MauiShirts Blog

A Legend from Hawaii Ancient Folklore

All the world’s people have traditions and history. So do the Hawaiians.

Many years ago, the King and his people lived on the island of Maui.

His rule was absolute.

Among his subjects were Ooma and Oopa. Ooma was a beautiful girl and Oopa was a handsome young man.

Ooma and Oopa lived on the seashore in a grass dwelling. During the day, Ooma made poi out of taro and cooked fish. Oopa went fishing and hung around the other men, as all men do all over the world.

Once in a while, the King would start a war with other kings and Oopa would have to go.

It was on the third day after the half moon when the moon was directly overhead. That was the holiest of days because the King said so.

Ooma gave birth to a beautiful boy. Everyone came to admire this man-child.

The King was overjoyed. His sons had been killed in battle. He had no heirs. This man-child would be a great heir. After all, he was born at a holy time.

But first, the child had to pass the test: a very important one.

The King, Ooma and Oopa and the entire village entourage had a procession to the top of the royal mountain named Hia’mo.

The child was held up to the sun and the high priest made the offering to the Gods that this child was indeed of royal blood, since the child was born at the holy time.

The priest reported to the King that additional proof was needed before the child could be pronounced as royalty to follow in the footsteps of the King.

The royal test was called out. The child was placed on the holy rock. The child’s umbilical cord was placed in a hollow bowl made of rare coral.

The child had to stay there for one full day and moon.

Everyone examined the umbilical cord through that period. If the ants did not eat the umbilical cord, the child would be ordained a young king by the high priest.

If the ants ate the cord, the child was obviously an imposter. The high priest picked up the child and threw it off the mountain.

Ooma and Oopa’s man child failed the test. Ooma and Oopa went home to try, try again.

And that’s how it was in the old days in Hawaii.

This religious practice was stopped later on when the King realized too many of his subjects were being thrown off the mountain.

Maui Blackie -  Bllackie Gadarian

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Dear Mickey and staff,

My beautiful bougainvillea aloha shirt arrived two days ago in black and in perfect condition.  Thanks so much for going the extra mile and for the superb service.

Mahalo and aloha,

Lynne Baker

Adrienne Uncategorized

We all know there are thieves out there. They are everywhere. They are lurking around in every city in every state in every country. I came to live on this island paradise, Maui, because I was attempting to get away from the theft and evil prevalent in the big mainland cities. It was a valid reason. I knew crime would be here too, just less of it, less people, less crime. But, what kind of foul, low life would steal my U.S. flag on Memorial Day? What kind of low-life would steal the unfurled American flag on one the most sacred days memorializing the men and women who have died defending the ideals of freedom? What kind of moron is this? What kind of fool could be that thoughtless?

My nylon American flag was a beautiful flag. I owned it for many, many years. I displayed on my lanai in a side wall bracket, on appropriate holidays and illuminated it in the evening. It had embroidered stars and sewn stripes. It was Made in the U.S.A. by Valley Forge Flag Company. It was not one of those cheap, flimsy made in Taiwan ink dyed flags. It was the best quality you could purchase. Now, some low-life with zero moral character must have thought it was a joke to pull it out of its wall bracket and walk off with it in the middle of the night. The only joke is the person who stole it.

So, fellow citizens, and you tourists take heed. Don’t leave anything you own unattended. If you don’t keep your eye vigilant your property will find itself gone in a New York second. If it’s not screwed or bolted down it will disappear without a trace. Some creep is hiding in some corner, behind some rock, in the shadows always waiting to relieve you of your valuables. Believe it. The thieves are our there. They are everywhere you reside or travel to take what is not theirs for no reason and for nothing less than idiocy.

Adrienne Uncategorized

My new Tropical Garden Ladies Aloha shirt, ordered through Amazon, just arrived via priority mail.  It got here days before I expected it and I appreciate that it came carefully wrapped in tissue paper rather than a wasteful plastic bag like so many things. 

I have to tell you I am very happy with the quality.  I always worry about sizing when ordering on line but your size charts were accurate and helpful and the shirt fits beautifully.  Beautiful shirt, great price, great service, made in America — what more could one ask for!  Thank you.

Betty Beavers

California

Adrienne Uncategorized

I’m now living on this island Paradise for ten years. I eat out most every night. Let me speak about some of my experiences at my local Westside eateries. I’m going to rate these restaurant bars from one to ten; ten being best. I will start this little dilatation on Front Street in Old Lahaina town.

  My latest suggestion and highly recommended eatery is the Lahaina Mai-Tai Lounge. Simply follow this little map. It is a few doors past the old established Kimo’s and is located at 839 Front Street. This new exotic eatery is called the Lahaina Mai-Tai Lounge. It is a short walk from my MauiShirts.com showroom located on the second floor of Anchor Square on Papalaua St. The menu at the Lahaina Mai-Tai Lounge is fresh, tropical and exciting. You must try the Sweet Potato Stack. It’s fantastic with a small cost of $ 10.95. This Sweet Potato Stack is the yummiest. The restaurant is on two levels and sits cantilevered over the ocean. There is an upstairs and downstairs bar. The decor is comfortable and full of Polynesian decor and design. The ocean views are spectacular. I’ve eaten many offerings from the menu and all have been delicious. The menu is full of island favorites like Macadamia Nut Encrusted Opah and No Ka Oi Beer Battered Fish and Chips, (No Ka Oi in local Hawaiian means "Simply the Best), to mention only two. The four Sushi Rolls they offer are scrumptious. The sandwiches, burgers and taco portions are large and the prices are less expensive than their neighbors for comparable entrees. I rate the Lahaina Mai Tai Lounge a solid ten. Tell ’em Mickey sent you.

