Restaurant near Kahului airport
 

My husband and I are flying into Maui around dinnertime and were looking for recommendations on somewhere to have dinner either in Kahului or between Kahului and the Paia area (where we're staying). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Mama's Fish House isn't far and is a great place for fresh fish (obviously) and good, fun atmosphere too. www.mamasfishhouse.com

Mañana Garage in Kahului isn't far. Not much really between the airport and Pa`ia. Pai`a isn't far (it will take you just as long to go to Pa`ia as it will to go to Mañana Garage), and you have a lot of choices there. Are you looking for something special or just good food? Mama's is the obvious "big meal" venue, but for just a good dinner, in Pa`ia you will find Milagros, Café Mambo, Jaques, Café des Amis, Charleys. Fresh Mint offers up interesting Vietnamese vegetarian food. Of course, my favorite place on the entire island for fish is still the Pa`ia Fish Market.

Where are you staying in Pa`ia? Are you staying in town, or further out? There are some good choices in Haiku as well--Colleen's, Hana Hou Café and Lyn's.

I'm not 100% sure of the location (my map is somewhere in a big pile of other stuff) but as far as I can tell, we're staying between Haiku and Pai'a. The address is Haiku but it's outside of town a bit. Can you give me a recommendation of the restaurants in Haiku that you mentioned? My Maui Revealed only has a review of Colleen's and they don't speak very highly of it.

What is the name of where you are staying?

Colleen's is great. I eat there quite often, probably a lot more than the authors have eaten there. The veggie goat cheese omelette is too die for. The opinions in Maui Reviled are just that--the opinions of two people. Now you have my opinion as well.

I really like Hana Hou for local food. It is inexpensive and simple. Lyns or Colleens for breakfast. Food choices in Ha`iku are simple--lot's of vegetarian choices, no fine dining in ha`iku proper, but you have the Hali`imaile General Store and Mama's within close proximity and a wide selection of choices in Pa`ia.

I love the norh shore. I'd live there if it wasn't so darned expensive. Luckily, I have some clients over there, which gives me many good excuses to wander over to that side regularly.

We're renting a cottage. You can see it at www.hookipabayview.com if you wanted to have a look. According to the website, it's 3 minutes to Haiku and 10 to Pai'a.

Thanks for your suggestions of restaurants. While we're on the topic, what do you think of Charley's? We've got it on our itinerary for breakfast twice while we're there but if the other two places you mentioned are good too, we may have to make a substitution!

Do you mind if I ask what you do for a living? I can't imaging living a life where you get to travel all over Maui visiting clients. :o)

Sorry -- that emoticon was supposed to be a smiley, not a clown!

Actually, I liked the clown! lol

I was curious where you were renting, because I know some people with rentals in Haiku, but I do not know this one. Great location, though! You will have a unique Maui vacation, away from the tourist scene. When we used to come to visit, we always stayed upcountry, or on the north shore--anyplace away from the resorts.

I would think that eating in Pa`ia on your way there would make the most sense. Charley's is good for breakfast, but I'm not sure it warrants two with your other choices. Milagros makes a great breakfast; there are some really good breakfast choices in Pa`ia and Ha`iku. Charleys will give you a breakfast that will stick to your ribs--the kind I only ever eat on vacation.

If you plan on barbqueing, Nagata Market in Pa`ia gets fresh fish daily.

What do I do for a living? I am a designer. I used to work in the apparel industry, and then in advertising, but now I am exploring all kinds of different avenues. Island life is different and my clients here are as unique as they come! I started out with a plan to combine my backgound by focusing on surfwear, board graphics, and related promotional materials, but I am learning to be very flexible to meet my client's sometimes wacky needs. At least it is fun!

Thanks, here_today! I appreciate your feedback. We'll have to re-evaluate our breakfast plans.

If you could only pick one place, where would you suggest we have dinner in Pai'a the day we get there? I don't want anything particularly fancy (I imagine we'll be fairly tired) . . . just a good meal.

Your job sounds like so much fun!

Two choices--

Milagros if you like southwesterrn/mexican influenced. You can dine al fresco.

or

Pa`ia Fish Market--but it is very casual, busy and kind od noisy. You order at the counter and then find at a seat at long community tables, pick up the food when they call your name. But the fish is the best on the island. They were just voted best mahi-mahi again in a readers poll in a local entertainment weekly. They have fish plates, gilled fish "burgers" and the best damn salad you'll ever eat, made with local veggies and papaya seed dressing.

You can stick your head in the Fish market and if it is not to your liking, Milagros is across the stree.

Eh, heretoday, you go girl! Your suggestions are right on. I appreciate it when people give honest, for real kine heads up on places to tourists. Two of my favorite places too.....Pa'ia Fish Market and Hana Hou's! From reading other posts, it seems we like to frequent the same spots but I think you been to way more than I have. How da heck you do that??? I stay all jealous now. lol Malama pono.

Aloha, kolohe! Dirty litle secret--I don't cook and a girl's gota eat! lol

Hana Hou sounds real good right now, but I just came off the beach at Makena, so it looks like maybe L&L today.