Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [285]
Eating
CJ’s Deli ( 667-0968; Fairway Shops, 2580 Keka’a Dr; mains $6-12; 7am-8pm; ) CJ’s is the handiwork of Christian Jorgensen, a top chef who abandoned the snazzy resort scene to open his own homestyle eatery. Naturally the menu includes deli classics like hot pastrami on rye but it’s the fully loaded omelettes in the morning and heaping servings of pot roast and other comfort food at dinner that draw the largest crowds.
Jonny’s Burger Joint ( 661-4500; 2291 Ka′anapali Pkwy; burgers $7-10; 11:30am-2am) Shoot a game of pool while your burger is flipped at this combo eatery-bar at the entrance to Ka′anapali. These generous hand-patted burgers, served with caramelized Kula onions, are some of the best you’ll find on Maui. Forget the fried dishes – Jonny’s is all about the burgers.
China Bowl ( 661-0660; Fairway Shops, 2580 Keka’a Dr; mains $9-15; 10:30am-9:30pm) This simple family-friendly place wok-fries authentic Szechuan dishes with fiery peppers as well as Mandarin fare for tamer palates. The health-conscious will be happy to know MSG is banned from the kitchen. Parents will also like the kids’ menu, which features a meal with a drink for just $6.
Longboards ( 667-8220; Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, 100 Nohea Kai Dr; light eats $8-14, dinner mains $18-30; 5-10pm) A fun surf motif, fab water view and ‘hang loose’ menu of beach fare like coconut shrimp, fish tacos and beer-battered onion rings make this Ka′anapali’s hippest spot to kick back over a beer and light eats. If you want to get serious, a full menu of steaks, ribs and seafood is paddled out for dinner.
Hula Grill & Barefoot Bar ( 667-6636; Whalers Village, 2345 Ka′anapali Pkwy; grill menu $9-18, dinner mains $19-34; 11am-10pm) Sure, it’s a bit contrived, but heck this is Ka′anapali and who doesn’t want to dine on the beach? So grab a seat under one of the coconut-frond umbrellas and watch the swimsuit parade pass by as you dine on fun pupu like ahi poke (cubed raw fish) or imu-style BBQ ribs. Dinner kicks it up a notch with kiawe-grilled fresh catch and steaks.
Son’z at Swan Court ( 667-4506; Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr; mains $30-48; 5:30-10:30pm) Between the waterfalls, the swan pond and tiki torches, this is Ka′anapali’s most romantic dinner choice. The award-winning cuisine goes beyond the expected fine-dining steak and lobster offerings to include island touches like Maui goat cheese ravioli. It also boasts the largest wine cellar on Maui.
Drinking
Leilani’s ( 661-4495; Whalers Village, 2345 Ka′anapali Pkwy) This open-air bar and restaurant right on the beach is the place to linger over a cool drink while catching a few rays.
Rusty Harpoon ( 661-3123; 2290 Ka′anapali Pkwy) If you don’t want to get caught up in the beach scene, this open-air bar overlooking golf greens is the best place for a sunset drink.
Entertainment
There’s always something happening at the hotels, ranging from music in the lounges and restaurants to luau and hula shows.
HULA & LIVE MUSIC
Ka′anapali Beach Hotel ( 661-0011; 2525 Ka′anapali Pkwy) ‘Maui’s most Hawaiian hotel’ cheerfully entertains anyone who chances by between 6:30pm and 7:30pm with a free hula show. There’s also music and dancing nightly in the hotel’s Tiki Courtyard.
Sheraton Maui ( 661-0031; 2605 Ka′anapali Pkwy) Everybody swings by at sunset to watch the torch-lighting and cliff-diving ceremony from Pu′u Keka′a. It’s followed by live music from 6:30pm to 9pm at the hotel’s Lagoon Bar.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa ( 661-1234; 200 Nohea Kai Dr) A free torch-lighting ceremony at 6:15pm is followed nightly by live Hawaiian music until 9:30pm.
Whalers Village ( 661-4567; 2435 Ka′anapali Pkwy) Ka′anapali’s shopping center hosts Polynesian hula and Tahitian dance performances from 7pm to 8pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (free).
Some of the beachside