Continuing on its year-after-year roll as “Best Sushi” restaurant on Maui, Sansei draws in the fun crowd at its two hot spots on the Valley Isle — the original one in Kapalua and another in Kihei. Its two other locations on Oahu and the Big Island are hugely popular as well.

“I want Sansei to be known for having the best quality, most delicious and creative sushi in Hawaii and there is no category I’d rather win than ‘Best Sushi!’ ” says owner D.K. Kodama. ”We get absolutely the best products available and give our guests the very best quality every single night.”

Sansei also lures you in with late-night karaoke on certain evenings for those 21 and older and you may belt out your favorites between sips of chilled sake and imported Japanese beer and bites of sushi specials — the latter for 50 percent off. D.K. also wants to “thank the local community that has supported us all of these years — it’s hard to believe we’ve been there more than 13 years in Kapalua.”

First place:
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
1881 S. Kihei Road
Kihei, Maui
808-879-0004
and
115 Bay Drive Unit 115,
Kapalua, Maui
808-669-6286

Second place:
Kobe Japanese Steak House and Oku’s Sushi Bar
136 Dickenson St.
Lahaina, Maui
808-667-5555

Third place:
Isana Restaurant
515 S. Kihei Road
Kihei, Maui
808-874-5700

Quick – name the ONLY state of the United States that grows and produces coffee?  Hawaii of course.  When we visit Maui we drink Maui/Hawaiian coffee.  So which coffee-houses on Maui are the best?  Here’s the winners:

• 1st Place – Aina at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa
• 2nd Place – Starbucks
• 3rd  Place – Maui Coffee Roasters

Aina Coffee House in the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Aina at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

You would expect nothing less – Maui’s premier 5-star resort, the Honua Kai Resort & Spa,  is going to have the #1 coffee house on Maui.  For all the guests and owners at the Honua Kai this is a great way to support your 1st class resort and keep Aina busy and healthy.

Aina is about to start room service and you won’t even have to put on shorts and an Aloha shirt to enjoy their fine coffee products and pastries.

If you’re like me our first morning in Maui has my stomach 4 hours ahead of Maui time.  So at 7 am Maui time my stomach tells me its 11 am back in St. Louis and I’m ready for espresso and a latte and a cappuccino all rolled up into one huge coffee and head to Aina to wake up.  Of course you can’t drink coffee without a huge blueberry muffin and I’m ready to sit out in the open air lobby of the Honua Kai and enjoy our first morning on Maui.

Funny thing is every morning at the Honua Kai starts out that way…
Located at Honua Kai Resort and Spa
130 Kai Malina Parkway
Lahaina, HI 96761
808-662-2832

www.ainagourmet.com

Hours of Operation 7:0oAM to 9:00PM

Starbucks

Starbucks in Lahaina Cannery Mal

Who can argue with Starbucks being the #1 coffee-house?  Well there are 6 Starbucks on Maui and 2 are a 12 minute drive from the Honua Kai.  Here are the Starbucks on Maui:

Lahaina

878 Front Street
Lahaina, HI 96761
808-667-6974

Queen Kaahumanu Center

275 West Kaahuman Avenue #1200 F5
Kahului, HI 96732
808-871-6290

OGG Kahului Main Concourse

New Terminal Bldg @ Bldg 340
Kahului Airport, HI 96732
808-877-5858

Maui Marketplace

270 Dairy Road
Kahului, HI 96732
808-871-7884

OGG Baggage Claim (Maui)

1 Kahului Airport Road Unit 9
Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 877-5858

(OGG is the big Kahului Airport location)

Website: Starbucks.com

Maui Coffee Roasters

Real Maui Coffee-House!

Now this is a REAL Maui Coffee-House and available ONLY in the Hawaiian Islands!  Sadly this coffee-house is on the Road to Hana up by the airport; its a 30 minute drive from the Honua Kai.  But, if you plan to drive the Road to Hana then this is a great place to get some Java.

We have stopped at the coffee-house and it feels like a Hawaiian coffee-house – its a fun place to visit.

