Lahaina Grill chef/owner Jurg Munch dramatically renovates building
"Green & Clean"
We are excited to announce the completion of a three year project "greening" our historic building at 127 Lahainaluna Road in Lahaina Town, Maui. Owner, Jurg Munch has dramatically improved the energy efficiency of the Lahaina landmark which was originally built in 1938 and houses Lahaina Grill, a contemporary bistro and The Lahaina Inn, which has ten rooms and two suites.
Greening involves the process of assessing the building and the business practices and incorporating 'green' products and processes into the environment, like energy efficiency, recycling, reduction of personal environmental hazards, etc. These are not the type of renovations or investments which guests will see but which are critical to the business' overall impact on the environment.
It all started back in 2006 with a faulty air conditioner. Jurg thought, "I should really look into a more energy efficient model," and started calling around and asking the right questions. One day at noon, with the Lahaina sun beating down on his head, he thought "I wish I could use some of this intense sunshine to help out" — that's when he first started to think Solar. He hooked up with Jim Whitcomb, a Maui pioneer of solar who started Haleakala Solar in 1977 and the rest is history.
Whitcomb stated, "When I met Jurg he was extremely motivated to invest in solar and was seriously committed to decreasing his effect on the environment. When we started, it was like we were 'opening a can of worms' which lead to a costly redesign of the entire back of the house and rooftop of the building. He wanted to do it right and installed not only the solar hot water system but the photovoltaic (PV) systems which is grid tied (net-metered) for his building's electricity as well," stated Whitcomb. "Many clients tend to pull back when the cost starts to climb, but he definitely had the big picture in mind. Jurg is amongst a small group of people who are forward thinkers."
Haleakala Solar is a member of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA) and employs 32 people. Whitcomb's team has just over 102 collective years of experience in the solar industry and has installed 7,000 residential solar systems and nearly 40 commercial installations. If you combine all of these systems, Haleakala Solar is helping to save on average 63,000 barrels of oil each year.
To date (June 2008) Munch's building has been through the following:
Haleakala Solar
Installed $50,000 solar system for all of Lahaina Grill and Lahaina Inn's hot water with "on demand" backup (previously heated by gas & electric).
Installed $100,000 photovoltaic system for all of the electricity in the building (Lahaina Grill and Lahaina Inn).
System has a unique internet based monitoring system with login to monitor exact energy savings up-to-the-minute.
Retrofitting and upgrade of all Air Conditioning systems for both Lahaina Grill and Lahaina Inn
Installed Waste Heat Recovery System which gathers the heat off of the air-conditioning system to a heat exchanger which creates approximately 7-8 gallons of extremely hot water per ton per hour. (Example: In 8 hours of air-conditioning running, 280 gallons of hot water are produced.)
Heat Recovery Systems are a way to create energy, using renewable energy.
Upgraded air conditioning units to 16-SEER at a cost of over $100,000
(SEER = Seasonal energy efficiency ratio) SEER is most commonly used to measure the efficiency of a central air conditioner. It measures how efficiently a cooling system will operate over an entire season. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner. (ex: 13 is standard)
Installed A/C timers with zones for kitchen/dining room/pantry to maximize energy efficiency.
This upgrade forced Jurg to close Lahaina Grill for a period of two weeks for installation subsequently adding dramatically to the investment.
High-Efficiency Dishwashers & Exhaust Fans
Replaced all dishwashers to higher efficiency units to save water and electricity.
Converted all dishwasher hose fixtures to special high pressure to save water and electricity.
Upgraded to $10,000 kitchen exhaust fan with high-efficient motor which draws only 50% of power of original exhaust system.
Recycling
Overhaul of recycling program for bottles, glass, plastic, paper - commitment from all employees to work together on this effort.
Lighting
At Lahaina Grill, replaced and upgraded Improving all kitchen lighting fixtures for improved energy efficiency.
At Lahaina Inn, converted all light fixtures and bulbs for improved energy efficiency.
"Green" Cleaning Products
Replacing traditional toxic cleaning products in the restaurant to viable non-toxic products.
