Aulani and Maui

[mwes1231]

Hi. I'm in the very early stages of thinking about a summer 2018 trip. I would like to do Aulani and definitely see the main Oahu sites such as Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. Not interested in the Waikiki area. Also want to spend some time on Maui. Anyone done both? Suggestions on where to stay in Maui and a possible itinerary (which to do first, how many nights in each, etc.). Would be 2 adults and a 9-year old boy and we would be coming from the east coast. Thanks!

 

[nkereina]

We are going in September and doing both, also coming from the East coast. For us, it was cheaper to book round trip flights out of Honolulu than to do one way flights. Also, coming from the East, we'd have to change planes twice if we wanted to fly directly into or out of Maui. We only have one layover flying into and out of Honolulu.

We are staying in Waikiki for 3 nights in order to do Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. We will not have a rental car during this time and have booked tours that will pick us up from our hotel. I've also read that it's best to do Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head early in your trip, as you will be up early due to the time change and both activities are best as early morning ones. After Waikiki, we fly to Maui for a few nights, and then back to Honolulu where we will pick up a rental car and spend the rest of the time at Aulani.

On Maui, we are staying at the Westin in the Ka'anapali Beach area. It's about 45 minutes from the airport and we've arranged for a shuttle. The Westin provides a shuttle back and forth to Lahaina where much of the night life is so we'll take advantage of that as well.

 

[M<3'sMickey]

Hi! I've done this trip once before in 2012 (I won a trip to Maui when I was on Wheel of Fortune) and I'm doing it again this August for my honeymoon. We live in NY so we're in the same boat as you coming from the east coast. Our flight this August is at 5:45am out of JFK with a layover at LAX and then continuing on to Maui.

While on Maui, I stayed and am going to stay again at the Westin in Kaanipali. It's BEAUTIFUL. I don't know what your budget it is, but it's well worth the money and they often run specials. Granted, the first time I stayed there was for free since that's the trip I won, but I loved it and it's my honeymoon so I was happy(ish) to pay the money to stay this time. We're staying from August 8-13, got the 5th night free, 35% off the room price and 35% off meals at the resort. We're doing Maui first because it'll be right after the wedding and we just want to relax, but are contemplating doing an excursion for a day. The Westin also has a free shuttle bus that takes you to different locations so you can go to restaurants and walk by the beach. It's really nice and convenient.

In 2012 and again this summer, we're staying a week at Aulani. We're DVC members and are staying in a one bedroom. We bought the GO Oahu pass off of Costco.com and plan on going to Pearl Harbor, the Kualoa Ranch for the movie tour and the jungle tour, the Dole Plantation, an all day Oahu tour, the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and climbing Diamond Head. I made sure we're doubling and tripling up on sites per day so that way we also have days to just sit and relax at Aulani. We're also renting a car from the airport through BJs or Costco.

That's just some basic information. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have been to Aulani several times and love it. Also been to Maui. If you want both I suggest you determine which is the best place to fly into from the states as your first stop. We can fly nonstop from Chicago to Oahu but it's harder to find a nonstop to Maui. The intraisland flights are frequent and easy to do. If you start at Oahu first, we never leave Aulani because we love it so much. But there is Pearl Harbor when is great and easily reserved ahead of time for free. There is also a drive on the north shore which is beautiful. But wth a 9 year old I think he wuld really enjoy the resort and the slides and lazy river. So I would suggest spending a lot of time there.

As for Maui, it is beautiful. I don't remember where we stayed years ago but I also know people that loved the Westin or the Four seasons or the grand wailea. Maui is pretty sprawling so Yu will want a car. Drive the road to Hana, stop for banana bread along the way (you will see trucks selling it...amazing). There is a volcanoe and mountain...name I can't remember...which has beautiful views and hiking. Depending on the time of year there is whale watching and Dolphins. Go to mamas fish house for dinner. It's pricey but the view is spectacular with surfers and the meal is great.

Another island to consider is Kauai. It is the garden isle and is wonderful. Truly a beautiful place. And the helicopter ride around the kanipoli coast where there are no roads is something you will never forget.

 

[ggc]

First trip to Hawaii was almost 43 years ago. Remember it well, yes on our honeymoon.
I'm not into mega resort stays, the islands offer so much more than a pool and a mai tai. Don't get me wrong, hang'n loose and suckn'em up is all part of Hawaii. So is kamanawana.....u.
But for my money, Maui is a favorite. Try the Old Lahaina Luau, the best. Mama's Fish House can not be beat.
Kimos on Front St. Lahaina is also a great place to eat. if your are interested in some wine, visit Maui's winery, pineapples never tasted so good.
The road to Hana you bet. If you are a lot more adventurous take the road from Kaanapali and drive around the north side of Maui. It will bring you back to Kahului, you will be amazed at the beauty. Don't forget the House of the Sun.
When you are on Oahu and on your way to Diamond Head you will probably drive through Waikiki anyway, enjoy.
An interesting stop is Doris Duke's Shangri La, see what "Old Money" bought. Have to book the tour ahead through the museum.
Hy's steakhouse, have to try it!!!, same for Duke's. Hanauma Bay and Sea Life Park should be considered. What's left? The north shore, Pali lookout, Dole Plantation.
The Punch Bowl, not only to honor our soldiers but a view that you'll never forget.
Aloha

 

[Silver Queen]

We just came back from a Maui/Aulani trip and loved it. We are also east coasters. We flew through Phoenix instead of LAX because we thought it would be a little less crazy. We actually spent a couple of nights in Phoenix and visited the red rock country in Sedona before moving on to Hawaii. We flew into Honolulu and immediately took a Hawaiian Airlines flight to Maui. We stayed 3 nights in an RCI resort at Kahana Beach. It was clean, right on the ocean, but not fancy. We booked rather late and were lucky to get it. We were able to stay on points from our other timeshare that has an exchange with RCI. On Maui we did some sightseeing in Lahaina, saw the Io Needle , and walked around the resort area at Kaanapoli.We did not do the road to Hana since it was about a 5 hour trip and we only had 2 days to do things.
If you decide to do the road to Hana do some research about the north shore road that was mentioned above. We were warned by a concierge at our resort that rental car companies do not cover you on that road. If we were to take the road to Hana we would take the road back to the airport and then go north from there.
We loved our 7 night stay at Aulani. We had a rental car for the week so it was easy for us to get to Pearl Harbor, the Aloha Swap Meet, Waikiki, Diamond Head, the Dole Plantation, and the north shore. The concierge personnel at Aulani were great at giving us ideas for places to explore on our own. Next time we would like to spend more time at Kualoa Ranch. I'll bet your 9 year old would love it.
We were 2 adults and DVC members. We had a one bedroom villa and loved it. We will definitely be going back and hope to visit Kaui before Aulani. Keep up your great research and have fun planning!

 

[ggc]

Silver Queen
You are correct the road going beyond Hana, Piilani Hwy, does get very rough and is not recommended by the rental car companies.
They would allow a Jeep I believe. That road is the most southern route and is south of Haleakala.
The road I wrote about is at the opposite, northwest end of the island, Rt. 30, aka Honoapiilani Hwy. Quite a few miles from the southern shore.
You drive north from Lahaina or Kaanapali and will be heading to Kapalua. Granted the road is narrow in spots but it is paved the entire way and offers something different, scenery that most will never see. There is a small ranch that gives trail rides if you like horses, just northwest of Kahului on the same road.