Transfer to a resort in Hawaii

[jrose529]

It's been a while since I've been on these boards. :confused3 I spent a lot of time here before my Disney cruises. :thumbsup2 Now I'm looking to use my points in Hawaii for my 30th anniversary. We are looking to go in May 2010. (Even though our anniversary is in August - our son is getting married then!:woohoo:) Can anyone recommend a resort or two that we can visit? We have never been to Hawaii and have always wanted to visit. :goodvibes

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[Dean]

First, given your location and the distance, I'd not go for less than 10 days, preferably at least 2 weeks. Assuming you've never been, I'd try to do a few days on Oahu and one other island, preferably Maui. My short list that I feel are reasonable using DVC would be the Hilton's and Wyndham properties for Oahu and the Kaanapali Beach Club for Maui. There are several I'd add for Kauai or the Big Island if you decide to go that route, esp if you have been previously. A search of the current RCI points and RCI weeks inventory does not reveal any of those resorts for May that I listed above. A private exchange or one of the independent exchange companies is likely to be your best bets.

[jrose529]

Hi Dean,

Thank you so much for your quick response! :thumbsup2 Those resorts looked great to me, but I just didn't know if they would be a good choice. Once we decide on the weeks we will visit, I'll check the inventory.

Thanks again!

[Nikisha421]

I dont have much to offer but I did make my way to West Maui this summer and I have to say that Kaanapali is nice and quiet and beautiful...oh yeah and the resorts is nice...if you are in Maui and stay at Kaanapali Beach Resort remeber to go over to Napili Shores and have breakfast at the Gazebo...it's supposed to be the best breakfast food in Maui...

[jrose529]

Thanks Nikisha, We will probably consider staying at Kaanapali Beach Resort and if we do go, I'll put the Gazebo on my list!

[Dean]

Hi Dean,

Thank you so much for your quick response! :thumbsup2 Those resorts looked great to me, but I just didn't know if they would be a good choice. Once we decide on the weeks we will visit, I'll check the inventory.

Thanks again!Realize that 1 BR resorts are MUCH easier than 2 BR resorts for HI, esp for the resorts I listed. Also, you're already late for May. I'd put in a request and start looking at air. Once you find the right air fare, lock it in and change your requests accordingly. Make a cancelable reservation for a condo or hotel. Though only do this way if you're prepared to go not using DVC as an exchange.

[jrose529]

I know it's late, but I'm not sure we can even go with the cost of my son's wedding. I didn't mention it's in Santa Fe (destination wedding) and we are paying for every guest to attend a rehearsal dinner! :headache: I'm trying to convince my husband that we can also go to Hawaii, but he's needs a big push! We have plenty of available points and FF miles for either Hawaii or the wedding. He wants to get an idea of airline costs as well as additional expenses. One day he's agreeable, the next he's not sure!:eek: We also need to get final numbers on the cost of the rehearsal dinner.

[Dean]

I know it's late, but I'm not sure we can even go with the cost of my son's wedding. I didn't mention it's in Santa Fe (destination wedding) and we are paying for every guest to attend a rehearsal dinner! :headache: I'm trying to convince my husband that we can also go to Hawaii, but he's needs a big push! We have plenty of available points and FF miles for either Hawaii or the wedding. He wants to get an idea of airline costs as well as additional expenses. One day he's agreeable, the next he's not sure!:eek: We also need to get final numbers on the cost of the rehearsal dinner.If you can use FF miles AND timeshare exchanges to cover travel and accommodations, 2 people can get out of HI with the trip I mentioned for maybe $100 a day including eating out once a day, rental car, interisland, and 1 Luau. That assumes you don't count your related costs of DVC or the FF miles. Of course one could spend less by eating out less and not doing any shows. The rental car is a must for other islands and parts of Oahu but you can get by without one for Waikiki.

[jrose529]

If you can use FF miles AND timeshare exchanges to cover travel and accommodations, 2 people can get out of HI with the trip I mentioned for maybe $100 a day including eating out once a day, rental car, interisland, and 1 Luau. That assumes you don't count your related costs of DVC or the FF miles. Of course one could spend less by eating out less and not doing any shows. The rental car is a must for other islands and parts of Oahu but you can get by without one for Waikiki.

That is much more palatable! The FF cost is much less in May, that's why I chose that month. I have to discuss this with DH. Thank you so much for your wonderful advice! :goodvibes

[tomandrobin]

We went to Maui for the first time last October. We stayed at the Westin and got some great advice from Dean.....(Thanks Dean!) We had such a great time, we are going back next July.

There a lot of creative ways to use those FF points. For example, we have a lot of US Air miles that we can get a better deal by using the Star Alliance reservation, then using US Air....Saving 30-50% of the point costs.

You might be able to find a trade using Tug, Redweek or similar exchange board.

[jrose529]

We went to Maui for the first time last October. We stayed at the Westin and got some great advice from Dean.....(Thanks Dean!) We had such a great time, we are going back next July.

