LET'S TALK TRAVEL: Visiting the Beautiful Island of Maui

I am no stranger to travel. As I write this article, I have just returned from my 13th cruise to Alaska (another travel blog coming up soon). However, I have found myself with an inbox full of queries from friends who are traveling to Maui this summer and upcoming winter. I’ll be there at the beginning of 2019, myself!

I am an off-the-beaten-path kinda girl!! I ADORE the hidden gems and jewels! I do LOTS of detective work to find the tiniest of gems....then, I do a lot of footwork grilling the locals.

So, I compiled my list of places to go and things to do/see...many fabulous and little-known nitches to grab food and drink while you are on the island. The list of restaurants that I’ve recommended were all over the board in pricing. I have added a few things to do and see while you are there....including my favorite luau and a theater show that you really shouldn’t miss. I've tried to include links to all of the restaurants and places to go . Just click on their names and it should automatically take you to a new window for the webpage.


First things first:  always download the yelp! app before traveling, if you don't already have it.  

Here we go...divided by sections of Maui:



• West Maui - Ka'anapali, Kapalua, Lahaina, Napili



Places to eat in West Maui:


Sea House - Napili

If you go to Sea House, make sure someone tries the Haleakala or the Crater Pancakes. Or share one!!
I make the Craters (also known as "Dutch Babies") at home as a fun snack/dessert. 

We have yet to find an item on the menu for breakfast/lunch/dinner that we did not enjoy.

They have wonderfully friendly service with an old coffee house feel. You cannot beat the views. We share many meals here during our stays.

Have a drink from the bar here. Whether it's an adult coffee, a mixed drink, or something Hawaiian...they do it up right!

Sensei Sushi - Kapalua

Great LITTLE sushi place near the golf course. I would HIGHLY recommend reservations, no matter how large the party. It would be quite difficult to fit larger groups here, but with some advanced planning, not impossible. I would not recommend this restaurant for families with small children, unless they are used to small areas and enjoy Japanese food. Ask for the Chef's Special of the Day!

Star Noodle - Lahaina

Another place that I have yet to visit, but comes highly recommended from the locals in West Maui. I understand it's a little hole-in-the-wall, but has fantastic noodle dishes.



Sweet Aloha Baking Company - Ka'anapali

Known for the cinnamon rolls, this tiny little gem started out as a traveling pop-up shop. It now boasts it's own address and has SO many sweet goodies to tempt you! If a warm, gooey cinnamon roll doesn't entice you, I know one of the other sweets in the case will!!

Maui Prime Foods - Lahaina

If you are staying somewhere that has a kitchen...or, just planning for a fabulous picnic on the island, be sure to hit this place. They have a large selection of meats, seafood, cheeses, and other culinary delights. Everything is incredibly fresh and top quality. We load up here after we unload our Costco haul. There's always some gourmet cheese and fantastic cuts of meat and fish that we buy. They even have some delicious prosciutto!

Things to do in West Maui:


***Snorkeling: ALWAYS wear water shoes in the Ka'anapali area!!!***

Coral reefs and beds come in very close to shore. We have had a first-day experience to urgent care with two adults in our party. Neither had water shoes on, One had the bottom of their foot gashed wide open on sharp coral...the other stepped on a spiny needle sea urchin. Both required medical assistance and were unable to go back out in to the sea for the remainder of our 10-day trip. (FYI: should you step on sea urchin, its a constant soak of Epsom salts and hydrogen peroxide to disintegrate the hard, calcium needles that they leave behind in your skin. Not fun at all, as they are also an irritant.)


We always hit the Drums of the Pacific luau at the Hyatt Maui. All you can eat/drink. Good food. Beautiful male and female dancers. Be sure to have a few adult cocktails before hoping up on stage to practice the local hula!

If you stay at the Honua Kai, or anywhere on the west side of Maui, stay on the 4th story or higher, if possible. Whale watching abounds  in the winter months, if your room faces the ocean. You can see them with them naked eye. Binoculars make it even more spectacular! 

• North Maui - Kahului, Paia, Wailuku

Places to eat in North Maui:



Mama's Fish House - Paia 

Mama's is a Hawaiian LEGEND. No joke: EVERYTHING on the menu is beyond superb...both food and drink. It is NOT an inexpensive place to eat and you WILL need reservations, several days ahead (unless you get lucky with a cancelation). We've accommodated our party of 10 quite easily at the restaurant, with a stunning view. PLAN HEAD. I would recommend the Opakaka. If nothing else, share it. It is out of this world. All of the food is plated and presented beautifully, with so many colors. Not only is it pleasing to the palate, but it is a feast for the eyes.

There is a lovely little beach area out front where you can take some fantastic pictures of your group. Almost any passerby is kind enough to photograph you, if you ask. Just make sure that you do photos before dusk.

Sit at the bar before your meal, order a few drinks and let the little hula girl on the lamp give you a dance.  ;)

Things to do in North Maui:

If you are flying in to Kapalua and will be staying in a home/condo/apartment with a kitchen, be sure to stop by Costco on your way to your destination. We usually have to drive all of our group to Ka'anapali and drop everyone off, in order to have enough room in the vehicle(s) for a Costco run. It will save you a TON of money if you shop in bulk there, instead of getting the bulk items in local grocery stores. Besides, you can always grab a hot dog while you are there...

