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"If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning."

Aristotle Onassis

Calling all husbands and children: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 83 million women in our country deserve to celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday. The good news is, Maui restaurants have you completely covered. Whether you're on a budget or want to reach for the stars, there is something for everyone. At most of the restaurants, you must add tax and tip. Be sure to ask. Some even charge a set gratuity for groups of six or more. Here are some picks from south to west to Central Maui.

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South Maui

Ma'alaea Grill will dish up scenic harbor views from its multitiered restaurant as well as a traditional Hawaiian-food- inspired buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dig into fresh ahi poke, lomilomi salmon, laulau, poi, salads, kalua pig, mahimahi, prime rib, scallop potatoes, jasmine rice, spring vegetables, fruit platter and desserts. Cost is $39.95 adults, and $19.95 children 5 to 12. For reservations, call Ma'alaea Grill at 243-2206.

On South Kihei Road, Gian Don's Italian Bistro will do a Mother's Day brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that will be easy on the pocketbook.

"This Mother's Day, I am trying to make things more affordable so that families can take their moms out and enjoy themselves without it costing a lot of money," says owner Debbie Defanis.

The price is $19.99 adults and $9.50 for keiki 10 and younger. Adults will get a complimentary champagne toast, along with scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, egg Benedicts, assorted fruits, omelettes, pancakes, French toast and salads. Other hot entrees will be grilled mahimahi, kalua pork, chicken fettuccine Alfredo, Italian sausage and pepper pasta, garlic mashed potatoes, fried and white rice and assorted desserts. Pam and Paul Peterson will perform starting at 10 a.m. Gian Don's regular dinner menu starts at 2 p.m. Call the restaurant at 874-4041.

In celebration of Mom, Maui Ocean Center's Seascape Restaurant in Maalaea will present some fun lunch specials created by James Beard Rising Star Chef Henry Tariga. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Seascape is open-air with harbor, ocean and aquarium views. Strolling Maui guitarist Kalapana Kollars will serenade you.

Lunch specials include fresh spinach salad with crumbled blue cheese, walnuts, roasted red peppers and balsamic dressing; appetizer of crab cakes with passion fruit and lemon aioli; and entrees of Oriental grilled salmon or baked shrimp in champagne cream sauce on cappelllini pasta and sauteed vegetables.

Dessert specials are creme brulee and tiramisu with fresh fruit. Prices range from $6.95 to $18.95. Reservations are optional. Call 270-7068.

SeaWatch Restaurant at Wailea is a real showpiece for sweeping ocean and island views of both Molokini and Kahoolawe. Adding to the ambience, it serves both breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the most expensive item on the day menu is $16.

Indulge in a la carte entrees such as classic eggs Benedict, grilled New York steak and eggs, crispy Asian egg rolls, golden shoestring French fries, Thai beef bundles, seared ahi sandwiches and seafood papaya - stuffed with a combination of shrimp and crab. Reservations are recommended. Call the SeaWatch at 875-8080.

Those who can't take Mom out to dinner for reasons such as you're on a budget or she's on the Mainland, may want to send her some Hula Cookies in a keepsake tin or lauhala gift basket. The company has two stores, one in the Harbor Shops at Maalaea and one in the Pioneer Inn in Lahaina.

Both stores ship nationwide. The signature cookie is the Hula's Delight with mango and pineapple morsels, coconut and macadamia nuts. Call the Maalaea store at 243-2271 and Lahaina at 661-5854.

Ruth's Chris Steak Houses throughout Hawaii will open early - at 4 p.m. - in celebration of Mother's Day this Sunday. All outlets will feature perfectly cooked prime rib with a one-pound baked potato for $39.95. In addition, Ruth's Chris brought back its prime-time menu May 1 and so you may continue to enjoy the seasonal three-course feast for $39.95 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Wailea and all evening in Lahaina. Each mother will receive a gift treat with her meal. For reservations, call Ruth's in Wailea at 874-8880, and in Lahaina at 661-8815.

As usual, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa will pull out all of the stops with its Mother's Day brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the opulent Grand Dining Room. It's open air with views of pools, sculptures, the ocean and neighbor islands beyond.

From the seafood bar will come cocktail shrimp, snow crab legs, house-made gravlax and assorted terrines and freshly rolled sushi.

Other stations will include breakfast delights such as eggs Benedict and made-to-order malasadas and soups such as fresh tomato with tarragon creme fraiche. Chefs will hand carve prime rib and noni-honey and macadamia-nut crusted lamb. The charcuterie will feature Peking duck salad, artisan cheeses, grilled flat breads, hummus and artichoke dips, and salads and tropical fruits.

