We will be driving from Hana to Ka'anapali and would like to stop at Mama's for a tropical drink and a appetizer around 3-4ish in the afternoon.

Can we do this or is it just a "meals" type place?

When we were in Maui summer of 2001, we stopped in for drinks and appetizers about 5pm. The dinner crowd had really not started arriving and we enjoyed sitting in the bar area and taking in the ambience/view. My family had three tiny appetizers and two drinks. - It came to over $80.00! We went elsewhere for dinner later in the evening. It was a fun experience and now we just laugh about the "sticker shock". Our impression was that they are used to people coming in for drinks and appetizers and we were not made to feel at all uncomfortable about it.

Don't stop at Sarento's on the Beach in Kihei if you're in the area. Too expensive.

Howard Johnson's has a great afternoon buffet. You can get a burger/finger sandwich and a drink (usually Pepsi, Coke, or Mountain Dew) plus a small cone for only about $7.50. If you are wanting mixed drinks you could b.y.o.b. and have a little get together near the parking lot. Sure beats that $80 that Crazy described!!!

We stopped at Mama's mid-afternoon after the Road to Hana. (only made it halfway before turning around and needing a drink real bad) Anyway, it wasn't crowded and we ordered drinks and appetizers. It was expensive but I think it was worth it. The ambience is great and so is the view. You can go outside and catch a glimpse of the windsurfers. It is amazing what they can do with those things!

Too expensive--appetizers are tiny. By the way, Sarento's is a much better value--decent size portions, great service, entress for dinner in the $25-35 range (rather than the $40-$50 range as at Mama's with mediocre service).

Rachel: Is Sarento's on my way back to Ka'anapli from Hana?

Sarento's is in Kihei, near Wailea on north Keawakapu Beach. Not on the way back from Hana, but not too far out of the way, perhaps 30 minutes southeast from Kahului.

We like to stop at Mama's for desert and a nightcap. Their Lilkoi Creme Brulee is to die for!