OT - Looking for info and advice on Maui

[sayhello]

So, since ABD has not yet decided to re-instate their Hawaii trips, I've decided that this year will be a hiatus for me, and I'm planning my own trip to Maui (I'm *really* hoping to do Greece with ABD in 2013).

I've gotten an *excellent* deal renting a friend's timeshare on Kihei, and I'm flying on points (first time ever that I've had enough points!). So, with all that taken care of, I'm concentrating on setting up a bunch of great excursions, and some fabulous meals.

So please let me know what your favorite things to do, places to go and places to eat are on Maui. I was there 11 years ago, so I'm familiar with the island, but I'm *sure* it's changed since I was there!

Thanks all!

 

[kjd469]

That's great Sayhello!...will you be renting or have use of a car? I'm assuming yes. If you're looking for a great beach, the Wailea beach is really nice and has easy public access in between the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea hotels. We spent a day there and really enjoyed it. We also really enjoyed the "vibe" of Lahaina and spent a lot of time enjoying the shops - lots of restaurants too that were packed with locals, so they must be good. What time of year will you be going?...the whale watching in Maui is really good as well.

We're headed to Aulani in December/January and then taking the NCL cruise that stops at Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Hoping to do some of the ABD activities offered at Aulani. Hoping others reply with some interesting ideas for Maui that we could use also

 

[sayhello]

Thanks kjd469! I'm definitely renting a car. I don't remember much in the way of public transport on Maui... it's really a driving island. I remember the Grand Wailea, I'll have to check out the beach! And Lahaina I do remember as a good place to wander & shop. I'll definitely hit that again.

I'm going to be there mid-May. There *may* still be some whale watching at that point, I definitely plan on looking into that.

I was toying with the idea of Aulani, but when the timeshare came up, I really decided that was what I wanted to do this year. Hopefully I'll check out Aulani in the future.

Sayhello

 

[mkmommy]

You have to so the drive to Hana, it was my favorite thing I did in Hawaii.

http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/road-to-hana.php

 

[carpenta]

You have to so the drive to Hana, it was my favorite thing I did in Hawaii.

http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/road-to-hana.php

....I loved the Hanna drive but I did a tour that allowed you to see all the sights and not concentrate on the hair pin turns. Also the driver told history and trivia about the drive and stopped at great scenic spots for pictures that I would have passed by. Also the Hawaiian (sp?) music played in the small bus really added to the experience.

 

[TEK224]

I love Maui. A couple places to eat that I enjoy are Lahaina Fish Co. and Mama's Fish House (in Paia).

I like to wonder around Front St. in Lahaina and window shop or sit and gaze across the channel. If the craft fair is at the Banyan Tree, be sure to stop and check it out.

Terri

 

[sayhello]

You have to so the drive to Hana, it was my favorite thing I did in Hawaii.

http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/road-to-hana.php

Thanks, mkmommy. I'm definitely putting this on my list. I did the road to Hana back in 1985, and I'm sure it's still just as lovely as it was then! Boy, do I feel old!

....I loved the Hanna drive but I did a tour that allowed you to see all the sights and not concentrate on the hair pin turns. Also the driver told history and trivia about the drive and stopped at great scenic spots for pictures that I would have passed by. Also the Hawaiian (sp?) music played in the small bus really added to the experience.

Thanks,carpenta. Do you recall what company you used? I'm traveling alone, so I'd definitely rather a tourdriver drive so that I can watch the scenery!

I love Maui. A couple places to eat that I enjoy are Lahaina Fish Co. and Mama's Fish House (in Paia).

I like to wonder around Front St. in Lahaina and window shop or sit and gaze across the channel. If the craft fair is at the Banyan Tree, be sure to stop and check it out.

Terri

Thanks, Terri! I've been to Mama's Fish house, and definitely plan on returning (the folks I rented the timeshare from told me about it.) I'll add the Lahaina Fish Co. to the must do list! I'll have to check out the craft fair. I wonder if there's a way to find out when it's running...

Sayhello

 

[Pakey]

Do you like sushi? If so, Sansei in Kapalua is probably the best on the island.

For upscale dining, we like Merrimans, also in Kapalua. Dinner at sunset is gorgeous.

We love going to Makawao, the "cowboy town" and looking through the art galleries and shops. This is a good day trip after watching the sunrise from Haleakala.

I love love love getting spa treatments at the Grand Wailea. It's a gorgeous resort but the spa is the best thing there.

If you are there during the whale season, it's nice to take a boat out from the Maui Ocean Institute in Wailuku.

 

[sayhello]

Do you like sushi? If so, Sansei in Kapalua is probably the best on the island.

