Christmas & New Years in Maui
 

Hi--we are planning our first trip to Maui and Lanai, arriving by ferry to Maui on Christmas day after 3 nights in Lanai. We are staying at a B&B in Kihei for 6 nights (has kitchen), then 2 nights at a small 1 BR in Hana. Old Lahaina Luau is booked until January--so that made our decision for us. We would like to minimize traffic delays, crowds and other hassles.

Any suggestions on where to eat on Christmas Day in Maui? The Westin hotel was recommended for brunch, but, they don't have information yet on what special meals they will offer that day. We were thinking that since we will arrive in Lahaina before 9 a.m., that we could go up to Black Rock to snorkel and eat before making our way down to Kihei. Suggestions on where to pick up food supplies for the week? Is it worth it to drive to the Costco etc. in Kahului? Or is there something just as good on the way to Kihei?

Comments on the rest of our itineary (including where to eat near our planned activity) also appreciated:

December 25--arrive Lahaina at 8:30 a.m., pick up car, Black Rock snorkel, brunch, drive to Kihei

December 26--explore snorkeling places in South Maui (suggestions?)

December 27--Warren and Annabell's show (suggestions on where to grab early dinner before hand?)

December 28--Maui Eco-Tours sea-kayak/snorkel trip out of La Perouse (leaves at 7 a.m.)

December 29--visit Saturday market, Pony Express ride to crater, eat late lunch/early dinner (where?), watch sunset

December 30--relax, snorkel South Maui

December 31--drive to Hana, stay in Hana, dinner at Hana Ranch ($60 PER PERSON--the other hotel restaurant is $120 PER PERSON!)

January 1--explore Hana beaches, waterfalls etc., stay in Hana

January 2--drive towards Paia, lunch at Mama's Fish restuant, shop in Paia, leave airport at 4 p.m. (How much time to drive back from Hana?)

Thanks!

Hi--after reading some more postings (e.g, $150 for 2 adults and 1 child for lunch?!), I am wondering whether Mama's Fish House is worth it. Thoughts?

We'll be in Maui 2 days after Christmas too.
I liked Mama's Fish House when we were there several years ago, but my friends who have visited recently tell me the prices have really gone up--it is not worth what they are charging now and we won't be eating there.
We are staying at the Kea Lani--have eaten at their restaurants before on previous trip and they were very good.

Hi again. We checked with our B&B about Mama's and they said it really is now one of the most expensive restaurants on the island. Would like to hear from others whether it is still worth the cost.

Mama's is worth it only if you don't mind spening the money. You do get what you pay for. We had lunch at Mama's a few weeks ago. I had a fantastic lobster "burger" and my husband had the ahi that just happened to have been caught that morning by a friend of ours (Mama's alwyas puts the name of the fishermen on the menu.) With two mai-tais the bill was about $80. We love Mama's, we love the baked lilikoi and the Molokai sweet potato fries, the lomi-lomi and the poi (that you have request), we love the view. It is the only place I know where you almost always get moi. We know the parking attendents (ask for Captain Aloha!) and look forward to seeing the familiar faces of the wait-staff. But we also expect to spend $100 for lunch, twice that for dinner (or more!). You can get fish that is just as fresh and equally delicious at the Paia Fish Market for about $10 - $12 a person. If you want an experience, go to Mama's. If you want ono grinds cheap, try the Fish Market. (We usually do both)

Also--Hana Ranch Restuarant. Wednesday night is usually Pizza night. They might be doing the buffet because it is New Year's, but we have never spent $60 per person at the Ranch Restaurant. We have had dinner at the Hana Hotel for about that, though. We spent about $90 for dinner for two at the Hana Hotel a few weeks ago, and it is worth every dime.

Thanks so much for the reply. The $60 per person on New Year's eve at the Hana Ranch is a special buffet dinner price--the Hana Hotel dinner price that night is $120 per person (both charges are really high).

Mama's fish house si worth way more than the stated $160. It truly is the best meal I have ever had.

You might want a back-up snorkel site after Black Rock. Wave action may be too high this time of year [we didn't even stop at Ka'anapali this trip, but Napili was a board breaker]. There are great snorkel sites in the Kihei-Wailea areas. We snorkeled north side of Ulua (entrance just past Outrigger) a few days ago. Very good variety and quantity of sea life, swimming and stationed. Easy access. Parking is a problem after 9:00 a.m.
Mama's Fish House was delightful. Not cheap, but no more expensive than any front-line restaurant on Maui. Dinner entrees, mostly $25-40; full kid's meal, $15. Great service (attentive but not intrusive), great ambience, very good food. Also, there are numerous first rate restaurants (e.g., Sarento's, Nick's, Roy's, Lobster Cove, Sea Watch, Spago's) very close to your digs. I wouldn't venture over to Ka'anapali just for a hotel meal. I'd budget 2 1/2-3 hours, plus stops for return from Hana counter-clockwise or reversing your drive. Sensational views beyond Hana, but very, very slow going. Find the Blue Pool before Hana. Great experience, but time consuming to reach.