The “goodbyes” at OGG are the hardest, I found it especially so just earlier in the week when my family from England left Maui after a long-overdue month-long stay with me. It had been 2 and a half years since my relatives had visited and this trip made up for lost time!
We made the most of every moment. Together, we adventured and immersed ourselves in time at the beach and activities. We went out from Kihei Boat Ramp to whale watch and snorkel with friends, we visited Alii Chang’s lavendar farm in Kula, tried Marlow in Pukalani, highly recommended by the way as Maui’s newest and best pizza restaurant!
Napili is always a lure, with over 20 years of making this pilgrimage to The Gazebo at Napili Shores where breakfast is a must do, even at the cost of an almost guaranteed hour-long wait in line…but worth it? Yes! The Gazebo sits on the waters edge at Napili Bay and it is literally front row seats when it comes to whale season digesting breakfast with a bit of sunbathing followed by snorkeling at Napili Bay.
Mama’s Fish House….what can one say? It is one of the nation’s top restaurants, certainly Hawai’i’s best and a local favorite tucked away at Kuau Bay. Just beyond and Ho’okipa is a display of talent on the high surf with windsurfers and surfers skimming the surface of high surf winter waves. But back to Mama’s. Have you booked? If you are coming to Maui soon, dinner reservations are hard to come by, put in a call a good 4-5 months in advance!
Further along the road we head to Twin Falls, and on to Hana, the long and winding road. A repeated bucket list item, like visiting Haleakala Crater, a ritual done every visit. Having been a Concierge for nearly 10 years in Maui, I can attest, these “attractions” don’t disappoint. Nor does one tire of the beauty nature offers up. So, yes, it was up the mountain early for sunrise and breakfast at Kula Lodge, every visit.
I come from a family of foodies, so Open Table was heavily utilized. From Akamai Coffee mornings to a special occasion Spago dinner at Four Seasons, Tommy Bahama or the Aloha Thai Fusion food truck, every flavor and experience is piqued by seeing through the lens of appreciation….grateful for all Maui offers us waking daily to new adventures and even one day a downpour of rain which was a welcome stay at home and read a book day with a game of Scrabble thrown in.
Together time, cherished for having missed a few years on family time, where better than Maui for a reunion that is long-overdue? Inevitably, however, there is the day the holiday comes to an end and the scene at the airport is never an easy one. Parting in Hawaiian is ” A Hui Hou,” until we meet again. So definitely a phrase and ethos to adopt.
If you are planning a family reunion, I can attest to Maui being the place for just the best vacation you can imagine. If you want some tips on what to do while here, I am happy to put my Golden Keys back on to assist you.
Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your Email address will be kept private, this form is secure and we never spam you.