Maui Coffee Roasters
444 Hana Hwy
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii 97669

808-877-2877
Mauicoffeeroasters.com

Ocean Front at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Duke's Beach House is the brown building ocean front at the new Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Walk to Duke’s – stay at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa!

Duke’s Beach House Website

5-Star restaurant at a 5-star resort, the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

5-star all the way

Ahhh this is how winter looks in Maui and at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

(808) 662-2900

Make a Reservation by Clicking Here!

(Reservations are highly recommended – make them weeks ahead of time for holidays)
(There are 600 villas at the Honua Kai – you betcha you need reservations)
(There are 400 Westin villas just a 5-minute walk away – you’ve been warned)

One of the great things about Maui is the ability to sit outside 24/7 365 days a year without the a/c running or mosquito screening.  Duke’s Beach House is just that – you sit right next to the Pacific ocean and can watch the Maui sun setting each night; folks fly in from all over the world to see just that!  The weather is perfect as are Duke’s meals, drinks, and other goodies.  Same with the Honua Kai – each villa has a floor to ceiling glass wall that opens to let in the perfect Maui weather and ambiance.

If you look up “Paradise on earth” you will see Maui as the #1 definition.  (Assuming you don’t want a 3rd world destination or overrun by warlords)

On North Beach in Ka’anapali, located in the Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Duke’s Beach House offers stunning views out to the Pacific Ocean and of the islands of Lanai and Molokai.  From this distinctly Maui vantage point, you are invited to also get a glimpse into the life of Hawaii’s most honored son and surfing pioneer, Duke Kahanamoku.

We invite you travel back to a bygone era as if you are Duke’s guest in his beachside vacation home filled with vintage surf memorabilia and photographs of his life as Hawaii’s most revered waterman and ambassador of Aloha.

This open-air restaurant offers a breakfast menu filled with traditional favorites that are enhanced with local flavors, like the Onolicious French Toast made with Molokai sweet bread and lilikoi butter. You will find the lunch menu filled with casual fare including sandwiches, burgers, salads and island favorites like Huli Huli Chicken and Ho Daddy Fish & Chips.

For dinner Duke’s Beach House not only serves up spectacular sunsets, but tantalizing pupus and share plates to start your evening. Entrees include a daily selection of the finest seasonal and sustainable fresh fish offered in a variety of preparations along with classic cuts of USDA Prime steaks.

No visit to Duke’s is complete without dessert and the Kimo’s Original Hula Pie® is not to be missed.  You’ve got to drop by and try the Hula Pie while staying at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa!

Read about Duke

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Reservations accepted (808) 662-2900

The flagship is Cafe O’Lei at the Dunes in Kahului, a convenient spot with beautiful views of the golf course and the West Maui Mountains beyond. It’s got a private banquet room for 180 people, a 100-seat dining room and plenty of outdoor venues.

The husband-and-wife team of Michael and Dana Pastula will make you feel right at home. The chef-owner’ signature dishes include Manoa lettuce wraps, crab cakes, Bill Eby burgers, and onion soup en croute with gruyere cheese,

“We make customer service our core value,” says Dana. “We know business people have a tight time schedule and we try hard to meet their needs during breakfast, lunch and dinner. We give the best service and there is plenty of parking.”

The second biggest Cafe O’Lei location is upstairs at the Rainbow Mall in Kihei. It’s a fun place to go for lunch with air conditioning, and in the evenings it’s got a seafood bar, brick pizza oven and a sushi chef rolling out fresh delights. Cafe O’Lei Wailuku is where all of the lawyers, doctors and Wailuku businessmen hang out.

The latest Cafe O’Lei is opened in August at the Waiehu Golf Course, and everyone knows golf and business go hand in hand. All food items cost under $9 and golf on the county course is only $5 for kamaaina.

First place:
Cafe O’Lei
1333 Maui Lani Parkway,
Kahului, Maui
808-877-0073
www.cafeoleirestaurants.com

Second place:
Marco’s Grill & Deli
444 Hana Highway Ste. M • Kahului • 808-877-4446

Third place:
Koho Grill & Bar
Queen Kaahumanu Center • Kahului • 808-877-5588

Click above to visit a great website!