For upscale dining, we like Merrimans, also in Kapalua. Dinner at sunset is gorgeous.

We love going to Makawao, the "cowboy town" and looking through the art galleries and shops. This is a good day trip after watching the sunrise from Haleakala.

I love love love getting spa treatments at the Grand Wailea. It's a gorgeous resort but the spa is the best thing there.

If you are there during the whale season, it's nice to take a boat out from the Maui Ocean Institute in Wailuku.

I like *good* sushi! I'll definitely check this place out. Ooooo. And a sunset dinner sounds fabulous! Thanks for the recommendation!

Makawao sounds cool. Are you talking about doing it the same day as Haleakala? I'm planning on doing that with a tour group. They pick you up at your hotel, and drop you back there. I'm not sure how much I'll be up to after getting up at oh-dark-hundred! But I'll put it on the list. I love towns like that.

So I can go to the spa at the Grand Wailea even if I'm not staying there? That sounds so decadent! Now *that* I could do after Haleakala (although I'd probably fall asleep on the table!!!)

I think there's a chance I might catch the very tail-end of whale season. I'll check out the Maui Ocean Institute. Is that the aquarium? I remember an aquarium not too far from Kihei...

Thanks, Pakey!
Sayhello

 

[mouseclick1]

There's a little restaurant in Kihei called Stella Blues that we fell in love with. We had breakfast there 3 times in our 6 day visit to Maui. Though we only ate there for breakfast, they do serve lunch and dinner as well. We liked it so much that we not only bought Stella Blues mugs as a souvenir, we also named our white boxer puppy Stella! (We named her brother Duke, after Duke's Canoe Club. Can you tell how much we love Hawaii??)

Mama's Fish House = Best Meal Ever!

We also ziplined on Haleakala, which was a complete blast!

 

[sayhello]

There's a little restaurant in Kihei called Stella Blues that we fell in love with. We had breakfast there 3 times in our 6 day visit to Maui. Though we only ate there for breakfast, they do serve lunch and dinner as well. We liked it so much that we not only bought Stella Blues mugs as a souvenir, we also named our white boxer puppy Stella! (We named her brother Duke, after Duke's Canoe Club. Can you tell how much we love Hawaii??)

Mama's Fish House = Best Meal Ever!

We also ziplined on Haleakala, which was a complete blast!

I think I might remember Stella Blues! I may have gotten sandwiches to go there. I'll be sure & check it out.

Mama's Fish House is definitely on the itinerary!

You can zipline on Haleakala???? Do you know the company name? I've never ziplined, and I'd love to give it a try.

Thanks, mouseclick1!

Sayhello

 

[mouseclick1]

Here you go!

http://www.zipline.com/locations/haleakala

 

[sayhello]

Here you go!

http://www.zipline.com/locations/haleakala

Oooo, thanks! I'll check it out!

Sayhello

 

[knewton64]

So, since ABD has not yet decided to re-instate their Hawaii trips, I've decided that this year will be a hiatus for me, and I'm planning my own trip to Maui (I'm *really* hoping to do Greece with ABD in 2013).

I've gotten an *excellent* deal renting a friend's timeshare on Kihei, and I'm flying on points (first time ever that I've had enough points!). So, with all that taken care of, I'm concentrating on setting up a bunch of great excursions, and some fabulous meals.

So please let me know what your favorite things to do, places to go and places to eat are on Maui. I was there 11 years ago, so I'm familiar with the island, but I'm *sure* it's changed since I was there!

Thanks all!

You raise a excellent ? but..........

it really depends upon your own taste and excursion intensity level.



Me? I really hit Maui hard and loved every minute of it these past few days.



Tho if I had to rank them, the excursions wud be:


#1: Trilogy II catamaran tour.
#2: Maui DOwnhill Sunrise tour.
#3: Heavenly Hana tour.


Places to eat?? R U KIDDIN ME??


Tho I was fortunate enuf to slip in a visit to the Old Lahaina Luau which I would recommend.


overall, the
Hyatt hotel was kind enuf to fix up for me daily a cooler filled w/plenty to eat for 3/4 day since I just flat out didnt have the time to eat I was having so much fun.


Have fun and just remember:




There are the four USA time zones......then there is Maui time.
Good luck w/your plans.




