by Eric for kristraveler.com

Kaanapali beach is always our home when we visit Maui - it is on one of the nicest beaches on Maui and some of the best snorkeling and diving on the island is right at the doorstep of the hotels.

Some of the properties have a free shuttle which has 3 stops in the historic whaling town of Lahaina, one of our favorite getaways. It’s a really fun place to stroll and go shopping, lots of art galleries, great restaurants etc.

One of our favorite, must-go restaurants on Maui is just outside Lahaina. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall called Mala Ocean Tavern, in a converted home, right on the ocean. Try to get one of the tables outside – there are only about 10 of them but the food is spectacular and the view is amazing, with the ocean literally lapping at your feet.

View to Kaanapali from Mala Ocean Tavern - Source: Tripadvisor

It’s a wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or sunset dinner – if you can get in. And don’t tell anybody else ’cause that’s our secret spot on Maui! They use all local vegetables and coffee that grows just up the hill.

Besides Mala Ocean Tavern, Lahaina has many other great dining options – I recently wrote a post with recommendations of few other restaurants you might want to check out: Eat, See & Do in Maui, Hawaii

Wailea is a nice resort but a bit too groomed and new for my taste – it lacks some character and patina. After all, if you’ve seen one Chanel or Ferragamo store you’ve seen them all. And the beach gets very windy there in the afternoon – at noon, every day, like clockwork.

There are lots of things to do on Maui:

- You’ll want to rent a car one day and take the road up to the summit of Haleakala Crater, elevation 10,023 ft…! The real diehards go up for the sunrise, but it takes about an hour and a half to get there, so you have to leave in the middle of the night!  Whenever you go, take a warm jacket, because it actually freezes in the winter and has been known to snow there.

- On the way up (or back down) you can stop at Maui’s only winery: Tedeschi Vineyards. You’ll see beautiful views down the rolling hills and slopes of Haleakala as you taste a variety of mostly white wines. It’s very pastoral and scenic.

- Further downhill there’s the also the small historic cowboy town of Makawao, You’ll also find some great art galleries with suprisingly high quality artwork by local artists, along with arts and crafts stores and a true cowboy store.

- Near Makawao, but in its own spot on a lone road you’ll find Hali’imaile General Store, Chef Bev Gannon’s flagship restaurant and one of the best anywhere. The tough decision there is who will be the designated driver, as they have a great bar, incredible fresh fish entrees and you have to eat thei signature upside-down pineapple cake dessert.

- Further down the hill as you near the ocean you’ll find the (also historic!) little sugar plantation town of Paia, which you’d never know but it sits right along the ocean. It also has some great eateries and art galleries, surf shops, clothing stores. Our favorite place to eat there is Flatbread Company, a kiawe-wood-fired brick oven place with great beer to boot.

- If you like to golf, Kapalua Resort, just North of Kaanapali, is home to some of the finest golf courses on Maui. They also have some great diving spots

————————————-

About the Author:

Eric is an architect, born and raised in Brazil but lives in Hawaii. Avid traveler and former hotel executive – so very picky about his accommodations.

Favorite thing to do on a trip: photograph the experience so he can share it with others who may not be able to get there.

A Guide to: Maui, Hawaii is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. A Guide to: Maui, Hawaii
2. Eat, See & Do: Favorites in Maui, Hawaii

————-

Eat, See & Do: Favorites in Maui, Hawaii

By Eric for kristraveler.com

EAT

· Favorite little restaurant (by far):

Mala  Ocean Tavern (137 Front Street, Lahaina  (808) 667-9394)

It’s a little hole-in-the-wall literally on the water.  Best breakfast and sunset dinner you can have on Maui.  Owner uses all local, organic

ingredients with which to make magic. There are only about 6 or 7 tables outside on the waterfront, so call ahead and reserve a spot.

· Other cool places:

Lahaina Grill (127 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, (808) 667-5117)

On Lahainaluna Road, just 20 yds from Front Street.  For years acclaimed as best restaurant on Maui – fun, busy though a bit pricey.

Gerard’s (174 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, (808) 661-8939)

Also on Lahainaluna Road – quiet, most romantic spot in an old mansion.  Exquisite French cuisine.  Dinner only – very quiet, romantic.

Mai Tai Lounge – on the water on Front Street

Longhi’s – an old classic Lahaina place. Great steaks, great wine bar.

· Favorite Friday/ Saturday dinner place:

Hali’imaile General Store (900 Haliimaile Roadm, Makawao, (808) 572-2666) – Incredible food, fun atmosphere, on the way to upcountry Maui

SEE, SHOP & DO

· Favorite places to stroll:

Front Street, Lahaina

· Favorite place to stroll along the beach:

Kaanapali Beach – Lots of little shops at Whaler’s Village, cool restaurants along the beach path

· Favorite places to explore:

Pa’ia  Town – On North Shore of Maui. Pa’ia is an old plantation town-turned-hippie-surfer-artist town. Lots of art galleries, funky places to visit and to eat. My Favorite in Paia is Flatbread Company (89 Hana Highway, Paia, HI 96779, (808) 579-8989)

Makawao Town  (just upcountry from Pa’ia) – Old Cowboy town – only 2 – 3 blocks long. Lots of little art galleries, boutiques; cool weather & fresh air. Very close to Haliimaile General Store

Big Beach – if you have time, this is on Maui’s South / Southwest shore.  Incredible beach – and like the name says, it’s big – and feels like old Hawaii.

Kapalua Resort Golf Course – on the North Shore of Maui, world-class course where Mercedes Open is held every year

· Must do:

Drive up to top of Haleakala Crater: Ideally, leave at 4:00 am to arrive in time for sunrise from the top. Top elevation: 10,023 ft.  So take warm clothes. For the most adventurous, you can try a bike ride down Haleakala – a 30-mile, all-downhill bike ride – wheeeee! Requires an early start; locals get upset because bikes block traffic – so you may or may not like that part.

Whale Watching: We like the tour that goes on the large (25-person) Zodiac – we’ve gone on Ultimate Whale Watch. Very cool – zodiac boat makes it possible  to get “up close and personal” with whales. The whales approach you (boats are restricted from approaching the whales, but if they drift toward you it’s ok)

————————————-

About the Author:

Eric is an architect, born and raised in Brazil but lives in Hawaii. Avid traveler and former hotel executive – so very picky about his accommodations.

Favorite thing to do on a trip: photograph the experience so he can share it with others who may not be able to get there.

Eat, See & Do: Favorites in Maui, Hawaii is a post from: www.kristraveler.com

Related posts:

1. A Guide to: Maui, Hawaii
2. Eat, See & Do: Favorites in Maui, Hawaii