There a lot of creative ways to use those FF points. For example, we have a lot of US Air miles that we can get a better deal by using the Star Alliance reservation, then using US Air....Saving 30-50% of the point costs.

You might be able to find a trade using Tug, Redweek or similar exchange board.

Thanks tomandrobin! I will look into other airlines using my FF miles. I should have enough on Delta and AA, so I do have some choices. I can also use my miles for going to NM for my son's wedding in August instead. There will be 4 of us traveling then! I can look for a lower cost flight with other airlines.

Did you visit any other islands while in HI?

[tomandrobin]

Thanks tomandrobin! I will look into other airlines using my FF miles. I should have enough on Delta and AA, so I do have some choices. I can also use my miles for going to NM for my son's wedding in August instead. There will be 4 of us traveling then! I can look for a lower cost flight with other airlines.

Did you visit any other islands while in HI?


We had only visited Maui, since we there for 7 days. Next year we are going for 9 days. Maui is absolutely stunning. If this is your first visit to Maui and only have one week, I would just stay one island. Our next island we want to visit is Kauai, but with DVC opening in 2011...that could change. If you do go to Maui, I'll give you our tips/hints/experiences if you like. Getting a timeshare exchange/rental is great and gives the extra space and kitchen.

Looking at other ways to use FF miles. Here is our example. If we booked US Airways to Hawaii, traveling first class using our miles, it would be 140,000 miles. But if we used the Star Alliance that US Airways is a member, we could book United, traveling first class, for 70,000 Us Airway miles. Flyer Talk is a great website to learn how to maximize FF programs.

[jrose529]

We had only visited Maui, since we there for 7 days. Next year we are going for 9 days. Maui is absolutely stunning. If this is your first visit to Maui and only have one week, I would just stay one island. Our next island we want to visit is Kauai, but with DVC opening in 2011...that could change. If you do go to Maui, I'll give you our tips/hints/experiences if you like. Getting a timeshare exchange/rental is great and gives the extra space and kitchen.

Looking at other ways to use FF miles. Here is our example. If we booked US Airways to Hawaii, traveling first class using our miles, it would be 140,000 miles. But if we used the Star Alliance that US Airways is a member, we could book United, traveling first class, for 70,000 Us Airway miles. Flyer Talk is a great website to learn how to maximize FF programs.

Thanks for the Flyer Talk website! I had never heard of it and will look at it ASAP. I'll let you know if I need your tips/hints/experiences. I certainly hope I will need them!

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for the Flyer Talk website! I had never heard of it and will look at it ASAP. I'll let you know if I need your tips/hints/experiences. I certainly hope I will need them!

Flyer talk is not a "socially" friendly site, but is extremely useful in using and maximizing various airline and hotel reward programs. I don't post there, but read often. Last year, I found a deal that was posted on Flyer Talk that allowed me to transfer Starwood Points to Amtrak, from Amtrak to Choice Hotels, from Choice Hotels to Southwest Airlines. The transfer process took 60,000 starwood points and ended up yielding me 100 rapid reward credits. 16 credits = one round trip flight!

[jrose529]

Flyer talk is not a "socially" friendly site, but is extremely useful in using and maximizing various airline and hotel reward programs. I don't post there, but read often. Last year, I found a deal that was posted on Flyer Talk that allowed me to transfer Starwood Points to Amtrak, from Amtrak to Choice Hotels, from Choice Hotels to Southwest Airlines. The transfer process took 60,000 starwood points and ended up yielding me 100 rapid reward credits. 16 credits = one round trip flight!

Wow, that is amazing! I also have hotel points that I can use. Thanks for the info.

[jrose529]

I'm so excited! DH decided to book HI!!!:cool1: I'm going to call Member Services tomorrow to check inventory. We only need a 1 Bdrm, so hopefully we'll find something. We decided to go to Maui and Oahu. DH wants to see Pearl Harbor and drive the Road to Hana, so that's what we'll do. We have about 11 days, possibly 12 at the end of May, so we may stay a few days at Grand Wailea in Maui and a week at the Hilton or Wyndam in Oahu. If we borrow points from 2011, we can do the Grand Wailea, which looks wonderful. Do you know anything about it? Is it worth doing a day trip to another island and should we start in Maui or Oahu? I don't know which island is easier to fly into from the NY area. There is actually a nonstop flight on Continental to Honolulu out of Newark, NJ, so that may be an option.

Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[jekjones1558]

I would go to Maui first, then Oahu, unless you can fly home directly from Maui. If you have to fly through Oahu and you end your trip in Maui, you will waste a lot of time on your last day just getting back to Oahu. Here in Minnesota all of the flights back from HI are red-eyes. If we fly out of Oahu we can spend most of the last day enjoying the beach or whatever if we are staying on Oahu. If we fly through Oahu and end our stay in Maui, the last day is wasted driving to the Maui airport, getting rid of the car, getting the plane to Oahu, taking the Wiki Wiki to the big airport and then WAITING for the flight home.
The last time we decided to NOT do the non-stop to Oahu. Instead we did a stop in Seattle where we could get a flight directly to Maui. I liked that better than taking the non-stop to Oahu and worrying about flight delays that could mean we would miss the last plane from Oahu to Maui.