T.T.F.N.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Although we now do Kauai, we did Maui for years.
. . . we alternate London and Kauai each year
. . . Maui is nice, but we wanted something more laid-back
2) For activities, we highly recommend
. . . Trilogy (catamaran sale ride to Lanai island and picnic)
. . . Haleakala National Forest and road to Hana
. . . Ulupalakua Ranch
. . . Tedeschi Winery (taste the Maui Splash pineapple wine)
. . . Maui Ocean Center and Aquarium
. . . Old Lahaina Luau
3) As for eats, there are bunches and bunches - our fav's are:
. . . KO, in Wailea
. . . Mama's Fish House, on road to Hana
. . . Gerard's, in Lahaina
. . . Pineapple Grill, in Kapalua

 

[Diskidatheart]

There are many things that you can do on your own that will cut down on the cost of your trip like going to the beaches and relaxing (highly recommended), Iao Valley Needle, Haleakala crater for the sunrise, banyon tree in Lahaina.

You can rent snorkel equipment and a beach chair and see the most amazing sights underwater. I learned on my last trip to Hawaii that there is more to see underwater than there is to see on land.

Since you are going solo to Maui, if you decide to do the Road to Hana, I would highly recommend using a tour. If you decide to drive it yourself, you will miss the best part of the trip - the scenery - because you will NEED to pay attention to the road. We did a tour that drove us to Hana on a guided tour making several stops along the way and then took a helicopter ride back from Hana after eating lunch in Hana. It was wonderful because you weren't exhausted after the trip. The website for this tour is http://www.temptationtours.com/c-8-hana-sky-trek.aspx in case you are interested. It's pricy, but I thought it was worth it.

Our last trip to Maui, we ate at some very good places, but they were all in Kaanapali. I loved Kimo's. It's part of a Hawaiian chain of restaurants (each restaurant has different name, but they are all wonderful). It's not as expensive as some of the others. If you decide to do the Old Lahaina Luau, pay for the premium seating up front. It'll be well worth it for the show and who knows, maybe they'll even ask you to come up on stage to demonstrate a hula dance

 

[sayhello]

Tho if I had to rank them, the excursions wud be:

#1: Trilogy II catamaran tour.
#2: Maui DOwnhill Sunrise tour.
#3: Heavenly Hana tour.

Places to eat?? R U KIDDIN ME??

Tho I was fortunate enuf to slip in a visit to the Old Lahaina Luau which I would recommend.

knewton64, did you have any issues with #2? I'm assuming that's a bicycle ride down Haleakala after viewing the Sunrise? I'd like to give it a try, but I'm a little intimidated by the idea of all that downhill biking. Seems a bit scary to me.

Several people have recommended the Old Lahaina Luau, and I have heard it's one of the best.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

1) Although we now do Kauai, we did Maui for years.
. . . we alternate London and Kauai each year
. . . Maui is nice, but we wanted something more laid-back
2) For activities, we highly recommend
. . . Trilogy (catamaran sale ride to Lanai island and picnic)
. . . Haleakala National Forest and road to Hana
. . . Ulupalakua Ranch
. . . Tedeschi Winery (taste the Maui Splash pineapple wine)
. . . Maui Ocean Center and Aquarium
. . . Old Lahaina Luau
3) As for eats, there are bunches and bunches - our fav's are:
. . . KO, in Wailea
. . . Mama's Fish House, on road to Hana
. . . Gerard's, in Lahaina
. . . Pineapple Grill, in Kapalua

Thanks, TheRustyScupper! Trilogy to Lanai is high on the list. I will definitely be checking them out.
I'm looking to do a tour for the Road to Hana, since I'm traveling solo.
What is Ulupalakua Ranch? I haven't heard of that one before.
A lot of the tours (esp Haleakala ones) include a stop at the Tedeschi Winery on their way back. I'm intrigued by the Pineapple wine. You're the second person to recommend it!
Definitely checking out the Maui Ocean Center & Aquarium. I don't think it's that far from where I'm staying.
I've heard Old Lahaina Luau is one of the best.
Thanks for the restaurant recommendations! I'll check those out.

There are many things that you can do on your own that will cut down on the cost of your trip like going to the beaches and relaxing (highly recommended), Iao Valley Needle, Haleakala crater for the sunrise, banyon tree in Lahaina.

You can rent snorkel equipment and a beach chair and see the most amazing sights underwater. I learned on my last trip to Hawaii that there is more to see underwater than there is to see on land.

Since you are going solo to Maui, if you decide to do the Road to Hana, I would highly recommend using a tour. If you decide to drive it yourself, you will miss the best part of the trip - the scenery - because you will NEED to pay attention to the road. We did a tour that drove us to Hana on a guided tour making several stops along the way and then took a helicopter ride back from Hana after eating lunch in Hana. It was wonderful because you weren't exhausted after the trip. The website for this tour is http://www.temptationtours.com/c-8-hana-sky-trek.aspx in case you are interested. It's pricy, but I thought it was worth it.

