Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [308]
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TOP END
Maui Coast Hotel (Map; 874-6284, 800-895-6284; www.mauicoasthotel.com; 2259 S Kihei Rd; r/ste from $245/275; ) Among the handful of hotels in condo-laden Kihei, this is the best. It’s clean and comfortable with plenty of thoughtful extras from guest computers to free laundry facilities. The rooms are big, equipped with either a king or two queen beds, plus a pullout sofa. After a day of sightseeing, you can sit back with a drink and enjoy live music at the poolside bar. Ask about discounts, which can cut the standard rates in half.
Eating
If you’re staying in Kihei, you probably have a condo kitchen. But, hey, take a break. You’re on vacation after all and Kihei’s dining scene is well worth exploring.
BUDGET
Local Boys Shave Ice (Map; Kihei Kalama Village, 1913 S Kihei Rd; shave ice $4; 10am-9pm) A hot day at the beach deserves a cool treat. This stall conveniently located opposite Kalama Park dishes up shave ice drenched in a rainbow of tropical flavors. Passion fruit, piña colada or perhaps the lemon-lime?
Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods (Map; 875-4356; Kama′ole Beach Center, 2411 S Kihei Rd; 8am-9pm) is the perfect place to pack a healthy picnic lunch.
808 Deli (Map; 879-1111; 2511 S Kihei Rd; sandwiches $5-8; 7am-5pm) Kihei’s latest nod to the foodie offers topnotch deli fare, and amazingly everything on the menu is priced under $8.08. A standout is the tender pesto chicken with provolone cheese and sun-dried tomatoes grilled in a panini sandwich that’s so big it’s cut into three slices. Lox and bagel breakfast fare, innovative salads and gelato round out the menu.
Kihei Caffe (Map; 879-2230; 1945 S Kihei Rd; mains $5-10; 5am-2pm) If jet lag has you up before sunrise, head to this friendly sidewalk café. After you adjust to Hawaiian time you just might find yourself coming back again to feast on the delish banana pancakes, sinful cinnamon rolls and other breakfast goodies served till closing.
Joy’s Place (Map; 879-9258; 1993 S Kihei Rd; mains $7-12; 10am-3pm Mon-Sat) Blink and you’ll miss this hole in the wall, but what a shame that’d be. Joy takes pride in her little kitchen. Operative words are organic, free range and locally harvested. The healthiest salads you’ll find in south Maui, tasty sandwiches made to order and plenty of vegan options.
Da Kitchen Express (Map; 875-7782; Rainbow Mall, 2439 S Kihei Rd; meals $9-12; 9am-9pm) It’s all about the plate lunches – tasty and huge – at this quintessentially Hawaiian diner. The justifiably famous kalua pork is, as they say, ‘so tender it falls off da bone’ and the more expensive plates are big enough to feed two.
Kihei has two 24-hour supermarkets: Foodland (Map; 879-9350; Kihei Town Center, 1881 S Kihei Rd) and Safeway (Map; 891-9120; Pi′ilani Village, 277 Pi′ikea Ave). Kihei Farmers Market (Map; 875-0949; 61 S Kihei Rd; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) sells island-grown fruits and vegetables.
MIDRANGE
Vietnamese Cuisine (Map; 875-2088; Azeka Makai, 1280 S Kihei Rd; mains $8-14; 10am-9:30pm) It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the Vietnamese chef-owner works wonders in the kitchen. The curried lemongrass dishes and the crispy egg noodles are both tasty choices. Or have some fun with your food and order banh hoi, a roll-your-own Vietnamese version of fajitas that come with mint leaves, assorted veggies and grilled shrimp.
Alexander’s (Map; 874-0788; Kihei Kalama Village, 1913 S Kihei Rd; meals $8-14; 11am-9pm) If you’re hanging at the beach, scoot over here for fish-and-chips, made with your choice of mahimahi, ahi or ono (wahoo). The fried fare’s a bit greasy but the grilled fish is absolute perfection. Everything’s takeout – carry it back to the beach or chow down at the picnic tables outside the eatery.
Pita Paradise (Map; 875-7679; Kihei Kalama Village, 1913 S Kihei Rd; mains $8-16; 11am-9:30pm) Don’t be fooled by its location in the back of a mundane shopping arcade – this little patio café is pure gourmet. The owner, an ardent fisher, reels in his own fresh catch – grilled on a skewer it rivals the best of ’em. The menu