Generally, there are several thing's that the visiting tourists to the island of Maui, will be sure to do while staying on the island. You know, the must see and do thing's that are highly recommended and advertised by others, to undertake while vacationing in the tropical paradise that is Hawai'i. Some of the more popular destinations and sites of Maui would be, spending an entire day driving slowly out to Hana and back, traveling up to the crater of the volcano Haleakala to catch the sun's rising, or setting, or maybe perhaps just spending a couple of hours leisurely strolling through the bustling streets of the Lahaina shopping and wharf district. All sounding like so much fun. Odds are too, that venturing out unto said locations for extended periods of time, that ones growing hunger pains soon become a top priority to deal with. Most often those looking for a quick fix, find themselves making a stop into one of the several Maui Tacos locations found, throughout the island.
Now, for those who follow along closely with all my travels, especially to the island of Maui, you know how much I favor eating there myself at Maui Tacos. I've commented more than once on my blog about my many travels to the several various locations, to enjoy their version of Mexican food served up Maui style. So how fitting for me by chance, in that on my sixth visit to the island, that I was lucky enough to be introduced to the creator and founder of Maui Tacos, chef Mark Ellman. Mark, and his wife Judy in the early 90's, opened up their first restaurant in the Napili area with great success. Soon one location lead to another, then another, and so on and so on. Quickly in time, word had spread amongst locals and visitors alike, of the savory tasting food now being served up. Shortly thereafter, a worldwide following had formed amongst devoted die hard fans exalting praise. Life was good. Years later feeling the need to expand his creative culinary wings in other directions, Mark sold his portion of the Maui Tacos business in 2008, and embarked on his next challenge that awaited in life.
I was fortunate to have had the chance to chat with Mark recently during several visits to his newly developed offering of eating-house delight. Of course I had a few... okay I admit it, I had more than a few questions about the whole Maui Tacos thing, but c'mon man what would you do if you were in my shoes? I love that place! My curiosity of his personal story of success into Maui Tacos, lead to some other generalized questions of peaked interest regarding the restaurant business I had. I found it quite fascinating listening to Mark's explanation and take on the whole process of bringing fresh new ideas and edible creations, just like the ones found in the newly opened HONU Seafood & Pizza in Lahaina, or other side projects alongside with author Barbara Santos, such as personally written and published material to fruition.
Visit Hawai'i, and you'll get a real chance to see people living and breathing aloha. Aloha has more meaning than simply being representative of a greeting of saying hello, or goodbye. It is in fact, a word much more symbolic of a cultural and spirit of it's people. You do not have to be born on the islands of Hawai'i to officially live and celebrate aloha each day, and as a matter of fact, you don't even have to be on the islands themselves to even be doing it. Essentially practicing aloha, is something that is learned, and continually forthright lived each day!
The literary tandem of Mark Ellman & Barbara Santos, have taken the time to compile testimonial contributions from many of, "Hawai'i's favorite folks," in the book, Practice Aloha ~ Secrets to Living Life Hawaiian Style. It is an amazing, and fascinating book filled with many personal stories, and a few recipes, on exactly what practicing and living aloha really means. It is a fun and rewarding read from this one readers perspective, that surely can evoke lifestyle change in just about anybody who reads it.
Finished reading the book myself, I couldn't help but think that at this stage of my life in general, that this specific portion has come full circle for me. I have lived and learned! What I mean in retrospect, is that looking back to the beginning of all this many years ago in 2006 when I first traveled to Hawai'i as some sort of hurried greenhorn, how I now find myself having become more aware over time to embrace living the lifestyle of aloha daily. Through my dedicated efforts and continued pursuit of athletic participation, I was able to stumble upon many new found personal discoveries, as well as friendships - Mark Ellman being one of them. Mark's generosity and openness most recently to me, as well as witnessed to surrounding others, was clear and accurate proof that he knows of what he speaks and most certainly writes. He is the living embodiment of what practicing aloha is all about in my book!
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