Lahaina

Take a stroll along Front Street from the Banyan Tree to the Aloha Mixed Plate to gain a sense of what this 19th century former whaling village has to offer.

Halloween in Lahaina is called the Mardi Gras of the Pacific where 30,000 revelers, from keiki (children) to adults who should know better, have a roaring good time.

You ship anchors in Lahaina Roads and tenders in to the wharf at the Banyan Tree Park on Front Street.

From Port: Short walk north.

Must Try: Hawai'ian mixed plate.

Review: The traditional Hawai'ian mixed plate is derived from the lunches plantation workers took into the fields. Composed of a meat, rice and macaroni salad (yes, macaroni salad), it provides a tasty carbo load in a styrofoam box. Here, the mahi-mahi is best, but Spam (yes, Spam, another traditional Hawai'ian staple) and loco moco (hamburger patty and gravy) are good alternatives.

Try the chow mein, freshly made noodles stir-fried with char siu pork, oyster sauce and vegetables; coconut prawns; chow fun noodles with teriyaki beef and black bean sauce. Oh yes. The fish dishes are outstanding. $$

Cheeseburger in Paradise
811 Front St.
661-4855
Web Site

From Port: Short walk north up Front Street.

Must Try: Well, cheeseburgers, $ 9. Ono onion rings, too. Mai Tais are $ 7.50. Better deal at Lahaina Fish Market a few doors north on Front Street.

Review: Beautiful view of harbor. This is not Jimmy Buffet's chain restaurant. They settled. And not the world's best cheeseburger but the view provides some solace.

Try to resist the incessant sales pitches for souvenir items. $

Looking North Along Front Street