[jrose529]

I would go to Maui first, then Oahu, unless you can fly home directly from Maui. If you have to fly through Oahu and you end your trip in Maui, you will waste a lot of time on your last day just getting back to Oahu. Here in Minnesota all of the flights back from HI are red-eyes. If we fly out of Oahu we can spend most of the last day enjoying the beach or whatever if we are staying on Oahu. If we fly through Oahu and end our stay in Maui, the last day is wasted driving to the Maui airport, getting rid of the car, getting the plane to Oahu, taking the Wiki Wiki to the big airport and then WAITING for the flight home.
The last time we decided to NOT do the non-stop to Oahu. Instead we did a stop in Seattle where we could get a flight directly to Maui. I liked that better than taking the non-stop to Oahu and worrying about flight delays that could mean we would miss the last plane from Oahu to Maui.

Thanks! That sounds like a great plan.

[Dean]

I would go to Maui first, then Oahu, unless you can fly home directly from Maui. If you have to fly through Oahu and you end your trip in Maui, you will waste a lot of time on your last day just getting back to Oahu. Here in Minnesota all of the flights back from HI are red-eyes. If we fly out of Oahu we can spend most of the last day enjoying the beach or whatever if we are staying on Oahu. If we fly through Oahu and end our stay in Maui, the last day is wasted driving to the Maui airport, getting rid of the car, getting the plane to Oahu, taking the Wiki Wiki to the big airport and then WAITING for the flight home.
The last time we decided to NOT do the non-stop to Oahu. Instead we did a stop in Seattle where we could get a flight directly to Maui. I liked that better than taking the non-stop to Oahu and worrying about flight delays that could mean we would miss the last plane from Oahu to Maui.I would do it the other way. I would fly in and out of Oahu regardless of which part you're doing first. A lot more flights, better times and easier to use FF miles doing so. Certainly look at the other options but Maui has limited direct flights in and out. I would also do Oahu first for those that haven't been.

On a related note and since we're talking flights combined with exchanges, here's a thought. Lets say you're planning to go for 2 weeks and you need to book the air before the exchange comes through which is often the case using FF miles. I'd fly in to Oahu on Friday and out on Sunday. That way you can take any start day (F-S) for the first week you match. It does mean you'll have at least 2 nights OOP but with planning, that can be an asset rather than a liability. I'd then book hotel or condo reservations that are cancelable then cancel if the exchange comes through.

[tomandrobin]

This is what we did for our July trip. We booked our flight for Friday arrival, departing Sunday....but don't have the room for Friday yet. Worse cash we'll have to use some points to stay at Sheraton/Westin at Black Rock.

I also would stay Oahu first, then Maui second.

[jrose529]

The problem we have is DH has an important board meeting every other Tuesday, so we have to leave on a Wednesday and come home either Sunday or Monday. This is a meeting he can't miss, so we have to make our plans around that schedule. If we stayed on Maui first at the Grand Wailea for concierge points, (which are incredibly high!) we could stay 3 days and then go to Ohau. We would still fly in and out of Honolulu. I think some of the RCI properties have nightly stays, so if we could find one on Maui for fewer points, that would be the best plan, depending on the resort. The Grand Wailea looks so beautiful though.

I also wondered if we were to take the Road to Hana, should we stay at a hotel in Hana for one night? I read in Fodor's Guide that that was a good plan.

Right now I think we'll use our FF miles for our son's wedding in August, that way we have more options on flights. DH would rather take the direct flight form Newark to Honolulu instead of worrying about delays with a layover. Our FF miles are on AA and Delta and the only direct flight is with Continental.

I'm planning to call DVC today to see what options we have. I'll let you know what I find out. Thanks for all your advice.

[jrose529]

I just spoke to Member Services and a 1 bdrm at the Ka'anapali Beach Club on Maui is available, as is a 2 bdrm at the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk in Oahu or a 2 bdrm at The Point at Poipu on Kauai. I don't know what to do! We don't have 2 full weeks, but we can leave each resort early. I don't need 2 bdrms, so that would be a waste of points if I stayed at either of the 2 bdrm resorts. I would love to see Kauai, but DH really wants to visit Pearl Harbor, so Oahu would make sense, except the Wyndham didn't get as glowing reviews as The Point at Poipu. This is much more difficult than I expected! I know we should have planned this earlier. We just weren't sure we could afford to do it this year. :confused3

[Dean]

