FANGTASTIC MAUI . . . Did you hear the Halloween joke: "What did Dracula and his pals drink at the bar?
"A couple of Bloods and a Blood Light, of course."
Maui will be jumping on Fright Night this Saturday. But in tiny Paukukalo, it's been Fright Day for a while with awesome decor at Tom's Mini Mart.
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The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Beware of fake body parts, ghouls and other scary monsters tucked into every nook and cranny of Tom’s Mini Mart in Paukukalo.
"I started the collection about five years ago and I add about one monster a year," says owner Jean Nakayama. "People really look forward to it and adults love to play with all the buttons. But I've lost some little customers, who just stand outside the door, afraid to come in."
At Tom's, you'll find fake body parts, coffins, eyeballs, bats, spiders, rats that talk and creatures galore. Reach into a number of bowls of candy and you'll be in for a real surprise. Come check it out and order a shave ice, with over 50 flavors from which to choose.
"You've got to shave the ice slow. That's the secret,"?says Nakayama. "We also have 12 sugar-free flavors."
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SCARY BUSINESS . . . Paia is now stepping up to the plate to be Maui's haunted hamlet for Halloween. There will be Maui Food Bank drop-off sites all around town, so bring treats for the needy.
On Baldwin Avenue, Cafe Mambo will host the Kranky Karaoke Contest. "The kitchen will be serving up ferocious fajitas and we'll do cocktails from the crypt," says owner Jamie Betham. "Like bloodslides and murderitas to go with the karaoke."
Ono Gelato in Paia will serve pumpkin spice and black licorice flavors all week and the rest of the restaurants in that great food town will all participate with Halloween fun and food.
Last year was a scream at Pineapple Grill in Kapalua, and this year's Monster Bash on Halloween starting at 5:30 p.m. promises to be even better.
"Enjoy a night of spirits and spells with the music of Tunana Da Band, and specially priced drinks and pupu from 5:30 p.m. all the way until closing," says Chris Kaiwi, managing partner.
Come eat and drink at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea Halloween and enjoy three bands and the Night of Mayhem costume contest with $500 in prizes.
The local Denny's management has taken over Lulu's in Kihei and they will host the Halloween Bacardi Blast. Order one of five Barcardi cocktails after 7 p.m. and you get pupu such as chicken strips, nachos and beef quesadillas for 99 cents.
Spicy salsa and DJ tunes will get you in the groove for the costume contest, and the grand prize is 52 breakfasts at Denny's in Kihei.
"We will have live bands and DJs every evening," says Prashant Sharan. "And we intend to do a lot of community programs like we do at Denny's. Our executive chef is Tracy Edelhertz and we'll give the menu and food a new look."
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Those who love an elegant food and wine evening for a good cause should mark calendars for Nov. 13, when the Noble Chef event will benefit Maui Culinary Academy.
Noble Chef will be held at Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and the proceeds benefit culinary education on Maui. There will be a martini bar and hors d'oeuvres outside at sunset and a five-course sit-down inside. Cost is $150 per person. Call 984-3261.
While Duke's Beach House at Honua Kai Resort & Spa in Kaanapali isn't targeted to open until December, the culinary team has been announced. Scott McGill of Hula Grill will be executive chef, Todd Carlos (former "Best Chef on Maui") will be chef, and Peter Merriman, corporate chef. It will be an open-air, oceanfront restaurant filled with Duke Kahanamoku memorabilia.
* You may reach Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342.
