February 2019 –
This year I turned the big 4-0. To celebrate, we met one of my best friends in Maui. Adam and I had been to Maui for the first time in November 2016 and we were excited to have the chance to go back. Hawaii is not always the easiest trip to make from the Midwest, but it sure is worth it. There is so much natural beauty and a peacefulness that greets you the moment you step off the plane. When we landed there was just the slightest sprinkle but we kept the top down on our convertible anyway. Yep, we definitely looked like tourists, but it was 78 degrees in Hawaii and about 30 degrees back home; a little rain couldn’t stop us!
On both of our trips we’ve stayed in the Kapalua area. Kapalua has a very unique feel compared to the rest of the island. There are towering pine trees and a little less of the tourist hustle and bustle which is always something Adam and I are drawn to during our travel. The trade winds can sometimes be a bit more of an issue here. You may have a bit more wind or even a little rain. To us, the light risk is more than worth the beautiful reward. Luckily, that is a remarkable thing about Maui; just drive 15 minutes and you’ll likely find sun. On our first trip, we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. The Ritz is a gorgeous property with every last amenity you can dream of. If you are coming with a family, this is an ideal place to stay. Thanks to Adam’s work travel we were able to work some Marriott Bonvoy points into our trip as the Ritz can be a bit of a splurge.
On our last trip, we rented a condo in Kapalua Bay Villas Resort. Staying in the condo helped us to feel a more local vibe. Plus, how could you beat the views?!?
Even if you are staying in a different area of Maui, there are a few Must Do’s in Kapalua. Each morning, we would go for walk along the Kapalua costal trail and grab a coffee. The views along this trail are breathtaking and if you are there during whale watching season (January to March is the best time), you can often watch the whales right from the shore.
Another favorite is Merriman’s. It is a beautiful place to take in the sunset while enjoying a cocktail. As luck would have it, they run a great happy hour special. Stay around after the sun goes down to enjoy a delicious dinner. Adam and I become ‘regulars’ at happy hour during our stays. Try my favorite No Ka Ol cocktail and enjoy!
A few other Kapalua places to explore:
Sansei Restaurant – full disclosure, Sansei is located in what looks like a strip mall so from the outside, it doesn’t look like what you would maybe think of, when you think of Maui, but the sushi is delicious! There are plenty of other options for non-sushi eaters and the restaurant is also family friendly. This is a great one to book post sunset.
Burger Shack – After walking the coastal trail, you can walk down the hill on the Ritz grounds to the Burger Shack. Nothing fancy here, just the basics but a quick place to have a casual bite. I had the mahi mahi burger on my last trip and I definitely recommend it!
Cane and Canoe – Cane and Canoe is located in the Montage Kapalua Bay. The grounds are beautiful, and it is worth eating dinner a little early to catch the sunset.
The Gazebo– The Gazebo is the perfect spot to grab breakfast or lunch. The portions are huge, and this place is a steal compared to the pricey options located nearby. But be warned, the secret is out. It is tiny so there is often a wait if you aren’t first in line or coming towards the end of the day. You can do takeout which is another great option. And even if there is a line, you are waiting while looking out over the ocean which beats just about any other line you can think of, right?
Ka’anapali
Our friends stayed in Ka’anapali at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa and we drove down to hang out with them a few days during our trip. The two towns are only about 15 minutes apart. Ka’anapali has a terrific location being only 15-20 minutes from Lahaina which is where most excursion activities are located. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Ka’anapali and a great path allows you to take in the ocean views while walking from one resort to another. Grab an enjoyable bite at Duke’s and then walk to Whalers Village for some souvenirs. My sweet tooth is undeniable so I always pick up cookies at the Honolulu Cookie Company. If I’m lucky, a few make it home for gifts. You can always pick these up in the airport before catching your flight home too.
Lahaina
As I mentioned above, Lahaina is your one stop shop for hopping on a boat and exploring. While we were there, we did an excellent sunset cruise with Trilogy. While the trip started off with a few sprinkles, it turned into a beautiful sunset and we were even lucky enough to have a few whale sightings along the way! Add that to delicious cocktails and tasty appetizers and it was a wonderful way to spend the evening.
This may be a bit controversial, but Lahaina as a whole is not my favorite. It has beautiful art galleries but a lot of tourist traps like Buba Gump Shrimp Co. I think it is definitely worth a walk-through town while waiting for a boat reservation, but it is not somewhere I spend a lot of additional time. For this reason, I don’t have many restaurant suggestions. We did grab lunch on the patio at Mala Ocean Tavern during our first trip and Adam and I both had good meals and I would recommend it. During our last trip, we had one rainy day that must have made us miss our Midwest roots, so we went to Lahaina Pizza Company. The pizza had great crust and flavor. I can’t be sure if it was the pizza or the rain, but I craved a nap afterwards.
Other Maui adventures
Closer to the airport and the town of Pa’ia, you’ll find Mama’s Fish House. The fish here is so fresh your menu will tell you where the fish was caught and the name of the fisherman who caught it! I love the view from Mama’s, so we came for lunch, but it would also make a beautiful spot for dinner. I’ve recommended it to more than a few people and all have come back with rave reviews.
If you are going to Mama’s, or starting the road to Hana, Pa’ia is a cute town to check out while you are there. There are great little boutiques offering unique items that don’t have the same touristy feel as the shops in Lahaina for instance. And maybe it is just me, but I love a good grocery store and I loved walking though Mana Foods. I only wish we wouldn’t have been on our way back to the airport, so I could have purchased some of the tasty items it contained!
Aren’t you missing something??
Two of the largest attractions on Maui are the Road to Hana and sunrise and sunset on Haleakala. I can’t say I’ve fully completed either. Adam did the Road to Hana on a previous trip and we did do a good portion of it on our first trip, but an accident and road construction lead us to turn around and save it for another time. Haleakala is still on my to-do list. Honestly, we had such beautiful weather, I just couldn’t bring myself to going up into the cold when I knew I would be returning to it post vacation. And besides, it is the perfect excuse for a return trip!
Postcards To Mabel 