A Costco connection in paradise

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y Patti Pietschmann, Travel Diva

 

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Mauians love Costco. They shop there in droves.  And so do folks who own or rent condos (of which there are many such as my husband and I.

Costco didn't exist on the island when we first started vacationing in condos in Maui years ago.  We had to shop often at local supermarkets where prices are a lot steeper than at Costco.

  And then, happy hula hands, a big one opened in Kahului at 540 Haleakala Hwy, (www.costco.com)  and we were thrilled.  Problems solved, price for food and provisions more affordable, and life was good—and still is at Costco Maui. (We also shop at Costco in Los Angeles).

Richard cooking in the condo

Like other condo owners or renters, if possible we head to Costco right from the airport and power shop. We lay in such essentials as wines, gin, vodka and tequila. Also big packages of  eggs and egg whites,  bread (especially the cranberry bread when available) , mangos and papayas, hunks of different cheeses, walnuts, and mixed unsalted nuts (the best).

We also stock up on prime beef steaks (that while expensive, cost less than other markets and are well worth the splurge) to cook on our outdoor grills;  household stuff and always one, or two, of their signature cooked chicken (still a deal at $4.99. We freeze one of the birds for later.

When we arrive at our Manakai Maui condo we load up a cart and head for the elevator-- where we often encounter other Costco shoppers hauling huge boxes of food and stuff to their condos.  We smile knowingly at one another.

Photo (left) show Richard (my mate) enjoying a meal on our lanai with ingredients from '\Costco.

While there are wonderful restaurants from which to choose, our condo at Manakai Maui has one of the best tables to enjoy drinks and dinner right on our lanai. (Photo to your right).

And with the money we save buying in bulk at Costco its a lot cheaper to dine al fresco at 'home'. We don't scrimp, either at Costco, we buy prime beef, quality fish and the best of everything.  I even buy late releases  hard-cover books for about half-price off retail.