pspercy

I'll second Buzz's, we've often eaten there on the way to the airport going home. Good service, decent view.
There's several other places around there but I've forgotten their names .. Maalaea Grill ? Blue Marlin ?

OhioTravelerB

I skimmed the replies, and it looks like you've gotten a lot of good suggestions already, but just wanted to add one. Comfort Zone is a "fast-casual" deli that’s on the highway just north of Lahaina. You place your order at the counter, pick a table, then the staff brings out your order. I had lunch here when I was in Maui, and there's a huge selection…sandwiches, salads, big plates. It’s good, quick and inexpensive. Perfect for what you'll need.

Just a couple of other good places...I loved Paia, and the pizza place there, called Flatbread, is fun and reasonably priced. Also, just past Paia is Mama's Fish House, which was recommended to me by just about every person I know who'd been to Maui. It's pricey but worth it. The menu is mostly fish, and each listing tells you who caught that particular fish and where. Have a great time on your trip.

OhioTravelerB

Here is a link to the Comfort Zone's menu: http://www.cjsmaui.com/menu.htm

I know it helps me to see what's on the menu to make a choice.

jamesr3939

We stay at the Kaanapalli Alii about every other year for the last eight years. My suggestion would not be to stop until you get to the Kaanapali Royal. Of course it depends on the 4 YOA's eating plans and if you are traveling some distance it will be way past dinner time for her.

I would try to feed her something light along the way and then walk over to Whaler's Village (short easy 5 minutes) and grab something.

All of the mentioned places are great. I like Hula Grill a little better than Leilani's, but they are both great.

There is also an ABC store in the village and a Star Market about five minutes north where you can buy stuff to snack on if you don't feel like going out. There are a couple of fast food places in the village also, like a McD and I think a Subway.

After a long day of travel I would not stop in Lahaina it can take some time to get a table and save Kimo's for later and get there around sunset.

Another fun place to eat is Mala's Grill on Front Street behind the Safeway in Lahaina. Very laid back, nice view and food is great.

For a more upscale night try the Pinapple Grill up near Kapalua, probably the best meal I have ever had in our travels to Maui.

Another good place is Io's in Lahaina.

TTess

A tip from TTess, frequent traveler to Maui: after getting off the plane, one of you takes the shuttle to the rental car place while the other and the kids get the luggage. I am the one who gets the rental car. Then, I pull up curbside while the car gets loaded with our luggage.

We then head to Costco. My husband stays in the car to make sure our things are not stolen. He insists on leaving the engine on and not have the windows down, because it's too hot. Drives me crazy because of the price of gas but hey, he's the one in the car. We head to our condo after we cram our Costco purchases amongst our luggage and kids. By then, the poor kids have nowhere to put their legs but hey, it's all part of the experience.

If you're thinking of loading up your car and then leaving it while you dine somewhere, don't. Someone could break into your car. Unless you can fit it all in the trunk. They say that's not smart, either, but at least it won't be visible. We always rent a big SUV so our things are visible.

Attnymom

You are going to love Kaanapali - the sidewalk that runs along the beach is such a wonderful place for a walk! You can walk to many of the nearby resorts and they all have nice restaurants (usually right on the water). We have been 3 times - when our daughter was 2, 3 and 5. Whaler's Village has some great spots - there are some nice, casual restaurants there like Hula Grill and Leilana's, but there is also a McD's if you are in a pinch! Go to the ABC the first day and get some beach toys for your daugher. At the end of the week, just give them to an arriving family. We loved the little beachside cafe at the Marriott. It was perfect for snack items (lots of great choices). It is more like an upscale convenience store. We ate breakfast there every morning - they had pancakes, french toast, cereal, etc. . . and you could sit outside right on the beach and watch the whales! We also liked the Italian restaurant at the Marriot - it was very kid friendly, and it had a wonderful view.

If you go to Lahaina, you have to go to the original "Cheeseburger in Paradise". The burgers are great and it's a fun place to eat for kids.

kureiff

Thanks again for all of your suggestions!

TTess, what a great description of the Costco run; we'll be renting a glamorous minivan for Maui. Cool, huh?

Attymom, I'm going to a CLE at the Hyatt, and it looks like I'll be able to walk along the beach path to the conference every morning. Kaanapali looks perfect!

Thanks again!

TTess

You're most welcome, Kureiff. CLE, hmm? The only way I can ever get my husband to take a vacation is if he can get CME. We can always schedule it on Maui. Our oldest will be heading off to law school in the fall. Soon enough, she'll be taking CLE classes.

Don't forget a hat for your four year-old. Their precious skin needs lots of protection.

TTess

By the way, the minivan? Oh, yes, very glamorous. We rented those when the kids were younger. Hey, they're handy, though.

By the way, besides the big SUV, we always rent a Jeep Wrangler for one day of touring Hana. It's so much fun!

kureiff

TTess, My husband's grew up with family vacations planned around CME schedules, too. I'm not excited about going to class every morning, but it's making for a fairly inexpensive trip to Maui.

We have the hat for our daughter and we just received a rashguard in the mail, too. I worry about her burning since I know she'll be in and out of the water all day. There's nothing like sunscreen and sand mixed together, huh?

kureiff

A Jeep would be fun for Hana! Now I've got to go check Hotwire and Priceline.

Attnymom

One of the times we went was for a CLE too : ) It's probably the same one - I'll ask my husband if he remembers the topic (he was the one attending - I am "retired"). The other two times were to watch our favorite college basketball team (who by the way are NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!!!) play in the Maui Invitational tournament.

You are going to love it - it is one of my favorite vacations and I am not really a beach person! That beach path is awesome - it is so fun to wander and check out all the resorts. Our daughter really loved feeding the Koi fish at the Hyatt and seeing the penguins.

One of the times we were there we did a whale watching cruise. Hubby and I loved it - we saw several whales, including one that bumped our boat! Our daughter, however, slept through the entire cruise! We did a sunset cruise also and she loved that because the dolphins swim right in front of the boat and perform all sorts of jumps. She was in heaven! When she was 5 we tried to take her snorkeling, but that didn't go over very well. The boat took us way out into the ocean, then you enter the water by these stairs they lower from the boat. She got down the stairs, but freaked out when she put her mask in the water. A group of sea turtles happened to swim by and it scared her so much she sat in the boat and cried!! Before you try a snorkel expedition with your child, I recommend taking the beach path to the very last resort by the big rocky area (can't remember the name - it's past Whaler's Village). They have a little area where you can rent snorkel equipment and snorkel right by the shore in the rocky area. You can rent these boards that the little ones lay on and just look through a little "window" to see the fish. It is very crowded (I kept bumping into people) but it does give the kids a chance to "snorkel."

Have a wonderful time!

kureiff

Thanks, attymom! I'm going to a NAELA elder law CLE to brush up on Special Needs Trusts. The class schedule looks good, but it's hard to sit in class when I'd rather be outside.

We're planning on trying the boards with the view finder for our daughter. She just turned four and she's pretty competent and comfortable in the water, but there's a huge difference between a swimming pool and the ocean. I'm excited to show her the sea turtles and fish.

My parents are also meeting us on Maui and will be staying with us for four days. It will be fun to have them along, too.

I can't wait!