Now using
EO Products -- A unique company who makes fabulous cleaning products, they are a certified Green Business and a certified organic manufacturer. EO is a small family owned company which funds non-profit organizations as part of its mission.
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Lahaina Grill... From the Cellar
Wines of California
Sundays & Mondays in August — 50% off featured wines of California
Lahaina Grill invites you to imbibe in the great wines of California on Sundays & Mondays in August. With your purchase of two entrees, receive 50% off several of California's most special wines hand-selected by our sommelier, Richard P. Olson III.
Offered: August 3, 4 | August 10, 11 | August 17, 18 | August 24, 25 | August 31, Sept 1
(Don't miss September's Wines of Australia)
[more... Featured Wines of California]
A "Pearfect" Summer Cocktail Recipe
This cocktail is sure to please your friends this summer, refreshing and crisp!
SIDENOTE: Rachael Ray raved about this drink at our bar while filming her show "Rachael's Vacation" in June! Keep your eyes on Food TV for our segment this fall!
Lahaina Grill 'Pearfection' Martini
1 oz. Grey Goose Pear Vodka
1 oz. DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker Liqueur
1/2 oz. Prickly Pear Puree
Small wedge of fresh orange
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with wedge of orange. Mmmm!
Grown here, not flown here!
In an effort to work with local farmers in our community we are proud to announce our recent partnership with MauiGrown Coffee of Lahaina. Kama‘aina and visitors alike have been raving about their smooth estate coffee grown right here in West Maui.
MauiGrown Coffee was established in 2003 by coffee farmer James (Kimo) Falconer (pictured) whose family has lived for many generations in Lahaina. He is a third-generation farmer and is working diligently to keep agriculture in West Maui. [more...]
Best Wine List & Best Service on Maui!
Our entire team at Lahaina Grill is proud to have received the 2008 MAUI NO KA OI Magazine ‘Ai Pono Awards for BEST WINE LIST & BEST SERVICE on Maui. Mahalo to all who voted for Lahaina Grill!
Gourmet Fungal from the Big Island Jungle
Lahaina Grill is excited to be partnering with Hamakua Mushrooms from the Hamakua Coast in Laupahoehoe, on the Big Island of Hawaii. They are providing a broad array of gourmet mushrooms grown in Hawaii. "The quality of these unique mushroom varieties is some of the best I have seen in the world," says Jurg Munch, chef/owner of Lahaina Grill. "We have really enjoyed incorporating the Alii (eryngii), Kea-shimeji and the Pepeiao (wood ear) mushrooms in several of our preparations."
Hamakua Mushrooms uses a growing process which allows them to produce mushrooms without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, hormones or chemicals. Using steam and air filtration to control the growing process, they protect the natural resources available in Hawaii. Using environmentally friendly techniques, Hamakua produces soils and compost that help Hawaii to create a sustainable future.
Summer Specials at Lahaina Inn:
Enjoy the romance of the Lahaina Inn with special discounted rates good through August 31, 2008.
Standard View rooms are offered at $105 per night, Ocean View room $120 per night and Parlor Suite $150 per night.
With Ten rooms and two suites available this charming inn makes you feel like you have slipped back into Lahaina's past. Decorated with authentic, antique furnishings the Lahaina Inn creates an atmosphere of adventure and romance usually reserved for European inns. Owner Toni Johnson has captured the charm and elegance of the past and combined it flawlessly with modern features and amenities that seasoned travelers expect. (Except TV - you won't find any television set in your room at Lahaina Inn.) There's no need - with the history and culture of Lahaina right outside the door.
FODORS MAUI GUIDEBOOK SAID: "This antique jewel right in the heart of town is classic Lahaina - a two-story wooden building that will transport you back to the turn of the 20th century. The 10 small rooms and 2 suites shine with authentic period furnishings, including quilted bedcovers, antique lamps, and oriental carpets. You can while away the hours in a wicker chair on your balcony, sipping coffee and watching Old Lahaina town come to life..."
Visit www.lahainainn.com or call 800.669.3444.
We hope you have a fantastic summer and hope to see you at Lahaina Grill in the near future!
Aloha,
Jurg Munch & the Lahaina Grill 'ohana
