At WKORN Oct 14-29

[gregb]

It's been 20 months since we were at WKORN, and here are some things that have changed since we were last here.

1. New bathrobes. Now a brushed cotton instead of terry cloth. They are lighter than the old ones, and they were in the room without having to ask for them. I like them.
2. WKORN has replaced the Kitchenaid grills with another brand. I don't think they get as hot and they are just a difficult to lite. So I view this was a step backwards. They also added a timer valve that stops the gas after an hour. You have to remember to turn it on first.
3. They are adding more permanent umbrellas to the patios on the south side pool. Finding shade has always been an issue there, so this is a welcome addition.
4. They continue to keep the resort in excellent shape. Pools and grounds are well taken care of. Rooms are in good shape. And the staff is as friendly and helpful as always!

5. The beach in front of Mahana and Maui Kai resorts is completely gone. Sand bags are being used to try to control the erosion. Worst erosion I have seen there in 10 years. They are also fighting beach erosion in front of the Hyatt Regency again.
3. Lelani's on the Beach restaurant is closed for remodeling. The lower level bar is still open. It is expected to take at least another 6 months before they can reopen (April or May?).
4. Aloha Mix Plate, behind the Cannery Mall, is closed for remodeling. I didn't see an expected repoening date, but it looks like it will be awhile.

Glad to see the fenses down around the Nanea site. It really opens up the area and makes it a much more pleasant walk up to the Dukes for lunch.

Any other Tuggers around to meet for Happy Hour Mai Tais? We will be here until Sunday the 29th.

Greg

 

[mjm1]

Hi Greg.

Thanks for the update. We arrived at MOC on Wednesday and noticed Aloha Mixed Plate and the top floor of Lelani’s being closed for renovations. Disappointing as we love both places. We will still go to Lelanis for their bar area.

I will PM you as we will be here until the 28th.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[Denise L]

On Yelp, I read that Aloha Mixed Plate will be reopening on November 23. I have friends there this week who were also disappointed.

 

[gregb]

On other thing I have noticed. They are now using electirc lawn mowers and blowers. Much quieter than the old gas versions. I very much appreciate this change!

 

[gregb]

On Yelp, I read that Aloha Mixed Plate will be reopening on November 23. I have friends there this week who were also disappointed.

I hope they can stick to that schedule as we will be back in January. But it didn't look like they were that far along when we drove by two days ago. I will have to drive by and give it a detailed inspection.

 

[gregb]

Oh, and consessioner that used to run the canoes on our beach here (Maui Paddle Sports) seems to have moved and been replaced by Ali'i Maui Canoes. Interesting, it seems that one of the old paddlers, Jamie, is working at (or maybe running?) the new consession. Haven't had a chance to talk to him yet to see what happened.

 

[Henry M.]

Jamie is a good guy and owns the business. The rest of the paddlers are all related to him. He took us out when we were there this past September and we had a very enjoyable ride.

 

[rickandcindy23]

On Yelp, I read that Aloha Mixed Plate will be reopening on November 23. I have friends there this week who were also disappointed.

I was disappointed about Aloha Mixed Plate's closure as well. I had never tried it before and was looking forward to it.

We are here another five days. I am sad we will be leaving soon. It's been a great trip.

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

It's been 20 months since we were at WKORN, and here are some things that have changed since we were last here.

1. New bathrobes. Now a brushed cotton instead of terry cloth. They are lighter than the old ones, and they were in the room without having to ask for them. I like them.
2. WKORN has replaced the Kitchenaid grills with another brand. I don't think they get as hot and they are just a difficult to lite. So I view this was a step backwards. They also added a timer valve that stops the gas after an hour. You have to remember to turn it on first.
3. They are adding more permanent umbrellas to the patios on the south side pool. Finding shade has always been an issue there, so this is a welcome addition.
4. They continue to keep the resort in excellent shape. Pools and grounds are well taken care of. Rooms are in good shape. And the staff is as friendly and helpful as always!

