AME Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 After all these years I am finally going to Hawaii for a vacation. We have booked a place on Maui and have 10 days to fill any suggests?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcrothers Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 You have to rent a car and drive to the top of Haleakala. Its breath taking. Take a jacket as we all know sea level versus 13,000' the temperatures change. There are some nice restaurants in the Lahaina area and their seafood is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Halldorson Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Rented an older Mustang Convertable at Al West's Vans rentals for a pretty decent price, they do Airport shuttle pick up and drop off. For some awesome snorkelling try (TURTLE TOWN, Makena Road, Wailea-Makena),Big Beach while you're out that way is good for beach and swimming,and continue on to the Ahihi Kinau Lava field. Watch the wind and try to snorkel on the lee, the turtles do hang out across from the Post Office (not kidding) just north of Lahaina as well (1834 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina, Hawaii) or snorkel D T Fleming Beach Park a little further north. Nice drives up to the north along the Honoapiilani Highway, and a nice marine park as well, didn't get all the way around to Kahalui that way, too many places to stop.Makena Road beaches will likely afford the best whale watching but if not there is a turnout veiwpoint just past Maalaea about 3-4 km. on the way to Lahaina that is supposed to be good as well, we were there in November and it was too early for the whales.The drive to Hanna is great and I bought the CD that gives the guided tour of the journey and felt it was worth the 20 bucks. Just popped it in the CD player and quite enjoyed the commentary. ( I left it in the car or I'd send it to you) We didn't stay too late in Hanna and I would not enjoy the drive back after dark so get on this one in the a.m. if you're going to go.Top of Haleakala is a must see. Sunrise is preferable to sunset and quite a bit to hike around, but it is chilly so don't be afraid to pack an extra layer of two if your thinking of heading up there for the hike.The aquarium is OK, Iao Valley State Park is very good and you can slip back behind the main paths for a bit more of a challenging hike with stream crossings and walking bridges that are off the beaten track.Went to the luau at theHyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa200 Nohea Kai DriveLahaina, HI 96761Valet parking for non hotel guests is $5, just drive up to the front of the hotel. Cheaper than the parking at Whaler's Village if you want to get an overprice retail fix (about a 12 minute walk and worth it to see the gardens and penguins etc. at the Hyatt).Paia, on the Hana highway is a funky little spot, kind of reminded me of Ganges on Salt Spring Island with a few of the '60's crowd still hummin' around. Enjoy,Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HST Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 On my first visit (years ago) to Hawaii the locals would be the best source for great restaurants etc. Some of these same locals have created a book called Maui Revealed. You can also purchase the app here https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/maui-revealed/id431462560?mt=8 . I found it an invaluable planning tool and a great way to see "hidden gems". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 You are going to love it AME, OGG is a fantastic vacation spot. Big Beach (Little Beach) are worth seeing. Big Beach is spectacular but be forewarned if you climb over the rocks to Little Beach....there are naked people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I agree with Richard, the bike trip down from Haleakala is well worth it. If you're driving to Hanna, you need to remember two things. First, keep your eyes on the road when driving, as it's very easy to get distracted by all the beautiful scenery. Second, stop many times along the way so you can get out of the car and tale a proper look around. We took the whole day to do the drive, have lunch and tour around the village, but it was time very well spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innuendo Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Re Going to Hana, if you wnt to go on some of the walking trails take some bug spray. You can run into mosquitoes later in the day ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebean Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 If you are renting a condo, load up on meat, produce, diary and booze at Costco, located about a mile from the OGG terminal and on the way to everywhere. The savings over local supermarkets / KTA / Safeway are significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 We liked taking our kids to Makena beach. Big waves and amazing view. The drive up Haleakala for the sunrise was fun but everybody got car sick on the winding road to the top. Bring a jacket......its 10000' asl. Dinners in Lahaina was our routine. Have a great time. Maui is one of my favorite places to visit. http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurants-g60634-Lahaina_Maui_Hawaii.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AME Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Thanks everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnaker Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Kmart is near Costco for cheap 'leave behind' beach stuff. Often the condos have a collection of chairs, coolers and umbrellas though. For breakfast, Kihei Caffe is a must at least once. You won't eat for the rest of the day.http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/37/411158/restaurant/Hawaii/Kihei-Wailea/Kihei-Caffe-Kihei Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flybye Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 My wife and I found this guidebook invaluable. You can order it online and plan your trip on the flight out or juust buy it there at Target or someplace. It was incredible how it described these little restaurants you'd never see - even a "top 10" places to buy fresh baked banana bread. We've loaned it to friends and they said the same thing.http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/books-apps/maui-revealedHave fun!! Road to Hana was our favorite, including the lava tube cave, black sand beach, Seven Scared Pools (oheo gulch), Lindburghs beautiful-final resting place and, for me, the incredible road past Hana and all the way around the south side of the island. Stunning.Edit: just noticed that "HST" also posted it above. See how popular it is?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say Altitude Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 IF you're so inclined - bring your bike with you and ride both ways up and down Haleakela - that's a notch on the belt few have done. Totally worth the suffering. Also try biking the west Maui loop. AMAZING scenery, the steepest hill you'll likely ever ride on a bike known as "The Wall", and a little banana bread stop that is "mandatory" for a mid-ride snack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say Altitude Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Oh and I forgot - get yourself a prepaid sim card for your cell phone - Verizon etc - very, very cheap and you won't get killed on roaming etc. But you have to buy directly from them as opposed to a "dealer" - dealers won't/don't do sim card only transactions. If I recall it was $20 and it refilled automatically if you happened to use it all. Agree on the Costco thing right by OGG - significant savings..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HST Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 flybye I'll guess you don't read the entire thread before posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innuendo Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Haleakala crater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Haleakala crater Easy to see why NASA used this area to train Apollo astronauts for moon walks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex 9A Guy Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Here is a picture I took a few years ago at sunrise at the summit of Haleakala. Those who had seen more than one said it was not particularly spectacular but I thought it was pretty brilliant.Be prepared for a chilly wait. We got to the summit at around 0530 and sunrise wasn't until about 0700 and as others have said it was cold, 36F or about +1C with a 20 to 30 mph wind and little shelter. My advice bring some extra blankets/comforter from your condo/hotel room to wrap around yourself. You can't really go warm up in your car/bus as you will lose your spot in the prime viewing areas. As a photographer I staked out my spot early and shivered a lot.http://www.flickr.com/photos/b737yyc/8515356442/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipped Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 The most unique place in on planet earth is to snorkel near the top of a volcano. Molokini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyBlazer Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Id caution booking a tour up to the top of Haleakala The road is very much made of all switchbacks and the vans see a large number of people sick. in your own rental there are a couple stops along the way to enjoy it - or to at least have a fresh breath of air.The back seat of a full cube van full of smelly tourists is not the way to go.As for the biking down - its a extremely difficult ride with little room for error (read - plummit of side of cliff)Molokini is great for sure. A day trip up to Lahaina is a great way to spend an afternoon. Excellent snorkelling can be found at the Makena Beach and Golf resort beach or if your up in Kanapali - try the Kanapali beach in front of the sheraton kanapali right at blackrockIf your down in Kehei way take to road towards Wailea and stay on it - past Makena and you will end up in La Peruse Bay and all the LAVA feilds. (cold and now stone) - there is a great trail that walks along some of the most amazing coastline ever. but its running shoe territory not sandals.Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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