A Day in Paradise...

Sometimes, I find that I take living in paradise for granted. Great weather, beautiful views, and the ocean at my feet, can get lost amidst the day to day.

But every so often, there's a magical moment that reminds me exactly why I love Maui so much. Yesterday was one of those perfect days. To celebrate my mother's birthday, I took her to Mama's Fish House. I hadn't been in years, even though this iconic Maui restaurant had been a favorite growing up. My uncle and cousin worked there, and we would celebrate every special occasion with dinner at Mama's.

The restaurant has grown in size, and its decor more kitschy than I remember. But there's magic in the details-the perfect stretch of white sand beach, the bench between two palm trees, the canoe on the shore, and the gorgeous flower arrangements in every nook and cranny. As I watched excited guests wander down the path to the restaurant, stopping to take pictures by the canoe, the flowers, the beach, or pointing out little details along the way, it was like I was seeing Maui for the first time.

The idyllic setting was the backdrop for what was the finest meal we'd had in years. The wok fried Moi in black bean sauce was served over coconut jasmine rice, and the Mahi Mahi was cooked to perfection, and you know it's fresh when the name of the fisherman is on the menu. When I was growing up, Moi was a special treat. Once reserved for royalty, it's a rare catch that is now farm raised off the shores of Oahu. The homemade raspberry ice cream and lilikoi creme brulee were incredible.

After lunch, we strolled through Paia, stopping at Maui Hands, Biasa Rose, Indigo Paia, and the Paia Contemporary Gallery, checking out the latest from local artisans. All in all, it was the perfect Maui Day.