This blog is for you...my guests.  It's just a little place for me to share some of our favorite restaurants and other little tips to help you make the most of your Maui vacation.  I know dining in Maui can be expensive, so I've tried to include places with good happy hours or tips to try the most expensive restaurants for lunch instead of dinner.  We also love to cook in Maui...there's just something about the warm, balmy weather and fresh fish for dinner.  Many people are afraid to cook fish, but the reality is, if you start with really fresh fish, you don't need more than some lemon and salt and pepper.  I'll try and add a few more recipes soon.  There are bbq's throughout MKV, as you'll see in another post...mix up a little cocktail and go down to grill some fish and veggies...maybe even picnic on the beach and watch the sunset. :) 
I'd love to say I have tons of advice on all the different activities around Maui, but honestly my laziness factor kicks in the second I walk off that plane and we mostly just enjoy eating, drinking and swimming.  As our girls get older, I'm sure we'll get more active and I'll have more advice. 
Biking down Haleakala at sunrise and zip lining are on my list.  Also a snorkel cruise to Molokini is supposed to be amazing! (They sell cheaper tickets for these at Costco) Once the girls are a little older we're planning on the drive to Hana.   I hope to one day detail for my guests the best stops and hikes along the road.  So, if you go and have some tips, please send them to me! There are apps you can download to that are supposed to be really helpful with things to do and places to stop.  I've heard "Maui Revealed" is really good, but I haven't used it myself.
I should also mention that we're creatures of habit...we tend to frequent the same restaurants every time we visit...so, just because a restaurant is not on my list, doesn't mean it's not good...we just haven't gotten there yet. :)  Again, if you have an amazing meal somewhere, please share!
I hope this helps a little and if you have any specific questions, don't hesitate. 
ALOHA!

Shearton

The Shearton at sunset is a tradition for my family- we go at least once every trip.  At sundown they have a little show and a warrior climbs out to black rock while lighting all the tiki torches and then dives into the ocean.  The mai tais there are deadly (ask for and old school one) and the bar is situated up a bit, so you have a beautiful view of the ocean and sunset. 

Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Kaanapali Beach Hotel is one of the oldest hotels on Kaanapali Beach.  It's between the Shearton and the Whaler on the south side of black rock (from MKV).  You can either walk there following the "Beach Walk" or take the free trolley to Whalers Village, walk out to the beach and head north.  I love this hotel for it's very "Old Hawaii" feel...the grassy expanse has a huge checkers board where the pieces are painted coconuts and the pool is shaped like a whale.  There is a tiki stand with various fried foods.  My personal opinion is that the food is crap.  The chicken wings are okay, if you must eat.  Or just go for a burger.  Warning, there is NOTHING healthy here.  But the cocktails are cheap and the show is free.  Every single night they have a hula show...from 6-9pm with music and you can get up and dance if you want.  The singers are Hawaiin and it's a laid back show.  If you have little ones they will love it.  The show used to be like a Don Ho show, but the husband and wife duo packed up and moved further south to the Cook Islands.  The show is still good though, sometimes they have the local children perform.  It's definitely worth a stop by and if your kids are anything like mine they will BEG and PLEAD for a hula show every day...and this is a great free option. :)

http://www.kbhmaui.com/cms/View.aspx/Show/Home

Castaways Restaurant at MKV!

MKV is lucky enough to have it's very own restaurant!  Yay!  The food here is good and one of the most resonable around for ocean front dining.  I personally LOVE the low-key, old Hawaii feel of this place.  The tables are the closest to the water that I think you'll find in all of Maui.  (No one is allowed to build new this close to the water due to new city codes).  SO, enjoy it!!  There is rarely a wait.  Also, while you're lying by the pool, you can walk over to the window and grab a drink.  So convenient!  They also have a happy hour and we usually sit out to play some shuffle board and watch the sun set.    Since  I do not rent my condo through the rental program, you won't be able to put your meals on your room.  Sorry.  This place is a gem though and has one of the most extensive wine lists on Maui. 

http://castawaycafe.com/

Hula Grill

Hula Grill is another of the T's Restaurant chain.  It is also one of my favorites.  Situated in Whalers Village right across from Lelani's and with an ocean view it also offers a casual Barefoot Bar  with drinks and food and another area for finer dining.  They have live music every day/night...call for times.  My biggest tip for this place is the crab wontons!  They are to die for.  And (only here) they serve them with both a sweet thai chili sauce and a mustard sauce.  (You may have to ask your server to bring them to you).  The combination with the crab wonton is amazing and spicy- fair warning.  My other favorite dish here is the  "Firecracker"fish preparation.  It is also spicy, but it will not diappoint.  I order it every time and never get tired of it. :)   The view is great...if you're there for Whale season you may see a humpback jumping out towards Lanai!  Gorgeous.  This is what you think of you when you think of Hawaii...a little guitar and ukulele, they have a hula dancer some nights, and cocktails with more calories than alcohol.  :) Aloha! 

Kimo's in Lahaina

Kimo's is another T's Restaurant (Lelani's, Hula Grill, Dukes).  It's in Lahaina and the deck over the water is amazing!  The food is great.  My tip is go for happy hour or lunch and sit on the deck (the bar area).  While dinner here is great, you usually get seated upstairs and you won't have a view. ;(

http://www.kimosmaui.com/menus/dining-room

Reservation for Dinner Recommended

Beach at MKV....

