· Highlights of Night Life on Maui
This is the Insider's annual review of nighttime entertainment venues and evening attractions.

In the resorts, two long-running nightclubs are happenin' spots on weekends: Tsunami at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa and Spats at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. Tsunami features dancing to the latest club music with laser light shows on Friday and Saturday nights from 9:30 pm to 2 am. Spats Nightclub is open every Saturday from 10 pm to 3 am with a wide variety of DJ Blast dance music.

On Front Street in Lahaina, check out Paradice Bluz Nightclub & Lounge any night of the week for a variety of live music and comedy shows. Located underground in the historic Lahaina Store building, this classic lounge and club is open nightly from 9 pm. Further north on Front Street, Moose McGillicuddy's features DJ music every night from 9pm. At the corner of Front and Papalaua Streets, the world-famous Longhi's restaurant features a nightclub ambiance upstairs on Friday nights with live bands and dancing from 9:30 pm. At Longhi's Wailea in the Shops at Wailea, the nightclub opens on Saturday nights with live music and dancing from 9:30 pm. A new restaurant and nightclub in Wailea is Bamboo Chi on Wailea Ike Drive. It features live jazz, blues, soul and salsa music on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. and a duo on Martini Mon.

Kihei Kalama Village is now known as "The Five Corners" because of its five exciting entertainment venues. At the south corner is LuLu's with live music Thurs.-Sat. from 9 pm. Anchoring the north corner is Life's a Beach featuring live bands, Jam night and Karaoke seven nights a week. In between the two are three small venues with big entertainment: Kahale Beach Club, which has live music nightly; South Shore Tiki Lounge with acoustic guitarist-singers on weekends and DJs or live bands Tues.-Thurs., and Neptune's Martini & Music lounge offering live music every night at 9 pm. At the Azeka Mauka Center, Bocalino Bistro & Bar offers an international mix of live bands Mon.-Sat. from 10 pm, and a DJ on Sun. from 9pm. On Lipoa Street in the heart of Kihei, Hapa's Nightclub is still going strong. A sampler platter of nightly shows include the incomparable Willie K, local live bands, dance parties and a Teen Night on Sundays. Most shows begin at 9 pm.

In the cool Upcountry town of Makawao, Casanova offers live entertainment and dancing Fri.-Sun. evenings, and its popular Wild Wahine Wednesday ladies' night features DJ music from 9:45 pm. In the beach town of Pa'ia, don't forget to stop by the legendary Charley's on Hana Hwy. Music options are many, including rock, reggae, Hawaiian, country bands or a DJ five nights a week.

On your way to or from the Kahului Airport, if you need a music fix, try the Kahului Ale House on Kamehameha Ave. Either live bands or DJs are featured nightly and Karaoke is available on Sun.

These evening attractions have proven to be a popular staple of nightlife on Maui, and they also offer an opportunity for close interaction with Hawaii's culture. On Tuesdays in September, and Wednesdays from October onward, the "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series" takes place weekly at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Featuring storytelling with music to provide an expanded view of Hawaii's musicians, these concerts showcase masters of slack key and steel guitar, 'ukulele, and falsetto singing - all traditional Hawaiian music art forms. The intimate indoor theater sets the stage for lots of stories about the guest musician's background in Hawai'i and family roots. Weekly host George Kahumoku, Jr. is well-known as "Hawaii's Renaissance Man." Shows begin at 7:30 pm. Mulligan's on the Blue golf course restaurant and Irish pub in Wailea hosts "Wailea Nights" on Thursdays and Fridays. One of Hawaii's best-known composers and singer-guitarists, Barry Flanagan, performs with singer-songwriter and stage actor Eric Gilliom. Both recording artists have had hit records in Hawai'i on their own, and Flanagan is founder of the superstar duo "Hapa." A seasonal three-course dinner is served before the show, which begins at 8 pm. Special guests perform from time to time, including Hawaii's no. 1 entertainer, Wille K.

It's no secret that a host of Maui's restaurants, lounges and hotels feature live music throughout the week in both the afternoon and evening. Be sure you don't miss these true island-style experiences!

· Where DO the Locals Eat? Reviewing South Maui Eateries
This is the Insider's 2nd annual look at South shore restaurants that are off the beaten path and easy on the wallet. On Maui, although we love outdoor barbecues, we also relish discovering new restaurants, particularly if we can hang loose in shorts and rubbah slippas while we're enjoying the ethnic melting pot of cuisines unique to these islands. Ask any resident to recommend reasonably priced restaurants that dish up an array of 'ono (delicious) foods and chances are you'll get lots of choices. A current sampling includes:

Ma'alaea is the gateway to South Maui, and The Harbor Shops at Ma"alaea offers three outstanding restaurant values. Our pick for the "grande" value is Fiesta Time. This casual corner eat-in or take-out bistro offers huge portions of Mexican food favorites at low prices.

A short stretch down the coastline, at 515 S.Kihei Road is a hidden gem with an ocean view. Isana at the Maui Beach Resort features an outstanding sushi bar and Yakiniku/Korean BBQ dining from 11am to 10pm everyday. If you feel like a late-night supper, the sushi bar offers 50% off menu items from 10pm to 12:30am Wed.-Sat.

Big Wave Cafe is a good choice for excellent island fare at extremely reasonable prices. A $5.95 breakfast is served daily until 12noon. Lunch and dinner feature hearty portions of Pacific Rim cuisine and American favorites. Located in Long's Kihei Center, 1215 South Kihei Road.

