We have a convertible reserved for our trip to Maui. The delimma is that we wanted to take the advice of a previous poster and have an early dinner at Mama's Fish House on the way from the airport to our condo, Maui Kai.

I know that everyone insists it is not safe to leave luggage in your car. It just dawned on me that we will be in the convertible and all our luggage may not even go in the trunk!

I was wondering, is the parking lot visible from the restaurant? Is there a table that would allow us to keep an eye on the car?

I know this is a long shot, but thought I'd ask. Belle.

I'm sorry I can't shed any light on Mama's Fish House as I didn't ever eat there. However, I did stay at the Maui Kai in Dec. 04 and would be interested to hear how your stay was when you return. We enjoyed our stay in studio unit 1003.

Mahalo, Boxer: I intend to do a trip report when I return, though not nearly so refined as some I've enjoyed on this forum!

I'm alittle concerned after having read anna's trip report! Belle.

I would think your luggage would be pretty safe at Mama's. It's all valet parking and the lot's not all that big, so the valets are constantly parking or retrieving cars. The end result is that anyone snooping around the cars would be spotting quickly and reported (and likely shooed away). I think you luggage will be reasonably safe.

Ken

That makes me feel somewhat better,Lordbalfor! Mahalo, Belle.

With the valet parking and reputation of Mama's, I would feel secure enough to even park and take a walk in Paia before dinner. I would even consider asking the valet to put it in a well lit secure spot, since you're on the way to the airport and the car is packed.

Your luggage would be fine at Mama's, but do you really want to go right from the airport to Mama's? I'd think on that again. When I go anywhere to spend that kind of money I want to be fresh and relaxed and enjoy the meal. After the stress of packing, getting to the airport, flying, baggage claim, etc all I want to do is take a shower and get settled. Maybe you travel better than I do, but I'd at least want to get cleaned up a bit first. Also, if you are staying at the Mana Kai, your drive from Mama's to your condo will be more than hour, especially if you are driving back during afternoon/evening drive times. Just some things to think about.

Ooops, I misread and thought you were heading to the airport. I kinda agree with heretoday on this one. Where are you flying from?

Gyppie--a walk from Mama's parking lot to Pa`ia town would be quite a hike--that's about a 2 mile walk. Mama's is in Ku'au, up Hana Highway from Pa`ia town.

Also, Belle, I'm sorry, I'm confused. Are you staying at the Mana Kai, or the Maui Kai? I thought in another thread you talked about the Mana Kai, but here you say the Maui Kai. They are at opposite ends of the island--one is in Ka`anapali, one is in Wailea.

Your luggage should be fine. We ate at Mama's before heading to the airport our last day. All of our luggage was in the trunk, and some in the back seat. Given the valet parking, I wouldn't worry. It's not the same as parking at a pullout on the side of the road in West Maui. I would recommend eating lunch at Mama's before your return flight. That way you'll have a wonderful meal in your belly for the flight home.

here today: We will be staying at Maui Kai for 5 nights and Mana Kai for 3 nights.

We thought that would give us a better opportunity to snorkel the beaches of South Maui without so much driving (and can get there earlier!).

Like I said, I read that a poster had made Mama's the 1st stop to prevent driving back and forth so much. It seemed to work for them!

How far is Mama's from the airport? How long should it take us to arrive at the restaurant? Belle

gyppielou: We're flying out of B'ham, AL. A LONG flight! Belle

Belle, I always schedule my expensive dinners (like eating at Mama's) for my third day or after in Hawaii. On one of my trips over, we scheduled a very fancy restaurant for our SECOND day, and then regretted it because we were so wiped out by jet lag still that we might as well have thrown the money in the ocean!!! Maybe you're much livelier and more alert after long flights than I am, but if I were spending what you will at Mama's, I'd drive back on another day when I could enjoy it to the hilt! Whatever you do, have a fabulous trip...

For arriving Hawaii (and I only come from the west coast) I like to go directly to the hotel, check in, have a cocktail, get the room set up, shower, then have a casual dinner somewhere closeby. Just a thought!

What time does your plane get in? Afternoon drive into Pa`ia from Kahului can be slow. I'd figure 20 minutes, maybe 30 if it's a bad day.

If you are getting the Mustang convertible, there is not a lot of room in the trunk, or even the back seat. But you will be fine at mama's, because of the valet... ask him to keep it close. You will not be able to see the car from the resturant. The parking lot is relatively small. Try and go at dusk, for the sunset.

One more piece of info... well, maybe two.
Getting your luggage at Kahului airport may take A LOT longer than you think. We waited at least 30 minutes for ours.
THEN you've got at least another 30 - 40 minutes in line for the car rental.
The 8 hr. flight didn't bother me at all, but I was wiped out by the time we actually got on the road!

oh, but you're gonna LOVE the convertible!

One person in your group can go get the rental car while the others wait for the luggage.

The Itinerary thus far is as follows:


Wed. Arrive at Kahului 3:10PM
5PM dinner at Mama's Fish
House
Check In Maui Kai

Thurs: ?

5:45PM Old Lahaina
Luau (reservation)

Fri: Snorkle Kahekili/Black Rock.
Shop Lahaina (Art night too)
Lunch Maui Tacos
See BR diver/lighting ceremony
Hula Grill

Sat. Snorkle?

5:00PM Warren & Annabelle's show
(reservations)

Sun.: Pali Drive
Snorkel Honolu'a
Shave Ice/Auntie Ululani @
Kahakuloa
I'ao Valley/I'ao Needle
Kepaniwa Heritage Gardens
Lunch? Dinner?

Mon.: 12:00PM Ck out Maui Kai
3:00PM Ck into Mana Kai
Check out the locale/beach
Sea Watch for Lunch
Nick's for Dinner

Tues.: Early AM snorkel
Roy's for dinner

Wed.: Hana drive (early)
?pick up picnic in Paia?

Thurs: Check out early for 10:20AM
flight to Oahu!

I'm not completely settled on dinner where there is no reservation indicated above. I have lots of info, just haven't nailed down what is in good proximity on any certain date yet.

If I don't do Mama's on arrival, when does is look like I could fit it in, without excessive driving? Mahalo, Belle

Since we will be leaving Maui in early AM, dinner there is out on that date.

Thanks for all the assurances about the security at Mama's!

Still could use some suggestions for the ?'s above.

Mahalo!
Belle