Our last trip to Maui, we ate at some very good places, but they were all in Kaanapali. I loved Kimo's. It's part of a Hawaiian chain of restaurants (each restaurant has different name, but they are all wonderful). It's not as expensive as some of the others. If you decide to do the Old Lahaina Luau, pay for the premium seating up front. It'll be well worth it for the show and who knows, maybe they'll even ask you to come up on stage to demonstrate a hula dance

Thanks, Diskidatheart. I'm not so much worried about the cost for excursions, as the rest of the trip (condo & flight) came out pretty inexpensive. I'm not much of a sit on the beach kind of person. Wish I was, but I'm not. I prefer to be up doing something, even if it's just walking the beach or browsing open-air shops or whatever. But I will check out Iao Needle Valley and definitely the Banyan tree.

The problem with just renting snorkeling equipment is that, traveling solo, it's really dangerous to snorkel by yourself. So I will likely be doing excursions for all my snorkeling. Fortunately, it looks like there are tons of options for that! I'm actually looking at buying my own mask & snorkel. I have real trouble with the masks I've used because I have a deviated septum. I'm hoping having a custom fit mask might help with that. We've got a place here in Columbus that specializes in that sort of thing.

The Hana tour with the helicopter sounds really cool. I will definitely look into that. This is my 3rd time to Maui. The first was a short trip, really on the cheap, a billion years ago with an old boyfriend. The 2nd was about ten years ago. Did the road to Hana both times, first time driving, second time on a tour. But I still want to see it again, so this helicopter things sounds like a nice twist to change it up. Thanks for the link!

Thanks for the tip about the premium seating for the Old Lahaina Luau. That sounds like a really good idea. Wouldn't want to get shoved in the back! Bring on the Hula challenge!!!!

Thanks again for all the info. Keep it coming!

Sayhello

 

[Diskidatheart]

knewton64, did you have any issues with #2? I'm assuming that's a bicycle ride down Haleakala after viewing the Sunrise? I'd like to give it a try, but I'm a little intimidated by the idea of all that downhill biking. Seems a bit scary to me.

Sayhello

I've read a lot of stories on TripAdvisor about accidents happening on the downhill bike tours. I think the problem is that there are a lot of curves and cars may not be able to see you, so there can be some pretty bad accidents. If this is something that really interests you, by all means do it...but I know the destination experts on TA do not advise doing these tours.

 

[Diskidatheart]

Thanks, Diskidatheart. I'm not so much worried about the cost for excursions, as the rest of the trip (condo & flight) came out pretty inexpensive. I'm not much of a sit on the beach kind of person. Wish I was, but I'm not. I prefer to be up doing something, even if it's just walking the beach or browsing open-air shops or whatever. But I will check out Iao Needle Valley and definitely the Banyan tree.

The problem with just renting snorkeling equipment is that, traveling solo, it's really dangerous to snorkel by yourself. So I will likely be doing excursions for all my snorkeling. Fortunately, it looks like there are tons of options for that! I'm actually looking at buying my own mask & snorkel. I have real trouble with the masks I've used because I have a deviated septum. I'm hoping having a custom fit mask might help with that. We've got a place here in Columbus that specializes in that sort of thing.

The Hana tour with the helicopter sounds really cool. I will definitely look into that. This is my 3rd time to Maui. The first was a short trip, really on the cheap, a billion years ago with an old boyfriend. The 2nd was about ten years ago. Did the road to Hana both times, first time driving, second time on a tour. But I still want to see it again, so this helicopter things sounds like a nice twist to change it up. Thanks for the link!

Thanks for the tip about the premium seating for the Old Lahaina Luau. That sounds like a really good idea. Wouldn't want to get shoved in the back! Bring on the Hula challenge!!!!

Thanks again for all the info. Keep it coming!

Sayhello

I figured I'd mention the less expensive options as alternatives and also for some others who might be reading this, those less expensive options could really come in handy.

Buying your own snorkel gear is a great idea. You are correct about not snorkeling alone, however, if you go to a lifeguarded area and stay near other snorkelers, you should be fine. I have a bright yellow bathing suit and my wife now calls it my snorkeling bathing suit, because she can spot me in the water at all times! Make sure that you use flippers even if you don't buy them. It really does help you get through the water and it is less disturbing to the fish since you don't have to work as hard. The less you work your body at swimming, the longer you can watch the fish!

Also, NEVER turn your back on the ocean. That may be the most important advice that people don't listen to. Those waves can be a powerful force.