I don’t know about you but every time we visit Maui we try to learn more about Hawaiian and Maui foods.  Good news; there is a website dedicated to just that.  You can’t spend all that money on airline tickets, lodging, rental cars, etc. and not get an authentic Maui meal – this website is a great resource for you.

Check out “What’s Cooking Maui” and see for yourself – click here.

From what I’ve read, these guys know what they are talking about – highly recommend them.

Maui Ambience

If you brought your tuxedo with you to Maui you will be sadly disappointed – nobody wears them here. Getting all dressed up on Maui is to put on an Aloha shirt! The ambience in Maui usually means surrounded by ocean vistas and tropical gardens.  A closed room with air-conditioning is fine on the mainland but that’s not why folks come to Maui.  There are 3 winners:

• 1st Place – Mama’s Fish House
• 2nd Place – Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a Restaurant at GrandWailea Resort Hotel & Spa
• 3rd Place – Sarento’s on the Beach

Mama’s Fish House

Mama's Fish House

Who hasn’t been to Mama’s Fish House?  Well if that’s you then just call to make a reservation – you will not be disappointed.  Click here to see a video of Mama’s Fish House.  It’s expensive but that’s what you would expect to pay for such a fine restaurant with a stellar reputation.

Mama’s is a 30 minute drive from the Honua Kai and well worth the drive.  There is NO way you can tell folks you sampled Maui’s fine fish if you haven’t eaten at Mama’s.  We eat there at lease once on every visit to Maui and the Honua Kai.  Reservations should be made weeks before your dinner and months before if this is a holiday night.

799 Poho Place, Kuau Maui
808-579-8488
www.mamasfishhouse.com

Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a Restaurant at Grand Wailea

Grand Wailea's Restaurant

This fine restaurant floats on a pond with fantastic views of the ocean.  This is truly a night you will remember for a long time.  Make reservations at least one month in advance of your visit to Maui and if its a holiday night plan on several months in advance.

The Grand Wailea is a 45 minute drive south from the Honua Kai.

3850Wailea Alanui Dr. •Wailea, Maui
808-875-1234
Website:  Grandwailea.com

Sarento’s on the Beach

Right on the beach!

Sarento’s on the Beach is superb, five-star regional Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. Specialties include award-winning presentations of prime steaks, homemade pastas, fresh Hawaiian seafood, signature veal, lamb, chicken & pork dishes. Creative preparations of classic Italian desserts are their speciality.

This fine restaurant is in Kihei and about a 45 minute drive south of the Honua Kai.

2980 South Kihei Road
Kihei, Maui, HI 96753
808)-875-7555
www.tristarrestaurants.com

Duke’s of Maui Restaurant is Now Open!

January marks the official opening of the “Resort” at Honua Kai – both towers open, all 3 swimming pools open, lazy river open, and our own 5-star, world class, restaurant open – Duke’s of Maui.

This is fantastic news – our very own 5-star restaurant ocean front right on Honua Kai property.  Here is the latest photo of Duke’s:

Duke's of Maui is the brown building ocean front

Read much more at this link.

*** NOTE ***

Since I last published this article 6 months ago Honua Kai’s own restaurant, Duke’s Beach House has opened.  It’s too early for comparisons but if you are in the area or are staying at the Honua Kai you might want to give them a try.  Click here for more information.

• 1st Place goes to Nick’s Fishmarket-Maui
• 2nd Place goes to Lahaina Grill
• 3rd Place goes to The Maalaea Waterfront Restaurant

Nick’s Fishmarket-Maui

Nick's Fishmarket Maui; 45 minutes from Honua Kai

4100 Wailea Alanui Dr
Kihei, HI 96753-8449
(808) 879-7224

Website: tristarrestaurants.com

Who doesn’t want fast and courteous service at a restaurant?  Well Nick’s Fishmarket of Maui has been awarded that distinction for 2009!  This fine restaurant is located in south Maui in Wailea – we have been there and the service and food and location are just fantastic.

