THE BOWMAN'S PICKS PAGE
Family-friendly beaches, activities, and restaurants.
 Charley and Bob Bowman, an active, charming couple, have been to Maui 5 times since they spent their honeymoon here in 1995. Their 6-year old daughter, Christy, and her big brother Josh have visited the island 4 times with their parents. Christy has made friends with a local family whose children refer to her as their “mainland sister”, a distinction she clearly enjoys. Maui is her island home. As for Josh, a precocious 9 year old with an insatiable interest in the science, Maui is an adventurous question waiting for an answer. Why does a seashell spiral? How do those little sand crabs always get away? The Bowmans are avid swimmers and beachgoers who have explored most of the public beaches and many of the island’s family-friendly restaurants and events. They are always excited about learning of new places to go and things to do as a family. Write to the Bowmans at
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ACCOMMODATIONS |
Aston at the Maui Banyon - 2575 South Kihei Road Kihei - (808)875-0004 (877)997-6667
Located across the street from a popular beach park . All condos have been recently renovated . Each family receives a free family portrait. At Aston Maui Banyan, you will find lots of room and great facilities at a surprisingly reasonable price. Each condo is fully equipped with a kitchen and washer/dryer, and has a private lanai. Maui Banyan’s best feature is its two recreational pavilions, each with a pool, jet spa and picnic area. 3 star condo from $126, affordable for a family condo. Add to my picks! |
Aston Maui Lu Resort - Kihei - (808)879-5881
Simple and authentic hotel for families on a budget (from $89 as of this listing). Oldest coconut grove on Maui, and all of the basic amenities for a wonderful family vacation. Add to my picks! |
Camping on Maui - Fun for the whole family -
Camping is permitted in six places on Maui. You have to get a permit from the Division of State Parks for PoliPoli, a magical place way up on the side of Haleakala, or Waianapanapa, a black sand beach park near Hana, phone: (808)243-5354 before you come. Add to my picks! |
Garden Gate Bed and Breakfast - 67 Kaniau Rd. Lahaina - (808) 661-8800
Garden Gate is an elegant, but affordable Bed and Breakfast centrally located close to the historic Lahaina towne and the world class beaches of Kaanapali. Relax in our air-conditioned rooms or sit back in our lush tropical garden setting and see the magnificence of the most beautiful Island in the Pacific. Add to my picks! |
Hyatt Regency Maui Beach Resort and Spa - Lahaina - 808-661-1234/ 808-667-4400
This hotel is a dream come true for children of all ages. Our family couldn’t have been more pleased with the amenities – fountains to play in, pools that wander through cave-like structures, a giant slide and the ocean just a few feet away. There is gorgeous artwork installed all over the grounds, especially sculpture from the Far East. This is all available without leaving
the 40- acres of hotel amenities. The resort's nightly luau, "Drums of the Pacific" is regularly voted Maui's hottest luau. Then there’s Camp Hyatt, a children’s day camp that operates from 9am to 3pm, and 6pm to 10pm daily. They promised a fun- filled day for our keiki (ages 5 to 12 years only), and they made good on their promise. Thumbs up, Hyatt! We’ll be back again soon.
Add to my picks! |
Maui Beach Hotel - Kahului - 808-877-0051
Convenience is what recommends this recently renovated older, low-rise hotel on Kahului harbor. Ten minutes from the airport (they'll pick you up) and well placed to get anywhere else on Maui quickly. Very reasonably priced for the family on a budget. Add to my picks! |
ACTIVITIES/ATTRACTIONS |
Fun Factory Arcade - Maui Mall - 70 East Ka'ahumanu Ave Kahului - (808)873 –6229
Another Fun Factory Arcade is located at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, 275 West Ka'ahumanu Avenue, Kahului. The one at the Maui Mall seems to attract a bit younger of a crowd than its sister location at Ka'ahumanu. A lot of the customers are under parental supervision, making for a much more pleasant atmosphere. The games reflect the age of the customers. Flintstones, Flip-n-Win, and an activity called Hightop (that takes place in a giant shoe) are a few of the featured attractions. Add to my picks! |
Hawaii Nature Center - Wailuku - 808-244-6500
Great exhibits for kids. Interactive, hands-on science in the Iao Valley, the spiritual heart of Maui. Add to my picks! |
Hulopoe Beach Park - Manele Road near the Manele Bay Hotel Lanai -
Hulopoe Beach features a large tidepool carved into a lava cliff with all-season swimming for children. It's a good place to snorkel. Public restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and campsites are provided by the private owner. Add to my picks! |
Maui Arts & Cultural Center - Kahului - 808-242-2787 808-242-SHOW
From hula to symphony, paintings to taiko drumming, ballet to children's art, slack key guitar to Chinese acrobats to popular singers, the Center celebrates the richness of the cultural diversity that converges on Maui. The center offers many shows that children will enjoy. Add to my picks! |
Maui Go Karts - 191 Vevau Street Kahului - (808)871-7619
A great track for go carting, some age restrictions so call first. Add to my picks! |
Maui Ocean Center - Maalaea Harbor Village Maalaea - (808)270-7000
The Maui Ocean Center has a 600,000-gallon ocean aquarium tank with a walk-through acrylic tunnel that lets you get a good look at a variety of the ocean's inhabitants, including tiger sharks, eagle rays, mahi mahi, triggerfish, sea turtles, and eels. Adults - $20. Children 3-12 - $13. Discounts for senior citizens, Hawaiian residents and military personnel. Add to my picks! |
Napili Beach - off Honoapiilani Road Lahaina -
