For Oahu, Dolce in Ward Centre is my go to clothing boutique. The owner Christi has a fantastic eye for relaxed, elegant contemporary clothing. She carries Calypso, Lauren Moshi, Kain, LNA and Linea Pelle, just to name a few. Its a small space but incredibly well edited. Then for yoga or loungewear, Lily Lotus is fantastic. She not only carries her only line but other fantastic lines that can be used for yoga or just for casual wear. Always has a great selection of jewelry too. Her and her mom are complete dolls and a joy to chat with.

For Maui, La Jolie Maison is a consignment furniture/home accessories boutique in Kihei. I’ve purchased a beautiful black maple desk with beautiful curved legs (very regency), crystal and wonderful vintage inspired wooden trays. She also carries beautiful, mirrors, credenzas, china. I’d also add Nest, also in Kihei. The owner does staging and also sells her pieces in this adorable little boutique. The overall theme is modern beach cottage/shabby chic but the all wood rustic dresser/credenza I bought from her brought just the right amount of texture to my otherwise modern living room. She’s also got wonderful lamps, accessories galore and curtains. Many pieces with reclaimed wood. She’s got an incredible eye.

Paradise Living (near Mind’s Eye) is a furniture resale shop in Lahaina that we have found to be worthwhile over the years.

One restaurant well known by locals in the Wailuku business district is not likely to be found by vacationers, but is well worth the drive. Our not-to-be missed GREAT find is in an out of the way business district in Wailuku on Main Street, called the Main Street Bistro. They are crowded with the office workers at breakfast and lunch and have a tapas menu at night, but they are only open until 7:00 p.m. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. The food is plentiful, beautifully presented and VERY reasonable. It is a tiny place, but the chef/owner (Tom) will treat you like family and will try to prepare specialties for you if not busy from the lunch/dinner menu even if it is not the right time of day. Prior to opening his own restaurant, Tom paid his dues as a top chef with hotels on Maui – the fruits of his labors will be instantly apparent to you. Tell Tom that the people from Cincinnati sent you! You can review the menu on their web site: http://www.msbmaui.com or call them for directions AND HOURS at Tel: (808) 244-6816.

You might couple this trip with a scenic journey to ‘Iao Valley, which is just up the road (take a jacket–can be windy and cold!). And also visit Maui Tropical Plantation (on Honoapillani Highway) just outside of Wailuku toward Lahaina. The nursery grows all sorts of tropical plants/trees and offers tours of the property (purchase a ticket or look around yourself). There is a gift shop there (free) and it is also worthwhile to walk behind the shop and up the path to see the monkeys and the beautiful pond behind the monkey cages. Bring quarters to feed the fish/ducks. Kids love it here. If it is a sunny day, try waving a purse or something over the water and watch the fish DIVE (they must think the shadow is a bird trying to make them a dinner catch).

Five Palms Restaurant ( S. Kihei Rd.) — wonderful view of an ocean “cove” and indoor or outdoor seating. Our favorites there are breakfast (try the baked pancake — huge) and lunch, but dinner is wonderful, too.

We also love Kihei Café (cash only) and Stella Blues in Kihei for breakfast/lunch. It’s a noisy, open air, casual sports bar setting, but LuLu’s upstairs (near Bada Bing and the outdoor bazaar) makes a mean cheeseburger and good drinks.

Mulligans Irish — in Wailea at one of the golf courses — great food and perfect for sunset ocean views.

Kimo’s is also very popular (in Lahaina) for drinks/food and water setting.

If anyone is looking for a very cheap happy hour, Moose McGillicuddy’s in Lahaina (now in Kihei, too!) is the cheapest we’ve run across – also good cheeseburgers. Sharing the building in Kihei is a very good and reasonable Mexican restaurant with the catchy name of “Fred’s” – crowded but good food and reasonable prices (huge portions – you might consider sharing at first). Look for special’s on certain nights.

We love the hamburgers at Cool Cat Café in Lahaina (upstairs at the Wharf Shopping Center), across from the famous full block of Banyan tree – photo op!

BJ’s pizza in Lahaina is also very popular (somewhat noisy when their live music begins).

Kids/family like Bubba Gumps in Lahaina — seafood and fun atmosphere.

Cheeseburger in Paradise is front and center for location on the water in the middle of Lahaina. Casual (big) burgers — we like the calamari sandwich there. If you aren’t going to Lahaina that day, there is another C in P at the Shops at Wailea toward the ocean back side of the center. Somewhat less crowded, but they’ve lost their ocean view due to a high rise being built at the ocean. If you go to the shops at Wailea, look at the menu for Longhi’s restaurant. It is famous/expensive and their main, traditional location is in Lahaina.

And — don’t miss near Cheeseburger and Longhi’s at the Shops at Wailea the beautiful and unusual art gallery of Elan Vital. There are many fine restaurants in this shopping center, an ABC store, and a small grocery/souvenir shop called the General Store.

The Shops at Wailea has free entertainment every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

In Paia, we second your fondness for Des Amis. Also try casual Charlie’s (Willie Nelson has been known to wander through occasionally).

Enjoy.