*Every owner at the Kahana Outrigger was asked what their favorite places and experiences were on the island of Maui. Following is their responses with links and tips to help our guests connect with them. Aloha!
What is your favorite place to eat on Maui?
Dinner – Hula Grill at Whaler’s Village. Their food is consistently good, especially their fish preparations.
Happy Hour – Sea House at Napili Kai or Monkey Pod at Whaler’s Village. Appetizers are discounted and both have a good selection. The Lobster Deviled Eggs and Ravioli at Monkey Pod are especially delicious.
Who has the best cocktails?
No question about it. Monkey Pod has the best Mai Tais. They are topped with a Lilikoi cream that is yummy. Hula Grill has the best Lava Flows (Pina Coladas w/strawberry swirl) and their Lilikoi Mojito is absolutely delicious! Maui Brewing Company is the choice for beer.
Which restaurant has the best views?
I would say that Merriman’s in Kapalua has the most outstanding view. However, all of the restaurants along the ocean have spectacular views.
Are there any must see places you recommend for a persons first time to Maui?
We really like the Iao Valley. It is majestic and there are paths that meander through the valley that are easy to navigate and so peaceful. There are plaques explaining a great battle between the island natives that takes you back in time. We always enjoy driving through the beautiful countryside of upcountry. Stop and have lunch at Kula Lodge. You won’t be disappointed. The Aquarium (Maui Ocean Center) is also a great place to take the kids and adults alike. Besides the inside tanks, there is a tide pool outside which is hands on. It is fun to touch the different sea creatures. It is quite an experience walking through the see through shark tube or observing the manta rays through the glass windows in their tank. Everyone should experience a luau. There are several on the island but our favorite for adults if the “Feast of Lele” in Lahaina. It is an upscale luau featuring table service and food from each of the islands represented in dance. Our favorite family luau is “Old Lahaina Luau.” It is very well run with a buffet of island food in a very nice setting.
How do you get around? Car, bicycle, scooter, bus?
Car is our transportation of choice, but my husband sometimes take the bus from right in front of our condo to Kaanapali to golf. We’ve even taken the bus into Lahaina when we didn’t want to hassle parking.
What attractions are nearest to your home?
Beautiful Napili, Kapalua and Fleming Beach are all 5 – 10 minutes from our condo. Our kids enjoy the horseback riding at Ironwood Ranch just up the road a few minutes. The zip lines at Kapalua are a favorite also. It is also a short drive to the Nakalele Blowhole. Of course depending on the season and the tides, our own beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing, sand castle building and sand crab watching.
What time of year do you enjoy being in Maui?
We prefer the off tourist season and milder weather. Our favorite times are mid-May-June and October-mid December.
Are there local events/traditions you experience?
It is always fun to browse the craft faires on the island. There are lots of island made items and great souvenir ideas. The other tradition we always do is stop by Roy’s in Kaanapali for their Molten Lava Cake. It is decadent dark chocolate that is warm and gooey. If it doesn’t ooze when you cut into it, they will bring you a new one.
Is there a local church nearby that you would recommend?
Our favorite church experience on the island was when one of the churches held their service outdoors at one of the parks along the shoreline. They have since moved into a building. We haven’t tried any other churches. The Catholic church in Lahaina is quite quaint; however, they do not have air conditioning and my friend said it was pretty uncomfortable.
Who is the best place to rent snorkel equipment from or should we bring our own?
Unless you have special equipment you like to use, it is much easier to rent it on island. There is a Snorkel Bob’s on the corner by our condo that has very reasonable prices.
Where can I eat the best sushi?
Sansei’s is by far the best sushi on island. It is in Kapalua and they have early bird pricing 25% off 7 nights a week on food ordered between 5:00pm – 5:30pm. The line starts forming around 4:15-4:30pm to get in. Sushi bar seating is in a separate line along the front of the building and usually isn’t as long as the line for the dining room. They do take reservations on Open Table, but not for early bird seating. Miso Phat near our condo is also good but they don’t have as large of a selection of they are a little pricy for what they offer.
Do you have board games at your place?
We gave up on keeping board games in our condo. The parts disappeared or they were damaged. We do, however, have some card games such as Uno, Phase 10 and Skip Bo as well as a Cribbage board.
Where have you hiked before?
We aren’t hikers but we do enjoy relaxing walks. Iao Valley is great for this. My goal each morning is to walk to the top of the hill near our condo. It is straight up the street from McDonalds.
What activities do you tell your guests to experience as a once in a lifetime experience?
The Road to Hana is definitely a “one and done” for us. Many guests come to the island with one thought in mind and that is to take the drive to Hana. It will use up one full day of your vacation so this should be a well thought out decision. One other tourist must see activity is the sunset or sunrise at Haleakala. This is a very early morning experience. There are also hiking trails among the moon like terrain. Again, this to us is also a one-time thing to do.
Share a fun fact about the island that you’ve learned since having your unit?
The island forces you to slow down. There is a saying that it is on “Maui Time.” Be prepared to slow your pace and enjoy the beauty of the island and the peace it provides.
What unit is yours?
We own unit 1A2 which is a ground floor unit and are available to rent throughout the year. Check rates and availability at VRBO.
Lobster Deviled Eggs at MonkeyPod 
Follow Hula Grill on Instagram for featured cocktails and entertainment 
The view from Merrimans in Kapalua 
Views from the Kula Lodge and Restaurant 
The Feast of Lele is an adult only Luau 
The aquarium is a great place for kids 
Nakalele Blowhole is a 30 minute rocky hike downhill 
At Nakalele Blowhole you can see heart rock 
Zip Line Course at Kapalua 
A tradition of ours is to enjoy the Molton Lava Cake at Roys every time we visit. 
Take a helicopter to The Road to Hana then drive back.
The best way to see it all.