Stroll around Paia. Quaint little town. Owen Wilson lives there. We've even bumped in to him in Maui. Paia is at the base of the drive to Hana. You can even grab a picnic lunch, pre-made, in Paia. There are fantastic little boutiques to shop at in Paia. I've found some great pieces for myself, gifts for others, and a few stores have some "touristy" things for purchase, also. Many stores have handmade local jewelry.


If you are SUPER adventurous, and VERY careful....the off-road trip around the northern tip of Maui (past Kapalua) offers BREATHTAKING views. Be prepared: it is almost all one-lane, dirt road. LOTS of switchbacks and blind corners. WELL worth it. Be sure you have a full tank!! Take cash. It is quite a trek. There is a TINY little village where a woman sells THE BEST banana bread at the side of the road. BUY SOME. The road is so narrow that you don't even need to get out of the car to buy her bread. Take LOTS of pictures. Panoramic ones are the best. 
***THIS DRIVE VOIDS ANY CAR RENTAL AGREEMENTS AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NON-SEASONED DRIVERS***

• East Maui - Hana


Places to eat/grab some snacks in East Maui:


Hana Farms

Let me tell you a little about the wonderful stand that is Hana Farms, (on your right, on the way to Hana). Be SURE to buy some of their banana chocolate chip bread. Make sure you buy enough!! It's so good, I have it shipped back home regularly. It looks like a little commune. Lots of great goodies and drinks. Friendliest people...

Shaka Pops

Keep an eye out for Shaka Pops stand at the top in Hana. She has the most delicious homemade popsicles! You should see her toting her deliciousness via an adorable bicycle. All flavors are freshly handmade and are amazing. Bring cash!! Check the website for where they might be popping up during your stay. They are also known to be seen at the Maui swap meet!

Troy's Plate Lunch
So, here's the deal about Troy's...

Even though his food is local legend, if you are a tourist, you're only going to find him by accident.  Or, by someone who has happened upon his food by accident and told you about him.  Like ME!

The link I included for Troy's Plate Lunch was one from Yelp!, because Troy is kinda off-the-grid. No social media, except a Facebook page that someone made honoring his food...and the Yelp! page that was started after some lucky soul stumbled upon his food. GO GET HIS FOOD. He makes it fresh, early each and every morning. His stand usually opens around 11;30'ish. It's in a little yellow hut, in a public park, that has no signage until he arrives and sets up shop. Eat ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. it's ALL good and he sells out VERY quickly. Once, it's gone, he closes up shop. 

Troy serves out his food with the biggest aloha smile and genuine compassion and love. You are truly part of Troy's Ohana when you stop by for lunch. He has Hawaiian canned drinks and soda available, also. I would recommend bringing cash. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Things to do in East Maui:

Hana's drive is not nearly as treacherous as I had envisioned. Take the drive. 

Give yourself all day for the trip. You do NOT want to drive it in the dusk/dark.

I did not venture off the road or hike to any pools. I DID pull the car over a few times in the little outlets available along the way, in order to capture some BEAUTIFUL photos. Be quick. The cars don't usually mind if you snap a few pics here and there...it's just not meant to be a photo session.

DO wear tennis shoes/sneakers. It is very wet year round on the drive, and can cause the roads to be slimy and mossy. If you walk around, even for a pic, you can slip and slide...as I did. Leave your cute little sandals and flip-flops behind.

(I learn once...share out my experience with others so they can avoid the pain.)





• Upcountry - Haleakala

Things to do in Upcountry:

I always love driving to Haleakala Crater. Beautiful drive. Please don't miss this opportunity. It's a windy drive, but, not bad...and extraordinarily stunning. They used to have a fantastic lavender farm there with great locally made products and foods...but, I do believe that the owner sold it to the zipline business that was nextdoor to her. So...if you want to zipline in Maui...this is the place to do it! Haleakala also offers a sunrise bike ride down the hill, for those who are early risers.



• South Maui - Kihei, Makena, Wailea


Places to eat in South Maui:


Da Kitchen - Kihei

I have yet to visit this restaurant, but during my last trip, I cannot tell you the amount of locals in West Maui who recommended it. I've looked it up on Yelp! and it has great reviews! If you try it out, please let me know what you think!


Wow Wow Lemonade - Kihei


We have been visiting Wow Wow Lemonade since they were traveling stands on the island of Maui. Over the years, they now have brick-and-mortar stores on a few of the Hawaiian islands. Our cupboards are stocked with the Wow Wow mason jars from our past travels. Delicious place to stop for some of the most amazing and tropical lemonade you will ever taste. They have all sorts of delicious concoctions that are not to be missed when you are looking for a quick, refreshing pit stop on your tour around the island!


Things to do around South Maui:

Unfortunately, the Sugar Cane factory closes some time this year. Visit it, if it’s still open. As mundane as it may be, soak it up. No more sugar production will be happening in Hawaii. So much history...gone. Buy sugar there if it is still open. It's amazing. 


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As you can see, I did not recommend any beaches in particular. As much as I love the beach, I am unable to spend time out in the sun. My strolls along the beach normally happen at dusk/night. I hear Makena Beach is lovely. There are LOTS of beach spots to stop and hang out at along the west side of the island. If you are a beach-going person, do a bit of research or ask some locals for a great spot to hang loose!

Always grab a Hawaiian shaved ice (with condensed milk) or some ice cream. Very few places disappoint with a great shaved ice! There's even some Dole Whip on Front Street in Lahaina, in case you have a craving for that deliciousness.

There are always great places to eat and things to see that the locals love to talk about. Ask them for recommendations. Locals are glad to help!