Napili Beach is on a small tranquil bay and is a good beach for swimming and is safe for small children. It's right by the Napili Kai Beach Resort. Add to my picks! |
Pacific Whale Foundation - Maalaea - (808)249-8811
Maui's oldest and largest marine conservation organization. Explore Hawaii's fascinating marine environment with the experts. Up to fifteen cruises daily on four great boats from Maalaea and Lahaina harbors. Whale and dolphin watch tours, snorkeling and sailing discovery adventures. Led by marine biologists and research naturalists. Includes free marine poster and whale/dolphin guides. All profits help save whales and our planet's oceans! Add to my picks! |
Paper Airplane Museum & Tin Can Man of Maui - Maui Mall Shopping Center Kahului - (808)877-8916
Store and museum with a collection of more than 2,000 paper airplanes from around the world. The museum features photos and artifacts showing the Hawaiian Islands' aviation history from 1910 to the present. Also included in the museum are the handcrafted designs of The Tin Can Man of Maui. There are hundred of tin can airplanes, cars, boats, trains, dinosaurs, ukuleles, and more. Free admission. Add to my picks! |
Snorkel Maui - (808) 572-8437
Ann Fielding who leads the snorkeling adventures is a marine biologist who will teach you how to snorkel as well as provide info about the marine life that you see. Children and beginners welcome. Basic half-day snorkel trip - adults/$75, children/$65. Equipment provided. Add to my picks! |
ENTERTAINMENT |
Front Street Theaters - 900 Front St. Lahaina - (808)661-5009
Add to my picks! |
Ka`ahumanu Theater - Queen Ka`ahumanu Center Kahului -
Movies (808)873-3137 / Center (808)877-3369
This six-plex theater, located on the second floor of the the Ka'ahumanu Center, shows the latest movies. Add to my picks! |
Kukui Mall 4 Theatres - 1819 S. Kihei Rd. Kihei -
Add to my picks! |
Maui Mall Megaplex - Maui Mall Shopping Center Kahului - (808)249-2222
Add to my picks! |
Wharf Cinema - 658 Front Street Lahaina - (808)667-7865
Shopping mall– based movie theaters are a good option for families, as you can get some shopping done before or after your kids catch the latest blockbuster from Pixar or Disney. For those with teens and pre-teens, the Food Court becomes a great way to save money at the movies - prices for food in the theaters is generally very high. Add to my picks! |
RESTAURANTS/CATERING |
Betty's Beach Cafe - 505 Front St. Suite 102 Lahaina - (808) 662-0300
Add to my picks! |
Cheeseburger in Paradise - Lahaina - 808-661-4855 800-800-1541
Hours: Daily 8 am to 10:30 pm
Menu: Pure Angus Beef Burgers with toppings to make your taste buds swoon. Also Veggie and Tofu Burgers, Grilled Cheese, Mahi Mahi sandwiches and much more. Dessert is the Mud Puddle Pie, my kids’ chocolaty favorite. Breakfast menu includes macadamia nut pancakes, smoothies, and the usual morning fare of eggs, bacon and such. They have live music in the evenings.
Add to my picks! |
Hard Rock Cafe - Lahaina - 808-667-7400
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
This is rock and roll dining at it’s most fun. Great for the kids, very casual, and the food is a known commodity if your young’uns don’t go for anything “weird”.
Add to my picks! |
Hula Grill - 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy., Lahaina - (808)667-6636
A beachfront bistro with excellent food. Free pasta for children under 4 and a kid's menu that includes cheeseburgers, pizza, and pasta with Parmesan and butter. An adult menu that features excellent seafood, steaks, pasta and stir-fry. Add to my picks! |
Paia Fish Market Resturant - 100 Hana Highway Paia - (808)579-8030
A casual sit-down restaurant specializing in charbroiled fish. More than a dozen types of fish on the menu, all at market price, that can be prepared in one of 4 different manners. Also, charbroiled chicken, blackened sashimi, seafood salad, or fresh fish to take home and prepare yourself. Add to my picks! |
Star Noodle - Lahaina Business Park Lahaina - (808) 667-5400
Add to my picks! |
The Hideaway Restaurant - 500 N. Puunene Ave. Kahului - (808)873-6555
A wonderful restaurant next to Hoaloha Park with a wonderful view of the water. A buffet along with their a la carte menu, which offers a combination of American standard and local dishes. Known for their delicious pork ribs. Entrees are all under $16, many less, and the keiki menu makes this an affordable place for families. Add to my picks! |
SHOPPING |
Front Street - Lahaina -
Front Street in downtown Lahaina has kept the charm of its 19th century past as a whaling center. Offering one-of-a-kind shops, family-friendly restaurants and art galleries, all found at the water’s edge, parents and children alike are sure to find something special to take home with them. Add to my picks! |
Lahaina Cannery Mall - Off Honoapiilani Hwy. next to Front Street Lahaina - (808)661-5304
Offering a variety of boutique retail stores combined with casual restaurants and an exceptional international food court, you can also enjoy Hula dancing, Hawaiian artists, cultural events and festivals year-round. Add to my picks! |
Whalers Village Shops/Restaurants - Lahaina - (808)661-4567 (800)245-9229
Whalers Village shopping complex features live entertainment most nights on its center stage. A sand sculptor amazes visitors with intricately - detailed sand sculptures on display every day in the center courtyard. The Whalers Village Museum, on the mezzanine level, interactively brings to life Lahaina's golden era of whaling. Open daily. Add to my picks! |
EDUCATION |
Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center - 2841 Baldwin Avenue Makawao - (808) 572-6560
You and/or your child can take one class, or a series of art classes at the beautiful Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center. They have art education programs for adults and children, art exhibits and a gift shop, on an historic upcountry estate with magnificent grounds. Add to my picks! |
