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Maui, Hawaii

Island Vintage Coffee - Early risers should take a walk down Kaanapali Beach over to Whaler's village and grab a cup of Hawaiian grown coffee at Island Vintage. The best way to start your morning!

Type: Coffee

Location: Whaler's Village / Kaanapali Beach

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $

Castaway Cafe - Easy to access breakfast spot along Kaanapali beach. Walk in off the beach to test your stomach capacity with the local favorite "Loco Moco." Be warned though, it's extremely filling.

Type: Breakfast

Location: Kaanapali Beach

Google Rating: 4.2/5

Price: $

Duke's Beachhouse - Sometimes the easiest options aren't always the best. With Duke's you won't have to worry about that. If you're staying at Honua Kai, this will be the restaurant near the pool! Overall good restaurant and super convenient for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Oh... and it's never too early for a Lava Flow.

Type: Seafood + Standard American

Location: Kaanapali Beach

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Price: $$$

TaquerEATa - Some of the best fish tacos we've had! Located in the center of Lahaina in a food truck across the street from Maria Lanakila Church. Great for a cheap and quick lunch on the way out of town for an excursion! Get the fish tacos with their hot sauce!

Type: Tacos

Location: Lahaina City Center

Google Rating: 4.8/5

Price: $

Monkeypod - Right on the edge of Whaler's Village on Kaanapali Beach. We recommend walking there from Honua Kai or the Royal Lahaina and having one of their Mai Tai's with your lunch. Though it tastes great, beware, it may be the strongest drink of your entire trip!

Type: Asian Fusion

Location: Whaler's Village / Kaanapali Beach

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $$

Burger Shack - Need a place to grab a quick lunch after Turtle watching down the Kapalua coast line trail? Look no further than Burger Shack. The food is pretty self-explanatory, but the real gem is the spiked milkshakes! You'll have to walk past The Ritz Carlton and down a hill to get there!

Type: Burgers

Location: Kapalua

Google Rating: 4/5

Price: $

Hali'imaile General Store - After a visit to the summit of Haleakala take a pit stop for lunch at this local favorite for lunch!

Type: Hawaiian / Asian / American

Location: Makawao

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Price: $

Paia Fish Market - Get a late start on the Road to Hana? You probably missed breakfast as well. Don't worry though, on the way you can stop into Paia Fish Market for a reasonably priced lunch right at the start of the road to Hana!

Type: Seafood

Location: Paia

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Price: $

Maui Brewing Company - After a visit to Kapalua coastline trail, stop in and check out Maui's largest craft brewery for lunch. Get a taste of Maui's twist on brewing with a variety of locally crafted beers such as the Coconut Hiwa Porter. Don't worry, they also brew their own Root Beer if you're bringing kids along!

Type: American

Location: Lahaina / Kapalua

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $

Mama's Fish House - The best restaurant on the island. About an hour's drive from Kaanapali Beach at the beginning of the road to Hana. For dinner reservations, you'll want to book months in advance. If they're booked full, we recommend you do lunch!

Type: Seafood

Location: Paia (Start of Road to Hana)

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Price: $$$$

Cane and Canoe - Great restaurant along Kapalua Coastline Trail within a 15 minute cab ride! Usually not too packed, so last minute reservations may be possible.

Type: Seafood

Location: Kapalua Bay

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Price: $$$

Aloha Mixed Plate - Here is where you'll get a taste of local Hawaiian food while also getting the biggest bang for your buck! Right on the edge of Lahaina.

Type: Hawaiian

Location: Lahaina

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $

The Mill House - Need a change of scenery? The Mill House provides that with a great view of the West Maui Mountains to accompany your dinner! Around a 30-45 minute drive from Kaanapali.

Type: New American

Location: Wailuku (on the way back from Iao Valley)

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Price: $$$

Star Noodle - Reasonably price Asian dishes in the center of Lahaina! Combining elements of Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Japanese cooking all under 1 roof!

Type: Asian Fusion

Location: Lahaina

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $$

Gerard's Restaurant - Looking for something a little different than the rest of the restaurants on the island? Look no further than Gerard's, the island's best French restaurant situated in the heart of downtown Lahaina!

Type: French

Location: Lahaina

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $$$

Japengo - Got a taste for sushi? Pop into Japengo. Right on Kaanapali beach in the bottom of the Hyatt!

Type: Japanese

Location: Kaanapali Beach

Google Rating: 4.2/5

Price: $$$

Da Kitchen - Hopping on a late flight from Maui back home and need one last solid Hawaiian meal before you go? Be sure to check out Da Kitchen. Island style food with close proximity to the airport.

Type: Hawaiian

Location: Kahului (Near the Airport)

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Price: $$

Lahaina Grill - Love Hawaiian food? Great! Here's one of Maui's top steak houses. Still... We recommend going with seafood for the duration of your trip!

