We went to Hula Grill the first night we were in Maui. It's located in Whaler's Village, right on Kaanapali Beach. We watched the sunset as we ate -- the view couldn't have been more perfect. It was fun to people-watch (something that we couldn't do in Kauai). It was basically a bar atmosphere; they had live music, sports on the tv's at the bar and typical bar food (sandwiches, salads). It was fairly inexpensive, if you stuck to the sandwiches.

I got a hamburger, my husband got a chicken stir fry, which was surprisingly good. My hamburger was very good -- it may have been that I was starving, or it was really good. It was probably a combination of both. Both of our meals were served with macaroni salad, and I had french fries. We decided to order the Hula Pie and we were shocked and delighted! It was a slice of pie about 8 inches tall, with an oreo crust and macadamia nut ice cream with hot fudge drizzled on top with a dollop of whipped cream. YUM!!! We were both in pain walking back to our hotel room... But it was worth it!

Even if you’ve rented a condo equipped with cooking facilities, surely you won’t want to spend precious vacation time shopping, cooking and cleaning up.

Instead, do as the locals do -- serve your family wholesome, delicious take-out meals at one of the many seaside beach parks that line Honoapiilani Highway from Lanipoko (a few miles south of Lahaina) to Fleming Beach (at the far north end of Kapalua.) The advantage goes beyond saving on the server's fee; kids won’t need to wait idly for their food or become bored if the adults linger. An added bonus- watch the sunset without having to monitor children’s table manners in an upscale restaurant in order to dine with a sunset view.

These suggestions for tasty carry-out in West Maui are based on portability, general appeal and value:

1) Mama’s Ribs and Rotisserie
No, it isn’t Carson’s Ribs, but it ain’t bad. When the order of the day is carry-out and the cry of "what to eat?" echoes through our house, Mama’s often gets the nod. Chicken and Ribs are the specialties and can be ordered family style or as individual meals. The combo half-rack of ribs and chicken plate comes with a choice of rice, beans or macaroni salad for $7.50. A full rack of ribs is $15.99; whole chicken, teriyaki or traditional roasted, is $9.99 and sides are $2.50 to $3.99. Take your dinner to Airport Beach where lovely covered tables are sheltered by the best public facility on the West side, and let the kids run in the surf while you catch the last rays of sunset…and your breath!

2) Penne Pasta Café
A tiny storefront on Dickenson Street houses one of the best new finds in Lahaina eateries. Chef Mark Ellman of Maui Taco fame, stirs up Italian sauces like somebody’s nana. The baked penne is delicious, the puttanesca pasta outrageously tasty, and bravo to the bolonese! Pastas are large enough to share and priced from $6.95 to $9.95. Pizza margarita makes me want to sing Verdi at $4.95. Salads, sandwiches, including a unique roasted eggplant parmesean option, and the classic Italian desserts, Tiramisu, Panne Cotta and lemon tart, are also bargains especially considering the high quality and flavors.

3) Honolua Store
Recent visits netted plated dinners of char sui chicken, chili and rice and Salisbury steak for $3.95 each. Large enough to serve two, they are decided winners in the bargain meal category.

After a full day of sun, surf and fun, children will be ready for sleep soon after sundown. You, too, can rest easy knowing you had this much fun without squandering the college fund.

Kimo: Nice restaurant overlooking the water on the main drag in Lahaina. The food is very good. Very pretty as the sun sets over Lanai.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise: Everyone stops here for lunch. The food is just like at home except it costs more. Lots of cool stuff all over the walls.

Outback Steakhouse: Again, the same as at home except it costs about 30% more.

Hula Hula Cafe is no longer there. An equally good restaurant has taken its place. If you're using Maui Revealed as your tour book, see p. 251.

We didn't find a bad restaurant. All had lots of fish if you're inclined that way. Try something besides the Mahi-Mahi. While it's great, there are other fish on the menu that are equally good if not better. Expect to pay about $40-60 for two with one drink at most restaurants.

The waitresses at Kimo's, dressed in Aloha shirts, have been born and bred in the spirit of Aloha. The tiki lamps blaze, the slack-key-guitar plays to the rhythm of the waves and before you even get past the hostess stand you know you've stumbled upon something special.