I just spoke to Member Services and a 1 bdrm at the Ka'anapali Beach Club on Maui is available, as is a 2 bdrm at the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk in Oahu or a 2 bdrm at The Point at Poipu on Kauai. I don't know what to do! We don't have 2 full weeks, but we can leave each resort early. I don't need 2 bdrms, so that would be a waste of points if I stayed at either of the 2 bdrm resorts. I would love to see Kauai, but DH really wants to visit Pearl Harbor, so Oahu would make sense, except the Wyndham didn't get as glowing reviews as The Point at Poipu. This is much more difficult than I expected! I know we should have planned this earlier. We just weren't sure we could afford to do it this year. :confused3I'd take the KBC and do OOP for Oahu, that was going to be my recommendation even before your second post. Even if you have to split your Oahu time, you'll be far better off. Fly out Wed (or even later on Tue), get a hotel on Oahu, travel over to Maui later in the day that your exchange starts. Then travel back to Oahu fairly early on the day your exchange ends. Fly back no later than Sunday because you won't get home until the next day anyway. Better to be rushed early on Oahu than late. Just make sure the 1 BR at KBC is a start date that works for you.

In case you decide not to go this route note that all the Hilton's on Oahu have start days of Sat only. The Wyndham has only F, S or Sun. KBC has all days of the week but most units are still starting on weekends.

[jrose529]

I'd take the KBC and do OOP for Oahu, that was going to be my recommendation even before your second post. Even if you have to split your Oahu time, you'll be far better off. Fly out Wed (or even later on Tue), get a hotel on Oahu, travel over to Maui later in the day that your exchange starts. Then travel back to Oahu fairly early on the day your exchange ends. Fly back no later than Sunday because you won't get home until the next day anyway. Better to be rushed early on Oahu than late. Just make sure the 1 BR at KBC is a start date that works for you.

In case you decide not to go this route note that all the Hilton's on Oahu have start days of Sat only. The Wyndham has only F, S or Sun. KBC has all days of the week but most units are still starting on weekends.

I was just checking into my HH rewards and I can transfer my AA FF miles to Hilton and stay for 6 days at Hilton Hawaiian Village! I could do KBC for a week, followed by Hilton for 5 or 6 days. That could work for us. Now I need to discuss this with DH since we will not be able to use the miles for the wedding in August. We still have some Delta FF miles though.

[Dean]

I was just checking into my HH rewards and I can transfer my AA FF miles to Hilton and stay for 6 days at Hilton Hawaiian Village! I could do KBC for a week, followed by Hilton for 5 or 6 days. That could work for us. Now I need to discuss this with DH since we will not be able to use the miles for the wedding in August. We still have some Delta FF miles though.That doesn't jive with the rest of the info you've posted. From what I can see and given the other constraints you've listed, 10 nights is the most you could squeeze if you leave Wed and return Sunday. Depending on the timing of the meeting, you might be able to squeeze one more day by either leaving Tues after the meeting OR by returning on Monday and getting back Tuesday and only going to the meeting but not working otherwise that day. Getting the exact days and reservations given your other constraints seems very unlikely to be workable as you're very likely to end up with days before and after the full week exchange. This is starting to sound like a bad idea from the East Coast to HI. What happens if he misses the meeting because you're delayed in returning?

Is the meeting every other week or twice a month? Are there any times when it might be canceled or adjusted that you could get more time?

[jrose529]

That doesn't jive with the rest of the info you've posted. From what I can see and given the other constraints you've listed, 10 nights is the most you could squeeze if you leave Wed and return Sunday. Depending on the timing of the meeting, you might be able to squeeze one more day by either leaving Tues after the meeting OR by returning on Monday and getting back Tuesday and only going to the meeting but not working otherwise that day. Getting the exact days and reservations given your other constraints seems very unlikely to be workable as you're very likely to end up with days before and after the full week exchange. This is starting to sound like a bad idea from the East Coast to HI. What happens if he misses the meeting because you're delayed in returning?

Is the meeting every other week or twice a month? Are there any times when it might be canceled or adjusted that you could get more time?

The meeting is every other week. and he really can't miss it. Unfortunately, it is never canceled for any reason except a holiday and then it moves to Wednesday that week.

We can stay Wednesday - Wednesday at KBC and stay Thursday to Sunday at the Hilton. Member services told me there was availability at KBC with a Wednesday start. We can't leave on Tuesday if we want to take the direct flight from Newark. It leaves only once a day at 1:30 PM. We don't have to stay 6 days at the Hilton. If we leave Maui early on Wednesday, we have until Sunday in Oahu. Could that work? It will give us a week in Maui and 3 full days in Oahu.

[DisneySJB]

Have a wonderful time in Hawaii! You mentioned The Road to Hana being on your to-do list. My daughter's middle name is Hana after the Hana Rainforest. My husband and I had a destination wedding to Maui 8 years ago. We are planning a visit for our 10 yr anniversary. I can't wait to show my daughter what she is named after. Have a wonderful time in paradise!

[jrose529]

Have a wonderful time in Hawaii! You mentioned The Road to Hana being on your to-do list. My daughter's middle name is Hana after the Hana Rainforest. My husband and I had a destination wedding to Maui 8 years ago. We are planning a visit for our 10 yr anniversary. I can't wait to show my daughter what she is named after. Have a wonderful time in paradise!

