Local Guide to Maui

Ocean Vodka Distillery - tours and restaurant - Cheap spirits tasting, amazing views, killer cocktails and delicious food. Pizzas & poke. You can now rent this spot for events!

Surfing Goat Dairy - tours - New owners as of December 2023, they have a whole bunch of new tours including playing with the baby "kids". Really great cheese to purchase but rosemary feta goat cheese is THE ONE to buy.

Ho'okipa - beach/wildlife - Check out the windsurfers at the parking lot on the cliff and don't miss out on walking down to the beach where at any given moment there is 20-60 sea turtles that rest.

South Maui Gardens -events - what started out as a plant nursery has developed into the newest community spot. There are dozens of permanent food trucks on the property to tuck into a bite. Every monday night is a free movie night, Thursday mornings - free artisan market, Friday mornings are free yoga classes, and live music run 6 nights of the week. I've been for a paid event which was their comedy series - they invite traveling established comedians to come do a set. they also have a hula show and a concert series.

Thompson Road - activity/exercise - this easy couple mile walk lines the paved road to Oprah's private residence. Locals walk this road as it overlooks the island and has stunning views. You will get to see Oprah's guest residences while walking and typically horses and cows along the countryside. It looks like the hills of Ireland meets the views of the Azores Islands.

13 Crossings (Makamakaole Stream) - hike - this hidden gem is a local spot, you cross a stream 13 times to reach a waterfall and lagoon. It is a drive around the island to an area where only locals go to but it is pure, beautiful, untouched Maui.

Skyline Adventures - activity - Zip-line and be a conservationist at the same time. A portion of your ticket goes to planting native trees and helping ocean cleanups. A thrilling way to give back to the community.

La Perouse Bay - activity/hike - At the end of the bumpy, lava rock-ridden, off the paved road lies La Perouse Bay. There is plenty of hiking to be done amongst the lava rocks and locals come here to spearfish. Take a hike around the corner and you'll get a glimpse of Jeff Bezos newest property. The bay is a beautiful view of what the island looked like before any forestation happened.

Moose McGillicudy's - activity/dining - looking for an evening activity? it's hard to find on maui, maui midnight is around 8pm. monday nights are bingo nights, Wednesday nights is trivia. they have great happy hours at this place and the food is pretty good - the Kalua pig plate is great. Prizes to be won at both.

Isana - sushi - best sushi on the island, two happy hours 3-5 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. daily, must make reservations in advance - super popular with the locals. right on the water

T. Kamado Bakery - bakery - upcountry in Makawao lives this decades old bakery known for its donuts. Get there early, they sell out quick.

Cinnamon Roll Place - bakery - the name says it all. cinnamon rolls the size of your face with whatever toppings you want to add. typically a line out the door but its a small establishment and moves quick. after your morning walk, this place is the place to be.

Sparky's - local Hawaiian - this long-time food truck turned brick and mortar is a win for the Hawaiian community. It is a local Hawaiian run place with the best Hawaiian food on the island. It is centrally located on the Island which makes it a great place to go to right after flying in or my pro tip: order takeout to go and bring with you through TSA to eat in the airport on the way home.

Maui Pie - bakery - the best pie I've ever had. the mountain berry pie is to die for. tucked away in a shopping mall, it's easy to miss at first glance but once you know its there, you'll never go another trip without stopping for a slice.

Seascape Restaurant - local food - when you think of aquarium food, delicious local food doesn't typically come to mind. but the food at seascape will having you think differently. after going to the aquarium (don't miss the immersive whale exhibit), pop into the restaurant attached to the aquarium. You will get a beautiful view of the harbor and typically great whale watching. The daily local lunch items are not to be beat and the smoothies are uncharacteristically good.

Cafe O'lei - local food - local restauranteurs that have worked for all the hotels on the island opened up two restaurants on the island that many locals go to for a quick lunch. the Cafe O'lei at The Plantation is their newest endeavor, beautiful grounds and a scenic view but locals know the OG in Kihei, is hard to beat. The Kihei restaurant is not beautiful by any means but the quality of the food is consistent, it's easy to get to, and the fish plate lunch special is crave-able.

ekolu kitchen1279 - dinner - the owners of established Nalu's opened this dinner restaurant in the shopping plaza adjacent to them right before the pandemic hit. They have been closed for a few years and just recently opened up again for reservations. The atmosphere is very sleek inside. Some highlights on their menu include the starter crispy gnocchi carbonara, main - pork chop, and dessert - baked molokini - their play on a baked Alaska.