Maui Whales
Ended that chapter and added the one on 'The Migration of Humpback Whales.' Who knew December through April finds them in Maui. Didn't know either that they have few natural predators except humans and killer whales. 20% of Humpback whales have scares from surviving Orca attacks.
Started with a stop in Honolulu @ the Westin where we had an amazing seafood dinner at the Beachcomber and beat the crowds to Pearl Harbor the next morning. (6am style) Pearl Harbor was amazing. December 7th 1941 was the date. By the time the day was over we would realize the significance. We did the tour which was complete with transportation and the guide was a retired school teacher. We spent all day there visiting The USS Arizona, The BS Missouri, The USS Bowfin and took the "audio" which made the experience amazing, amazing, amazing.
Pearl Harbor
Flew on to Maui that eve, upgraded the car to a convertible which was all my doing (cuz RJ was a bit 'quiet') and headed for the other side of the island where we found Duke's and would soon be joined by our Host(s). Let the fun & libations Begin...
Calamari is nothing like the mainland. No rings, no deepfries, at Dukes they actually coat it lightly with "citrus crumbs" and it is greenish and tastes like nothing I had ever tried before and it is sliced open lengthwise....Delicious
Takes the squid part right out of the equation.
While in Maui the menus are fish fish everywhere yet I had to venture into "Filet with Butter Sauce" at Roy's and "The Lamb Shank" @ Lahaina Grill (Here is where gargonzola stuffed queen olives go well with Martini's!) (Mother Mary is still "Queen of the Lamb Shank" and "The Three Martini Lunch at
Duluth's Pickwick for that matter.)
Butterfish (Ron's favorite) is usually served whole and if you see "butterfish fillets." they are probably sablefish, also called black cod (which is not a cod at all, but a skilfish) or walu, a type of makeral in Fiji and other South pacific islands, also known as oil fish or escolar. At Roy's the term butterfish refers to a style of presentation rather than a specific species of fish. At Roy's they use sablefish or black cod marinated with miso to give the fish a rich buttery texture. (I just typed that for your learning excitement!) Also Meg's told dad once (actually at Roy's in Boston) Butterfish can be disasterous if not properly prepared. Follow up with the girl to learn how dangerous.
Maui menus are sea packed with Onaga ((long tailed red snapper or ruby snapper), Marlin (swordfish), Mahimahi (dolphin (no, not Flipper) and Ron did catch them when in Guam or dorado), Moi (Pacific Threadfin), Ono (wahoo, which Michael caught in the Bahamas: tigerfish, or ocean barracuda and in the Bahama's baracuda isn't eaten), Opah (moonfish), Opakapaka (pink snapper or crimson jobfish), Pacific Salmon (king, sockeye, pink, chum), Swordfish (shutome or broadbill), Tuna (which Ron once caught a yellow fin), Uka (gray snapper or jobfish), Ulua ( jackfish, papio, or giant trevally). and then the seafoods as clams, mussels, lobster, shrimp, calamari and/or squid. Hawaiins don't eat shark as it is believed to "Bring Bad Luck."
Longhis qualified for two evenings...but then Lainia's was a two hour wait. Eating well is defined on the islands. As result of the Whole Artichoke Appetizer I now know how to take the "Choke" out of an artichoke and that "Most great chef's agree wine with artichokes changes the taste of the wine" Julia Childs. Great argument for Grey Goose.
The best lunch ever was at a little recommendation after an afternoon at the Barefoot Bar drinking "Salty Dogs al 'a Linda's "Sweeter" Pink Grapefruit on to Mama's Fish House
Stay Tuned as the next episode will include The Ride To Hana Or Scared, Dizzy, and Senseless after 55 bridges, 600 hairpin switch back turns and an attack peacock.
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