There were a zillion places we considered this year to get away, but palm trees swaying in the breeze and sun raining down warmth beckoned. Maui called, and we answered the call with flights booked and swimsuits packed. After our memorable visit in 2021 we thought about what we'd do differently, places we'd swap and things we'd change. Then, after a hot minute we decided we wouldn't change a darn thing. And with that, we were off!
Like many visitors returning to Maui after the devastating 2023 fires, our hearts remain with the Lahaina community as they continue to rebuild. While parts of the island are still recovering, the spirit of aloha endures, and tourism remains vital to the island's economy.
We booked at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, a boutique resort featuring 1-bedroom suites right by the Pacific Ocean. Many hotels advertise ocean views but make you trek through lobbies and past pools to reach the beach. Here, it's just a few steps from your door to the sand. The vibe is laid back, the personnel attentive and friendly.
Our days were spent lingering over coffee while overlooking the ocean, taking an afternoon swim in the ocean, then walking to dinner to see the sunset over, you guessed it, the ocean. I admit it, I almost feel guilty for doing so little! But the location and accommodations were such that we got to do the very thing we wanted when we uttered the word "vacation"...and that is to relax.
While we mastered the art of doing nothing, we did make sure to experience Maui's incredible food scene. The one area where we excel: reservations. And trust me, in Maui you need them - the best restaurants book up weeks in advance, especially during peak season. Other than that small spark of ambition, most of our time was unplanned, unhurried and very much cherished.
Below is a short list of places from our trip, hope you find a few to try!
Fine Dining
Merriman’s 1 Bay Club, Lahaina. So fine we dined there twice this trip. Don’t miss the seared ahi or you’ll have food envy all night long.
Hula Grill 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Bldg P1, Lahaina. The standout dish was actually the Hula pie (a mud pie) at the end of our meal. Rich and chocolatey.
Mama’s 799 Poho Place, Paia. Timeless classic! The food and dining experience are well worth an hour long drive from the resort. Do try the Ono Poisson Cru, a ceviche bathed in tahitian lime and coconut milk served inside a coconut shell. For me, I’m still dreaming of this dish!
Casual
Sensei 600 Office Road, Lahaina. Tasty food with an international flare in a very casual setting. Try the eggplant, you seriously can’t go wrong.
Joey’s Kitchen, Napili Plaza Shopping Center. Similar to our fascination with Merrimans we liked this place so much we got takeout twice. Favorites include kalua pork, fish in red curry, and Joey’s famous garlic chicken.
Honolua Store #89 - 502 Office Road, Lahaina. Seems touristy—and it is—but we walked here almost daily to buy a few snacks and tuna poke. Yum!
Napili Kai Farmers Market - great place to try the local produce and snag unique gifts.
Tin Roof (cue the B-52s "Love Shack" for those who know!) deserves more than an honorable mention. Tucked away at 360 Papa Place Suite 116 in Kahului, this spot serves up what can only be described in two words: fish sando (is that even a word?).
Really, it's simplicity at its finest: deep fried marlin with American cheese, tons of tartar sauce, all nestled in a brioche bun. The genius move? They split the fish horizontally instead of serving it as one thick piece. This solves that dreaded situation where you take one bite and half your sandwich escapes out the back (we've all been there, and no one's ever happy about it). Instead, you get two thin, tender pieces that stay put, with double the crispy, fried goodness.
Note: I tried to replicate this when I returned home but ended up with a gloopy mess (still tasty and I had no problems devouring the entire thing!)
Our last stop of the trip was actually Tin Roof because it’s pretty close to the airport. For the amazing food (BIG portions) and short drive to rental car drop off I can forgive the blustery dining (windy day) and the tinny tables in the industrial parking lot. This place is proof that there’s magic in Maui even in the most unexpected of places. And it’s a reminder to not wait so long to visit in the first place.
For me, each visit it’s like a mechanism—an inner clock—unwinds and unspools my built-up stress. Maui is like that, a reset where my worries go out with the wash of blue waves to be replaced by visions of palm trees swaying in the warm wind. Until next time, mahalo!
This article was authored by Funfeasts with a little help from my AI friends.
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