Type: Steakhouse / Hawaiian / Seafood

Location: Lahaina

Google Rating: 4.8/5

Price: $$$$

Top things to do in Maui

1.) Come Snorkel with us! :)
We'll be doing group snorkel trips Thursday October 10th and Monday October 14th aboard the Alii Nui. Each trip comes with meals and drinks, so even if you're here for both of them, feel free to join us both days if you'd like! You can book this trip by contacting Honua Kai Concierge at: +1 855-718-5789

2.) The Road to Hana -
One of the most scenic drives in Hawaii if not the entire United States. Though the goal is to reach Hana, this trip is more about the journey than it is about arriving at the destination, so grab a rental car and start early! Along the winding 64.4 mile (103km) road there are numerous hikes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic overlooks, and even plantations where they grow taro; the main ingredient in Poi (Mr. English's favorite local food.) If you're a guest at Honua Kai, contact the concierge about how you can rent a car from the resort. For additional information, tips, advice, resources etc. check the section we created dedicated to this below!

3.) Beach Day in Kaanapali - Relax and unwind a little. Kaanapali is known to be one of the sunniest areas on Maui with some of the best beaches!

4.) Kapalua Coastline Trail - Drive over and go on a morning walk along Kapalua Coastline trail. Along the way you'll get gorgeous views of the ocean and you may even see sea turtles if you're lucky. Turtles are usually found in the rockier areas where the waves crash a little more agressively. Also take a walk over to dragon teeth and see what you can find in the tide pools.

5.) Haleakala Sunrise - Book an early morning trip to see the sunrise at the top of Maui's tallest peak! Be sure to wear pants and a sweatshirt at the very least because it's pretty cold up there! - Contact Honua Kai Concierge +1 855-718-5789

6.) West Maui Mountain Drive - Though it's much less developed than Hana Highway, there are some great views along the way. Visit Honalua Bay, Nakalele Blow Hole, and check out some great views! Note if you do go to the blowhole, don't stand directly over it or too close to it, it's extremely powerful. Also if you're not up for extremely narrow roads, this drive is not for you.

7.) Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Ride - Take a quick flight around Maui and over the top of Molokini and see some great views from the air! - Contact Honua Kai Concierge +1 855-718-5789

8.) Bike Ride Down Haleakala - What better way to see the volcano than to bike down it? - Contact Honua Kai Concierge +1 855-718-5789

9.) Go Ziplining - Another great way to discover Maui and it's family friendly too! - Contact Honua Kai Concierge +1 855-718-5789

10.) Check out a Luau - Learn a little about Hawaii's history through song, dance, and of course eating! Our favorite Luau on the island is "The Feast At Lele" we also recommend "The Old Lahaina Luau." - Contact Honua Kai Concierge +1 855-718-5789

11.) Discover Lahaina - Spend an evening wandering Lahaina and shopping for souvenirs. Also be sure to stop by and checkout the massive banyan tree in the center of town!

12.) Eat! - Take advantage of all the seafood that Maui has to offer! Refer back to our restaurant lists above!

The Road to Hana

One of the most scenic drives in Hawaii if not the entire United States. Though the goal is to reach Hana, this trip is more about the journey than it is about arriving at the destination, so grab a rental car and start early! Along the winding 64.4 mile (103km) road there are numerous hikes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic overlooks, and even plantations where they grow taro; the main ingredient in Poi (Mr. English's favorite local food.) If you're a guest at Honua Kai, contact the concierge about how you can rent a car from the resort.

