Yee's Fruit Stand - worth looking for in Kihei

Four different types of Mangos from Maui, fresh coconut - so good, sugar cane - as an experience.

Working the menu at Coconuts!

The rectangular piece of fish is fresh Ono....divine. The triangular piece Mahi Mahi - pretty good. Enough "chips" for five people in this basket. The cole slaw is great.

Cafe O'Lei, Kihei

Music notes and dining experiences will be coming soon after Tapenade editor Mary completes her beat on Maui's Road to Hana.

Left behind Sue took a walking tour of the Polynesian art of The Grand Wailea hotel, now owned by a corporation in Singapore. Will Tapenade dine at The Grand Wailea? No, this is the blog for good eats on a family budget.

Today it was Cafe O'Lei in Kihei and the selection of the day was the Hawaiian plate lunch. This is the lunch found at road side stands and local restaurants. Traditionally it is meat or fish, a couple of scoops of white rice and for the diehard plate lunch fans, a big glob of macaroni salad. Today's plate lunch was a bit more refined, for about $11.00 a plate; fresh caught Mahi Mahi with a panko bread crumb crust with a tomato basil sauce, rice of course, and a Caesar salad. Delicious, and since we tend to follow a one meal out a day rule, we topped it off with dessert; take your pick. Pineapple Upside Down Cake, or my choice - Kona Coffee Creme Brûlée.

Mahalo Maui Morning!

Two hours of swimming while watching rainbows come and go over Lahaina. Sunny and dry in Kihei, with just enough excitement in the surf for good body surfing. The backdrop, Haleakala and Upcountry Maui. Then this to enjoy.

Paia Fish Market

Today the Tapenade team swam for an hour off the shore of Kamaole Beach 2's gentle shores. A beautiful hike through Maui's Iao Valley and we had an appetite for lunch. Fortunately we were near Paia, once a booming sugar cane plantation town. One of it's retro town buildings, the Paia Fish Market was calling our name. This "great eating tip" came from retired teacher friends. Yes, we are pretty sure God created Maui for teachers of every kind.

Join us for some Calamari and chips, Ono burgers, or Ono Blackened and served on a spicy coleslaw. The Ono is butter, garlic and lemon was tasty as well.

Coconut's at Kihei, Maui

Eighty two degrees! Feel the trade winds as they move through the palm trees. Check out the surf and then head to Coconuts! That will be five orders of Coconut's fish tacos please.....that equals ten plates, two per customer! Two handmade corn tortillas topped with a taste of the islands; Mahi Mahi and Ono on a bed of wasabi seasoned coleslaw, topped with mango, salsa and 12 other ingredients. What did you think Mary of your first taste treat on Maui? What music should have been playing with this meal?