Hot entrees include poached onaga, emince of veal loin and chicken Cordon Bleu. The keiki buffet will appeal to the knee-high crowd with Jell-O jigglers, sliced watermelon and chicken tenders.

The dessert display is lavish with a build-your-own ice cream sundae station, tropical fruit flambes and chocolate galore. Cost is $79 adults; and $38 per children 5 to 12 years of age. Call 875-1234.

Owner Ann Carpenter of Vietnamese Cuisine, centrally located at Azeka Makai in Kihei, will offer specials for both lunch and dinner. Choose from fresh steamed or deep-fried opakapaka, rice in the clay pot, and soft-shell crab. Her eatery is artfully decorated, authentic and air-conditioned. Call 875-2088.

Both Longhi's locations in The Shops at Wailea and on Front Street in Lahaina will be up and running with special Mother's Day breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. along with a la carte brunch starting at 10:30 a.m. Every Mom will get a complimentary rose.

For breakfast, wake up to freshly baked house-made breads and desserts, an array of Benedicts from crab cake to lobster, prime New York steak and eggs, Italian frittatas and Grand Marnier French toast.

Brunch entrees include a glass of champagne or mimosa with freshly squeezed orange juice. Choose from appetizers such as artichoke Longhi, calamari fritta with spicy arrabiata sauce and lemon aioli; and entrees such as Peking duck with hoisin sauce on scallion roll, line-caught wild fish and a host of legendary pastas. There is also a keiki menu that starts at 11:30 a.m. with grilled cheese, fettuccine Alfredo and more. For reservations, call Longhi's in Wailea at 891-8883, and Longhi's Lahaina at 667-2228.

Buzz's Wharf Restaurant, the landmark building with a blue roof in Maalaea Harbor, will do something different this year by putting a tent on its front lawn for a Mother's Day buffet with seatings from noon to 7 p.m. Highlights are salad bar, dinner rolls, mango barbecue pork ribs, prime rib carving station, grilled seafood kebabs, misozuki Cornish hen, steamed rice, garlic mashed potatoes, fried rice and stir-fried veggies. Desserts include warm mango crumble and mini chocolate mousse cake. Cost is $40 per person (plus cash bar); $25 keiki 12 and younger. The regular menu will also be available in the main dining room. For reservations, call 661-4600 or 244-5426.

While the fairly new Beach Bums is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in its prime spot at Maalaea Harbor, it will present some Mother's Day specials from 11 a.m. until they're all gone. Choose from shrimp and crab cake Caesar for $18.95; and crab-stuffed opakapaka or 12-ounce prime rib and shrimp for $23.95. Dress is casual and the place is all about fun. Call 243-2286.

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Central Maui

Dragon Dragon Chinese Restaurant at the Maui Mall in Kahului will breathe some fire into Mother's Day with an eight-course feast for a table of 10. It will be offered for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. for dine-in or take-out.

The authentic Chinese feast includes seafood-tofu soup, honey-walnut prawns, crispy roast chicken, stir-fried fish and scallops with broccoli, salt and pepper pork chop, stir- fried beef with oyster sauce, fried rice Yeung Chow style and dessert. Cost is $218. For reservations, call the Dragon at 893-1628.

The King Kamehameha Golf Club on the green slopes of Waikapu will open its large Waikapu Ballroom to accommodate families for its brunch buffet from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mother's Day.

Pick your toppings at the omelette station and have chefs hand carve prime rib of beef and pepper-crusted salmon. The starters range from salads to fresh seafood and freshly rolled sushi. Hot specialties are braised boneless short ribs, pan-roasted chicken breast, and Cajun-crusted pork loin. Top it off with pies, cakes and more. Cost is $34.95 adults, and $17.50 children 5 to 12. For reservations, call King Kamehameha at 249-2544.

Conveniently located in Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahului, Coconut Grill takes you back in time to old Hawaii with its open-air ambience and kitschy memorabilia. It will set the stage for a brunch buffet with seatings at 8, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and a dinner buffet with seatings at 4 and 7 p.m. Both will include slow-roasted prime rib of beef, grilled mahimahi, stuffed chicken Mauna Loa, smoked pit ham, ahi poke, oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, salad bar and assorted desserts.

In addition, the brunch buffet features breakfast items at a cost of $28.95 adults; and $13.95 children 5 to 12. At the dinner buffet, you'll get more entrees such as clams scampi, paniolo barbecue ribs and tiger shrimp for a slightly higher cost. Call 871-8881.

Those on a budget may want to dine at Cary & Eddie's Hideaway in Kahului. Its mini brunch offers seatings at 9 and 11 a.m. and it includes omelettes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, fried rice, sausages, baked ham, pancakes, items from the salad bar and coffee and orange juice. Cost is $16 adults, $10 for keiki younger than 10.

The Hideaway's dinner buffet will feature American and Hawaiian items as well as a soup and salad bar. Seatings are 5 and 7 p.m.

The American side includes barbecued pork ribs, curry, top sirloin, roast turkey, ranch-style mahimahi, pineapple glazed ham and garlic mashed potatoes. The Hawaiian side features kalua pig and cabbage, chicken laulau, teriyaki chicken, chili, paniolo baked beans, poi, lomilomi salmon and steamed rice. Cost is $28 adults and $15 keiki younger than 10. Call 873-6555.

Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului will make it easy for you to tell Mom just how much you appreciate her with an all-you-can-eat brunch from 10 a.m. to noon and dinner buffet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Both brunch and dinner buffet will feature roasted prime rib carved to order, salad bar items, seafood display with ahi poke and shrimp cocktail, rolled maki sushi, and hot entrees such as shoyu butterfish and shrimp and vegetable tempura with dipping sauce.

The brunch will also feature omelettes cooked to order, waffles, bacon and potato wedges. Cost is $33 adults; and $16.50 kids 6 to 11. The dinner buffet also features snow crab legs and barbecue baby back ribs. Cost is $36 adults, and $18 keiki 6 to 11. Call 877-0051.

Cafe O'Lei at the Dunes in Kahului will draw in the crowds from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with golf course and mountain views and its all-you-can-eat buffet. Chefs Michael and Dana Pastula will do omelets made to your specifications with toppings such as crabmeat, ham, artichokes and Italian sausage. They'll toss Caesar, Asian and curry salads. And they'll carve roast prime rib with au jus and creamy horseradish, alaea salt roast pork, sauteed island mahi, and macadamia-nut-crusted chicken. Other highlights are shrimp linguine, garlic mashed potatoes and desserts such as bananas Foster and fresh seasonal berries.

Cost is $32 per adult, and $15 for children younger than 12. Call Cafe O'Lei at 877-0073.

All attending the brunch at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu will get free tropical express tram tickets and you may sign Mom up to win the grand prize of a two-night stay at Maui Prince Hotel that also includes a spa certificate and a black pearl pendant.

The brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with carved roast beef, honey-dipped fried chicken, roast pork with brown gravy, mahimahi in lemon-caper sauce, seafood bisque, garlic mashed potatoes, ahi poke, lomilomi salmon, tossed greens, tropical fruit, springtime pasta, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, and assorted desserts. The keiki station features mac and cheese, hot dogs, fries, drumsticks, fruit salad, baby greens, rainbow Jell-O and chocolate pudding. Cost is $32.95 adults; and $8.99 keiki ages 3 to 10. Call 270-0306.

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West Maui

Moms eat free Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Longboards in the Marriott's Maui Ocean Club, located on the ocean in Kaanapali. They may do this when the person they dine with orders an entree of an equal or greater value. This special applies to walk-ins only. However, reservations are required for dining later from 6 to 9 p.m. Call 667-8220.

The newly opened Maui Grill at Outrigger Napili Shores is getting a lot of buzz on the island for its top- notch cuisine and comfortable yet exotic air. A special Mother's Day brunch buffet will be served from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a variety of local and breakfast favorites, prime rib and crab legs. There will also be a sushi chef on staff, rolling made-to-order selections. Cost is $27.95 adults; and $9.95 children 6 to 10. You may BYOB as liquor license is pending. Call 442-3700.

Gerard's French Restaurant in Lahaina will amaze Mom during dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with its country house ambience and large lanai along with new bistro dishes such as beef bourguignon, cassoulet and coq au vin. Fresh fish is the house specialty. New desserts are the mille feuille, banana au gratin and strawberry melba. Chef Gerard Reversade makes his own sauces and ice creams. Kamaaina will get 20 percent off food nightly. Call 661-8939.

Canoes overlooking the ocean in Lahaina will give thanks to Mom with its a la carte brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All entrees include visits to the salad bar, an icy cold glass of champagne and lilikoi cheesecake for dessert.

Entree choices are various styles of eggs Benedict, mac-nut-crusted catch, Black Angus burger, soy-and-ginger-glazed chicken breast and pancakes. Cost is $24.95. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. with the regular menu. Call 661-0937.

