View PDF | Print View 

Maui is well known for its savvy restaurants and fireside luau's. While offering many traditional American foods there are also many that you may not have the opportunity to taste once you depart.

Imagine being the guest of a real Hawaiian luau. Polynesian drumbeats, the exotic native dancers, under the night stars with a warm island breeze blowing while you feast on Lomi-Lomi Salmon, Poi, and Haupia, all native Hawaiian dishes.

Hawaiian cuisine generally includes fresh fruits that are grown locally, pork and a variety of fresh fish. Poke a dish that is also a traditional dish of Hawaiians consists of sliced, raw fresh fish, mixed with seaweed, Chile peppers, and roasted nuts.

These are traditional dishes that are served mainly at luaus along with salads and roasted pig. Huli Huli is the traditional roasted suckling piglet which slowly roasts the piglet on a rotisserie. Puna goat cheese and fresh picked pineapple are used in many of the homeland recipes as well as macadamia nuts and fresh coconuts. So many cultures are blended together in Hawaii that the food is very sui generis. Some people may miss the rare cuisine the most after they have gone home.

In addition to the rare cuisine, it is imperative that you sample the exclusive teas and locally grown coffees but also do not forget to tease you pallet with the various wines that are grown from local grapes and the rare micro brewed beers. You have to leave enough room for the fancy Hawaiian Pina Coladas and Daiquiris that are served all day long, even while you are soaking up the sun on the white sandy sun kissed beaches. If you are feeding a family or have an allowance to follow there are ways to cut corners.

Select which meal of the day will be the big meal and travel outside of your hotel or resort to eat the other two. Some of the scuba and hiking packages include one meal for each person so that will help cut corners too. It might also be cost effective to pack a cooler and have a picnic on the beach. Also consider some of the all you can eat buffets as they are affordable and offer a combination of a meal as well as dessert.

Regardless of which choice you make regarding your meals, there are some items that are just part of the Hawaiian experience which will be part of every memory that you hold from your vacation.

Food is an essential part of every vacation and when you receive an opportunity to visit a tropical paradise such as Maui, it is more than just the paramount experience of the excellent service, the landmark scenery, the impeccable spa and massage treatments, the everlasting views of the blue ocean, it is also about what delicacies you were able to consume. Maui is bountiful with fresh fish and delectable fruits that are used to make masterful dishes for travelers as well as Hawaiian natives.

Their creative flare for incorporating them into unique dishes is impeccable. It is no wonder that once you have left the island, the cuisine will be one of your most unforgettable memories.