Most often the menu offers a great chance to try some exotic sounding local seafood like fresh Opakapaka and Hawaiian Opah. Juicy steaks and a children's menu make it a suitable choice for any palate or situation. Romantic tables for two ring the edge of the upstairs dining room and larger tables for groups all offer stunning views of the ocean.

The operators of Kimo's, T S. Restaurants have a couple more fantastic locations in Ka'annapali: Leilani's and Hula Grill. The two sit just a few feet from the long sandy beach that makes Ka'annapali so exceptional and just a coconut's throw from each other in the Whaler's Village Shopping Center. Both menus are similar to Kimo's, packed with island loving favorites such as sashimi, dim sum, and barbeque ribs but each offer their own twists that make them all worth visiting. I recommend digging your feet in the sand at Hula Grill's barefoot bar for a lunch in the sun where more burgers and sandwiches round out the menu. For those stuck on seafood (and why not when it's so fantastic?), the shrimp cocktail and Ahi sashimi are very memorable, as is the cajun-style Ahi sandwich. For dessert, Kimo's Hula Pie is a legend; a giant chunk of macadamia nut ice cream atop a cookie crust, drizzled in fudge and caramel. You can't leave without having at least one.

Leilani's offers a more elegant atmosphere for dinner. With beautiful upstairs views of the ocean and soft tiki lighted atmosphere it is the most romantic of the three. Though Leilani's also offers superbly fresh island fish, they focus more on pleasing the carnivores. A dozen different meat entrees, including Leilani's famous (and delicious!) prime rib stud the menu. Even in this seafood loving paradise, everyone agrees that their marinated steaks are the most succulent and unique.

At all three restaurants you will likely wait for a table with a view even with a reservation, but it is well worth it. You will remember your island perfect meal, great service, stupendous views and overall sense of contented bliss for a long time to come.

For Pizza: Pizza Paradiso with two locations, one at the Whaler’s Village food court and the other larger and more appealing option in the Honokowai marketplace. Voted as the best pizza on Maui, you can order your favorite by the slice or create your own specialty from an extensive list of ingredients. Also available are pastas, paninis, and one of the best Greek salad I’ve had. The tiramisu was also voted the best dessert on Maui. Menu and details are online at Pizza Paradiso

For Burgers: Jonny’s Hamburger Joint is a great alternative to golden arches any day. Hidden in a semi-subterranean location at the entrance to Kaanapali under Luigi’s Italian restaurant are the best burgers in Maui awaiting your discovery. Another best, you question? Well, they have the sign to prove it and my endorsement, of course.

There are big (6 oz.), bigger (9 oz.) and biggest (double sixes) burgers and fries made to order with scrumptious fried caramelized onions if you please (and I do!) There is a chicken breast/burger combo specialty and authentically shaken milk shakes to round out the meal. Don’t look for napkins. Those rolls of paper towels placed strategically on the community tables along with the condiments are what you’ll need to handle the mess made with these whoppers.

For Tacos, you can only go to one place in Maui: Maui Tacos. They have several locations on the island, but on the West side go to Napili market to enjoy their unique take on Mexican cuisine. This taco stand is about as Mexican as the Hula Hut in Austin is Polynesian,(see Journal: Austin) but that’s okay. We like a little local color mixed into our displaced ethnic cuisine. Although you won’t find the down-home authentic Tex-Mex flavors you might crave, you will find wonderful Hawaiian versions of freshly grilled fish tacos, tubular vegetarian burritos and an assortment of freshly made help-yourself-to-them salsas created with delicious local ingredients such as kula tomatoes and fresh pineapples.

For Deli and beyond, you simply must try out the locals’ favorite fast-food, Honokowai Okazuya and Deli 3600-D Lower Honoapiilani Road. This tiny little counter and carry-out gem boasts the most unusual and delightful menu selection I’ve seen anywhere on the island. Along with the typical deli sandwiches, tuna melt, turkey and cheese melt and Italian sausage , all served with Hawaiians favorite side dish, Macaroni Salad, there is also panko-crusted mahi mahi, teriyaki mushroom burgers and spaghetti and meatballs. If the picky eaters in your groups still can’t decide, have them try any of the six specialty vegetarian stir-fries or the Korean barbeque chicken with rice or a mahi mahi caesar salad.