Island Press Coffee

Update: Island Press Coffee is still standing! Please visit & support local businesses in rebuilding!

The location

2580 Kekaa Dr, Suite 104 
6am – 1pm 

I stumbled upon Island Press Coffee in the same strip mall as The Snorkel Store, where I rented my snorkel gear and cooler from.  

At the time I went (February 2021), indoor seating was closed. But there is covered outdoor seating under the wooden pergola out front. Just know, your sweet view will be of the parking lot. But hey, it’s a parking lot in Hawaii, so really, who are we to complain?

The atmosphere

Enter through the teal painted front doors, and you’ll see it has everything one requires in a cozy coffeeshop—industrial exposed ductwork ceiling, chalkboard menus, and, as a bonus, bumper stickers for sale that support local ocean wildlife—all with a utilitarian, tropical twist (and who can blame them, when you’re located two blocks from Kaanapali Beach, you probably spend a lot of time sweeping sand off your floors.)

Admittedly, this is not the cutest cafe on the list. But holy shit, talk about some damn good coffee.

The coffee

This spot gets my award for best coffee on the island—strong, but not too sweet, and not too milky. 

For the dairy free among us, they have soy, almond, coconut, and oat milks. 

The Menu

Along with all your espresso and French press coffee needs, they sell bagels, an assortment of breads, cakes, breakfast croissants, smoothies, local kombucha’s, and other grab and go options. 

Java Cafe

The location

1279 S Kihei Road, Suite 301
6am – 2pm

Java Cafe is located in a strip mall parking lot off South Kihei road (paradise though Hawaii may be, it is still American, after all. And what could possibly be more American than a strip mall?)

The atmosphere

A large space with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It has the feel of a Hawaiian Tropical Smoothie Cafe with its clean design and metal cafe chairs. 

The outdoor seating area is mostly covered by a pergola (that lanai life, am I right?) A wooden railing, bamboo shades, planters full of lush plants, and garden beds of palms did the trick of secluding the dining space away from the traffic of the parking lot. 

And honestly? Parking lot aesthetics aside, I was sitting outside in shorts and flip flops, with the sunshine and island breeze on my skin in February after hailing from the icy Midwest, and I really couldn’t have asked for anything more (besides for, perhaps, a mimosa, but that’s besides the point.) 

On the menu

On the menu is coffee, organic smoothies, and cold pressed juices. Alternative milk options include soy and almond milk. For bites, they have sandwiches, toast, wraps, waffles, and bagels with gluten-free bread and vegan options. You’ll also find an assortment of fresh-baked croissants and pastries. 

My friend and I grabbed a late breakfast here on our first morning on the island. I went with the peanut butter gluten-free toast topped with bananas and drizzled with organic honey. 

Order at the counter, then pick out your spot. 

Kraken Coffee

The location

Kīhei  Food Truck Park 
1 Piikea Ave
6am – 7:30pm 

They had me at Kraken. 

And Food Truck Park, if we’re being honest. 

You can either park in the lot and walk up to the window, and drink under the shade at the cafeteria style tables. Or pull-up to the drive through window. Either way, you can’t beat it! 

On the menu

Along with all your espresso needs, they have cold brew, smoothies, teas, kombucha’s, and soda’s. For alternative milk options, they have soy, coconut, and almond. 

Next time I’m in town (and there will be a next time), I’ve got my eyes set on the Mocha Wao, a Kraken classic white chocolate macadamia nut mocha. 

Kula Lodge Restaurant

The location

15200 Haleakalā Highway
7:30am – 2:30pm daily
4 – 9pm Wed – Sun

The atmosphere

Nothing like sipping a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise over the slopes of Haleakalā.

This is a place that you need reservations too. But since we were some of the few guests staying on site, and we arrived right when they opened, we were given the best seats in the house—the corner table with panoramic views. 

Don’t forget to check out Kula Marketplace while you’re there and get some beans for back home!

Freshies Maui

The location

3620 Baldwin Avenue
7am – 3pm Wed-Sat
7am – 12pm Sundays 

Makawao is a cute, little cowboy town up in the mountains. We started our Road to Hāna day here because we came from Kula instead of Pā’ia. But even if you do start in Pā’ia, I say Makawao is worth the detour or a destination on its own on a different day.

We were originally here for Vida by Sip Me Maui for coffee, but they were closed for COVID reasons during our visit. 

Bummed, though not deterred (and jonesing for our morning dose of caffeine), we popped down the street to Freshies.

On the menu

Freshies serves organic coffee from Maui Coffee Roasters, along with fresh squeezed juices. 

Keep in classic with an Egg sando or go cowboy style with the Paniolo Breakfast (eggs, toast and coffee with choice of rice, pinto beans, greens or red potatoes, add side of breakfast meat), homemade biscuits and gravy, or Huevos Rancheros. Also on the menu is French toast, omelets, and fresh fruit parfaits. 

For the vegans among us, don’t count yourself out of luck. Freshies has vegan coconut yogurt, vegan gravy, and the tofu scramble (a pleasantly welcome surprise for my veggie traveling companion!)

The atmosphere

We ordered at the counter and set up shop at a table out in the courtyard. 