The Fish Market

We like to bbq fish a lot when we're in Hawaii.  This little market is a little pricey, but they catch all the fish themselves or buy it from friends.  Basically, it came out the ocean and went straight to the shop.

 They also have an area where you can order food to eat there or to go...

To get there, go north on the main highway...left at the first light, you'll see Times Market on your right...keep going and it's in a little strip center on your right. 


They have some marinades you can buy and I always get the miso/ginger one.  I add a little soy to it, and if you like spicy, some wasabi.

Baby Beach

If you have really little kids this beach is for you.  It's beautiful...the coral is amazing and best of all there is a reef wall blocking it, so there's barely even a ripple up the beach.  My not yet 2 year old loved it because she could wade right into the water.  And my four year old could snorkel around with a floaty and see the coral without worrying.  Pack a cooler with some cold drinks (it gets really hot and because it's near Lahaina, there is very little wind), maybe lunch and don't forget the sunscreen.   Oh and it's shallow (waist high) all the way out to the reef, so you can walk out (pulling the kids on the boogie board) around the coral...and the water is warmer because it's so shallow.  The sand isn't super clean (because there isn't an active tide), but it's one of my most favorite places.  I would rather my kids be in the natural salt water that the chloriney pool any day.  Don't forget to bring some sand toys and make an afternoon of it.  PS- a cold beer tastes especially good here becuase it gets HOT (warning). And don't forget water or juice for the littles. :)

TO GET HERE:  Bear with me on my informal directions...next time I'm there I'll write down the actual street names.  But being in Hawaii is all about the adventure, no?  Okay, from MKV head south on the main highway, towards Lahaina.  On your right you'll see a lower road that runs right along the water (Front Street)...take that....and slow down. :)  As you come up a small hill you'll see a church on the right with a HUGE light up sign that says "Jesus Coming Soon"...right after that is Mala Wharf (another good snorkel spot)....go right on one of the next 2 streets that go out to the water.  One is a residential area, but if you look closely, you'll see a paved path that says "Beach Access"...the next street is my favorite, a little more remote and not paved.  The streets lead to the same beach, just different parts of it...you'll see what I'm talking about with a little exploring.  Warning, there may be some local hippies, drinking, smoking Maui Wowie and playing their yukulele's.  But the coral on this side is gorgeous. 

PLEASE PACK UP ALL YOUR TRASH AND BRING IT OUT WITH YOU

Enjoy...ahhh...I wish I was there right now with a cold beer and some poke.

The Hyatt Regency Resort

The Hyatt is the hotel furthest to the South along the "Beach Walk".  The beach walk literally dead ends after the Hyatt.  I am not much of a fan of the big hotel chains...but this one is worth visiting for a couple reasons.  First, when you find yourself up at 4 am because you and/or your children are still on your old time...go ahead and grab a cup of coffee and the stroller (if you need it) and get walking.  The air is heavy and balmy in the morning because the trade winds die down once the sun sets.  The walk is beautiful along the water and you will be surprised by how many other people are out doing the same thing. :)  If you have little kids they will love the warm water penguins, the coy fish and all the parrots. 

From the Beach Walk, once you pass the pool, there is a little casual restaurant called Umalu.  Head up toward the lobby, climbing the stairs and you'll see the penguins....wander over to their coffee bar and you'll see the coy and further into the lobby are the birds. 


NOW, pay attention.  THIS IS MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT (well, one of them)!  Up at the top of the stairs you'll see the newest restaurant.  JAPENGO.  If you like Japanese fushion...this place will wow you.  Not only is the view amazing...every single dish I've ever tried here was amazing.  Side note:  if you have toddlers, leave them with a sitter.  I brought my girls here and nearly had several heart attacks when they got down and ran around, as the restaurant sits on a cliff above the pool and falling over the edge (there are no gaurds or fences- it would ruin the view) would cause serious injury or death.  Also, in the entrance/bar area they have live music (not sure if its every night- call).  There is also a separate sushi room if you want strictly sushi.  I know I say a lot of my restaurants are my favorite, but based strictly on food, this is it.  The others are a combination of food/vibe/view...this place rules them all.  There is another place that I love strictly for the food and that's because there is no view...Star Noodle.  I'll do another blog on that place.  Here are some pics:

Here's the Link:

http://maui.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-maui/entertainment/dining_detail.jsp?itemDesc=fboutlet&itemId=1003060

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Snorkeling Black Rock

Black Rock is excellent snorkeling and walking distance from the condo. If you follow the "beach walk" signs south you'll come right to it. Once you get to the bridge by the Shearaton, go ahead and keep going, cutting through the Shearaton property (there will still be Beach Walk signs). And head straight out to the beach. The best snorkeling time is early in the morning and on a morning with little or no wind.

SECRET TIP:  grab a bag of frozen peas at the market and bring out with you.  Throw a handful out and you will have swarms of fish surrounding you....it can get a little scary... :)

If you're there early in the morning...you will almost definitely see some turtles.  If you bring a boogie board or floatie you can take breaks...swimming out and around the black tip will thin out the other snorkelers and that's where I've seen the turtles....just be careful of the surf...don't let yourself get pushed ino the rocks. ouch.  If you want, you can also climb up the rocks and jump off...you'll see others doing it...again, just be careful, the reef is sharp! :)