Huh. Well, thank you for the information; odd that I’ve never been corrected on this before. Perhaps the trial period coincided with my residence on Oahu; chances are pretty low that I’d meet someone here in Indiana with better information…
Almost nobody knows, reporters included. I just happened to come across an article buried in some news website. I think people liked the idea too much. Newspapers and TV news just ignored it when it went by.
It is the unofficial state fish, but it looks like that’s going to change.
I wouldn’t recommend a night hike at Diamond Head. Plenty of homeless folks camp at the base in the evening.
I took this picture last year in an ABC store in Waikiki. $6.85 a gallon!
Congrats on 25 years!! make sure and post lots of info about your trip when you get back, my SO and I have our 5th anniversary in june and are thinking about Hawaii in the near future to celebrate.
Russell
Wow - so Hawaii is the only State where it is cheaper to drink beer than milk!
You have now given me a GREAT excuse while I am there!
Then again, at those prices it would be cheaper to drink regular unleaded gas…not as healthy perhaps, but cheaper.
And I think DMark’s sig line implies former residence in Chicago and NYC, so I think he’s more than familiar with “Big City” life.
I’ve been to Honolulu, and while it’s fantastic , it’s nothing like Chicago or NYC (in regards to 4am bar closings, "no"am bar closings, etc.).
I remember the bars closing at 2-3am…I could be wrong, though.
-Cem
Nobody’s mentioned Mama’s Fish House in Maui. There are a handful of restaurants where just saying the name makes me start drooling. Mama’s is one of them. The food is amazing, the views are breathtaking, and it’ll run you $160 or so for the two of you. But it’ll be worth every penny.
It’s located on the east end of Pa’ia, just a little bit east of Kahului on Maui’s north shore. It’s more or less the last thing before you get into the Hana Highway for real.
Things I concur with that other posters have mentioned: my wife and I have done the Old Lahaina Luau on both visits to Maui. It’s a don’t-miss, but it’s still second to Mama’s Fish House.
And by all means get a copy of Maui Revealed, which Lok linked to early on. It’s the only guide to Maui that you’ll need. They even have online updates to the book.
I have ordered the book (plus The DaVinci Code - I think I am the last person on earth who hasn’t read it and thought it might be good for the trip). At any rate, thanks to those who suggested the guidebook, looks like just what we need while we are there.
So - $160 for dinner for two? That is a bit pricey, even for Las Vegas gourmet restaurants. Is that just for food, or are you adding in the price of a bottle of vintage wine and a two day rental of a Mercedes to get there?
You bring a flashlight because there are several parts within the mountain side that have no light sources. The first isn’t too bad, a long straight tunnel that’s only just over 6’ tall. If you go slowly your eyes get a chance to adjust. But there’s a spiral staircase with itty bitty steps that is freaking wicked in the pitch black.
I’ve seen food pantry range from 7 to 8 depending upon the brand of milk. Don’t shop in Waikiki! At least go to Ala Moana and go to Foodland there.
Another fun fact. The City & County of Honolulu not only includes Oahu and the little islands surrounding it but also all the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands except Midway. Making it almost 1400 miles long. That the distance between New York and Dallas. They were thinking about giving us Midway and Johnston Atoll but I don’t think anything came of it.
Mr and Mr DMark;
Maui recommendations from someone who spends 2+ months a year there:
- Rent a car. The shuttle service is ok, but not great. Are you staying at the Westin Kaanapali Villa’s or the old Hilton K Villa’s (now ResortQuest)? They are right next to each other and are about 40 minutes from the airport. Distances on Maui are farther than they appear. Most of the roads are one lane in each direction, so it takes longer than you think to get anywhere.
Not knowing what you are into, but if you want to check out Little Beach in south Maui, it’s at least an hours drive, and there’s no public transpo that I’m aware of.
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The water will feel cold. When we go in the winter/spring as opposed to summer I wear a shorty wet-suit to snorkle. My toasty warm husband almost bought one this past christmas. If you plan on snorkeling a lot I suggest you get one before you go.
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You will be staying very close to two great snorkeling spots:
a) In front of the Westin Kaanapali Villas North building, just walk into the water and plunk your face in. Instant fishies, I’ll bet the first you see is the infamous humahuma. You’ll recognize them by their neon purple lips and territoriality. Swim out a bit then just drift with the current till you get to the local beach (airport beach). Note airport beach is between the new Westin K Villas and the older K Villas.b) Black Rock: from either of the two K Villas you will see black rock directly south. The Sheraton is on the top. You can walk the beach to get there and then swim around if you’re an ok swimmer, or walk thru their parking lot to get to the other side and snorkle from the beach. Lots of fishies and usually some turtles. If you’re staying at the Westin Villas you can take a shuttle to the Sheraton, use their beach, pool, towels, etc.
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Another good place to snorkle is Honoloa Bay, this is about 5 miles north of the Villas, again you need a car. Just be careful, in the winter the surf can be high!! Don’t go in if it’s really surfy.