Thanks! I just booked Ka'anapali Beach Resort for a week and then I'll use Hilton Honors rewards for O'ahu for 4 days. I'm so excited!

Where did you stay on Maui? Hana must be beautiful if you named your daughter after the rain forest! How was it having a destination wedding? My son is having a destination wedding in Santa Fe this summer and planning from a distance is tough!

[Dean]

The meeting is every other week. and he really can't miss it. Unfortunately, it is never canceled for any reason except a holiday and then it moves to Wednesday that week.

We can stay Wednesday - Wednesday at KBC and stay Thursday to Sunday at the Hilton. Member services told me there was availability at KBC with a Wednesday start. We can't leave on Tuesday if we want to take the direct flight from Newark. It leaves only once a day at 1:30 PM. We don't have to stay 6 days at the Hilton. If we leave Maui early on Wednesday, we have until Sunday in Oahu. Could that work? It will give us a week in Maui and 3 full days in Oahu.Getting the Wed week for KBC is a good fit for your situation. You're still only staying the 4 nights on Oahu not 6 but if that works for you, it works for me. Make sure there is availability with hilton before you commit otherwise. Also realize that it may be the hotel and not the timeshare you're staying in on points.

[jrose529]

Getting the Wed week for KBC is a good fit for your situation. You're still only staying the 4 nights on Oahu not 6 but if that works for you, it works for me. Make sure there is availability with hilton before you commit otherwise. Also realize that it may be the hotel and not the timeshare you're staying in on points.

I just transferred my AA miles to Hilton and now have to wait to make reservations, but I checked and there is availability. As soon as the miles move over, I'll book. Since we can only stay for these 11 days, it will have to work for us. Unfortunately, we will never have a 2 week window to travel anywhere!

Thanks for your advice Dean. If you can think of any "don't miss" places on Maui or O'ahu, please let me know.

[jrose529]

I booked the Hilton! Now I just need to find a flight. I will also need to find out how to get from Honolulu to Maui and back. Is there a boat or should we take a small plane? We also want to book a luau, but need to figure out if we should book it in Maui at the KBR or at the Hilton. I have so may questions now!

[Dean]

I just transferred my AA miles to Hilton and now have to wait to make reservations, but I checked and there is availability. As soon as the miles move over, I'll book. Since we can only stay for these 11 days, it will have to work for us. Unfortunately, we will never have a 2 week window to travel anywhere!

Thanks for your advice Dean. If you can think of any "don't miss" places on Maui or O'ahu, please let me know.My quick and short list would be the following.

Oahu

Hanauma Bay
Diamond Head
Punchboal
Circle Island drive
North Shore drive including the Polynesian Cultural Center
Bishop Museum
Pearl Harbour


For Maui

Whale watching during the season
Iao state park
Haleakala, sunrise if you can.
A day tooling around Laihaina
Warren and Annabelle's - if you do nothing else while in HI, you have to do this even over Pearl Harbour. It's not kid friendly though.
I personally would not do Hana again. Too much time commitment, too much of a winding road and everyone in my family gets motion sick. But I understand how some feel they must do it once. I would not do a Luau on Oahu but would on Maui, I won't get into which one at present. I'm sure I'll think of many other things along the way but this should get you started. Get the wizard books for both islands, the best tour books for HI by far.

[jrose529]

Thank you so much Dean! I really appreciate your help. I'm putting a list together for places we need to visit and I'll begin with your suggestions.

[Dean]

I booked the Hilton! Now I just need to find a flight. I will also need to find out how to get from Honolulu to Maui and back. Is there a boat or should we take a small plane? We also want to book a luau, but need to figure out if we should book it in Maui at the KBR or at the Hilton. I have so may questions now!You can get interisland all day long about every half hour to hour for $39-49 per person one way, sometimes less. Look at HI air, Go and Island air. I've seen it as low as $19 a person one way. I think I paid $39 per last year. That is the easy part of your trip. There was a ferry starting up but they were having trouble. No way would I take that in your situation though.

[jrose529]

You can get interisland all day long about every half hour to hour for $39-49 per person one way, sometimes less. Look at HI air, Go and Island air. I've seen it as low as $19 a person one way. I think I paid $39 per last year. That is the easy part of your trip. There was a ferry starting up but they were having trouble. No way would I take that in your situation though.

Thanks again Dean! You are just full of wonderful suggestions! Do you travel to Hawaii often?

[jekjones1558]

I am one who got car sick on the road to Hana, but it is something to experience once IF you have time. It really takes a day to do round-trip. The best part for me was actually at the end of our Hana trip when we watched the wind surfers at Paia and had a drink at Mama's Fish House. Idyllic.
If you decide to do a Luau, the Old Lahaina Luau is often mentioned as a very good one.
If you are going in May, the whale watching season will be over. If you are snorkelers you will find lots of good options on Maui.
The views along the road on the north shore of Maui are really spectacular, some of the loveliest in Hawaii (better than the road to Hana, IMHO) but some parts of the road are pretty narrow, so be prepared.
In May the surf on the north shore of Oahu will not be at its peak, but it is still fun to see in person the places you may have seen on TV in surfing competitions. The big surf beaches on the north shore are not too far from the Polynesian Culture center.
Have a wonderful time. It is hard to beat Hawaii for a vacation (and that includes WDW, which I LOVE!)