Each table of this two-time Best Service winner in The Maui News utilizes the concept of “team service” where every table gets a captain, front waiter,
back waiter and busser to attend to their every need. All the floor staff start as kitchen stockers and must complete intensive practical training and written testing before being promoted to the next level.

Nick’s is just south of the Wailea Shopping Village and about a 45 minute drive south from the Honua Kai.

Lahaina Grill

Lahaina Grill; 12 minutes from the Honua Kai

127 Lahainaluna Road
Lahaina, Maui  96753 (808) 667-5117

Website: LahainaGrill.com

Located in the historic Lahaina Inn in Lahaina this restaurant has won almost two decades of awards for their fine restaurant and food.  The HONOLULU MAGAZINE readers’ poll for 2009 voted it the best Maui restaurant in fact, and for 16 years in a row!

The Lahaina Grill is a 12 minute drive from the Honua Kai and reservations are a must.  Around the holidays call a month or two in advance!  We have eaten at this fine restaurant many times and it is fantastic!

The Maalaea Waterfront Restaurant

50 Hauoli St. • Maalaea, Maui • 808-244-9028

This waterfront restaurant is one of the best-kept secrets of Maui and hidden away near Maalaea Harbor which is halfway between Wailea and Lahaina.  It has won many awards for Best Service for the past 6+ years for Maui.

Website: Waterfrontrestaurant.net

Great Book!

You can’t eat at 5-star restaurants all the time – and there’s no way in hell you’re bringing the family to a Mickey-D’s on Maui – what to do?  I can tell you that the true feeling of Maui are in the people that live here year long; mingle with them and they will tell you all kinds of secrets and tips that aren’t known outside of Maui locals.  Well eat where local Maui folks eat – the best food for the buck.  Here are some places we visit each time we stay at the Honua Kai:

I’m just going to cover the Ka’anapali area near the Honua Kai in this article.

Kahuna Kabobs

Kahuna Kabobs
126 Lahainaluna Rd
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-9999

If you’ve walked Lahaina you’ve probably walked right past the Kahuna Kabobs – the locals know this and have the place to themselves. They are known for their kabobs, salads and wraps. Their kabobs include steak, chicken, fish, shrimp or tofu. Everything is tasty, super fresh, and healthy.  The locals that work in Lahaina love to eat here (we’re all sick of the food at our own restaurants).

The place is a bit tricky to locate; it’s located in the alley just north of the Maui Built store. So when shopping in Lahaina and you want to taste what the locals eat drop by.

On Front Street in Lahaina

BJ’s Chicago Pizzeria
730 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
808-661-0700

BJ’s Chicago Pizzeria Maui

We eat here all the time – best deep-dish pizza in Maui if you ask me.  The place is huge and you can meet friends for a pizza and beer and the place can handle parties of 20 or more!  It’s upstairs on the second floor and their pasta and sandwiches is another reason the locals frequent this place.

They have late night entertainment so its a fun place to meet folks and have a great time.  This is a place where kids to grandparents will have a fun time.

Cool Cat Cafe is upstairs on Front St near Lahaina Harbor

Cool Cat Cafe
658 Front St
Lahaina, HI 96761-1216
(808) 667-0908

“Best Burger on Maui” 5 years in a row – we eat there all the time after whale watching or fishing from the Lahaina Harbor.  It’s on Front Street and up on the second floor and you can watch folks walking to and from the harbor.  There burgers win awards all the time – its a fantastic place to eat on the cheap.  All the locals eat here.

Freshest fish on Maui - the locals eat here!

The Fish Market Maui
3600 Lower Honoapiilani Rd #H1
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 665-9895

If you want the freshest fish at an affordable price come to where the locals eat – The Fish Market.  From the pupu’s (appetizer in Hawaiian) to the main course all the fish served here is just hours from being caught.  The seating is very limited so folks just carry-out the meals and find a spot to have a picnic or take it home and eat on the lanai watching the Pacific ocean from their Honua Kai villa.

I’ll write more articles on local eateries since there are so many great ones – but for goodness sakes don’t eat at the Mickey-D’s!

If you want to read more

Click above to read even more