Unlike merchants in Lahaina town, Päia businesses saw an upswing in Halloween revelers Saturday night, which translated to busy restaurants and better business.

"Last year was busy; this year it was busy all over town," said Sarah Reed, a supervisor and bartender at the Flatbread Co. in Päia town.

Although she wasn't working Saturday night, she was in costume and enjoyed Päia's celebration, while also noticing the crowds at restaurants.

"The streets were crowded and packed. There were more costumes and more people, more Halloween spirit," Reed said.

Another Päia merchant, Al Janneck, owner of Milagros Food Co., agreed.

"It was a busy, busy night. ... Most people I've seen in Päia," he said.

Janneck attributed the uptick to Päia merchants, who, for a second year in a row, put on Halloween-themed events such as keiki costume contests and entertainment. He also brought his three young children to the events.

Janneck added that residents would probably rather drive to Päia than spend 45 minutes driving to Lahaina.

Once hailed as the "Mardi Gras of the Pacific," the number of Halloween revelers in Lahaina town has petered out since the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission denied permits for the Lahaina Town Action Committee to sponsor Halloween events in the historic district in 2008.

Commission members said the party atmosphere and risque costumes appearing at the Halloween bash on Front Street were culturally insensitive in a location that once held the seat of Hawaiian monarchy.

Without a permit, the merchant association was unable to provide entertainment, hold its popular costume contest or provide space for vendor booths and portable toilets as it would if Front Street were closed to vehicle traffic.

Vladimir Porac, a manager at Cheeseburger in Paradise Maui on Front Street, on Sunday morning said business was down 10 to 15 percent on Saturday night.

He said it was "very slow" compared with last year's Halloween.

Porac said he assumed that since this was the second year Front Street wasn't closed down, people knew there wasn't going to be a large celebration and that it wasn't "going to be as much fun."

Over at the nearby Hard Rock Cafe, the restaurant was "pretty packed," said Steven Foster, the kitchen manager.

Foster said food and alcohol sales were good, but noted that business could have been better.

"We would have done a lot better if the streets were closed," he said.