 

Since it opening in June 2006, Pineapple Grill at the Bay Course Clubhouse in Kapalua has taken its place in the pantheon of Maui’s best fine-dining restaurants.  Its menu, innovative in every detail, offers a 
next-generation approach to the evolving art of Pacific Island Cuisine.  Its theatrical décor sets a mood of elegance, Maui-style – upscale, but casual and fun – while taking full advantage of its gorgeous location on 
the Bay Golf Course. 

At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef Joey Macadangdang, a long-time protégé of Roy Yamaguchi, Chef Joey comes directly from five years as executive chef at Roy’s Kihei. 

Voted "Best New Restaurant" by the readers of the Maui 
News and Maui No Ka Oi, Pineapple Grill and its team of professionals strive to provide quality food, service, and a memorable dining experience daily for lunch and dinner. 

Down on the southern end of Maui are two other exceptional golf resorts:  Wailea and Makena. 

Wailea is one of the world’s most celebrated golf destinations, and home to three colorfully named courses:  the Gold, Emerald and Blue.  Each winter, the resort hosts the most legendary pros in the history of golf at the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game. 

The Wailea Golf Club has introduced the Wailea Golf Academy, an individualized instruction program for students of all skill levels and led by some of Hawaii's finest trained golf professionals.  The Academy is based at the golf club’s outstanding 12-acre training facility, which is designed to emulate actual course conditions and help students utilize every club in their bag. 

Wailea’s golf clubhouses feature two distinctive restaurants.  At the Wailea Blue Clubhouse, Mulligan’s on the Blue is as authentic an Irish pub as you might find out outside of Ireland.   Founded by a true   Irishman, Mulligan’s is a popular hangout for   breakfast, lunch and dinner, with undeniably great   Irish brew during cocktail hours. 

At Wailea’s Gold & Emerald Clubhouse, the SeaWatch   Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with exceptional ocean and golf course views. Voted  “Best Lunch on the Green,”  “Most Romantic” and  “Best Business Lunch” by the readers of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, the SeaWatch Restaurant is also a popular venue for wedding receptions, special events   and private   functions. You can’t go wrong if you order their delicious Ahi salad with crispy rainbow wontons. 

Just south of Wailea is Makena Resort, a peaceful oasis of tranquility, with one hotel and two Robert Trent Jones II courses all to itself.  The Makena North climbs away from the   coast, amidst thickets of native vegetation and across natural ravines.  At this elevation, the course offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Mount Haleakala. 

The Makena South goes in the opposite direction, heading toward   the sea. The Makena Clubhouse Restaurant overlooks the scenic 10th hole of the   South Course, and features appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and true   local-style   favorites   for   lunch   daily.   Pupu  (appetizers) and cocktails are served after 4 p.m.  If you want to do as the locals do, try one of the mixed plate lunches offered on the menu, or the island style chicken curry stew. 

If your appetite for more Maui golf has just been whetted, and you’d like more information, the Maui Visitors Bureau offers a complimentary, 30-page booklet about the island’s magical golf courses and their upscale resorts, you can download it at www.visitmaui.com in the Golf section. 

Useful Information 

Golf Courses 
Kaanapali Golf Courses:  1-866-454-GOLF (4653) or 808-661-3691, www.kaanapali-golf.com 
Kapalua Golf Courses:  1-877-KAPALUA or 808-669-8044, www.kapaluamaui.com 
Wailea Golf Club:  1-888-328-MAUI or 808-875-7450, www.waileagolf.com 
Makena Golf Courses:  808-879-3344 or www.makenagolf.com 
 

Restaurants 
Mango Cafe: 808-667-1929 
Pineapple Grill: 808-669–9600 
Vino:  808-661-8466 
Plantation House Restaurant:  808-669-6299 
Mulligan’s on the Blue: 808-874-1131 
SeaWatch Restaurant: 808-875-8080 
Makena Clubhouse Restaurant:  808-879-1154 

· Maui Hawaiian Style Spas

Photo of Wellness Pool Hotel Hana-Maui by Robert Ratkowski

Maui’s Spas are famous for their relaxing and refreshing Hawaiian style treatments 

Activities and spa go hand in hand on Maui. After a vigorous morning of hiking or golf at Kapalua, home of the Mercedes Championships, visitors enjoy the refreshing treatments available at the nearby Ritz Carlton. The Ritz Carlton is a stately and elegant resort deeply committed to its venerable plantation heritage. It is also committed to taking care of its visitors. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua offers the ultimate “Revival” package it includes a special sports massage and facial. This special two-hour program works out sore muscles and cares for skin that may have been exposed to the elements. A sports massage provides detailed bodywork on specific muscle groups to relieve the soreness of tired joints caused by overexertion, stress, or intense physical activity.  The Ritz-Carlton Signature Facial is tailored to suit your individual needs. A gentle, exfoliating peel reveals fresh, vibrant skin, a luxurious facial massage is followed by a deep-cleansing masque, extractions and the application of soothing botanical extracts. 

Kaanapali, the first master-planned resort on Maui, is known as the fun place to be, filled with an endless array of  things to see and do. What could be more refreshing after 18 holes on one the Kaanapali courses or day of shopping at the more than 50 shops at Whalers Village than the refreshing “Sand in your Shoes” salon treatment package at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa? This fabulous package for your feet includes a foot massage plus a cooling Eucalyptus Spa pedicure. Or try the tasty Maui sugar scrub and Body wrap or the delicious Kaanapali Coffee scrub also at the Hyatt. If you are sunburned after your round at Kaanapali courses or after surfing at Kaanapali’s “Dig Me Beach” then the Spa at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa offers a soothing “Water Lily Sunburn Relief Body Mask or an Island Bamboo treatment with a Vichy shower.” 