An early morning coffee and breakfast in the courtyard, under the branches of an immense tree? No better way to start our Road to Hāna day, if you’re asking me. 

Huelo Lookout Fruit Stand

The location

7600 Hana Highway 
Huelo lookout, Road to Hāna
Island time

Everyday is a winding road . . . 

If Sheryl Crow isn’t on your Road to Hāna playlist alongside Lilo & Stitch’s Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride, now’s the time to add it. 

And there’s nothing like a cup of strong authentic Hawaiian blend to keep your senses sharp while maneuvering all those sharp turns. 

This bright, sunshine yellow food truck was a welcome sight on the side of the road for this driver. 

On the menu

On the menu: smoothies, shave ice, açaí bowls, hot crepes, fruit, ready to drink fresh whole coconuts, and that iconic Maui gold (hint: it’s also the home to a sponge named Bob who lives under the sea.)

As for your caffeine fix, you can get the best, most authentic Hawaiian coffee here for $4 or a blended ice cococcino (coconut ice cream and coffee) for $8. Like most vendors along Hana, they take cash and Venmo. 

The atmosphere

Past the food truck, down a few steps, you can glimpse the ocean through the trees at Huelo Lookout. 

This roadside stand was a happy happenstance for us. A last minute pullover became a moment in time that will forever be imprinted on my senses—the golden sunshine streaming in through the tree canopy above, the music playing from the stand, the bananas hanging from the roof of the truck.

It was there, in a place we least expected and hadn’t planned for, that we felt it . . . the spirit of Hawaii, of the islands, of all those who have called that place home over the millennia. 

And while that spirit is not ours to keep, it was ours for a moment to touch, to connect to, to get to experience, to share with and in. 

That’s part of the magic of travel, isn’t it? That thing we keep coming back for more of. And the best part is, you never really know when it’s going to happen or what you’re going to stumble upon. That’s the thing you have to keep your eyes and your soul open for. 

Always leave room for magic to surprise you. 

Belle Surf Cafe

The location

new address:
640 Front Street 
7:30am – 9pm / Sundays 7:30am – 3:30pm
Breakfast, brunch, lunch & dinner

Formerly off Front Street in Lahaina, they are currently serving out of Paia Bay Coffee’s old haunts! And I could not be more thrilled!

The atmosphere

Talk about a little gem of a place.

The vibe at Belle Surf Cafe still hints at minimalist bohemian chic with white decor and wood tones. But the new locale also plays with rich jewel tones and decadent neon pink lighting (say less, Belle Surf Cafe).

I’d like to take a moment of silence for the teal La Marzocco espresso machine that I once waxed poetically about.

But the new red one sure is a looker too.

Place your order at the bar, and then step under the hanging ceiling plants to take a seat underneath the canopies. The rough hewn wooden tables and wicker chairs surrounded by lush green plants and bamboo shades makes you truly feel like you’re chilling in paradise, even when you’re catching up on work emails.

Between the water feature, hanging ceiling plants that make you feel like you’ve entered Faerie land, lots of musical guests to serenade you, and that sweet, sweet ocean breeze coming in off the coast, it truly is a sanctuary.

On the menu

On the menu, along with smoothies, and, of course, coffee (there are alternative milk options), you’ll find healthy, organic breakfast options—sandwiches, crepes, açaí bowls, and toasts. If I were of the gluten persuasion, I’d get The Sunshine: French bread with almond butter topped with strawberries and bananas, drizzled with homemade mocha sauce, and garnished with a hibiscus flower. 

Paia Bay Coffee

The location

120 Hana Hwy
7:30am-10pm
(closes at 6pm on Sundays)

Sad that Paia Bay moved locations, but am super happy Belle Surf Cafe has taken up shop in this space!

The atmosphere

Let me set the scene for you. 

It was late afternoon in the coastal town of Pā’ia. My friend (and ever-ready travel buddy) Ashley and I were strolling through the shops of town. We popped into a women’s boutique to peruse the bikinis and crop tops (because it might have taken us until our thirties to embrace the whole exposed midriff thing, but gddamnit we finally made it.) 

And then, from the back of the store, we heard it: the strumming of live music and the tell-tale clink of glasses and chitchat. 

What could that be? We wondered. We made our way through the throngs of colorful swimsuits to the back of the store and went through the back doorway to find . . . an oasis, a tropical paradise hidden amongst the brick and mortar stores. 

Another one of those happy happenstance moments.

We took a seat at one of the tables underneath the breezy cloth canopy, string lights, fans, and hanging plants. We ordered drinks of the adult kind from the friendly and accommodating bartender, and spent a lovely hour or two shooting the breeze there, catching up and listening to the local troubadour from the small stage front and center.

On the menu

You know what’s better than a place that serves coffee? A place that serves coffee and alcohol. And better yet, a place that serves coffee and alcohol and has live music. Oh yeah, and they have food. 

(Alternative milk options: oat, macadamia, coconut, and usually almond.) 

Ashely got the cropped muscle tank from the Merch section. I’m still regretting not getting one.

I loved this place so much, I went back several times. 

The Maui Collection