Going to Maui, any ideas?

[OSUBlazerfan]

Im going to Maui with the wifey in a couple weeks and im just making sure i dont miss out on something i should be doing.

My current itinerary of things we're doing:

Road to Hana
Horseback Riding
Swimming with Turtles
Luau
Some famous magic show
Sunrise at Hakalela Crater

Anything im missing? Any must-do things?

Thanks!

 

[THE HCP]

Wish I could help FAMS....... but the closest I've been to Hawaii is the Seaside Turnaround!

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Just went last month. Where you staying?

Treat your wife to Mama's Fish House

I did several activities, my favorite was kayaking out to a spot and snorkeling with the turtles (meet in front of Wailea Hotel). Sunrise is cool but bring warm clothes. You can bike down the volcano, but I didn't do this. A sunset cruse with the booze flowing is fun. Not a fan of the commercial Luau but might worth the novelty of it. If you do the road to Hana, Black beach is worth a stop . . . and go ahead and break that car rental agreement and go all the way around the island . . . but I don't know you if you get caught (which for convenience sake I really don't know you).

Would like to hear what others think. I love Hawaii and Maui is my favorite island, but most expensive by far.

 

[tlongII]

I'm going in October so I look forward to your report when you return.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Staying here:

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/129221

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Just went last month. Where you staying?

Treat your wife to Mama's Fish House

I did several activities, my favorite was kayaking out to a spot and snorkeling with the turtles (meet in front of Wailea Hotel). Sunrise is cool but bring warm clothes. You can bike down the volcano, but I didn't do this. A sunset cruse with the booze flowing is fun. Not a fan of the commercial Luau but might worth the novelty of it. If you do the road to Hana, Black beach is worth a stop . . . and go ahead and break that car rental agreement and go all the way around the island . . . but I don't know you if you get caught (which for convenience sake I really don't know you).

Would like to hear what others think. I love Hawaii and Maui is my favorite island, but most expensive by far.

I was planning on going the whole way around because ive seen some awesome pics. Dont know if it breaks my rental agreement, but i dont know if i care

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I've never been. Last time in Hawaii I went with my family (Oahu) I had to go back while they went to Maui. Anyway, these are suggestions I got from my message board about a friend who went recently:

hit up haili imaile restaurant for dinner

seawatch for crabcakes

the gazebo at napili shores, north of lahaina, for best pancakes (banana mac nut) EVER

If you enjoy a nice meal have dinner at Humuhumu (grand wailea). Great food by a local!

 

[THE HCP]

Never have really wanted to go to Hawaii. My wife went to college there. I would much rather go to some small islands in the Caribbean. Don't like the big commercialized towns. Seems expensive to. There is this tiki bar my wife and I went to at the very southern tip of Cozumel, Mexico that is more my style. Don't like the resorts.

 

[THE HCP]

Hope you have fun though brother!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Never have really wanted to go to Hawaii. My wife went to college there. I would much rather go to some small islands in the Caribbean. Don't like the big commercialized towns. Seems expensive to. There is this tiki bar my wife and I went to at the very southern tip of Cozumel, Mexico that is more my style. Don't like the resorts.

Hawaii you can do in a 3-day weekend. I've gone like 6 years in a row, longest I've stayed was 4 days and I've never paid more than $400 for my plane ticket.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Sorry but Kauai is my place there (leaving in less than 3 weeks). However, I strongly recommend a book called The Ultimate Guide To Maui. It's written by a couple who lives in Hawaii and they pull no punches. If a place stinks, they flat out say so. I have found their book on Kauai to be 100% spot on.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Sorry but Kauai is my place there (leaving in less than 3 weeks). However, I strongly recommend a book called The Ultimate Guide To Maui. It's written by a couple who lives in Hawaii and they pull no punches. If a place stinks, they flat out say so. I have found their book on Kauai to be 100% spot on.

Ive heard of this book a lot as well...need to get a hard copy.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Ive heard of this book a lot as well...need to get a hard copy.

Their web site: http://www.wizardpub.com/

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

horseback riding is teh ghey. so are organized tours and $80 luaus and magic shows. just go to the beach, crack open an coconut and let the good times roll!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

my bro did some hike with a waterfall that looked pretty dope though.

 

[tlongII]

I'm staying here.

http://www.westinkaanapali.com/resortoverview/overview/

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

My parents did this, they seemed to enjoy it alot.

http://awapuhiadventures.com/

 

[Denny Crane]

Maui is outstanding for golf. There are 19 courses on the island and they are just spectacular.

I lived there 6 years, so I pretty much saw everything.

Sunday brunch at the Maui Prince hotel in Makena is great.