My favorite place used to be Kimo’s, but lately the bartenders have become somewhat taken by some unknown proprietary interest. I think they may be encouraged by management to move you in and out of their limited quantity of bar stools as fast as possible. You can eat and drink at the bar. That is a plus for single guys and locals. The wait for a table upstairs can be excruciating. An empty or vacated bar stool, to the bartenders, and there are usually three of these proficient guys attending the bar nightly, is another tip waiting to happen.

The drinks from some of these Kimo’s guys are not consistent and sometimes weak at best. The tourist brand of their fancy tropical drinks look great with the pineapple and umbrellas attached. Their Mai Tai is better than average, with their big Tiki jug, but I’ve seen some of the pours. They are not the strongest, many a time, that’s for sure. The way they pour wine, to me, is a joke. It’s a nice big glass about half full. I think they have some wine pouring issues. I’ve seen ’em measure the wine into a small carafe and then dump the contents into your glass, making sure you do not get any chance for an over pour. No customers seem to mind. But, where I come from you received a full glass of wine for your money. At Kimo’s it looks like the glass is half empty, not half full. I am sure they would argue this. It must be the size of the glass, not the contents. Sort of like, it’s the motion of the ocean, not the size of the boat.

These proficient Kimo’s bar keeps constantly fuss over you and will nab your swizzle stick or straw and toss it in the ever-ready trash bin, if you happen to rest it on the bar top for a moment while sipping your cocktail. And, they will constantly replace your drink napkin. They will remove your pupu food dishes out of your way and their way, expeditiously. I think the constant attention to cleanliness is to let you know that they are keeping an eye on you.

One thing that I find curious and somewhat disturbing is the fact that they let toddlers and kids sit and drink at the bar. So, and I’ve seen this more than once, if you want a couple of kids kneeling on their knees on the wood bar stool next to you sucking their non-alcohol, Shirley Temple drink out of a bended straw waiting for them to spill it all over the bar and into your lap and down your leg…grab you bar stool and belly up to the bar. And, be careful of what we locals call ‘stroller-burn’. These baby strollers are prevalent in this ground floor, ocean front eatery. So, don’t let one of these free wheeling kid carriages run up too close to your heels. You will be burned. If you don’t mind crying babies, screaming banshee children and kids running around, this is the place for you and your family.

The pupu menu is common and unchanged for years. The food, fish, chicken dishes are better than average. The giant portion of their legendary prime-rib is one the islands best. If price bothers you, then you best find another place. Kimo’s is not for the budget minded. I rate this place a shaky seven to eight at best.

Meandering Mickey

mauiman Customer's Communicate

Note:  This is a letter that appeared in the local (Maui) newspapers back in December 1996.  

Maui News Headline: Stay single, stay happy

Lahaina News Headline:  Blackie’s view on same-sex marriage

"If gay marriages are allowed in Hawaii, they would stop being happily single, and join some of us married couples in being miserable.

If polygamy is also allowed, the miseries of married life would be multiplied."

I got a number of comments on this, such as "Does your wife Sara know about this letter?"

After 48 years, I am still miserably married.

Maui Blackie – Blackie Gadarian

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Years ago there were many road-kills of dogs, cats and even mongooses on the streets of Maui.

I have seen very few road-kills lately. Either the animals are running faster or the drivers have bad aim.

ARSENE “BLACKIE” GADARIAN, Lahaina

Reprinted from the Lahaina News, May 15, 2008 issue

blackie Customer's Communicate Blackie's Blog Stuff

A Blackie-ism for Thought:

America is great.   I am able to order a cocktail from a bartender without knowing his last name.  I don’t even have to know his first name.

But why do waiters and waitresses tell me their names, when all I need to know is the menu?

I just want a sandwich and a drink.

Blackie Gadarian – Maui Blackie

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Maui visitors will discover various foods that are different from home.  You will find a food called Kim Chee, (Kimchi).  Many of us enjoy eating kimchee,  (Kimchi).  It’s very tasty.  But there are drawbacks.  It is loaded with peppers and garlic and has an overpowering aroma.  However, when your spouse does not like the aroma, you are in trouble.   My spouse has said, “Lips that touch kim-chee will not touch mine”.   I love kim chee, (Kimchi), and I love my spouse.   I don’t know what to do.  

Blackie Gadarian  – “Maui Blackie”

blackie Customer's Communicate Blackie's Blog Stuff

BEAUTIFUL fabric used in the last 2-3 shirts I’ve gotten from you, Mickey/Mauiman!

Rating: Good
Comments:
Price Rating:Good
Shipping Options Rating:OK
Delivery Rating:Excellent
Ease of Purchase Rating:Good
Customer Service Rating:Good

Today, I have already been complimented once on my shirt, and usually I get 1-2 compliments from total strangers, who like `the look,` as no one around here (Atlanta suburbs) has the design/artwork I have, since buying your Aloha Shirts from MauiShirts.com .   Thanks.  I’ve been buying shirts from you/your online store for over 6-years now, and I’ve only had one bad product sent to me.  It remains hanging on a hanger in my closet, as it is a "Misfit" and has never fit since I took it out of the priority mail box it came in over 2-years ago.  But, all the rest of my purchases have been good experiences, and I’m still very pleased.  Thanks, Mickey.

Mahalo

T.D. Jorgensen

Marietta, GA

My reply:

Aloha,
Send the "misfit" back.
What ya waiting for?
If it’s new and unworn…. exchange it …
I need you to get rid of dem "good" ratings and move up to excellent ratings!

Mickey

Adrienne Uncategorized