Nestled in the back of Azeka Mauka Center, 1279 S. Kihei Road is Jawz Tacos, a fresh take on tacos, burritos, quesadillas and salads, including a sizzling salsa bar. Be sure to try their signaure enchilada pie for lunch or dinner. Across the road in Azeka Makai Center, you'll find an intimate Japanese style fondue restaurant, Shabu Shabu Toji. They invite diners to "swish" thinly sliced meats, seafood and veggies in a savory broth and then dip the items into a variety of sauces. Bento take-out lunch boxes are also available. Open Tues.-Sat. for lunch and Tues.-Sun. for dinner.

Lipoa Center is located one left turn off S. Kihei Road. In the back is a Mexican cantina that's a great find - Horhitos. Serving dinner nightly until late, Horhitos features everything from traditonal combo plates to the latest surf wraps, soups and salads, even vegetarian and low-carb dishes. Just up the street at 1770 S. Kihei Road is a local dining institution in a new building. Shaka Sandwich & Pizza is definitely where local families hang out and with good reason - their made-to-order Philly cheese steak sandwiches and hand-tossed pizzas and calzones are da bes'.

Kukui Mall (1819 S. Kihei Rd.) is home to Kihei's movie theater and a perennial favorite Thai bistro. Thailand Cuisine offers all the favorites, plus family dinners and vegetarian dishes that are divine. Open for lunch Mon.-Sat. and dinner nightly.

Next to Foodland in the Kihei Town Center, discover an affordable family-style cafe, Aroma D'Italia Ristorante. Featuring the "flavors of Italy," Chef-owner Konrad dishes up Southern Italian cooking with nightly specials and a complete wine list.

For healthy eats at affordable prices, you won't want to miss Joy's Place. It's almost hidden along the side of the Island Surf building at 1993 S. Kihei Road. Organic items include sliced meats as well as brown rice, fresh produce and juices, wheat-free breads and vegan soups. Open for walk-in lunches and perfect for picnics.

In the cool back corner of Dolphin Plaza, 2395 S. Kihei Road, stop at Enrique's Restaurant & Deli for authentic Mexican dishes and products. Appetizers, salads, entrées, traditional sopas and "wet" burritos are available for dining or catering. Sandwiches, wraps, Italian dishes, pastries, tortillas and salsas are featured in the new deli.

A real find that's a favorite of Maui residents is well off the beaten path with an unforgettable name: Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Cafe. Turn onto Hale Kuai St. by Maui Dive Shop in Kihei and head toward the highway. You'll discover chowder, fish and chips, low-carb wraps, island plate lunches, burgers, ribs, and fresh seafood dishes that will make your mouth water and please the whole family. Open Mon.-Fri. only - the prices are so reasonable, they're unbelievable.

· Maui Adventures
by Land, Sea and Air
The adventure-seeking traveler will find hundreds of activity options and answers to questions at visitmaui.com, the Maui Visitors Bureau's newly renovated website - just click on the "Activities" button and start browsing. Whether you'd like to do it by land, sea or air, virtually any type of activity showcasing the natural beauty and excitement of Maui is available at your fingertips through our members' websites. Here's a convenient list of what's available in each adventure category:

· Golf Tips from the Pros
Kapalua Golf Courses are often recognized as Maui's "Triple Crown of Golf," featuring the scenic Village, Bay and Plantation Courses. They're well-known and well-played. Kapalua Resort has just completed various improvements to its Plantation Course in preparation for the PGA TOUR's winners-only, season-opening Mercedes Championships in January. The course reopened on August 1, with players putting on Ultradwarf TifEagle® greens. This new Bermuda grass can be maintained with lower mowing heights, allowing for a truer roll on the greens. The renovation project also included a recontouring of several greens which enable more hole locations for tournament and daily operations. Additionally, 30 fairway bunkers were refurbished to the original Coore & Crenshaw design characteristics, and new bunkers were added on Holes No. 15 and 16. The teeing areas on Holes No. 2, 4, 8, 11 and 17 were expanded. The No. 15 fairway was also reshaped to give players an improved second-shot landing area. Also, a GPS system was added to the golf carts to provide yardages from anywhere on the golf course for amateur players. To find out more about each golf course, check kapaluamaui.com.

·Chef's Corner
Chef Tom Selman has long been a star in Maui's culinary scene. From David Paul's Lahaina Grill to Sansei Kihei and Corporate Chef of Vino in Kapalua, Tom has now made his dream a reality. He's the owner-chef of Main Street Bistro in Wailuku. Opening earlier this year for the business lunch crowd, Main Street Bistro in September announces extended hours, from 11am to 7pm, Monday-Friday. Lunch is served until 3pm; tapas and pupus are available from 3 to 7pm. Wine and beer service, plus ready-cooked meals to take home are also available. This is one of Chef Selman's favorite "American bistro style" recipes for an all-around dressing that can be used on cured beef, smoked fish, grilled veggies and of course fresh, crisp greens. It's best served cold, and can be stored for up to three weeks.

Smokey Tomato Dressing
Chef/Owner Tom Selman
Main Street Bistro

Makes 1.5 gallons

· My Favorite Maui Moment
In our last issue, we began a search for a treasured memory or favorite experience from our readers' previous trips to Maui, Moloka'i and/or Lana'i. We received many responses, however, we're able to print only one of them, so please enjoy the following story, which relates to whale season on Maui. As a token of our appreciation, this reader will receive a Maui the Magic Isles gift for the following story: