Post #652662 by Hibiscus on Wed, Sep 19, 2012 11:57 AM

We'll just be missing you - we're going for our anniversary the beginning/middle of October! Last time we were there we went to Halloween in Lahaina - lots of fun, although apparently it's less rowdy and more family-friendly than in the past. We loved it - you really get to see something truly local. Get to Front Street a bit early, get something cold to drink and stake out a shady spot to watch the parade.

If you're in the Ka'anapali area in the evenings, the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel has free hula in their beautiful courtyard from 6-9pm or so. They have a decent tiki bar and grill where you can get a pizza or mahi mahi sandwich and have a drink outside under the watchful gaze of the giant Ku statue while watching the show. A good way to not spend a fortune on dinner once in a while.

Consider Maui Fridays for a big local street party, if your schedule permits. We're planning on going to the Wailuku one when we're there. http://mauifridays.com/

Music on Maui might be a good resource for local music, if that interests you - http://www.mauinews.com/page/category.detail/nav/5039/Music-on-Maui.html We've got tickets for this, as well - http://www.slackkeyshow.com/calendar/

There's a cool arts and crafts fair under the giant banyan in Lahaina on the weekends - http://www.calendarmaui.com/php/event-detail.php?event_id=11630 Local carvers and artists - a great way to get actual Hawaiian-made stuff.

If you want an incredible meal with gorgeous, tiki-ish ambience and have some coin to spend, of course Mama's Fish House is the place to go. Verrrry expensive and not usually the kind of place we'd be able to go to, but for our anniversary we're going to do it. We had lunch there last time and didn't regret a penny of it. Make reservations, though. http://mamasfishhouse.com/ You can even do it more inexpensively by just going during lunch for appetizers, drinks and maybe one of their Black Pearl desserts to share. Fantastic experience all around, and not the least bit stuffy.

As for beaches, we're partial to Ka'anapali, despite the hotels. Great snorkeling right there at Black Rock, beautiful sunsets, drinks available at hotel bars, and of course the stunning blue water.

Congrats on your 35 years!