I never really got into the touristy sorts of things. We did a dinner cruise, which was nice.

Lots of good food all around. Lahaina is an 1800s era whaling town with a lot of oceanfront restaurants and trinket shops and art galleries and the like.

I thought the top of Haleakela (volcano) was worth the trip. It's 35 degrees up there and hard to breath because the air is so thin.

The road to Hana is all about the trip. Hana itself is a podunk little town with not much to do there. So drive slow and stop periodically to hike and see the awesome sites.

Wailea is on the southwest side of the island. It gets 14" a year, which is pretty much desert. The east side (Hana) is wet and lush, waterfalls, etc. Nature's eye candy.

The town of Paia is a hippie beach town. Just north of that is Mama's fish house which is famous, but has small portions for a high price. Just north of Mama's is where the professional surfers and sailboarders go. The waves are like 30 feet tall (seriously).

Maalea harbor is halfway between Wailea and Kaanapali on the west coast. The drive is awesome. The winds are like 60 MPH at the harbor... The aquarium is there and some shops and food.

The Makawao Steak House is good food if you like meat. Makawao is an old west type town; people ride their horses down the middle of the street and hitch their horses to hitching posts outside the shops, the sidewalks are made of wood, etc.

The luaus are nothing more than cafeteria style food with cartoonish entertainment (like a vegas show). Not authentic at all. I went to one once, but would never do it again. I went to real luaus with my hawaiian friends, and it was more like a pot luck and the locals sang songs and played the ukelele.

The grocery stores sell this raw fish salad called poke. For $2.50, you get a quarter pound of the stuff. It's chunks of raw tuna soaked in shoyu (soy sauce) and vinegar with onions. it's REALLY good. They have lots of different flavors of it - salmon (like a salsa with tomatoes), etc. If you like fish, it's a local thing and fantastic.

 

[barfo]

Horseback Riding
Swimming with Turtles

More off the beaten path:
Turtle Riding
Swimming with Horses

barfo

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Staying here:

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/129221

Cool, you are on the south end (I stayed in that area)

Denny sounds like he has great advise but don't overlook Mama's Fish House. Someone recommended it to us and it was our favorite restaurant. Guessing you guys will love it.

I'll be more of a tourist recommendation than Denny's local info (good stuff)

Best shaved ice in Lahina: Ululani (worth seeking out)
best shaved ice in Kihei (near you): local boyz

If you are into snorkeling, grab your gear on the first day as there is great snorkeling right off the beach where yoga re staying ( dive shop will show you the good spots)

I just went but jealous of you and tlong . . . my stay wasn't long enough.

 

[ripcity67]

I have a timeshare n Maui so I go there every other year for about the last 12 years. You should have a great time. UNless you are into horseback riding I would skip it. Check out a little beach called Napili. It is between kaanapali and kapula. It is a nice little cove that seems to have some larger waves, nothing to crazy. Kapula has some very nice beaches. Up by Kihea where you are are very nice beaches too. It does seem to be a bit windy in KIhea, not too bad. If you plan on snorkeling at molakini only agree to the morning tour, if you take the afternoon tour chances are that it will be too windy and you won't get to go to the actual molikini but they take you to a place caled coral gardens which is nice, but it is not as nice as moliki. Sorry for the spelling, too many vowels to get correct. For a cheap lunch try the Maui taco chain, the mango salsa is very good.

 

[Kamper]

Buy your snorkel gear and stock up on beverages/snacks at costco first thing when you land. We found that just buying them instead of renting was roughly the same cost, plus we've used them 3-4 more times since. We bought an underwater camera there as well, a Fuji, but after 3 returns due to water leakage we elected to get our money back. Still kind of fun taking video/pics of encounters with critters.

My wife and I drove around the entire island but I can't say it was entirely worth it. The southern portion really isn't all that picturesque, nor was the road even moderately improved, I seem to recall it being a 1 lane dirt road, but our rental car did make it without any issues. I'd recommend just heading back the same way you came once the road gets to that point, you really wouldn't be missing anything and it'd save you time.

On your way to Keopuke Rock Puohokamoa Valley (featured in the opening of Jurassic Park) there is a botanical garden- TOTAL RIP OFF.

 

[MickZagger]

I love Maui. I've never been to any other island in Hawaii, though. So I can't really compare. I just like how its not too commercialized. Its small enough that you can get everywhere in a reasonable time. Last time I was there I went to a place called Moose McGillicudies that had great food and atmosphere. I also had great tuna and other seafood at a place that used to be owned by Don Nelson. Supposedly it folded shortly after. Get the fresh fruit the island has to offer, I know there's a couple little farmers markets. Best to stock up on shit when you get off the plane as there's a Costco nearby.