[jrose529]

I am one who got car sick on the road to Hana, but it is something to experience once IF you have time. It really takes a day to do round-trip. The best part for me was actually at the end of our Hana trip when we watched the wind surfers at Paia and had a drink at Mama's Fish House. Idyllic.
If you decide to do a Luau, the Old Lahaina Luau is often mentioned as a very good one.
If you are going in May, the whale watching season will be over. If you are snorkelers you will find lots of good options on Maui.
The views along the road on the north shore of Maui are really spectacular, some of the loveliest in Hawaii (better than the road to Hana, IMHO) but some parts of the road are pretty narrow, so be prepared.
In May the surf on the north shore of Oahu will not be at its peak, but it is still fun to see in person the places you may have seen on TV in surfing competitions. The big surf beaches on the north shore are not too far from the Polynesian Culture center.
Have a wonderful time. It is hard to beat Hawaii for a vacation (and that
includes WDW, which I LOVE!)

It all sounds so wonderful! I am getting so excited. Thanks for your advice.

[Dean]

Thanks again Dean! You are just full of wonderful suggestions! Do you travel to Hawaii often?Maybe about every 4-5 years on average, trying to balance life without killing my partner. I have a soft spot for HI since we lived on Oahu from 83-86 and have been back every few years since. I also try to keep up a little with the timeshares there. We now own a week on Oahu at the Marriott that is every other year so we are actively planning for every 4 years now.

[jrose529]

Maybe about every 4-5 years on average, trying to balance life without killing my partner. I have a soft spot for HI since we lived on Oahu from 83-86 and have been back every few years since. I also try to keep up a little with the timeshares there. We now own a week on Oahu at the Marriott that is every other year so we are actively planning for every 4 years now.

Wow, that's great! We only have DVC points and any points/miles from travel to different hotels and our airline credit cards. Do you live a shorter distance to HI than I do? That would make it easier to visit more often. DH has always been concerned about the long flight, so that's why this will be our first trip there.

[Dean]

Wow, that's great! We only have DVC points and any points/miles from travel to different hotels and our airline credit cards. Do you live a shorter distance to HI than I do? That would make it easier to visit more often. DH has always been concerned about the long flight, so that's why this will be our first trip there.NO, longer given you can get a direct flight. We either fly or drive to Atlanta for the direct flight. We simply make it a priority and fortunately our work situation gives us a modicum of flexibility in such matters within reason.

[jrose529]

NO, longer given you can get a direct flight. We either fly or drive to Atlanta for the direct flight. We simply make it a priority and fortunately our work situation gives us a modicum of flexibility in such matters within reason.

Is a direct flight worth the extra cost? We definitely want to book a direct flight, but some people have told me they like to stop in LA and take a break. What do you think? As you've noticed, we have very little to no flexibility!

[Dean]

Is a direct flight worth the extra cost? We definitely want to book a direct flight, but some people have told me they like to stop in LA and take a break. What do you think? As you've noticed, we have very little to no flexibility!You have two issues, one is you have no flexibility. If you stop over for a day or 2, may as well not go. IMO, flying through the west coast just for the option of getting off a plane and waiting around in the airport is nuts. We've discussed stopping a few days on the way out or back but haven't had the time. We've been able to get the direct flights with FF miles every time we've tried. They did away with the direct flights at one point but they've been back for a few years now. In your case I don't see anything other than the direct flight being reasonable unless you can get perfect and early connections otherwise.

[jrose529]

You have two issues, one is you have no flexibility. If you stop over for a day or 2, may as well not go. IMO, flying through the west coast just for the option of getting off a plane and waiting around in the airport is nuts. We've discussed stopping a few days on the way out or back but haven't had the time. We've been able to get the direct flights with FF miles every time we've tried. They did away with the direct flights at one point but they've been back for a few years now. In your case I don't see anything other than the direct flight being reasonable unless you can get perfect and early connections otherwise.

Very true! We plan to fly direct but our only choice is the one flight on Continental. We don't have enough FF miles for this trip, but since everything else is on points, I don't feel terrible about it.

[Mberg12]

So I'm curious if you ended up using your points toward the wedding or toward a Maui vacation. Both sound like a fun way to vacation!

[jrose529]

So I'm curious if you ended up using your points toward the wedding or toward a Maui vacation. Both sound like a fun way to vacation!

We actually did both! We borrowed and used banked points and booked our week in Maui and our son is going to Argentina for his honeymoon. Thanks for asking! We go to Hawaii next month!