Tips:
1) Start Early - Start as early as you can, this drive will take all day as you spend time hiking through the rain forests!
2) Stay a night in Hana - If you're up for it, book a 1 night stay in Hana so that you can enjoy the ride there and not rush to get back. Mrs. English suggests staying at any of these locations: Trevassa or Hana Paradise Cottage Rentals depending on the budget!
3) Drive Slow - Mr. English's #1 Tip: Don't exceed 15mph after the twin falls (the first stop along the road to Hana.) Though many people will speed around you as you pull off to let them pass, you'll have the last laugh as you enjoy your trip and avoid motion sickness in the process.
4) Dramamine - Take Dramamine 1 hour before leaving just to be safe. Bring along saltine crackers or ginger candies to help settle your stomache in the even that you do get motion sickness. Also stop often!
5) Plan in Advance - Plan your trip in advance. It's impossible to see it all, so pick and choose what you want to see before leaving. It's ok that you can't fit it all in, enjoy what you're able to see and save the rest for another time!
6) Packing List - Be sure to bring bathing suits, towels, hiking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray etc. There are plenty of opportunities to swim and hike along the way. It wouldn't hurt to have a change of clothes as well.
7) Bug Spray - Do NOT forget bugspray. Because it is a rain forest, the mosquitos are no joke. You'll want to make sure you pack plenty to go around.
8) Don't Bring Valuables - While on the road to Hana, make sure when you leave your car, all valuables are hidden from plain view. Otherwise, anything you can't lose, leave at home. Unfortunately due to the popularity of this drive, it can occasionally attract thieves.
9) Know the Weather Up Mountain - Just because it's sunny where you are, doesn't mean it won't be raining somewhere up mountain. Always make sure that the streams you are hiking alongside are not currently being fed by rain up mountain. Be very conscious of this before starting hikes as washouts are one of the leading causes of injury to visitors on this trip.
10) Don't Swim Under or Above Waterfalls - It's extremely tempting, but the waterfalls often carry rocks over the top, get hit by one and you're gonna have a bad time. Additionally don't swim in the pools at the tops of waterfalls, rain water can surge at any time, taking you over the top of them. Better to be safe than sorry.
11) Bring A Sack Lunch - Bring along a sack lunch for the trip. You can pick them up at: Lioda's outside of Lahaina, or at Paia Kuau Store right before the start of the road to Hana.
12) Shave Ice and Banana Bread - Stop at Mrs. English's Favorite Shave Ice and Banana Bread stand along the way once you reach the Kaenei Peninsula.

Notable Stops:
1) Ho'okipa Lookout - Before the Road to Hana - Watch surfers take on the massive waves more popularly referred to as "Jaws."
2) Twin Falls - Mile 2 - The first waterfall along the way. Usually very crowded so if it's too packed, skip it. There will be plenty of others along the way.
3) Garden of Eden - Mile 10.5 - Check out all the plants and eucalyptus trees found in Maui at this arboretum.
4) Puahokamoa Falls - Mile 10.8 - These can actually be seen from inside the Garden of Eden and there's a really nice lookout in there.
5) Haipua'ena Falls - Mile 11.2 - A modest sized waterfall that has a big pool at the base to swim in. There are usually bigger ones you can find, but this one is more family friendly due to it being calmer waters typically.
6) Kuamahina Park - Mile 12 - First and foremost a bathroom stop. Secondly, a great view of the coast!
7) Honomanu Bay - Mile 14 - A cool rocky beach along the way. Usually not too packed!
8) Ke'anae Peninsula - Mile 16.8 - A great spot to relax with great ocean views down the coast. Shave Ice and Banana bread are a must here!
9) Halfway to Hana - Mile 17.6 - Bathroom break!
10) Upper Waikani Falls - Mile 19.6 - Also known as the 3 Bear Waterfalls. Right along the highway, you can't miss it!
11) Pua'a Ka'a Falls - Mile 22.5 - A short hike to another waterfall, you'll need to cross streams to get to them so be careful. A popular swimming spot!
12) Hanawi Falls - Mile 24 - More waterfalls and also Nahiku Marketplace is nearby for food!
13) Ka'Eleku Caverns - Mile 31 - Take a tour through a Lava Tube!
14) Wai'anapanapa State Park - Mile 32 - The more popular black sand beaches to picnic or camp out at!
15) Hana (you made it) - Mile 34 - Congrats you made it to the small town of Hana!
16) Pipiwai Trail/Bamboo Forest - Mile 42 - An awesome bamboo forest with hikes that lead to waterfalls! 4 mile round trip hike!
17) Wailua Falls - Mile 45 - One of the more photographed falls of Maui!
18) Koki Beach - Mile 51 - We've seen black sand beaches, now how about a red sand beach?
19) Hamoa Beach - Mile 51.5 - Voted one of Maui's best beaches numerous times!
20) Seven Sacred Pools - Last Stop - A short hike brings you to the 7 sacred pools of the 'Ohe'o Gulch fed by multiple waterfalls!

Note: This is just a list to get you started. There are so many spots to stop off and hike along the road to Hana, so we strongly urge that you continue to research additional spots along the way. Here are a few additional resources that can help you!

Resources:
1) Maui Revealed - Be sure to read Maui Revealed and plan out your trip before you leave! The book is available on Amazon and is a great resource to bring along for the ride. Mark it up early and circle each spot you plan to see in advance so you can enjoy the ride and avoid motion sickness!
2) Road to Hana Google Maps Pins - For those tech savvy travelers, you can also use this marked up google maps resource to make your list of stops, still, we recommend Maui Revealed as you can take it along with you. The link is: www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_TMofxo5IXQhscHhnLc5QBOtOmg&ll=20.792943738673394%2C-156.1257321&z=11
3) A guided Tour on CD - Plenty of places offer a guided tour you can listen to along the way. This will narrate your journey to Hana. These are available at many local stores/book stores in Maui (Including Paia Kuau Store.)