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Restaurants:
a) For casual lunch our favorite is the Barefoot Bar at the Hula Grill at Whaler’s Village. Sand under your feet, live music every day at 3, and a beach shower right in front of you for entertainment. I keep an eye out to point out the thong girls for MrSin and he keeps an eye out for the surfer boys for me. We frequently do 3 hour lunches there. 
b) Another good lunch choice is Milagro’s in Paia. Most excellent Mexican, best Margherita’s on the island, and more beach boy and girl viewing. Again, car needed.
b) Fancy dinners: Roys in Kahana, Mamma’s on the East? side (we don’t do fancy too much) Need a car to get to both.
c) Steak: Makawao steak house, upcountry Maui cowboy experience.
- Whichever condo you’re in will have grills. Go to the Fish Market in Honokoai (sp?). They sell the freshest fish and will fix it up for you to put it on the grill with all the spices you need, they even supply the little Al pan and tell you how to cook it. yum.
Sorry this is so long.
PS I disagree about Cheeseburger in Paradise. Worst food ever, and tourists lined up outside to get at it. Yuck.
And if the above wasn’t long enough, I totally forgot :wally late Feb on Maui is Whale Soup time. Whales will be everywhere. Bring your binoculars and watch them from the beach and definately go on a Whale watch cruise.
OK carry on;
Sinjin
Oh, good point. I forgot about this. Food Pantry has OUTRAGEOUS prices, so even though it’s conveniently located in Waikiki, it’s the biggest ripoff ever. You can take the 6 (I think) straight to the Ala Moana Mall from your hotel. There’s a Foodland there that’s much more reasonable (notice I didn’t say “cheap”?).
Yeah, I used to eat at the one on Kalakaua and Ala Moana Boulevard cuz it was really close to my house, but I wasn’t impressed. I don’t think it was the worst food ever, but $12 for a single burger? No fries, no nothin’? They weren’t worth that. Teddy’s makes a WAY better burger.
See - I would have never thought to bring binoculars, and we have two pair we got as gifts and have hardly ever used. And a whale watch is definitely on the cards.
Thanks Sinjin for that, and your other suggestions! The surfer dude free shower show sounds entertaining…I suppose using the binoculars there would be a bit obvious, eh?
$12 for a burger? And no fries? Hmm, it had better be damed good - didn’t even pay that much in NYC at Jackson Hole.
So - milk costs a fortune, burgers cost a fortune…perhaps we should just bring along two cows and swap them at the Aloha Bowl. Might pay for the entire trip.
We have already put Teddy’s on our list of “give it a try” locations, thanks to you!
Yeah, you might get in trouble with the binoculars and the shower. MrSin keeps telling me he wants to put a web cam up in a nearby tree. 
Another couple of places to eat: “Coolers” in Lahaina on Dickenson Street (slightly off the main drag) good pig and fish tacos. Kimo’s, on the main drag in Lahaina, great fish, great bar on the ocean front (but in MHO the famous Hula Pie is just fancy DQ ice-cream cake (ducks and covers)) Castaway Bar and Restaurant at the older K Villas, nice ocean front and close to or right next to where you’re staying.
For old time Hawaii kitsch check out the Hula show at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel(KBH). It runs every night and it’s free. Dale makes the best drinks at the TIKI bar at the KBH. If you’re into alchoholic bevs try a “Tropical Itch.” Get there before sunset and you can walk out to the beach and see the torch guy at the Sheraton next door dive off black rock at sunset (binoculars ok).
Safeway has the best prices for food and wine. If you don’t have their card get one the first time you checkout. It’s always crowded but the checkers and baggers are always laid back and friendly.
A lot of times for lunch we’ll drive to the Fish Market (about 1 mile from your condo) and get some shrimp cocktail (made fresh everyday), a couple of oyster shooters and 1/4# of Poke’–toss it all in a cooler with a couple of brews and water and take it to the beach.
Aloha
At the Cheeseburger In Paradise in Lahaina, in January, 2004, I spent a total of $18.26. That was for the large burger, fries, and large coke. More expensive than here in Ohio, but not outrageous for a tourist trap. I hit it right before lunch on a Sunday and there was no line. YMMV.
Lok
Nope. The westbound busses that go to Ala Moana are the 8, 19, 20, 42 and 58. Eastbound to Hanauma bay are the 22 and 58.
BTW, Diamond Head isn’t that great of a hike. If you’re out at Hanauma Bay and have a car try out Kulio’o trail. It’s a not to difficult ridge hike that ends up atop of the Ko’olau mountains. You’ll probably be able to see Molokai, Lanai and sometimes Maui. If it’s really clear you can even see Haleakala. Plus it’s a pretty safe place to leave your car. And you’ll see a whole lot of ocean to look for whales with. But it will take a lot longer then Diamond Head. Oh yeah, they charge like a buck a person to go up Diamond Head. And it’s often crowded. And they got people at the top now making sure you don’t climb on top of the pill boxes.
Here’s the website for TheBus. It lists all the routes and schedules.