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

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!

Even though each villa at the Honua Kai has a full kitchen we eat out just about every night while at the Honua Kai.  Luckily there are dozens and dozens of excellent restaurants just a 5 to 10 minute car ride from the Honua Kai.  ALL dining in Maui is casual where the gentlemen and kids can wear an Aloha shirt, shorts, and sandals; the ladies always seem to out dress us guys anywhere.

Reservations are a must and for special days, like New Years Eve you must make the reservations months in advance – don’t say you weren’t warned.

I’ll cover 5-star restaurants first:

Ocean Front at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Dukes Beach House – on property – 0 seconds away

Duke’s Beach House

On the Beach at Honua Kai
130 Kai Malina Parkway
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 662-2900

Dukes Beach House is a fantastic restaurant, ocean front, right on the Honua Kai Resort & Spa’s property.  You’ve got to watch the setting Maui sun, with an adult beverage in hand, as many times as you can while on Maui.  Once you go back home that Maui sun is but a picture that you brag about to your friends.

So mosey down to Duke’s each night, order a new drink each night, and watch the setting sun and look for the “green flash“.  If you see one please post a comment here.  You will bump into folks who have seen it while on Maui – so far we have not.  (Looking directly into the non-setting sun is not a wise thing to do and is not advised here: a word from my lawyers)

Roy’s Restaurant 3.3 miles away – 7 minutes

4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, Lahaina, HI‎ – (808) 669-6999‎

Roy’s is just fantastic – for the entire family.  There are two Roy’s on Maui, one in the northern part of Maui, by us, and one in the south in Kihei.  Mom and dad can order fish and the kids have an entire menu to choose from.  To be honest the one in the northern part of Maui it is NOT on the beach but on the second story of a shopping center.

Kimos is in Lahaina, on Front St, and on the water

Kimo’s Restaurant 5.0 miles away 9 minutes by car

845 Front St
Lahaina, HI 96761-1698
(808) 661-4811

Kimo’s is located on Front St in Lahaina – it’s always packed to the rafters with folks looking for a fantastic meal while in Lahaina – make reservations!  You sit right next to the ocean and the view of Lahaina harbor is just fantastic.  Food is the best – you will have an excellent lunch or dinner.  You can park in the public parking areas and stroll along Front Street on your way to Kimo’s.

The same folks that own Kimo’s (T.S. Restaurants) own the Hula Grill in Whaler’s Village.  These folks know Maui and you will not be disappointed in either location.  The Hula Pie is their signature dissert – you will thank me later!

View of Lahaina Harbor from Ruth's Chris

Ruth’s Chris Steak House of Maui – 5.0 miles away 9 minutes by car

900 Front Street,Lahaina, HI 96761-2325
Phone: 808-661-8815

You know you can’t go wrong with Ruth’s Chris – there are two of them on Maui – on in Lahaina and one in Wailea.  We once had 4^th of July Dinner at
Ruth’s Chris as the fireworks started in Lahaina Harbor – a cruise ship came in and it was a night to remember.  Best steaks on Maui by far.  For some of you who visit Ruth’s Chris all the time you probably will want to visit another fine restaurant.

You see the Lahaina Harbor from your table and it’s fun to watch all the boats/ships in the harbor.  Ruth’s Chris is right next to Warren and Annabelle’s Magic Show and makes a wonderful evening of dining and then the magic show.

In Whalers Village Ka'anapali

Hula Grill – 1.7 miles away, 3 minutes by car

2435 Kaanapali Pkwy # P1
Lahaina, HI 96761-1981
(808) 667-6636

Located in Whalers Village in Ka’anapali the Hula Grill offers 5-star dining just steps from the Ka’anapali Beach.  The servers at the Hula Grill can recommend the catch of the day, how it’s prepared, and a fine bottle of wine to complement the meal.  Kids will love the items on the menu for them.

Pacific'O is on Front St in Lahaina right on the water

Pacific’O Restaurant

505 Front St # 14
Lahaina, HI 96761-1187
(808) 667-4341

Located on the ocean on Front Street in Lahaina Pacific’O is a great restaurant that we frequent on each visit to Maui.  They have a patio where you can be over the ocean or more secluded within the restaurant.  The views of Lahaina Harbor are great as are the many dishes for the entire family.

This should be enough to get you going – there are so many world-class restaurants on Maui that I’ll write many follow-up articles.

Ocean Front at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Maui finally can welcome the legend of Duke Kahanamoku to its dining scene at
Duke’s Beach House

Duke’s Beach House has taken the island of Maui by storm!  Every night of the year has every seat booked – it is that good.  If you want to eat dinner at Duke’s you need to call for a reservation – I can assure you that if you show up between 5 PM and 6 PM you face a 90 minute wait at the minimum.

To make a reservation call:

(808) 662-2900

Make a Reservation by Clicking Here!

Duke’s is located ocean front at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa – this website is dedicated to owners and guests at the Honua Kai.  While you are at Duke’s take a stroll around the grounds and the next time you visit Maui why not just book a 5-star villa with us?  Click the top line of this page that says “Book our villa” and read more.