5. The beach in front of Mahana and Maui Kai resorts is completely gone. Sand bags are being used to try to control the erosion. Worst erosion I have seen there in 10 years. They are also fighting beach erosion in front of the Hyatt Regency again.
3. Lelani's on the Beach restaurant is closed for remodeling. The lower level bar is still open. It is expected to take at least another 6 months before they can reopen (April or May?).
4. Aloha Mix Plate, behind the Cannery Mall, is closed for remodeling. I didn't see an expected repoening date, but it looks like it will be awhile.

Glad to see the fenses down around the Nanea site. It really opens up the area and makes it a much more pleasant walk up to the Dukes for lunch.

Any other Tuggers around to meet for Happy Hour Mai Tais? We will be here until Sunday the 29th.

Greg

Just missed you Greg as we own at WKORN but were staying at Nanea until 10/12. I concur with everything you noted in your update.

Don't know how long it's been closed as we were last there September 2015 but the restaurant at the entry to Cannery Mall has gone (being refurbished?). In actual fact I found the whole Cannery Mall to be a little 'depressing' or should I say more 'depressing' than normal.

The Westin resort shuttle doesn't seem to run as often as it used to do (~25 minutes, maybe seasonal?) and the Lahaina shuttle now goes down to the back of the Wharf (where the Maui Bus drops off/picks up).

With the partial closure of Lelani's the wait time for a table at the Whaler's Village restaurants was 90 minutes (at 7pm on a rainy Thursday) and the new place there (where the Irish pub was years ago) doesn't have a drinks license yet. Didn't get to find out what the food was like as 90 mins was too long for our 18 month old grandson to wait.

 

[gregb]

Just missed you Greg as we own at WKORN but were staying at Nanea until 10/12. I concur with everything you noted in your update.

Don't know how long it's been closed as we were last there September 2015 but the restaurant at the entry to Cannery Mall has gone (being refurbished?). In actual fact I found the whole Cannery Mall to be a little 'depressing' or should I say more 'depressing' than normal.

The Westin resort shuttle doesn't seem to run as often as it used to do (~25 minutes, maybe seasonal?) and the Lahaina shuttle now goes down to the back of the Wharf (where the Maui Bus drops off/picks up).

I think Shuttle #1, between the resorts, takes a little longer to complete a circuit now that it has to go up to Nenea as well. That accounts for the extra 5-10 minutes for the loop. They still only run a single bus on the loop, so adding the new stop at Neana means it runs a little less frequently.

We also noticed that LuLu's restaruant was closed and work being done there. Didn't stop to see what was going on. Guess we have to stop an talk to Sayed to get the scoop.

Greg

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

I think Shuttle #1, between the resorts, takes a little longer to complete a circuit now that it has to go up to Nenea as well. That accounts for the extra 5-10 minutes for the loop. They still only run a single bus on the loop, so adding the new stop at Neana means it runs a little less frequently.

We also noticed that LuLu's restaruant was closed and work being done there. Didn't stop to see what was going on. Guess we have to stop an talk to Sayed to get the scoop.

Greg

Yes that probably explains the longer wait for the resort shuttle. The Lahaina shuttle is still hourly from 10am-10pm but on the occasions we used it/noticed it they seemed to be running 2 buses due to demand I suppose.

LuLu's that's the place.

One other thing I did see at WKORN (by the Pirate Ship) was that on the permanent umbrellas they advertised your location and an app for ordering drinks/food from the bar. Hadn't seen this before and didn't see it anywhere else or at Nanea so it's either new or isn't new and was just because we've never frequented the Pirate Ship and that 'remote' location before.

The 'craft' merchants that set up ocean side at N&S seemed to be there more frequently than they used to be. Last time we were there it was weekly but I think I saw them at least 3 times in the 7 days we were there.

 

[wannagotoo]

I was there last month, power went out around 10:00 and stayed off for hours. Next day they said they were testing the new system (no notice to occupants). They are ready to convert to the power that the (propane?) tanks in the parking lot are going to provide. The custodian said that will lower the power bill significantly.