If rum’s history is a sordid tale of sugar and slaves, then the Mai Tai is its steamy love child, complete with a questionable blood line. Every spirit has one. In August, Mai Tai-philes gather at the Royal Kona Resort for the annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival honoring the drink’s colorful contribution to cocktail lore by celebrating the many creative incarnations it will become during the accompanying competition.

Honu Seafood and Pizza is open! It must be my birthday because restaurateurs Mark and Judy Ellman and their lovely daughters Arianna Guarnier and Michelle Ellman have given me a gift in the form of another fun

Mai Tai Me Up Ahhhh, Kona, Hawaii. You think sleepy little Kailua town on the big island. Think again. Once a year the town wakes up in a wash of Bacardi rum when the Don

You can't be a bartender in Hawaii with out knowing the Mai Tai. While some may despise the drink, others are willing to turn it into a creative outlet which I bore witness to at last week's Mai Tai Mix Off preliminary competition at the Royal Lahaina. Ten bartenders went head to head in five seven minute rounds with their own personal recipes. The top three competitors will get a place at the Second Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival held on August 14 at the Royal Kona Resort.

Blair took top awards with his kamaaina mai tai, w ryan burdens kiona aloha mai tai a show stopper, and jeff felice’s mai tai making an awesome blend of bacardi flavors All bartenders in

> > This table is full of creative mai tai styling > > > > Bacardi models > > > > Drink by Jeff Felice of westin KOR > > > > > Loved

photo credit: brianholsclaw Mai Tais are like our State cocktail, at least for the tourists. But all of the bartenders here must make many Mai Tais daily. The Royal Lahaina Resort is hosting their