Maui questions / recommendations needed!

1) DT Fleming is beautiful, but windy
2) Killer Mai Tais at the Aloha Mixed Plate, which is a nice casual place with great happy hour drink specials. We also love Cool Cat Cafe, Mama's Fish House, Kimo's, and the Lahaina Fish Company. We always stop at Costco when we leave the airport to pick up a jug of pot, bagels, and lunchmeat.
3) Snorkeling
4) I wear sundresses most days, but it does get wind in the Kaanapali area.

Are you staying at the Westin Villas in Kaanapali? I like the beach right there. (I was there earlier this month.) The beaches down south (Wailea) are also nice.

I can't think of any restaurant recs right now. But you should be fine in sundresses.

I wouldn't take anyone to Mama's Fish House. Totally overrated.

Also, I hate to say this, but the Revealed food suggestions were bad. They recommended a fair number of chains, and then they're recommend places that even they acknowledge aren't very tasty but still somehow worth going to. My copy was fairly old (5 years), so maybe that's changed.

Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina (on front) has a really good brunch. They were rec'd to us by local friends for happy hour, too, so I'd check that out for mai tais. I'o and Pacific'o are also on front st. are both really good, but I don't know that they'd be kid friendly. They have online menus, though, and outdoor seating, so you can look into it.

Skip Sea House in Napili. I have a cookbook from them that's awesome, but apparently that chef left, and the food now reminds me of a HoJo's.

I'll second the monkeypod rec if you're in the Wailea area.

If you want cheap/easy lunch, maui taco is always reliable.

Definitely stop at Costco on the way to the condo. It will be your best price.

You're missing snorkel/beach time in your activity list

Thanks for everyone's insight! We can't wait to check out your recommendations this week.

Cricket, we're definitely going into the road to Hana with an open mind in case we have to turn around half way there. We plan on taking lots of breaks during the drive and will watch out for morning sickness. Both my boys have been on super long road trips before (8-16hrs) so at least we know they don't mind being in a car for a longer period of time

1) For those who have been there before, what were your favorite beaches? Any beautiful spots that can't be missed?

2) We will have a small kitchen at our Westin Villa, but still would like to eat one or two meals out a day. We will have a two and five year old with us, so we don't have much of an interest in the super expensive restaurants unless they have great happy hour/appetizer specials. Anyone have restaurant recommendations beyond what I read in the Revealed book? Any not to be missed restaurants? Places with killer Mai Tais?

I believe this is near to the Westin Villas, but we really liked our meal at Duke's Beachhouse. Definitely a family place. Also in downtown Lahaina, the Cilantro Grill had terrific Mexican food. For sweets, definitely get some shaved ice from Uulani's as a pp mentioned.

3) We plan on doing the road to Hana, the sunrise at the crater, and a luau. Anything else we should consider? We'll be there eight days.

4) Is it typically too windy on Maui for sundresses? I live in central FL and we live in sundresses most of the year, but I'm thinking the wind may be strong on the island for them?

H and I visited Maui last November and the one day I tried to wear a flowy dress, I ended up changing. We did stay in the Kaanapali area and yes the winds were intense at times.

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Drive to the very south end of the island (past Wailea) to the nature preserve. At the very end you can usually spot the spinner dolphins off in the distance putting on a great show! Also just north of this preserve (you will usually see cars parked on the side of the road) is one of the BEST snorkeling spots. YOu literally have tons of fish as soon as you get in the water and we saw a few of giant turtles swimming here as well! Or if you can take a snorkel tour. We ended up at Molokini (Which was AWESOME) and our boat even took us on the backside to snorkel (the water was toilet bowl blue); and to the southside to see the spinner dolphins!

If you like beer definitely make a stop at the Maui Brewing Company! Some great beers and the restaurant has good food.
I second Surfing Goat Dairy.. that was fun!
We did Road to Hana.... probably wouldnt do it again but once was great. Went up to Red Beach but it was a LONG day, some pretty stops though. Met some not so friendly locals on the way down (threw seeds at our car when passing) (i guess some locals really hate the tourists in this area)
One thing we did that was AWESOME was watching the sunrise at Halalekeala (sp?). Its a drive and you need to leave your condo pretty early (by 5) but it is spectacular.. and FREEZING! Bring the blanket from the condo and any sweatshirt/jacket you may have brought.

We enjoyed Stella Blues in Kihei for food; Also Dinas sandwitch (north kihei) has great sandwiches.

Sundresses will be perfectly good!



Have FUn!!!!