I liked hanging in Wialea side of the island more than the Lahaina part. But, if your looking to score some Maui Wowie its all over the place in Lahaina. Last time I was there I saw Arnold and his family hanging out on the beach in Wailea. Which was pretty cool.

This makes me want to go back, its been a couple years.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Thanks guys for all the info.

It seems like most of you are down on the horseback riding thing....ive never done it, neither has my wife, but i think she would really like to do it and what better place than in maui....you guys are really talking me out of it though....

 

[magnifier661]

Don't take that trip "Road to Hana". The road is lame and the falls are really dirty with litter. I would try and do some snorkling.

 

[Masbee]

Im going to Maui with the wifey in a couple weeks and im just making sure i dont miss out on something i should be doing.

My current itinerary of things we're doing:

Road to Hana
I like Hana, but it is a long and slow drive. Lots of hairpin turns and lots of insanely slow driving tourists. If any passenger gets carsick, forget it. And, once you get to Hana (very small town), there isn't a lot to do unless you like hiking or beach exploring.
Horseback Riding
Pass - Unless you are old/obese/arthritic, rent mountain bikes, and haul your own ass around. Now, if you are going to a real ranch (they have one on Maui) and you are an advanced rider and you are going to ride open range - yes - do that.
Swimming with Turtles
Don't pay for this. Go swimming snorkeling kayaking in the ocean and look for the turtles on your own. You are close to Makena Bay. Go there.
Luau
Unless you are lucky enough to get invited to a "real" luau or a locals wedding reception - don't go to a tourist luau.
Some famous magic show
Who does this? No.
Sunrise at Hakalela Crater
Half the folks that go love it. Half are disappointed. You have to get up very, very early, it is a long drive, it is cold, and because it is - you know - a mountain - often it is coverered in clouds. "If it clears up in time you would be seeing the sunrise in that direction."

Anything im missing? Any must-do things?

Thanks!

If you are dying to spend money and "do things", get a couple's massage with your wife at one of the fancy ocean-view resort spas.

Take her on romantic sunset walks on the oceanfront path at the beach in Wailea (in front of the Grand Wailea Resort and the others nearby).

Your list is full of the stuff the tourist industry wants you to do. Forget all that brochure crap. Maui is a beautiful place with great beaches and mountains. Go hiking/biking/exploring and all the water activities. Go to the beaches. Hang out and chill. It is supposed to be a vacation, not a let's stuff our week with scheduled activities event.

Instead of brouchure tours, spend the money on bike/kayak/surfboard/windboard/etc. rentals. If you are a golfer, you have to golf in Hawaii, some of the course are incredibly beautiful.

If you are a bike rider, rent road or mountain bikes. Ask the bike shop where to ride.
http://www.westmauicycles.com/

You can find good food on Maui, but it is expensive. So, it is best not to try to have high quality food experiences every day there. Just ratchet down expectations and eat where the locals eat at surf shacks and casual Asian places. I just hope you are not on a low carb diet. A lot of locals find that the happy hour deals at some resorts are a good deal. Find a gorgeous, oceanfront lounge that serves "free" appetizers as long as you order drinks. Maui Prince on Makena Bay used to be a good example of this, but I haven't been there in years.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Lots of good information here.

I forgot to add: if you like Poke, try Eskimo Candy (reasonably priced, fresh and delicious)

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Thanks guys! Thats why this forum is dope

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

you have a waterproof digital cam right? I recommend a Kodak Playsport...pretty awesome. takes crappy photos but great for snorkeling and video.

 

[Sinobas]

Im going to Maui with the wifey in a couple weeks and im just making sure i dont miss out on something i should be doing.

My current itinerary of things we're doing:

Road to Hana
Horseback Riding
Swimming with Turtles
Luau
Some famous magic show
Sunrise at Hakalela Crater

Anything im missing? Any must-do things?

Thanks!

Go on the sugar cane train if you want to remember a nice joke on how you blew $50 (actually skip it, it sucks). Definitely take the road to Hana, but take a pill for car sickness. You'll definitely want to see the tropical garden on the road to Hana, and stop at the various trails. The Luau's can be spendy, and were only mildly entertaining, but the woman will probably insist on that. I didn't see what the big deal was about the crater, we got up early in the am and drove up there where it was freezing cold and watched the same sunrise that we could have seen from the beach.

We really enjoyed para-sailing though, and if you listen to some timeshare asshole for 2 hours, you'll get a free dinner cruise, which was really nice!

Keep in mind that you can really blow a ton of cash on different activites. Just relax and enjoy the beach....