Wailea, host site of the Champions Skins game, is a celebrated resort community that other distant resorts strive to copy, although it would be challenging to copy the variety of after spa treatments that are available at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa. Internationally experienced therapists offer more than 100 treatments, many uniquely infused with Hawaii grown ingredients.  Included are such signature therapies as “Seashell Massage, Haleakala Dream Bath, Volcanic Ash Facial or Wrap, Pohaku (Hot Lava Stone) massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, Alii Honey Steam Wrap, Awapuhi (Ginger) Salt Scrub, Noni Healing Wrap and Pacific Seaweed Masque. 

The Four Seasons Resort also has wonderful Hawaiian treatments to energize south side visitors. You can indulge in any one of these 80 minute pampering sessions: ‘Ekahi-Hawaiian sea salt with sandalwood and lavender essences, volcanic ash and bentonite clay wrap with essential oils, ‘Elua-Pinapple papaya tropical polish, Asian-roasted green tea and ginger seaweed mask, finishing with pineapple enzyme lotion, ‘Ekolu-Herbal chai soy spice scrub, chai soy mud mask with mineral clay, herbal spice lotion with extracts of cinnamon and nutmeg, ‘Eha-Lavender honey scrub, lavender body butter with macadamia and sweet almond cream, lavender lotion with shea butter, thyme and rosemary. 

Makena is all about isolation and seclusion, a place of escape from urban life. After playing the Makena gofl courses  or hiking the nearby trails, visitors can escape to the relaxing spa at the Maui Prince Hotel. Here specialty treatments include Hot Stone “Pohaku” massage, Oceanfront massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and Aveda Salt Glow, Body Polish and aroma steam. 

The Hana-Maui hotel is also famous for its serene and relaxing location on Maui’s east side. What better place to relax than their Honua Spa with its signature Aromatherapy blend. This relaxing and refreshing treatment includes the essential oils of iliahi, awapuhi, nui and vanilla orchid. 

Just a short ferry ride from Lahaina, Maui is the newly renovated spa at the Four Seasons Resort, Lanai at Manele Bay.  THis is another great place to indulge in a refreshing Hawaiian style treatment. Try the Ki Pola Ko’o’u (cooling ti leaf wrap), which provides hydration or the soothing Limu (seaweed) body mask, which is designed to bring a glow to your skin. These Hawaiian treatments provide relaxation as well as refreshment. For more information on these fabulous spa treatments go to http://www.visitmaui.com/wellness.html or call 1 800 525 MAUI. 

·Chef's Corner

This delicious dish has been supplied 
by Jacky Pluton, the Fairway Gourmet.

Grilled Yellow Dot Papio with Bell Pepper and Tomato and Mango Compote 

Rating: A Short Par 3, with Average Greens Fees 
Serves 4 persons 

This is delicious dish has been supplied by Jacky Pluton the Fairway Gourmet, you can see by the instructions that he is just as comfortable on Maui's golf courses as he is in the kitchen. You will be able to see him golf on Maui's courses and cook with Maui Nui produced ingredients such as Mangos, Sweet Maui Onions, Molokai's Hawaii Kai Salts and the Dot Papio fish on PBS this fall. You can substitute Swordfish steaks if you don't have access to the Dot Papio mentioned in the recipe below. Jacky suggests this is a fun dish  to do with guests. He says "while a twosome is out grilling the fish, the other pair can prepare the compote. In a short time, the dish can be plated and the group is free to enjoy a relaxing meal at the 19th hole." 

Ingredients for the marinade: 
½ cup olive oil 
1 tablespoon coriander seeds 
1 clove garlic, chopped 
2 teaspoons soy sauce 
Freshly ground pepper
4 yellow Dot Popio steaks 

Ingredients for the compote: 
4 red, yellow or orange Bell Peppers
2 tomatoes 
1 mango 

    1 Maui Onion 

1 clove of garlic, chopped 
1 thick slice of Proscuitto di Parma, cut into small cubes 
¼ cup olive oil 
4 small pieces butter 
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped parsley 

Combine the ingredients for the marinade and pour over the fish steaks. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.  Preheat the grill to medium heat. 

Cut the peppers in half, removing their inner membranes and seeds, and cut them into medium cubes. Do the same with the tomato and reserve. 

Chop the onions into small cubes. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan and cook the onions over moderate heat until they are translucent. Add the peppers and cook to soften. Add tomatoes, mango and lower the heat to cook for 8-10 more minutes. 

Add the chopped garlic and Proscuitto ham to the pan and continue cooking for 5 minutes. 

Remove fish from the marinade and place on grill for 2 minutes. Then rotate the fish 45 degrees to cook another 2 minutes. 

Flip the fish over to cook another few minutes, adding the pats of butter to the tops of each fish to ensure moistness. 

*To serve, place the compote on a platter. Place the Dot Papio steaks over the compote and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. 

Tip: Turning the fish 45 degrees on the grill before flipping creates attractive X markings. For an impressive presentation, serve the steaks with their grill marks showing.