[jrose529]

I appreciate everyone's advice. We finally leave next week with a direct flight from Newark. Everything is booked. We are going to the Old Lahaina Luau on Sunday. We discussed taking a helicopter tour, but we both chickened out! If anyone has last minute advice, please let me know.

tomandrobin, do you still have your Maui tips/hints/experiences? I would love to see it.

Does anyone know if the Kaanapali Beach Resort has laundry machines in the rooms, or easily available on the grounds? I would love to pack light, but if I can't wash clothes, I'd have to bring more. I hate to waste vacation time doing laundry, so I hope there are facilities in a 1 bedroom, but I don't expect to find any. We are also going to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu, so if there are laundry facilities there, I can always wait until we get there. We have 3 full days and 2 half days there.

Thanks again for all your help!

[tomandrobin]

I appreciate everyone's advice. We finally leave next week with a direct flight from Newark. Everything is booked. We are going to the Old Lahaina Luau on Sunday. We discussed taking a helicopter tour, but we both chickened out! If anyone has last minute advice, please let me know.

tomandrobin, do you still have your Maui tips/hints/experiences? I would love to see it.

Does anyone know if the Kaanapali Beach Resort has laundry machines in the rooms, or easily available on the grounds? I would love to pack light, but if I can't wash clothes, I'd have to bring more. I hate to waste vacation time doing laundry, so I hope there are facilities in a 1 bedroom, but I don't expect to find any. We are also going to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu, so if there are laundry facilities there, I can always wait until we get there. We have 3 full days and 2 half days there.

Thanks again for all your help!

You are staying at condo/timeshares. There will be laundry machines available for your use. There is a Cosco and a Walmart right outside the airport, makes it very convenient to stock-up on your groceries.

We go to the top of the volcano to watch the sunrise on the first night. Its the best day, since your body is still on east coast time (6 hour time difference) so 2-3am is not a big deal to get up.

We like to snorkel and all along the Kaannapli area the snorkeling is very. good. We are doing the same luau as you. Mama's Fish House was our favorite meal. Its located near the airport, so if your departure flight is late, you can make it your last Maui dinner.

Buy your tickets for the luau and other shows online prior to your trip.

[jrose529]

Thanks for your quick response tomandrobin! I do have reservations for the luau. Are there other shows on Maui that you recommend? We plan to drive he Road to Hana and I'd like to see the sunrise from the volcano, but DH would rather see the sunset! I told him we'd be fine the first morning, but he isn't interested. We need to discuss this!

I am looking forward to snorkeling and just relaxing. Do you have any sailboat or any boating trip recommendations? We love being on boats of any kind. As far as Mama's Fish House, I have heard from so many people that it is not to be missed, unfortunately, I don't eat seafood of any kind! It sounds crazy since there is so much of it available on the island.

[Nikisha421]

Have a great trip. You will enjoy the Old Lahaina Luau if you would like I can post some pictures and live video of the event.


BTW did you schedule the Gazebo in like we discussed when you first started the thread??? It was honestly the best and all of the islanders will tell you the same...

I can't believe the last seven month have come and gone so quickly...but enjoy your trip...

[jrose529]

Have a great trip. You will enjoy the Old Lahaina Luau if you would like I can post some pictures and live video of the event.


BTW did you schedule the Gazebo in like we discussed when you first started the thread??? It was honestly the best and all of the islanders will tell you the same...

I can't believe the last seven month have come and gone so quickly...but enjoy your trip...

Thanks! I can't wait! I'd love to see pictures!

I haven't scheduled the Gazebo, but I will. I have to decide when to go.

I'll let you know how the trip goes when we return. I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to share!

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for your quick response tomandrobin! I do have reservations for the luau. Are there other shows on Maui that you recommend? We plan to drive he Road to Hana and I'd like to see the sunrise from the volcano, but DH would rather see the sunset! I told him we'd be fine the first morning, but he isn't interested. We need to discuss this!

I am looking forward to snorkeling and just relaxing. Do you have any sailboat or any boating trip recommendations? We love being on boats of any kind. As far as Mama's Fish House, I have heard from so many people that it is not to be missed, unfortunately, I don't eat seafood of any kind! It sounds crazy since there is so much of it available on the island.

Well, there is the comedy show...warren and Annabelle (or something like that).

We are doing boat trip to Molokai to snorkel, with a stop at turtle town. We also just hit the resort beach and some of the other open beaches.

We are staying at the Westin timeshare and most evenings we usually grill and watch the sunset at the resort. The grills at the Westin are located facing the ocean and the sunset.

And if you do go to the top of the volcano, take warm clothes. Its 10,000 above sea level and its breezy and cold. The stars are amazing up there....either way, you will not be disappointed.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Hawaii%202008/705.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Hawaii%202008/745.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/tomandrobin/Hawaii%202008/731.jpg

[jrose529]

Well, there is the comedy show...warren and Annabelle (or something like that).

We are doing boat trip to Molokai to snorkel, with a stop at turtle town. We also just hit the resort beach and some of the other open beaches.

