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Thought I'd even out the 'doom and gloom' OT threads with trip report from Maui.
We had a great 6-night stay at the Aston at the Whaler in Kaanapali. Would def recommend for the price point. Was somewhere around 350$ per night with ocean view and all fees included. Did a car rental through all-save, and other than the shuttle inconvenience, we got a 2017 Mazda CX5 for ~300$ for the trip.
Before the trip
Used Walgreens ID now test. Our flight was on the 31st at 7am, we got our test done about 10am on Monday, results by 2pm. Three days before Monday, I was on the Walgreens site refreshing to make sure that I was able to get booked for Monday, even though this was Christmas Eve. They dropped timeslots around 4pm PST
Day1
Arrived in Kahalui, picked up car, went to Costco, then to KaanapaliAte at Hula Grill, right in Whalers Village. Decent first meal, went back later in the trip.
Didn't really have a plan for NYE, so we went to Cat Cafe? in Lahaina, and there was Kareoke and live music. We just ended up chilling there for a couple hours, did not go into the restaurant since the line was SUPER long and probably wouldn't have made it in anyways. Around 11pm, ended up going to the Lahaina sports bar, and was able to get in and celebrate there a bit.
Day2
Went and did the Waihee Ridge Trail which was a great start to our trip. Ended up driving the north shore way to get to Nakalele Blowhole. This drive was quite the adventure, but as long as you go slow and you're considerate, it should be fine.
The blowhole itself was pretty cool, but conditions were pretty rough, so we didn't get in or anything.
Had dinner at Duke's, which we walked to and from, from whalers village, on the boardwalk. Had a great! meal there, and went back later in the trip.
Day3
We went down to Wailea and did our first ever dive, using the Airbnb Experience with our guide Charles. It was awesome, and would def recommended.
After, checked out big beach in Makena, which was ok, nothing spectacular. I ended up really preferring our beach in Kaanapali, as our trip progressed.
Had dinner at Leilani's which is in Whalers village as well. Nothing spectacular
Day4
Drove to Paia and went to the airport beach for a couple hours, forgot the name. Great beach for surfing, but not for sunlounging, given the winds etc. Afterwards, we went up to Haleakala.
I wanted to do as much of the sliding sands trail up at Haleakala as we could before getting a glimpse of sunset. We ended up doing about 4 miles in under 2 hours. If you are a hiker or trail runner, this would be the highlight of your trip. I absolutely LOVED the scenery. Stayed for sunset as well which was pretty good, lotta clouds that day.
Got back into town in time for dinner and did Dukes again, which was great!
Day5
We went up to Napili Bay Beach, and walked the trails around Kapalua. Pretty nice beaches.
Another highlight of the trip was later that day, we did the sunset cruise with Trilogy, which picks you up right from the Kaanapali beach. This was a GREAT experience and highly recommended. for 100$ pp, you get some apps, a few drinks, and a ride on a brand new sail boat.
Dinner that night was at Merrimans, and their pre-fixed dinner of 85$ pp. This was slightly underwhelming...would pass next time.
Day6
Road to Hana day. Got the Gypsy app for the trip, which was 7$, but it was a great investment. Def recommended. Highlight of the day was doing the 4mile loop trail of Pipiwai at Haleakala National Park.
Wanted to drive the road the back way, but quickly realized it wasn't worth the risk. There were rocks falling from the cliffside before we even got to Kaupo. FYI, I did the backroad just fine back in 2012.
Day7
Did our morning run/walk around the boardwalk, checked out at 11am, and had a great lunch at Tin Roof in Kahului. Def recommend for those arriving/departing.
All in all, Hawaii was, well Hawaii. Truly amazing and we felt fortunate to be able to come. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, we can't wait to come back.
We had a great 6-night stay at the Aston at the Whaler in Kaanapali. Would def recommend for the price point. Was somewhere around 350$ per night with ocean view and all fees included. Did a car rental through all-save, and other than the shuttle inconvenience, we got a 2017 Mazda CX5 for ~300$ for the trip.
Before the trip
Used Walgreens ID now test. Our flight was on the 31st at 7am, we got our test done about 10am on Monday, results by 2pm. Three days before Monday, I was on the Walgreens site refreshing to make sure that I was able to get booked for Monday, even though this was Christmas Eve. They dropped timeslots around 4pm PST
Day1
Arrived in Kahalui, picked up car, went to Costco, then to KaanapaliAte at Hula Grill, right in Whalers Village. Decent first meal, went back later in the trip.
Didn't really have a plan for NYE, so we went to Cat Cafe? in Lahaina, and there was Kareoke and live music. We just ended up chilling there for a couple hours, did not go into the restaurant since the line was SUPER long and probably wouldn't have made it in anyways. Around 11pm, ended up going to the Lahaina sports bar, and was able to get in and celebrate there a bit.
Day2
Went and did the Waihee Ridge Trail which was a great start to our trip. Ended up driving the north shore way to get to Nakalele Blowhole. This drive was quite the adventure, but as long as you go slow and you're considerate, it should be fine.
The blowhole itself was pretty cool, but conditions were pretty rough, so we didn't get in or anything.
Had dinner at Duke's, which we walked to and from, from whalers village, on the boardwalk. Had a great! meal there, and went back later in the trip.
Day3
We went down to Wailea and did our first ever dive, using the Airbnb Experience with our guide Charles. It was awesome, and would def recommended.
After, checked out big beach in Makena, which was ok, nothing spectacular. I ended up really preferring our beach in Kaanapali, as our trip progressed.
Had dinner at Leilani's which is in Whalers village as well. Nothing spectacular
Day4
Drove to Paia and went to the airport beach for a couple hours, forgot the name. Great beach for surfing, but not for sunlounging, given the winds etc. Afterwards, we went up to Haleakala.
I wanted to do as much of the sliding sands trail up at Haleakala as we could before getting a glimpse of sunset. We ended up doing about 4 miles in under 2 hours. If you are a hiker or trail runner, this would be the highlight of your trip. I absolutely LOVED the scenery. Stayed for sunset as well which was pretty good, lotta clouds that day.
Got back into town in time for dinner and did Dukes again, which was great!
Day5
We went up to Napili Bay Beach, and walked the trails around Kapalua. Pretty nice beaches.
Another highlight of the trip was later that day, we did the sunset cruise with Trilogy, which picks you up right from the Kaanapali beach. This was a GREAT experience and highly recommended. for 100$ pp, you get some apps, a few drinks, and a ride on a brand new sail boat.
Dinner that night was at Merrimans, and their pre-fixed dinner of 85$ pp. This was slightly underwhelming...would pass next time.
Day6
Road to Hana day. Got the Gypsy app for the trip, which was 7$, but it was a great investment. Def recommended. Highlight of the day was doing the 4mile loop trail of Pipiwai at Haleakala National Park.
Wanted to drive the road the back way, but quickly realized it wasn't worth the risk. There were rocks falling from the cliffside before we even got to Kaupo. FYI, I did the backroad just fine back in 2012.
Day7
Did our morning run/walk around the boardwalk, checked out at 11am, and had a great lunch at Tin Roof in Kahului. Def recommend for those arriving/departing.
All in all, Hawaii was, well Hawaii. Truly amazing and we felt fortunate to be able to come. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, we can't wait to come back.
