A Month In Makawao -2014 (Kihei: appointed, rental, hotels)

[Pilgrim21784]

Hey Folks,

We thinking about doing a month long visit on Maui in 2014 (Jan-Mar). We've been there previously (stayed in Kihei) and would prefer to stay Upcountry this time. Makawao or close bye is our preferred location.

Anybody with specific knowledge about B&Bs, hotels, room/cottage rental experience would be appreciated. I've done the usual Internet search stuff, just looking for local opinions.

Not looking for bargain basement or high class accommodations, just a nice middle class rental. The closer to downtown Makawao the better. We're a 62/65 year old retired couple, no vices and prefer quiet areas. The Maui beef burger at the Stopwatch can't be beat (and I'm a serious burger guy!)

Many thanks for any responses.

[MitchTempo]

I keep hearing about this stopwatch burger. I'll have to go up there. Have you had the burgers at fat Boys in Kihei before to compare with?

[Pilgrim21784]

Originally Posted by MitchTempo

I keep hearing about this stopwatch burger. I'll have to go up there. Have you had the burgers at fat Boys in Kihei before to compare with?

Yep, been there and I mean absolutely no disrespect to Fat Boys, they do a really excellent job. I usually got my local Kihei burger fix from them pretty regularly. But - the Stopwatch is just one of the best I've ever had. (We're talking degrees of greatness now, not good versus bad).

I confess - I'm a burger junkie and was amazed on our previous Maui trip to find superb burgers all over the island (referring to Maui beef only, of course). Memories of the Stopwatch just makes me drool.

Who the heck would have thought that an island in the middle of the Pacific would have some of the best burgers on the planet? (JMHO) We (retired travel bums) travel a fair amount internationally every year and I always sample the "dead cow" offerings everywhere we go. (My apologies to the vegetarians, but I like meat). Likewise, Maui's local wines are really good (and relatively inexpensive), again, a very pleasant surprise.

Maui is just a very special place. On our planned '14 trip we hope to do some island hopping to broaden our experience. If Maui is typical of Hawaii in general, I can understand why folks get hooked on the islands and refer to it as paradise.

The folks we met there were just the friendliest and and most helpful people you could imagine. On our prior trip, we did the "banana bread" excursion around the west end of Maui. I had the bad luck to puncture a tire in the middle of nowhere.

Changing a tire is not a biggie if you're a young, healthy buck. If you are a late 50s, disabled Marine Corps veteran with 9 fractures in your spine from Viet Nam, it can be a bit of a problem. Long story short - two local guys stopped bye, changed the tire for me and absolutely refused any cash tip. That is aloha!

My humble advice - definitely give the Stopwatch a visit. I'd recommend a lunch time visit. I understand its a very popular evening hangout with a noisy band for the youngsters. I prefer to consume my burgers in peace and quiet, paying proper respect to a work of art.

[MitchTempo]

Nice, I wanted a comparison since that's our normal burger fix for someplace fast. You should try the food truck up at the Kula country farms next time. They use Maui beef as well and one of the more flavorful burgers I've had yet on the island. Like if i were to give fat boys an 6 or 7 I'd give the food truck an 8 easily. They don't have a sauce or anything though but the Patty is awesome.

[Pilgrim21784]

I will definitely give that a try, thanks for the tip!

[MitchTempo]

I finally had the chance to try a burger from Stopwatch, but I have to say I was a little disappointed. It took 50 minutes for the burger, and not even an apology when it was that late. I ordered mine to go, and the bartender was just looking at me as I waited, and waited, and waited. We were the only ones who ordered food, as everyone else was at the bar. The burger was ok, but it looked like one of the previously frozen patties. We found out later that the cook walked out on them, and the owner or had to come in to cook it all after we placed our orders. Would have been nice to know.

I guess I was expecting a little more with all the hype. I might give them another try later on in the year when they find another cook. Hopefully this burger comes back so I can try it. I'll be sad if I missed something great.