1. How much time do we need to allow to get from the airport to Hana? We will be staying a few nights in Hana.

2. Paia-How much time to dilly dally around in this neat looking place? And, how far is it from Hana?

3. Anyone hear of Manna's in Paia? I was told that is a good place to buy fresh fish. What about the Paia Fish Market? Can you buy fresh fish there also or is it just a restaurant?

4. Chime in on anything else I need to know please!!!

i'2

1. That depends on weather, traffic, and how many stops you make along the way. Non-stop with no rain or traffic, give yourself at least one hour.

2. That depends on how much you like to shop. I could spend _hours_ there; DH would be happier just driving thru!

3. Mama's Fish House -- yum! Pricey, but worth every penny IMHO. Restaurant-only...and did I mention that it's pricey??? Our last lunch there -- just 2 of us, no fancy drinks -- was nearly $75. But we're planning to go again later this month...wheeeeeeee!

auntie, what you doing up so early?

Hope we get to see you when we make our way over to the Chicken Island. That is, if you have recovered from dancing and dining with the Kal's, theMak's, and Melissa.

I'2,
I would allow between two and three hours for the drive. If you drive like sistah or me, less. Paia is about a 15 or 20 minute drive from the airport. Not sure about the fish market, but Mama's serves up excellent food, but as auntie said, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.

How long you gonna be on Maui?

-pila

bbq, we will be staying in Hana for 3 nights. Then we have 4 nights with no reservations, so I don't know if we will stay elsewhere on Maui, go over to The Big Island or just head on over to The Chicken Island.

If I leave it up to the real icee, we will stay 1 more night on Maui (probably Marriott or Renassaince), then on over to Kauai.

How about the Hailiimaile General Store? Is that as much fun and as good as the reviews seem to indicate?

I'2,
If sistah were here right now she would insist that you go to the Haillimale General Store! Since she is not here, I will! Go! Go! Go! It is very good! Marteen and I will be eating there at least once in February.

You guys are gonna be doing a lot island hopping, ya?

-Bill

iceeu2: Here is a link to a picture we took inside the Fishmarket in Paia:
http://tinyurl.com/y3ty6c

And here is one from the outside:
http://tinyurl.com/yxslcm

As you can see, it is a very casual place.

I don't think they sell the raw fish products, but am unsure. Here_today_gonetomaui referred us there - I bet she'd know the answer for sure!
I have an email address for her - if you need me to contact her for you , let me know.

Here is another link:

http://tinyurl.com/y4tph8

Mama's Fish Market and this place are good in their own right, but aren't really comparing apples to apples.

osb, that would be great if you would ask her....do you mind asking her about Manna's in Paia? tyvm

I hit post too soon. OSB, I am looking for a place to buy fresh fish so we can throw it on the grill.

bbq, we have 2 nights Oahu, 3 nights Hana, 4 nights undecided and 8 nights Kauai=17 glorious nights in Paradise!

Now that the New Year is here it is time to start planning and I am getting so excited. Glad you are going before me and you can give me some good advice.

OSB and others....am I really gonna miss something if we don't eat at Mama's? It just hurts my feelings to dig so deep and spend $100 for lunch unless it is truly spectacular...I'm talking great view, great service and outstanding food.

Yes, it's all that. The beach is very nice to see too- but I truly enjoyed Nick's Fishmarket better.

I'll email here_ and see what see says. Also, I have some old info she gave me somewhere that I'll dig up. I haven't heard of Manna's.

[she says].

I did send an email - but she may respond to a shout out here quicker - the email addy I have I remember her saying she checks infrequently.

Here is another link:
http://www.paiamaui.com/

I didn't find anything about Manna's anywhere - who told you about it? ( Are you meaning Mama's??)

Ok, I just called Paia Fish Market and the gal that answered says that it depends on whether the chef has 'enough' to sell raw that day.

I asked her for another and she gave Nagata Seafood Store - I found the info online: 96 Hana Hwy. (808) 579-8362.

Some of the other places gone_2maui had recommended are on the link above:
Cafe Mambo
Moano Cafe & Bakery
for examples.

Sorry, I forgot to tell you another recommendation of the gal:

Eskimo Candy near Star Market in Kihei ( but I think this will be out of your way ).

The person we are renting the house from told me about Manna's. Turn at the traffic light in Paia.

Oh, I was looking under restaurants.
Here's the link:
http://www.paiamaui.com/

Opps! http://tinyurl.com/yfehqb

Alooooha!

Are you perhaps thinking of Mana Foods market in Pa`ia? Mana Foods is a natural food store. They have a good selection of organic produce, but, to tell you the truth, I don't know if they sell any meat items or not.

But Nagata Market is the place in Pa`ia to buy fresh local fish and Kula produce.

Or you can usually get fresh caught fish in Hana in the late afertnoon. Head over to Haneo`o Road, between Koki and Hamoa beaches and look for guys cleaning and selling their catch of the day.

I have a ton of Hana tips, like breakfast at the Ranch Restaurant. $5 for a huge order of mac nut French Toast large enough for two to share. You can find local Maui Cattle Company beef at Hasegawa's. And if you are looking for beer, check the chalkboard at Hasegawa's for specials.

When will you be in Hana? The Ranch restaurant has prime rib night on Wednesdays. Friday at the hotel is a buffet with entertainment. It is very overpriced and sorry to say has always been a disappointment to me. I enjoy dinner at the hotel any other night, just not buffet night.

Oh thanks, heretoday. Here is what the guy(he is a part time resident of Hana) told me when I asked about getting fresh fish...Sometimes fesh fish can be had at the ranch store, but you can't depend on it. He said best place for fish is Manna's in Paia. Turn right at the only stop light and it is half block off Hana hwy on the left.

So is that the place you are talking about also. Glad to know about the organic produce and the other fish market. One of our travelling companions has some very strict dietary restrictions and we will be cooking quite a bit. So, figured fresh fish is the easiest and the best. He also trys to use as much organic food as possible.

Thanks for letting me know about these places.

Keep the great ideas coming my way please.

btw, is there a place there that carries organic wines?

Heretoday, how is the Ranch Restaurant?

I read conflicting reviews.

Paia Fish Market has a good fish sand-wich, among other things. Mana Grocery (Paia) is well stocked & a wonderful deli in the rear. We bought wine at the winery (Ulupalakua)& found the same thing at K Mart $2 less, so beware! Hana Hiway was nicer than I expected, but not much in Hana. Nice stops at Black Beach and the Peninsula, among other stops. We visited the Kiehi beaches then drove further down (Wailea area) and liked those beaches better. Watch for the small "Beach Access" signs.