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“Get out of the way!!”

Sage advice from the announcer of Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s 15th-annual Easter egg hunt, as a wiggling wall of kids raced onto the Pu‘u Olai Lawn, gathering up around 3,500 Easter eggs, balls and balloons in a matter of minutes.

Soon after those 3,000+ plastic Easter eggs were collected into kids’ bags and baskets, a countless number of real, edible eggs were being enjoyed at Mākena’s legendary Easter brunch, now marking its 20th year on the Molokini Terrace.

“It’s been a tradition here at the resort for all those years; if you talk to anyone on the island, we’ve been put down as the best brunch on the island,” explains Mākena Beach & Golf Resort General Manager Declan McCarthy, who says many specialty items harken back to brunches put on by Maui Prince Hotel, which ran the resort between 1986 and 2009.

“Everybody’s got their own personal favorites, but many of these items go back so many years,” he explains. “Our guests, when they come back year after year, say ‘Hey, I remember this from the old days!’ and it bring back lots of memories.”

Easter brunch breakfast offerings included Mākena’s signature cornbread eggs Benedict, salt-cured Canadian bacon, Portuguese sausage, apple-stuffed chicken sausage, blueberry pancakes, Grand Marnier soufflé french toast, crêpes Normandy and a large omelette station.

The seafood and salad station featured fresh sashimi, peel-and-eat shrimp, in-house smoked salmon, Dungeness crab legs, made-to-order sushi, lobster salad and basil chicken salad with feta cheese.

Speaking of cheese, there was an impressive assortment of artisan cheeses from around the globe, alongside freshly-baked lavosh and rolls.

Diners also had options like New York strip loin, North Pacific salmon dynamite, classic paella, cinnamon-seated duck and carving stations with leg of lamb, prime rib and crispy-skin whole suckling pig.

Dessert tables showcased cake pops, fresh doughnuts, malasadas, fresh fruit, tarts and many other sweet treats. The brunch also offered coffee, juices and champagne. Guests enjoyed live music, and even the Easter bunny hopped in for a hello and a little dancing with the kids.

The lavish brunch, which was set to welcome up to 600 people between 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., cost $70 for adults and $30 per child ages 6 to 12. Five and younger were free.

“It’s great food, and not only that, it’s a great value,” says McCarthy. “We try to keep it at a good price so everybody can enjoy it and they don’t have to break the bank.”

15th-annual Easter Egg hunt at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Easter bunny poses for pictures at at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s huge Easter egg hunt. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Easter brunch spread at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Breakfast meats at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s Easter brunch. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Omelette bar and carving stations at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s Easter brunch. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Rows of desserts at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s Easter brunch. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Fresh fruit at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Easter-themed cake pops at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s brunch. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Table at at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort’s Easter brunch. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Easter bunny hops into Molokini Bar & Grille to visit and dance with kids. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Live music during Easter brunch at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Waterfalls and landscaping at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

The grounds and water features at Mākena Beach & Golf Resort. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Later in the morning, the resort offered free balloon animals and shave ice, then glitter tattoos in the afternoon.

“Both young and old partake in that, so they really enjoy it,” smiles McCarthy.

Along with the traditional brunch spread that happens every Sunday, Mākena will offer an expanded brunch for other upcoming occasions, like Mother’s Day on May 8 and Father’s Day on June 19.

“For Father’s Day brunch we’re doing a flight of beers, something a little bit different for our guests,” adds McCarthy.

He says family will also be the focus in May and June with a “Grads Eat Free” special, when school graduates can enjoy a complimentary meal at Molokini Bar & Grille.  Learn more about happenings at the resort here.

“It’s a family resort, there’s definitely lots of activities here for the families,” he says. “We’ve got one of the most beautiful beaches on the island; no better place to come and enjoy!”

The May and June events will mark the end of an era, as Mākena Beach & Golf Resort has announced it will close to the public on July 1, 2016.  Learn more in our article here.