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Lahaina Romance Guide
When it comes to romance, Lahaina (on Maui) offers much along the lines of Waikiki--but on a much, MUCH smaller scale. There's art. There's culture. There's entertainment. There's fine dining. But Lahaina offers much more in the way of intimacy than its glamorous cousin on Oahu. If you're on your honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary or just a couple away from the kids, you'll find plenty of spark in Lahaina. Here's your guide.
Art Walk
If you arrange to spend a Friday evening exploring Front Street, you can dine in town and hang around for Art Night, when the galleries stay open into the evening and entertainment fills the streets.
Sunset Dinner Cruise
With the islands of Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Molokini a stone's throw away, Maui waters offer visually arresting backdrops for sailing adventures, especially at sunset. Sailing conditions can be fickle. Winds are consistent in summer, but variable in winter, and afternoons are generally windier all throughout the year.
America II
Address: Slip 6, Lahaina Harbor, Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/667-2195
www.sailingonmaui.com
The star of this two-hour cruise is the craft itself—a 1987 America's Cup 12-meter class contender that will take you on a wild ride. This trip is all about the sail, so you can count out any cocktails or fancy food. But if it's adventure you're looking for, you will go fast, you will get wet—and you will have fun. Private charters are available.
Cost: $40 Open: Daily
Kaulana Cocktail Cruise
Address: Lahaina Harbor, Slip 3, HI, 96761
Phone: 800/244-7400
This two-hour sunset cruise prides itself on its live music and festive atmosphere. Accommodating up to 100 people, the cruise generally attracts a younger, more-boisterous crowd. Pupu, such as meatballs, crab and shrimp platters, and teriyaki pineapple chicken are served, and there is a full bar (two drinks included). Freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies are passed around toward the end of the trip.
Cost: $49 Open: Mon., Wed., and Fri. 4:30-7:30PM
Maui Princess Dinner Cruise
Address: Lahaina Harbor, Slip 3, HI
Phone: 877/500-6284; 808/667-6165
www.mauiprincess.com
This 118-foot yacht is set up with a dance floor, open-air deck, snack bar, and cocktail lounge. Dinner is prepared fresh daily and not catered by an outside company. Unlike other sunset cruises, there's no need to rush to get a good seat—the upper-deck tables are already reserved for each party. Guests have a choice of roasted chicken with sesame sauce, a 12-ounce prime rib with au jus and horseradish, or a vegetarian Mediterranean couscous pocket with tomato, mushroom, and herb sauce, all with table-side service.
Cost: $96.44 adult, $66.63 child 7-12 Open: 5PM-8PM
Pacific Whale Foundation Dinner or Cocktail Cruise
Address: Ocean Discovery Store, 612 Front St., Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/249-8811
www.pacificwhale.org
All aboard a sleek double-deck power catamaran for a dinner of grilled steak and chicken, mahimahi, vegetable tofu stir-fry, and orange-glazed pound cake. This cruise holds up to 100 people, so it can be crowded. Note that if the water is choppy and the wind is blowing, it won't be a comfortable experience with napkins and utensils flying around. You might just opt for a relaxing "booze cruise," with hot and cold appetizers, live entertainment, and bar (three drinks included).
Cost: $84.95 dinner cruise; $49.95 cocktail cruise Open: Daily, call for seasonal check-in times.
Paragon Champagne Sunset Sail
Address: Loading Dock, Lahaina Harbor, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/244-2087
www.sailmaui.com
This 47-foot catamaran brings you a performance sail within a personal setting. Limited to groups of 24 (with private charters available), you can spread out on deck and enjoy the gentle trade winds. It's free for children three and under. An easygoing, attentive crew will serve you hot and cold pupu, such as grilled chicken skewers, spring rolls, and a fruit platter, along with beer, wine, mai tais, and champagne at sunset. This is one of the best trips around.
Cost: $47.60 adult, $33.15 child 4-12, free for children 3 and under Open: Mon., Wed., Fri.
evenings only; call for check-in times
Scotch Mist Charters
Address: Lahaina Harbor, Slip 2, Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/661-0386
www.scotchmistsailingcharters.com
Sailing is at its best on this two-hour champagne cruise. The 25-passenger, 50-foot Scotch Mist II will give you an intimate and exhilarating ride, with complimentary champagne, chocolate, fresh pineapple, juice, beer, and wine. Private charters are available.
Cost: $59.95 Open: Daily; call for seasonal check-in times
Spirit of Lahaina Dinner Cruise
Address: Lahaina Harbor, Slip 4, Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/662-4477
www.spiritoflahaina.com
This double-deck, 65-foot catamaran offers a family-style dinner cruise, featuring appetizers, warm taro rolls, freshly grilled steak, huli-huli chicken (barbecued with flavors like brown sugar cane, ginger, and soy), shrimp skewered on sugarcane, and fabulous desserts. The trip also features contemporary Hawaiian music, hula, and a comedy magic show that will definitely cure you of any motion sickness.
Cost: $99 adult, $59 child Open: Daily 5-7:15PM
Culture & Entertainment
Ulalena at Maui Theater
One of Maui's hottest tickets, "'Ulalena" is a 75-minute musical extravaganza that is well received by audiences and Hawaiian-culture experts alike. Cirque de Soleil-inspired, the ensemble cast (20 singer-dancers and a five-musician orchestra) mixes native rhythms and stories with acrobatic performance. High-tech stage wizardry gives an inspiring introduction to island culture. It has auditorium seating, and beer and wine are for sale at the concession stand. There are dinner-theater packages in conjunction with top Lahaina restaurants. Tues.-Sat. except Thurs. at 6:30 PM. 877/688-4800 or 808/661-9913. www.ulalena.com.
Warren & Annabelle's
This is one show not to miss -- it's serious comedy with an amazing sleight-of-hand. Magician Warren Gibson entices his guests into his swank nightclub with red carpets and a gleaming mahogany bar, and plies them with à la carte appetizers (coconut shrimp, crab cakes), desserts (rum cake, crème brûlée), and "smoking cocktails." Then, he performs tableside magic while his ghostly assistant, Annabelle, tickles the ivories. This is a nightclub, so no one under 21 is allowed. Mon. - Sat. 808-667-6244. www.warrenandannabelles.com
Old Lahaina Luau
Many consider this the best luau on Maui; it's certainly the most traditional. Located right on the water, at the northern end of town, the Old Lahaina Luau is small, personal, and as authentic as it gets. Sitting either at a table or on a lauhala mat, you'll dine on all-you-can-eat Hawaiian cuisine: pork lau lau, ahi poke, lomi lomi salmon, Maui-style mahimahi, haupia (coconut pudding), and more. At sunset the show begins a historical journey that relays key periods in Hawaii's history, from the arrival of the Polynesians to the influence of the missionaries and, later, tourism. The tanned, talented performers will charm you with their music, chanting, and variety of hula styles (modern and kahiko, the ancient way of communicating with the gods). But if it's fire dancers you want to see, you won't find them here, as they aren't considered traditional. Although it's performed nightly, this luau sells out regularly. Make your reservations when planning your trip to Maui. You can cancel up until 10 AM the day of the scheduled show. 800/248-5828. www.oldlahainaluau.com.