For the visiting vegan: Where to eat on Maui

Ono Gelato (multiple locations)

Fresh local fruit makes for vibrant vegan gelato.

Whole Foods Market (Kahului)

The Wednesday salad bar ($5.99/lb. instead of $7.99) is a must.

Fresh Mint (Pa`ia)

Our only all-vegan restaurant (primarily Vietnamese) is open 5-9 p.m.

Veg Out (Ha`iku)

The setting is ultra-casual; the food is ultra-tasty.

Hawaiian Moons (Kihei)

They have the cheapest brown rice on the island and usually have great chili or soup to go with it.

Alive & Well (Kahului)

This place also has great soup, plus some decadent desserts.

Maui Tacos (multiple locations)

Come for the famous salsa bar; return for the cheap prices.

Mana Foods (Pa`ia)

Maui's best grocery store also has a great deli and dessert case.

Cafe Des Amis (Pa`ia)

The veggy curry wrap comes with mango chutney.

Cafe Mambo (Pa`ia)

They have the best selection of vegan appetizers and small dishes of any sitdown restaurant

Stella Blues (Kihei)

This is one of the few places that offers a hearty vegan breakfast.

Maui Coffee Roasters (Kahului)

If you're into almond-milk lattes and whole-wheat bagels, this is your place.

Down to Earth (Kahului)

The prices have gone up a lot over the years, but there's no doubt this all-vegetarian place has a good deli and salad bar.

Mala (Wailea)

This high-end place offers great ocean views, occasional celebrity sightings, and multiple vegan entrees.

Simply Healthy Cafe (Wailuku)

Open for weekday lunch only, this place offers the best vegan bargains on the planet, including a veggie plate lunch with sweet potatoes, taro, brown rice, and a salad for $5.50.

Let's get moving: Alternatives to commuting by car

Let's get moving: Alternatives to commuting by car

". . . automobile use is a major contributor to global warming. Perhaps only the meat industry ranks as high as the transportation sector among the components of the economy that cause climate change."

Las Vegas is the place to be in May

May 7:

Wynn Las Vegas to Host Viva Las Vegan

May 19-22:

VegNews Presents Vegans In Vegas

Sweet Avenger: New vegan reality show!

Happiest media news of the day:

The Discovery Communications network orders 12 episodes of "Sweet Avenger," about a vegan baker and animal lover (Danielle Konya).

Tell Discovery how happy you are about this news:

http://twitter.com/#!/DiscoveryComm

And follow Vegan Treats:

http://twitter.com/#!/VeganTreats

Great Chicago-style vegan pizza at Lahaina Pizza Co.

Lahaina Pizza Co. (fka known as BJ's Pizzeria) is located on Front Street in the heart of Lahaina Town, Maui, Hawai`i. Last night I ordered the vegetarian pizza without cheese - which the waitress quickly and accurately dubbed the vegan pizza - and was rewarded with the tastiest deep-dish pizza I've had in a long time (maybe ever). The abundant toppings were black olives, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. It's always a great sign when a restaurant employee uses the word "vegan" without prompting. And sure enough, the pizza was great. I recommend Lahaina Pizza Co.'s vegan pizza, especially for people who like Chicago-style pizza.

Maui Culinary Academy offers specialty sugars at Ono Gelato Company

The Maui Culinary Academy is offering locally produced Vanilla Mac Nut Sugar, Cane Sugar, and Mango Sugar at Ono Gelato Company in Lahaina, Hawai`i.

O`ahu optimism

For such a large, multicultural city, Honolulu has been shockingly lacking in vegetarian and vegan dining options.

There is now some reason for optimism, as reported by Nadine Kam today:

New restaurants offer promising vegetarian options

I've long bemoaned the dearth of vegetarian restaurants in Honolulu. All of a sudden we have two new options, both opened over summer.

Impressively, the two restaurants - Peace Cafe and Loving Hut - are both entirely vegan.

Hurray for Honolulu!