We are staying at the Westin timeshare and most evenings we usually grill and watch the sunset at the resort. The grills at the Westin are located facing the ocean and the sunset.

And if you do go to the top of the volcano, take warm clothes. Its 10,000 above sea level and its breezy and cold. The stars are amazing up there....either way, you will not be disappointed.

What beautiful pictures! I can't wait to see it all for myself!

I'll look into Warren and Annabelle's. I don't know anything about it.

Thanks!

[podsnel]

WOW tomandrobin- those pics are breathtaking!! :worship: :worship: I have really enjoyed reading this thread tonight- planning to go in 2012, but as we all know, its never too soon to start planning any vacation!! :goodvibes DH & I honeymooned on Hawaii & Maui nearly 25 years ago- never went up to see the sunrise , planning to do that for the first time with our kids.

jrose25- have an amazing vacation- Hawaii is like no place on earth, you are in for more beauty (the landscape AND the people!) than you can possibly imagine. Can't wait to hear all about it!!:woohoo:

[jrose529]

jrose25- have an amazing vacation- Hawaii is like no place on earth, you are in for more beauty (the landscape AND the people!) than you can possibly imagine. Can't wait to hear all about it!!:woohoo:

Thanks podsnel! I am so looking forward to this trip. I have always wanted to go, but DH didn't want to travel for so many hours. I finally convinced him, but I'm not looking forward to the long flight! We are flying direct from Newark.

[Dean]

Warren and Annabelle's is the most amazing thing ever. You do have to reserve ahead of time, if you wait until you get there, it's unlikely you'll get in. Last I heard they had done away with their kids show and it's adult only. Not bad by most standards but still some adult humor.

[dianeschlicht]

I agree that the sunrise at the crator is a must. As you can tell from the pictures, you do need to dress warm for that! Even with our warm clothes on, we froze! It's almost another world type experience though, and WELL worth the early morning.

The Road to Hanna is impressive too, and be sure you go beyond Hanna to the 7 pools.

[dianeschlicht]

Just wanted to say also that you need to reconsider the helicopter trip. We love those, and take them on every island. IT is a perfect way to see each island!

[jekjones1558]

On the way back from Hana stop to watch the wind surfers in Paia and have a drink or meal at Mama's Fish House. It is in an idyllic cove.
This thread is making me SO lonesome for Hawaii. Medical issues keep getting in the way of us returning. If I ever get back there I am probably going to be in tears, I will be so grateful. I have to admit that I love Hawaii even more than WDW, and that is REALLY saying something!

[Califgirl]

We've been to Maui several times and my husband is there now 'with the guys' for a golf vacation. We stay at the Westin Ka'anapali Villas, and love it. DH and the guys are in a 2 bedroom ocean view villa right now.

I too would encourage you to rethink the helicopter tour. We've taken a couple of them and always enjoy them. It is a great way to see the island. In fact one tour we took started out with a 2 hour horseback ride through the island, lunch and then a helicopter tour. That was a blast!
Also, if you go up to view the sunrise, stop by the Tedeschi winery on the way back down the mountain. I love their pineapple wine (goes well with fish, should you be grilling fish on the out door grills at the villas) Also there is a lavender farm on the way up the mountain (or way down ;) ) If you make a reservation, you can have lavender 'tea', and a tour of the farm.
We always spend a lot of time in the water, the snorkeling is great.
I haven't seen Warren & Annabel yet. Last time we were there they were 'dark'. I guess everyone needs a vacation!

[curiouslittleoyster]

You have many great recommendations here and I know you are going to have a wonderful trip! I loooove Maui. It is my favorite island...favorite place to be overall. If you have time, try some local foodie faves like Local Boys shaved ice in Kihei for the best shaved ice anywhere. I love the Melona with cream on top and their special ice cream on the bottom. Kihei Caffe also has the hands down best Loco Moco anywhere. I always split this with someone, though, because it is gigantic. It's Portuguese sausage fried rice with a ground beef patty, an egg, and yummy gravy on top. This is perfect with a glass of POG(pineapple orange guava juice) on the side. If you are a Louis Vuitton fan, pick up some goodies there because prices are cheaper there than over here because of the lower tax. The mall is very close to the Grand Wailea.

Like others have said, Road to Hana is long and very windy. Stop along the way if you have time...lovely waterfalls and areas to hike. Bring mosquito repellent. They love the tourists. lol. Watch out for the school bus drivers, they drive crazy there! lol. Snorkeling in Molokini is also very popular. Hope on a boat trip and they offer lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and snuba, too. Old Lahaina Lua is the best...good choice on that! There is so much to see and do...too much for your trip, but you can also go back! :)

[jrose529]

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! I have a list of things that we must do, and added all of your tips. I booked Warren and Annabelle's for Monday night. It looks like fun.

Has anyone done the Maui Gold Pineapple tour, or would it be better to do the Dole Pineapple tour on Oahu? Has anyone done either of these? What about a Trilogy boat excursion?

I love all the food recommendations! They sound fabulous! I am getting so excited!