Dining, maui, Travel

What to do in Lahaina

Question: My brother is currently hanging out on Maui for a week vacation.  He’s on his own and I told him I would ask you for any recommendations of your favorite restaurants and activities.  Would you mind sharing any not-to-be-missed places/things for him to do/see in between his moments of relaxing on the beach? He doesn’t have a car. Thanks!

 

Maui’s bus service expanded recently to cover more of the island for $2 per leg

Getting Around

Maui finally offers a reasonable bus service (see schedule). It costs $2 each leg. If he plans a little, he can probably avoid renting a car, which can run up to $100 per day on Maui during peak season.

Sights/Activities

He can ride from Lahaina to Wailuku, where I recommend a walk into Iao Valley State Park. He should bring a hat, a light rain jacket and good walking shoes that can get muddy. If he’s up for a longer hike, there’s a lush trail that leads into the back of the valley. He can dip into a pool anywhere along the trail for probably the most refreshing swim he’ll ever take.

After the hike, stop for lunch at Saeng’s Thai. The hot pots, satay and green papaya salad can’t be beat. Lunch with a beer will cost about $20.

He can also ride from Lahaina Upcountry to Makawao, which is one of my most favorite small towns in all of Hawaii. It’s a Main street kind of layout, with many art galleries and unique shops to browse and a few good eateries. I personally like the cafe tucked behind Viewpoints Gallery. It used to be called Cafe O’Lei, not sure if it’s changed names. But they serve delicious locally grown fare for lunch at reasonable prices.

Dining

In Lahaina, my favorite chef is Mark Ellman. He runs two quality restuarants, one very casual and one a tad fancier. For dinner in Lahaina, Ellman’s Mala Ocean Tavern tops my list. He serves mostly local produce, and the flavors are amazing. Great for dinner, but your brother will need a reservation for one of the oceanside tables. He can also sit at the bar, which may be more comfortable if he’s traveling alone. An appetizer, entree and a drink will cost about $50.

For lunch in Lahaina, I like Ellman’s Penne Pasta Cafe. Mark owns it, too, and it shows in the quality. But it’s casual, affordable and delicious Italian fare. The daily special and beer will cost about $15.

There’s also a quality Thai restaurant, called Thai Chef, tucked into a strip mall near the Old Lahaina Shopping Center. They serve a fresh coconut vegetable soup and a green papaya salad that will make him hate Mainland Thai food. Soup, salad and a beer to wash it down will run about $25.

food

Good places for Hawaiian food and fresh fish in Honolulu

1 Comment

Question from a reader about food in Honolulu:

Thank you as well for the burger joint recommendations. My husband will be pleased to know he won’t have to eat fish all the time. Do you know any good places for Hawaiian food, other than a luau?

Our vacation hotel has a kitchenette so I can cook some of our meals. Is there a good farmer’s market on the island or where is the best place to get groceries, especially fresh fish?

ono fish

(Ono fish)

MY REPLY:
For traditional Hawaiian food, try these places that serve “plate lunches”:

HELENA’S HAWAIIAN FOOD (Winner of a James Beard award)
1240 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
(Honolulu / Kalihi Area)
Tel. (808) 845-8044

HAILI’S HAWAIIAN FOODS
Ward Farmers Market
1020 Auahi Street,Honolulu, HI 96817
(Honolulu / Ala Moana Area)
Tel. (808) 593-8019

For a modern fusion of Hawaiian with other culinary styles, ALAN WONG’S on S. King St is a must-do. He is a famous chef and cooked last summer for the Congressional picnic luau at the White House. The fish you find on his menu will be the freshest and to die for.

I recommend trying “ono” (a medium-firm white fish) if Wong has it. BTW, “ono” in Hawaiian means really good, so the fish matches its name. If Wong has poi on the menu, you’ll want to try his version, too.

Something relatively new food tours of some great “hole-in-the-wall” places. I’ve never done it, but I’ve heard it’s fun. Something to consider.

For produce shopping, there are farmer’s market at Ward Center and Chinatown (more exotic veggies at cheapest prices; also fun to walk around).

To buy the freshest fish, try:
UNCLE’S FISH MARKET
1135 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, 96817
Ph: 808-275-0063

GARDEN & VALLEY ISLE SEAFOOD MARKET
22 Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu 96817
Tel: (808) 524-4847

You might also want to pick up a copy of Honolulu Magazine (usually on bookstore news stands, or check out their website). They are utterly devoted to food and will have many good recommendations.

No matter what, there is so much good local food around and just about every type of Asian food imaginable that you almost can’t go wrong — unless, of course, you get stuck in some tourist trap. But you’ll be able to spot those. Classic signs are nautically-themed decor, plastic leis, lots of old white people and Mainland chains.

humor

AT&T to limit data, but keeps crappy phone service

In a move that looks to soon become industry wide, AT&T announced that it’s going to get rid of unlimited data plans for iPhones and iPads. Instead they are going to offer tiered data plans, much like their tiered tired phone plans.

It’s an unfortunate move. AT&T’s strength was offering unlimited data to iPhone users. That’s why we’ve have all put up with crappy (or no) voice connections. Their voice connection is especially bad in the 808 area code. The company may have just given many of its subscribers another reason to jump back to Verizon, if they can ever seal the deal with Apple.

See more links to this story at: http://paidcontent.org/article/419-att-drops-unlimited-data-plans-preps-for-iphone-tethering/