Dukes is wwned and operated by Maui-based T S Restaurants – the parent company of eight Hawaii restaurants including Maui’s own Kimo’s, a landmark in Lahaina since 1977 – Duke’s Beach House provide sguests an authentic Hawaiian dining experience and a glimpse into the life of the restaurant’s namesake, Duke Kahanamoku.

“In the tradition of T S Restaurants, guests at Duke’s Beach House will love the restaurant as much for its period-inspired interiors and outdoor dining area, as for its service with aloha and delicious food,” said Bill Terry, T S Restaurants Vice President Hawaii Operations. “Duke Kahanamoku was all about sharing the aloha spirit and our new Maui restaurant will reflect his love for the Hawaiian culture.”

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients will be featured throughout the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. “The cuisine is Hawaiian influenced with a focus on fresh, sustainable seafood and premium steaks,” said Shaughn Helliar, General Manager of Duke’s Beach House. “The team at Duke’s Beach House is looking forward to providing the residents and visitors of Maui with the Duke’s dining experience they know and love from our other locations, enhanced by a locally inspired menu.”

Duke’s Beach House will overlook the crystal waters of Ka`anapali North Beach. The scale and ambiance of this open air restaurant will be more residential in feel than other Duke’s restaurants. The renowned design team, Philpotts and Associates, will be responsible for the décor which will feature an extensive collection of Duke Kahanamoku memorabilia, including period photographs, koa outrigger canoes, vintage surfboards and Hawaiiana. Duke’s Beach House will be the 13th location for T S Restaurants and will join the ranks of the other Duke’s Restaurants in Waikiki, Kauai, Huntington Beach and Malibu.

Honua Kai Resort and Spa, situated along nearly 40 beachfront acres on Ka`anapali North Beach, is the first whole ownership resort and spa development of its kind to open on Ka`anapali Beach in more than 25 years. “We are thrilled to welcome Duke’s Beach House,” said Ed Sowers, General Manager of Honua Kai Resort and Spa. “We have a commitment to creating an ambiance where visitors and homeowners can experience connection to family, friends, sand, sea and aloha and Duke’s Beach House reflects that promise.”

T S Restaurants

Founded in 1977 by Rob Thibaut and Sandy Saxten, T S Restaurants is one of the top dinner house chains in Hawaii. The company owns and operates 12 restaurants in Hawaii and California, including Duke’s Waikiki and Hula Grill Waikiki on Oahu; Kimo’s, Leilani’s on the Beach, and Hula Grill Ka`anapali on Maui; Duke’s Kauai and Keoki’s Paradise on Kauai; and Jake’s Del Mar, Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge, The La Quinta Cliffhouse, Duke’s Malibu and Duke’s Huntington Beach in California. For more information about T S Restaurants visit www.tsrestaurants.com.

Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Honua Kai Resort & Spa offers a uniquely contemporary Hawaiian experience. Situated on the oceanfront of pristine Ka`anapali North Beach, Honua Kai Resort & Spa is a master plan of resort accommodations positioned in two U-shaped buildings with ocean and mountain views, lush landscaping and expansive open spaces. The openness is mirrored in each of the 628 studio, one, two and three bedroom guest suites with fully-equipped kitchens, spacious and homelike floor plans, and luxury resort services. An imaginative aqua network of pools, hot tubs, natural pond bridges, waterslide, waterfalls and fountains allows for privacy and play.

Read more at this post

*** Note ***

Since publishing this 6 months ago, I must include Duke’s Beach House as a “Must Try” restaurant while on Maui.  Click here to read more about this 5-star restaurant ocean front at the 5-star Honua Kai Resort & Spa on Ka’anapali Beach Maui.

• 1st Place – Stella Blues
• 2nd Place – Mama’s Fish House
• 3rd Place – Lahaina Grill

Stella Blues

Best Casual Dining in Maui for 2009

Contact Info: Stella Blues is located at
1279 S. Kihei Road, Suite D201, Kihei.
Call 808-874-3779

Website: stellablues.com

We’ve eaten there and the food was fantastic.  It’s located in Kihei which is a 45 minute drive south of the Honua Kai but at sometime during your stay on Maui you will be in the Kihei/Wailea area so make a reservation.

This is a casual restaurant, moderate prices and a very convenient location – just what “locals” and visitors want from a great restaurant.  They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and are open from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm each day of the year.

Mama’s Fish House

799 Poho Place, Kauai Maui
Call 808-579-8488

Website: mamasfishhouse.com

Who hasn’t eaten at Mama’s Fish House – we’ve eaten there countless times.  They have the freshest fish dinners on Maui and have been awarded countless awards.  Call way ahead of time for reservations – weeks at least and a few months for holiday reservations.

Mama’s is about an hour drive from the Honua Kai and its worth the drive.

Lahaina Grill

127 Lahainaluna Road
Lahaina, Maui • 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!

Great Book!

Update – Duke’s Beach House!

Ocean Front at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

With the opening of Duke’s Beach House right on the grounds of the Honua Kai Resort & Spa you might want to check out the Pupus there before trying others.  I’ve not tried them yet but will in about a month and report back.