A festive Mother's Day brunch and fashion show will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel with music and hula, designer fashions, 70-item brunch menu, free-flowing bubbly and prizes such as accommodations and $1,800 home cleaning.

KPOA Radio's Alakai Paleka and crooner Melveen Leed will be on hand and every mother will get a free rose. Highlights are Belgian waffles, kiawe-smoked salmon, oysters on the half shell, sauteed shrimp and prime rib. A special keiki buffet and lavish desserts top it off. Cost is $46.95 adults, and $24 keiki 6 to 12. For reservations, call 661-0011.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa near Black Rock in Kaanapali says "it's her special day." So it will dish up an elaborate brunch in the Kekaa Terrace from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet includes assorted sushi, ahi sashimi, roast prime rib of beef and tropical desserts such as lilikoi tapioca. Cost is $43 per adult. Call 662-8053.

The Melting Pot at the Lahaina Gateway Center invites Mom to enjoy a special three-course menu for $27, minimum of two people. The restaurant will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. The menu is cheese fondue, savory salad and chocolate fondue. Add-on entrees cost $9. Call The Melting Pot at 661-6181.

Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali will present an island breakfast buffet at Ono Bar & Grill from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., featuring crab cakes with poached eggs, and mac-nut sticky bun French toast. In addition, the Westin will feature a Mother's Day dinner at tropica, its signature oceanfront restaurant, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Let Mom savor the pan-roasted Australian lamb loin, lavender-braised Shelton Farms chicken and more. Mom will also get a free dessert. Call 667-2525.

Pineapple Grill in Kapalua will pay a tribute to Mother's Day with brunch items of lobster Florentine benedict, and roasted vegetable- and-goat-cheese frittata. For dinner, Chef Ryan Luckey will present the duo of crab and lobster salad, an appetizer of crab and lobster tower and an entree of crab and lobster stuffed jumbo shrimp with steamed asparagus. Dessert is chocolate mousse bomb. Prices range from $8.95 to $36.95. Call Pineapple Grill at 669-9600.

Mom will feel pampered when you take her to the Mother's Day a la carte brunch at the Plantation House in Kapalua from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Let her choose from seven eggs Benedict preparations along with Molokai sweet bread French toast and local Portuguese sausage omelette. Sip a Bloody Mary or a Guamosa (champagne and guava juice). Dinner runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m., serving fresh local fish in six different ways. For reservations, call 669-6299.

Located in Kaanapali, Leilani's on the Beach will help you and your family celebrate Mom, as she gets to eat for free, when you purchase at least two entrees in the main dining room from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Choose from teriyaki steak, filet mignon, shrimp scampi pasta, free range chicken and fresh fish selections. For reservations, call 661-4495.

Grammy Award-winning guitarist George Kahumoku Jr. will be on hand to serenade Mom starting at 10 a.m. Sunday at Lulu's Lahaina Surf Club and Grill. The brunch runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there is plenty of parking at Lahaina Cannery Mall, where the restaurant is located.

Lulu's will feature stations with appetizers, salads, eggs Benedict, omelettes, entrees and desserts. The highlights are misoyaki butterfish, kim-chee fried rice, oysters on the half shell, blackened salmon, Kula greens, eggplant-tomato napoleon and chocolate-filled malasadas with chantilly cream.

Cost will be $26.95 adults; and $13.95 for keiki. Call Lulu's in Lahaina at 661-0808.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will have an enhanced buffet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Japanese items, charcuterie, eggs Benedict, prime rib, guava-glazed ham, fresh Hawaiian fish and assorted desserts. Cost is $35 adults; and $17.50 for keiki 6 to 12. For Ritz reservations, call 665-7089.

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Upcountry, North Shore

Hali'imaile General Store will present a Mother's Day buffet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the cool air of Upcountry. Highlights are crab dip and pita chips, bone-in country ham, cold-poached salmon with cucumber dill sauce, Asian veggie and tofu salad with peanut sauce, potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream, chopped Greek salad with shrimp, French toast with warm blueberry compote and maple syrup, Huevos Rancheros, herb-roasted tenderloin, breads, pastries and pick-up sweets. Cost is $34 adults; and $17 children ages 3 to 8. Call 572-2666.

Mama's Fish House in Kuau will present a couple of specials, such as the crab-crusted fresh lehi; and the new laulau with bone-in Maui beef shank. Executive Chef Perry Bateman includes fresh luau leaf, Maui onions and tomatoes, ahi poke and lomilomi made from wild Alaskan salmon. Poi is from taro he picks by hand in Waihee. The laulau is $28. Call 579-8488.