Recommendations and Favorites

Home - Aloha Condo - Condo Extras - About Maui - Rates & Availability - Directions - Links - Our Favorites - Aerial Photos

Aloha! Welcome to the land of rainbows. Maui will entertain you and soothe your spirit. Here are our Maui favorites, trust us on these, we've been running around and living on the island for some time:

Suggestions - where to shop and where to eat. Any place in bold we like better than others, but we recommend them all. Those in red are all time favorites. The underline signifies a link to another website.

Groceries/Meats/Beer/Booze

Starr Market - just out the back corner gate of KGE (need your key)
Foodland -South on Kihei Road to Town Center Plaza (1 mile)
Safeway - Piilani Village Shopping Center
Home Made Bakery - Just out the side corner gate to Azeka I; good rolls, bread. Serves breakfast and lunch.
Long’s Drugstore - just across Kihei Road in Long’s Plaza. Best place for Island coffee and food stuffs. Little bit of everything here.
WalMart - Dairy Road, Kahului
COSCO - Membership required - Dairy Road just as you turn to go to airport.

Vegetables/Fruits

Farmer’s Market – Every weekday, but Wednesday, 1 – 4 p.m. North end of Kihei Road, across from the Canoe Club.
Farmer’s Market – Long’s Drugstore every Saturday 8 -12 noon.
Maui Swap Meet – Every Saturday. 7 a.m. – Noon, Kahului, You can find just about everything here and at very good prices. There is even a reliable Hawaiian Bracelet Booth.Continue on Puunene Road, cross Dairy Road; turn left on Wekea (Christ the King Church), turn right at first road and then right on Kamehmeha. There is parking here or you can turn right on Puunene and then right into the Swap Meet parking area.

Clothing/Misc.

Shops of Wailea - many specially shops and boutiques
Macys in Kaahumanu Mall, Kahului. - Continue on Puunene Road to Kaahumanu Road, turn left, about three block to mall..
Maui Swap Meet - (directions in red above)
Long’ Plaza - right beside Azeka II. Long’s Drug has everything.
Maui Market Place - 2 locations, Across from Kukui Mall, and across from the whale in Kalama Park. Kiosk type of markets.
Piilani Village - off the highway. Hilo Hattie’s is here
Ross, Dress for Less - Kahului. Puunene Road to Kamehmeha (Pizza Hut on right corner), turn right, 2 block on right. Maui’s TJ Max!

Golf Courses

High season rates, 2002, more courses up north, see phone book.
Elleaire—Lapoa and Piilani Hwy, 874-0777
Blue Course—Wailea; 875-5155
Gold or Emerald—Wailea; 875-5111
North or South—Makena; 879-3344
The Dunes at Maui Lani—Kahului, 873-0422
Sandalwood—Hwy 30, 2542-4653. Course is not in good shape, but some great holes and views!
Waiehu—Waiehu, 244-5934
Pukalani Country Club—Pukalani, 572-1314

Restaurants

Affordable— Under $15.00 South Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena)
(Phone numbers provided if reservations are advised)

Alexander’s – South on Kihei Road—across from whale in Kalama Park. L D
Stella Blues – Azeka II. B L D
Vietnamese Cuisine – 875-2088 – Azeka I - L D (carryout available)
Peggy Sue’s – Azeka II – L D
Kihei Café – South on Kihei Road – B L D
Da Kitchen – Rainbow Mall, south side. Chinese under $10. B L D
De La Italiano – 879-0133 – Town Center on Kihei Road L D
Pita Paradise – across side street from Foodland L D
Cheeseburger in Wailea– Shops of Wailea L D
Surfing Bagels – Dolphin Plaza, S Kihei Road L D

Other affordable places on Maui:

Koho Bar and Grill – Kaahumanu Shopping Center, Kahului L D
The Ale House – Kamehameha Blvd, Kahului L D
Dragon Dragon – Kahului. Enter Maui Mall from Kamehameha—is on the Hana Hwy side of the Mall, Chinese L D
A Saigon -43-9560 – 1792 Main Street, Wailuku – go to Wailuku on Hwy 30, turn right on Market Street, at second light, turn left; 1 block, turn right and go to end of road. Look for café to your right—it is worth the hunt. L D
Sammy Sato’s – 1750 Will Pa Loop, Wailuku. Puunene Road to end, left on Kaahumano, right on Kahului Beach Road, left on Lower Main, right on Mill Street, right at Mill Yard, left on Willi Pa Loop; first building right. Great banana pancakes and Japanese noodle dishes. B L Well worth the hunt.
COSCO – lunch under $5.
Jack’s – Alamaha Street, Kahului Very local, but good B, L
Café O’le – Makawao, beside Sherrie Reeve’s Studio. L only
Café de Sol - Makawao, beside the glass blowing studio B L
Polli’s - Makawao – top of Baldwin Avenue – Mexican L D
While in Makawao, stop at the Komodo Bakery on Baldwin Avenue—great cream puffs if you are there in the a.m.

Higher - $15 and up, South Maui. Lunch is less

Maalaea Grill – 243-2206 Maalaea Harbor, beautiful view LD
The Blue Marlin – Maalaea Harbor, lower level of shops
Buzz’s Wharf – Maalaea Harbor
Five Palms – 879-2607 So Kihei Rd just before Wailea – great lunch on the beach. Sunset special 5:30 – 6 pm
Outback Steak House – Piilani Village shopping Center. L D
Mulligan’s – Wailea Blue Course – just passed Kea Lani Hotel, turn left. Sunday, Irish music. Great sunsets. B L D
Seawatch - 875-9983 Wailea Gold Course, great view B L D
Hula Moons – 879-1922 Marriot Outrigger Resort, Wailea. Good menu, buffet Wednesday & Friday B L D

Other Locations

Brigit and Bernard’s Garden Café – 879-6000 335 Hoohana German Cuisine—turn off Dairy Rd on Hukiliki, then left on Hoohana. L D
Makawao Steak House – 572-8711– Baldwin Avenue, Makawoa L D
Haaliimalle General Store – 572-2666 Haaliimalle Rd. left off Rt 37 (upcountry road) L D

Even Higher but OH, so good!

Tommy Bahamas – 875-9983 Wailea Shopping Center L D
Ruth Chris Steak House– 874-8880 Wailea Shopping Center L D
Sarrento’s – 875-7555 South Kihei Road, just before Wailea. You are also paying for unbeatable sunset views L D
The Waterfront – 244-9028 Maalaea Harbor, turn left. L D
Mama’s Fish House – 579-8488 Hana Hyway beyond Paia L D Go for lunch or early dinner for best of everything. Mama's Fish House is actually a converted beach house in a coconut grove on a secluded white sand beach. Inside, hinged windows open to let in the tradewinds and Polynesian artifacts and original oil paintings decorate tropical hardwood walls. The rooms are filled with spectacular flower arrangements and tapa print cloths cover the tables. Outdoor dining is equally exciting, and everyone enjoys watching the windsurfers performing offshore.

Things to see and do, FREE

Relax on the lanai with a good book (my favorite) or take that book and a cool drink to the pool. Enjoy a refreshing swim or a soak in the hot tub.

BEACHES:

Beaches, don’t forget boogie boards, chairs and cooler.

Right across the street is a great walking beach. Many people swim here, but beware of coral. Perfect place to view sunsets. Many people use a conch shell to "blow down" the sun as it hits the horizon.

Oneloa (Big) Beach

Also referred to as Makena Beach, this is one of the true gems of the Maui coastline. One of the single largest white sand beaches, "Big Beach" looks like it is taken straight out of a tourist publication. The water is an unparalleled crystal blue, the shore bottom is pure sand, and the shorebreak often attracts bodyboarders. Surrounded by undeveloped land, Oneloa has a pristine look that you won’t find at any of the other major beaches. The only drawbacks here are the possibility of cloud-cover coming off of Haleakala and a lack of facilities. There are port-a-potties, however, and everything else is not truly necessary to enjoy this incredibly beautiful spot, also two paved parking areas. Can be a dangerous beach with big shore break and no life guard.
For the truly adventurous, try a visit to "Little Beach" just on the other side of the cliff on the right. Little beach is just north of Big Beach. It is a nude beach—you must walk up and over!.

Kamaole I, II, and II are south on Kihei Rd—all within walking distance, but better to drive with the beach chairs etc. Kam III has great tide pools on north end. Every block or so heading south you will find a beach entrance with parking—all are public. There are no private beaches in Hawaii.

SNORKELING:

From any beach with a reef—try these:

Keawa Kapu and Makapu are beautiful and always interesting beaches.
ULUA Beach – Wailea, first beach access after the right turn into Wailea Alanui Drive.
Ahihi Bay - continue south beyond Big Beach; road narrows and get rough, but keep going until you almost run into the water, but the road goes around this little bay—Ahihi. On the right there is a wall separating a house from the bay. There is a concrete slab in the water to help enter the water.
Mile marker 14 on the way to Lahina. This beach has great shallow waters.

Great WALK:

Begin at Ulu Beach or at the Renaissance Hotel. Follow paved walkway passed all the hotels to the end—1.5 miles. Coffee kiosk along the way or walk up to the Fairmont Kea Lani for great muffins and coffee. Take time to walk through the Grand Wailea Hotel and grounds. There is a good breakfast bar here as well—south on the lobby level. Don’t miss a visit to the chapel. Lunch time—try the Four Seasons or the Maui Onion back at the Renaissance.

Drive to HANA:

Pack a lunch to eat at the black sand beach in the Waianapanapa State Park. Make sure to stop in the Hasagawa General Store in Hana. Continue on through Hana to the Haleakala State Park (Seven Pools). Hike up through the bamboo forest; swim in the Seven Pools. Never swim or hike if park is closed. Rain up high can cause flash floods. Continue drive around the mountain—hard day, but worth it. If you find yourself on the backside of the mountain after dark—stop and look at the stars—unbelievable! Save a little time, take Hanson Road t Puunene across to Hana Hwy. When returning, turn left at Kula Glen, continue down until road ends, turn left; continue to Hanson Road, turn left again. The drive around the back of Haleakula is often closed! Ask the rangers!

HALEAKALA CRATER:

Drive up Haleakala to see the crater. Haleakala Hwy is the fastest ascending road in the world. Take warm clothing, it is cold up there! See silverswords in bloom—only on the crater’s edge. There are day hikes into the crater. Drive up in the dark and see the sun rise out of the ocean—it is a spectacular sight. Allow 2 hours to reach the top.

TEDECHSI WINERY:

Take the Haleakala Hwy to the split above Pukalani—turn right onto the Kula Hwy, Rt 37. Look for church spire and go up one road to see the holy Ghost Church—it is worth the side trip/ Turn right out of church parking lot and you will return to Hwy 37 at Rice Park, turn left. Continue to the only winery on Maui—you may see panioles (cowboys) as you will be traveling on the Ulapulakula Ranch. The winery has beautiful camphor trees, so stop to taste the wine and see the trees. On the return trip remember the Kula Glen shortcut. You can also use this in reverse on the way up and you will save some time.

LAVA FLOWS OF 1795 —drive south on Kihei Road as far as the road goes. Great place to see the stars!

WEST MAUIS DRIVE

Go north on Kihei Road to end, turn left around Sugar Beach. At first intersection, turn right on to Honoapilani Hwy (Rt 30) to Wailuku. Turn right on Main Street, left on Market which eventfully becomes the Kahekili Hwy (Rt 330). Stay on this to Kapalua. Time about 2.5 hours, very pretty. There is a neat gift shop on the drive—yellow house more than halfway to Kapalua. While in Kapalua visit the home of the Mercedes Golf Tournament, Plantation Golf Cub. You can eat here if you wish. After returning to the Hwy, take the first road to the right. This takes you passed the Ritz Carleton and then left on the shore road. Follow this through Napili, Kahana, and back to the Hwy. The Gazebo Restaurant in Napili is a great place for lunch if you do this drive in the morning. It is on the right shortly after leaving Kapalua—sign is with others in a small strip mall. The Gazebo is down right on the water. Take time to visit Kaanapali on this trip—lots of good beach eateries here. Last stop will be Lahaina. (See below)

LAHAINA DRIVE

(if you do not opt for the West Maui Drive)See the banyan tree, harbor and art galleries. Art show under the banyan on weekends. Good eateries on Front Street. The largest Buddha outside of China is at a church in Lahaina. Stay on Front Street (going north)—the Buddha is on a side street just before the large drainage waterway. If you cross this you have gone too far. If you are coming from Kaanapali, turn on Front Street at the Canoes Restaurant; turn right at first road after the bridge.

