There are some places so good they deserve an article in the spotlight without any other distractions. Mama's Fish House of Paia, Maui is one of those special places in the world. The location on the white sands of Kuau Cove Beach guarantees it will be a special event.

After traveling the world for over twenty years and being “media-hosted” by countless resorts and restaurants that are five star plus, it is easy for good meals to become “just another fine meal.”   That was not the experience at Mama's! It was a night to remember!

Walking in through the tropical trees and vegetation, I paused to look at the waves breaking on the rocks in the cove and splashing high into the air, and then I saw a double rainbow just at the edge of the cove (it seemed that close). I stood in amazement of the beauty of the last hour of evening as the rainbow looked so mystical and surreal – so close it seemed I must be within walking distance of the “pot of gold.”  

I took the rainbow as a token of “something special happening tonight.” Walking through the old Polynesia entrance overflowing with tropical flowers, the beautifully tropically decorated tables and the spectacular view through the coconut grove of waves break-ing on the white sand beach as the setting sun turned it golden definitely had my attention.

While waiting for our table I spent time looking at the vast array of pictures of movie stars, rich and famous, etc whose autographed picture was on the wall at the entrance to the dining area. (You never know who may be sitting at the table next to you at Mama's.) The waiters soon had our table for nine ready and the menu was in front of us to order drinks and then look over the excellent choice of entrées. The fish are so fresh that the menu list the local fisherman who made the catch, as well as where and how it was caught! Among the native food options are: Polynesian delicacies like breadfruit, paholo fern, roasted kukui nut, fresh hearts of palm, and organically grown vegetables from nearby Haiku farms . The home page online can be found at: http://mamasfishhouse.com/index.html .

Pictured here is one of their famous deserts that need to be ordered special! Don't by-pass this opportunity or it could haunt you the rest of your life. Ask the waiter for the Polynesian Black Pearl. The luxury desert is a clam shaped pastry filled with their special “Black Pearl*.”

A typical lunch menu would be:

Appetizers (see dinner menu)

Fresh fish caught by local fishermen. (See dinner menu)

Pua Me Hua Hana Mahimahi and slow-roasted Kalua Pig, with Molokai sweet potato, baked banana,  tropical fruit and a fresh coconut. Prepared in the style of old Hawaii.

Island Pork Medallions
Pork Tenderloin sautéed in a macadamia nut crust with mango-mustard sauce.  Served with baked bananas and gingered Molokai sweet potato.

Luncheon Salads : Onaga Sashimi Salad with Hana pohole fern, crispy won ton strips, Big Island Ogo and wasabi goat cheese, with roasted sesame dressing. Sugarcane Grilled Chicken salad with macadamia nut-mustard dressing.

Sandwiches: Grilled Ahi with Smoked Bacon, Kula greens, tomatoes and Maui onion dressing in Vermont cheddar cheese focaccia bread. Pacific Lobster Tail and avocado with tomato, Maui onion and mango-citrus aioli. Asian pear chutney with salsa verde. Sandwiches served with Molokai sweet potato fries or Maui pineapple salad.

A typical dinner menu would be:

Wild Fish Appetizer: Sliced premium quality Ahi Sashimi with real wasabi root dipping sauce and pickled ginger. Ahi Poke Hawaii's favorite fish appetizer, made to order with Sashimi-quality Ahi, Maui onion, soy sauce and roasted Kukui nut. Tahitian Poisson Cru Ono marinated in limejuice and coconut milk, with Maui onion, cilantro, cucumber and vine-ripened tomato. Seared Ahi with pineapple-tamarind sauce and hot mustard .

Other Appetizers: Fanny Bay Oysters and flying fish caviar served on the half-shell with Big Island ogo and wasabi vinaigrette. Shrimp Won Tons with macadamia nut dipping sauce. Macadamia Nut Crab Cakes with fire and ice relish. Grilled baby Kahakuloa Honey Lamb Chops with papaya. Seafood Chowder with crab, clams and fish. Polynesian Lobster Soup with coconut, fresh spinach and breadfruit crisp. A salad of lettuce from Robbie's Haiku Tropical Farm with Hamakua heart of palm, cherry tomatoes and fresh herb vinaigrette. Vine-ripened Olowalu tomatoes, Maui onion, Stilton cheese and pine nuts with eighteen year-old balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Ahi Sashimi Salad Sashimi, Hana pohole fern, crispy won ton strips, Big Island ogo and wasabi goat cheese served with roasted sesame dressing.

Fish caught by local fisherman (typical day menu)

Ono caught by our own Chef Martin trolling the backside of Haleakala . Upcountry style, with caramelized Maui onion, Olinda avocado and jasmine rice. Hawaiian Ahi caught aboard the fishing vessel "Hokuano". Pepper-grilled with Chanterelle mushroom bordelaise sauce. Opakapaka caught by Earle Kaiwi bottom fishing outside his homeport of Hana Bay Sautéed with tomatoes, wine and capers, with Vermont cheddar scalloped potatoes. Opah caught in local waters by the fishing vessel "Captain Million IV" Portobello mushrooms and puréed Molokai sweet potatoes. Mahimahi caught by Mark Hobson along the north shore of Maui. Stuffed with lobster, crab and Maui onion and baked in a macadamia nut crust. Island Fish Medley caught by Mama's Fishermen. Sautéed in coconut milk and panang curry with Kula vegetables, and jasmine rice. Any fish may be served grilled with pineapple salsa. Pua Me Hua Hana Two fish - Ono and Mahimahi - with Molokai sweet potato, baked banana, island fruit and a fresh young coconut, in the style of old Hawaii. Mahimahi cooked in a Ti Leaf Mahimahi cooked in ti leaf "package" with coconut milk and mango, opened at your table, and served with slow-roasted Kalua Pig, Hanalei poi and lomi-lomi salmon. Crispy Kalua Duck with mango-mui glaze , With baby bok choy and pineapple rice pilaf. Bouillabaisse A large bowl of fresh fish, shellfish and lobster simmered with capellini pasta in a fragrant saffron broth and served with traditional garlic rouille. Hawaiian Spiny Lobster Tail Baked and served with drawn butter Big Island "Kamuela Pride" New York Steak With shiitake mushroom bordelaise.

I had the Spiny Lobster Tail, and it was as fine a lobster as one would ever indulge in. This is not an inexpensive place, but it is worth the event, and when in Maui, treat yourself to an unforgettable night out at Mama's. Don't forget to ask the waiter for the Black Pearl even though you may not find it on the menu.  Reservations are a must - several days in advance for best seating.

There is excellent lodging (part of the Mama's property) only a “stroll through the coconut grove” away.   I plan on covering this after I experience it myself, since most of my articles are "been there and done that."  Kuau Cove is a favorite beach for snorkeling, windsurfing, or swimming. You will be only a short walk or drive to world famous Ho'okipa windsurfing beach and only a mile away from the historic town of Paia. Maui's largest town and and shopping malls are in Kahului and that is only fifteen minutes away.       

Directions to Mama's:

Leave Kahului  East on Rt. 36 (Hana Highway),  one and a half miles out of Paia you will see the old boat with Mama's Fish House on the side, turn in for a "night of dining to remember."

Mama's Fish House (808) 579-8488  E mail: 

Dinner Reservations

reservations@mamasfishhouse.
Room Reservations

inn@mamasfishhouse.com

“To The Ends Of The Earth And Then Some.”
E-mail  travel questions to:  jones@photoandtravel.com