Check out their dinner menu with all the pupus by clicking here!

Dukes Beach House – on property – 0 seconds away

Duke’s Beach House

On the Beach at Honua Kai
130 Kai Malina Parkway
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 662-2900

Best Pupus on Maui
Tiffany’s Bar & Grill

If you don’t know what Pupu means, then I guess I’ll tell you – it’s the Hawaiian  word for  hors d’oeuvres (snacks).  You can easily fill yourself on Pupus and never get around to eating the main course.

Some locals drive straight to Tiffany’s Bar&Grill in Wailuku, right off the plane from Las Vegas, because they’re craving ono local grinds. Others gather with friends there on a regular basis, because it’s such a fun place to hang out.

With over 100 pupu on the menu, cool air-conditioning, lots of comfortable booths and big tables, Tiffany’s is THE perfect place to meet for pupu any day of the week from10:30 a.m. oftentimes all the way to 2 a.m.

“We’re always improving our pupu menu and sometimes we rotate things out to addmore items,” says owner Diane Orite, who trains her waitresses to offer fast service, to remember your drink preferences and to bring you complimentary pickled daikon and kimchee to munch.

Pupu favorites includemandoo, garlic shrimp noodles, mochiko chicken, edamame, spicy squid, sizzling steak bites and crispy pork —all perfect for sharing. Of course, the chow fun is a famous recipe from the former Noda Store, which was owned by Diane’s husband, Howard Orite’s family. You may even order it in half pans for larger gatherings.

“We can easily seat 50 to 60 people in the back part of the dining room,” says Diane. “We convert the pool table area to buffets.”

Spread the word by reTweeting!

First place:
Tiffany’s Bar & Grill
1424 LowerMain St.
Wailuku, Maui
808-249-0052.

Second place:
Mala Wailea
3700 Wailea Alanui Dr. •Wailea • 808-875-9394

Third place:
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
1881 S. Kihei Road • Kihei • 808-879-0004
115 Bay Dr. Unit 115 • Kapalua • 808-669-6286

*** Update ***

Ocean Front at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Of course the opening of Duke’s Beach House in December qualifies it as the Best New Restaurant on Maui. I’ve written extensively about Duke’s click here for more information.  Duke’s is fantastic and folks from around the world go out of their way to find a Duke’s restaurant.

Duke’s is ocean side on the grounds of the Honua Kai Resort & Spa.  The lucky owners and guests at the Honua Kai can simply stroll to Duke’s and not have to worry about parking or crows or finding their way back in the dark after watching the Maui sun set and enjoying watching the Pacific ocean while dining.

• 1st Place -Cuatro
• 2nd Place – Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club & Grill
• 3rd Place – Merriman’s

I’m going to be honest with you folks, I’ve not been to any of the above so I’m going to recap what others have reported.  All three of these restaurants offer great food and service at an affordable price – not a small feat for Maui.  #1 and #2 are not in the league of a Roy’s so think of them as a great place to visit on your way to some activities on Maui.  Merriman’s is upscale and worth of trying for a sunset dinner.

Cuatro

Cuarto is a 45 minute drive south from the Honua Kai

1881 South Kihei Road, Suite III in the
Kihei Town Center. Call 808-879-1110.

I know exactly where this restaurant is locate in Kihei – nice mall.  The reviews I read indicate that this restaurant serves great food and is worth your time to give it a try.  When you are in Kihei or going to and from Wailea this place could offer you a great dining experience.

One review ranks this restaurant #1 out of 135 restaurants in Kihei – definitely worth a try.  This place has an unusual concept – Mexican/Asian fusion in Maui.  I’ve read 50+ reviews and the place sounds fantastic – can’t wait until our next visit to Maui.  I can see why it’s #1.

Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club & Grill

1221 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina, HI 96761
(in the Lahaina Cannery Mall)
Lahaina, Maui • 808-661-0808

The reviews I read state “The food was good, the drinks were tasty and big, and the service was great.”  I don’t know about you but that’s a great start to a great meal in my book.  The Cannery Mall is a 10 minute drive south from the Honua Kai.  I could find no review that really slammed the place and most were very glowing.

There seems to be discounts if you eat between 5 pm – 6 pm.  The mall has the Safeway store attached so this could be a great place to eat when you arrive in Maui and before you shop at the Safeway and bring the groceries back to the Honua Kai.  That’s exactly what we will do on our next visit to Maui.

Merriman’s

15 minutes north of the Honua Kai

One Bay Club Place
Kapalua, Maui • 808-669-6400

Website: www.merrimanshawaii.com

Kapalua is a beautiful area 15 minute drive north of the Honua Kai.  I know the area but I’ve not been to Merriman’s.

The restaurant is located at the Kapalua Resort, directly on the ocean, and view tropical sunsets from “The Point.”  Peter Merriman, the chef-owner, has brought  his unique style of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine to this beautiful ocean-side setting  within the Resort.

The reviews put this restaurant #5 of the 144 restaurants in Lahaina and I wonder why this isn’t the #1 pick for new Maui restaurants?  We will definitely have dinner on this ocean front restaurant the next time we are in Maui.