IAO VALLEY DRIVE

Hwy 30 to Wailuku, turn left at Main (HWY 320) and drive to the end. Great trail in the park. Even if you are not a walker, walk up to the bridge and get a view of the Iao Needle. Heritage Park is on your right on your way out of the valley.

More things to do, but they cost money

The ‘Ulalena: an amazing theatrical “Story of Hawaii—Journey for all Ages”—878 Front Street, Lahaina,
Tues – Sat; call for tickets 877-688-4800.
A Must: Warren & Annabelles - Hilarious and entertaining Magic Show - 900 Front Street Lahina -
(808)667-MAGIC(6244) and see warrenandannabelles.com - Reservations a must
Alii Kula Lavandarfarm - (808) 878-3004 and see aliikulalavendar.com
Favorite Gallery: Sherri Reeve Gallery and Gifts - 3669 Baldwin Avenue - Makawai - (808) 747-3363 or shreeve@hawaiiante1.net
Blue Water Rafting, Snorkeling Trip, 879-7238, Kihei Boat Ramp. If you are going to pay to snorkel, this is the one!

Blue Water Rafting Tours

Kayak Tours—anther good way to snorkel, swim with turtles, see whales or dolphins, depending on the season. Kilii’s Kayak Tours, 874-7852.
Scuba—Maui Dive Shop, 879-0843, one block south on Kihei Road.
Whale Watching Cruise—if you are here during whale time, Dec – April, this should be a “must do.” Ocean Activities Center, 879-4485 for the Kaka Kai or the Wailea Kai or Pacific Whale Foundation, 879-8811.
Maui Tropical Plantation - on the Honoapiilani Hwy (30). Learn about what is grown on Maui and taste, too. Admission the ground is free. There is a charge for “train” ride through the plantation.
Bike tours down Mt. Haleakala—do this early in your visit while still on mainland time. Some are escorted, some take you up and drop you. Check the tourist guides (free) in every shop. Haleakala Bike Co – 575-9575 – in Haiku takes you to the top to view the crater and then drops you at the park entrance—an unescorted tour. You can set your own time to go and your own pace coming down. Our kids have used this one several times, but always in a big group. We recommend an escorted tour if this is your first time/or there are just two of you.

Visit the Maui Ocean Center—Honoapiilani Hwy, #30, Maalaea. Good for kids and adults alike. The Blue Marlin on the lower level of the shops is a good place for a drink, pupus or lunch.
Movies at Kukui Mall – 874-9402 – south on S Kihei Road, first run movies, clean house.
Maui Art and Cultural Center – Kahului - live entertainment, art movies and art exhibits. Call box office – 242-7469 for information and tickets. A local restaurant serves food at the center before a performance and there is entertainment—a nice taste of Maui.
Iao Theater in old Wailuku Town. Very good amateur theater on weekends only. Box office – 244-8680.

MOTORCYCLE RENTAL:

Churches

Saint Theresa (Catholic) just across Lipoa Road. Mass schedule – 808.879-2649.
Keawala’i Congregational Church (Protestant) in Makena. Go south on Kihei Road, curve left, up the hill and right on Wailea Alanui. Continue south until you get a glimpse of the Maui Prince Hotel. Sign on the left says “Makena Landing;” turn right. At waters edge, turn left to church. Keawala’I was founded in 1832, holds 200 people, but there is outside seating for everyone. Two services 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. Go early to the second service and enjoy the choir practice between services. The service is in Hawaiian and English. Regardless of your religious choice, Keawala’i is a great experience.

Aloha and Enjoy!!

E-mail Us or call Jenni @ 800.679.6337

Home - Aloha Condo - Condo Extras - About Maui - Rates & Availability - Directions - Links - Our Favorites