Hawaii: Day 6 (Maui)

For our first full day in Maui, Dave and I separated paths during the day - he had a presentation on federal financial aid with the Hawaii system financial aid directors, so I decided to do a tour at the Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate Factory. 

Making chocolate bars at Ku'ia

Much of the chocolate is grown on Maui, although they do source some single estate chocolate from Ecuador and Uganda. They process it in small batches here, and I learned more about the chocolate making process than I've ever known before. For instance, you have to ferment chocolate, not just roast it, to develop the flavors.

Throughout the tour, we got various samples, including a raw cacao bean, nibs, two processed cacao samples, and then a flight of finished chocolate. I got the Maui Dark, Maui Dark Milk, Maui Mokka Cappuccino, three single origin cacaos (Costa Esmeraldas, Ecuador; Semuliki Forest, Uganda; and Wild Amazon), and the Maui Mango. They seem to specialize in dark chocolate and chocolate flavored with tropical fruit flavors. Special to try all these flavors in the only U.S. state capable of producing cacao.

The factory is in the Lahaina area, although it was unharmed by the fire. The company's founder, who personally gave us the tour, indicated that the businesses are trying to recover, so tourist dollars help - if you are considering doing a tour or visiting other Lahaina businesses who are still open, go for it, throw some money their way!

I picked up Dave after his talk and he was tired, so we went back to the hotel for a nap. I can't think of the last time we took a daytime nap together! Gotta love vacation.

Strangely, the best poke on Maui is supposed to be found at a liquor store: Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors. They do have a great wine and beer selection, as well as fun Japanese and Hawaiian specialty grocery items, but their poke is also fantastic. I was disappointed that you couldn't do tofu or any "sides," such as edamame or cucumber, but the ahi tuna was fantastic, and it comes in a few varieties.

Poke from Tamura

We each ordered one, grabbed a Japanese beer from the store, and enjoyed it all at a beach while watching the sunset.

Maui sunset

We had been recommended to the bar Pint & Cork, which we were attracted to due to the presence of several Modern Times beers on the menu. We enjoyed our pints and then wandered the luxury mall where the bar was located. You can browse Hawaiian artists and jewelry while also viewing Rolex, Gucci, and Tiffany. Dave was torn between wanting to flee immediately and wanting to get his steps in.

Tomorrow I'm joining Dave with the Hawaiian school administrators for a lunch and tour of the Lahaina disaster area. Then we'll have a couple of days to explore Maui and head home!