Heading to Maui...

Midnight Scout

Midnight Scout

Joined
May 27, 2007
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Looks like I am going to go to Maui later in the fall for a friend's wedding. Anyone been there before or live there now? I'll be in the Ka'anapali area. It looks like there is a national park (Haleakala) on the other side of the island. How far of a drive is to get there and is it worth it to go? Besides doing the beach and ocean thing while I am there, is there anything else that is a "must see"?

Thanks for any advice!

Scout
 
Article today in the Birmingham News, Alabama about the drive to Hana, 617 curves (hairpin), 56 one way bridges and few rest stops. I read it in the print edition, do not know if it is online or not. A real good read as I have been there. Great trip. Have fun
James
 
I've worked there serveral times...awesome place! Hana highway is a real hoot...take a video camera and when you show the folks back home it will make them sick. Narly curves of the kind you've never seen before. Go to Charlie's for Pizza (hang out for Willie Nelson) and you'll have the best pizza you've ever eat'n. I've traveled to 46 of the 50 including PR and no place even comes close to their pizza. Then head up Hana from there. You'll get away from the tourist stuff and see Hawaiian wild. Also see some cool surfing along the shore.
 
The drive over to the other side is definitely worth it. The road to Hana is an incredible, but slow going. Don't plan on making a quick trip out of it and enjoy the stops along the way. Waterfalls are all over the place, so a convertible or jeep is ideal. I was over there 4-5 years ago and we picked up a tourist book at the local library prior to going. It had all of the side roads mapped out and we found several secluded beaches that we breathtaking.
Another must see is sunrise on Hanni Ocula (sp?) It is the tallest point on the island and the first place you can see the sun rise in the US. Fantastic view, but I'll warn you that it is freezing at altitude. People were wrapped in the hotel comforters & beach towels to stay warm. Long pants, Sweatshirt and jacket are musts.... Takes about 2 hours to get up to the summit.
If you have the cash, one of the helicopter tours is fantastic. You will see waterfalls and other incredible site that can only be seen from the air. I think it was $250 for the wife and me and was worth every penny.
The other thing to think about (read I wish like hell I did it but was too cheap to spring for the day) was to take one of the volcanic tours on the big island. Seeing an active volcano erupting is on my short list of life’s must do's and I have regretted not doing it when I was there. I got cheap later in the trip and talked myself out of going. Now I'll end up spending 3-4x that much too actually see an active volcanic field sometime later in life.
Something else you might want to consider if you have an extended layover on the big island is to grab a cab to see Pearl Harbor. 15 minute ride from the airport and lifetime memory.
Whale watching off of the coast if season is right and snorkeling in the half moon crater are also great water activities. Sorry to ramble, but hadn't thought about that vacation for a while. Have a great time and enjoy...
 
go to hana. takes all day. check out haleakala. very cold so bring jacket. ride the mountain bike (rental) down halealala at runrise. check out the winery at makawao. eat breakfast there (artsy fartsy community). windsurf, surf, bodysurf, dive (spear some fresh fish), hike 7-waterfalls park. jump off waterfall into freshwater pool (no flop!).

most important, eat where the locals eat! must grind one platelunch!



...........................oh, and chicks are hot!
 
The road to Hana is no joke, 50 some miles over 2.5 hours. Hope you don't get carsick. However, it is completely worth it - bamboo forest, Waimoku Falls, and the 7 pools are all incredible. I can't remember the name of the campsite;), but there is one excellent black sand beach that features some interesting caves if you are feeling adventurous and can find it.

Even if you don't make the trip to that side, there is a ton to do on the main part of the island (the isthmus). Molokini Crater is excellent for snorkeling (watch out for that current!), LaHaina is a wonderful shopping/learn to surf town, and Haleakala is a must. At the very least you have to experience a sunrise at the top even if you don't bike down. If you want to do some hiking, the caldera offers some other-worldly terrain that you will NEVER find anywhere else. I guarantee it, and I highly recommend it.
 
RTAK your post is all over the place bud. Must be awhile since you can't recall what's on what Island. The Big Island (Hawaii) is where Volcanoes NP is; Pearl Harbor is on Oahu; Haleakala is on Maui....

Take your time, DON'T be cheap! You travelled a LONG WAY already and are invested with time and money as it is. Hawaii is expensive because most things are flown or shipped in and then trucked to where you get it. $5 a gallon gas should not make you blink; so don't complain just take it in stride. Spend whatever it takes for you to pursue the activities that interest you and whomever is with you. Make believe you only get to visit once and enjoy it without financial limits...you'll have the rest of your life to pay the bills off...or suffer through the regrets of having been 'too cheap while I was there' syndrome.

It's laidback, don't act like a Mainlander and stress out folks around you. Island style is'nt a term here, like some places, it's a genuine lifestyle. If you're in a hurry the Islands have a way of slowing you down.

Get a plate lunch at a local joint around lunch time and enjoy the local banter from the tables around you.

Brian will tell you I'm Ka'miana after this weekend in CT 1Kimo4U! Wolf Pack rules NS!
 
Pretty much what everyone else said. I've made a half dozen trips to Hawaii and really find it a spiritual place as much as it is a tropical paradise.

Take the road to Hana. Schedule a day and don't stop at Hana, but keep on going a little further to the little church and graveyard where Charles Lindberg is buried. On you way you'll pass a state park that has a nice black beach but be careful, saw a bloated tourist pulled from the surf there on my fist visit. There are several caves along the trail from the parking lot. Last time I was there they were full of fresh water which provided a nice place to rinse off the sand and salt.

As has been mentioned, Molokini is a nice dive spot. Also, check out the snorkeling at Black Rock, in Ka'anapali (look for the Sheraton).

Schedule some time for surfing. If you've never tried it take lessons, it's not that hard on a nice easy break. And if you surf in Lahaina, keep your eyes open for celebrities. I caught a small wave there a few years back only to look over and see Jimmy Buffett on the same break. Pretty cool.

I'm totally jealous. Enjoy yourself and remember to say "mahalo" (thank you) and embrace the spirit of aloha while you're there and bring a little bit of that spirit home for your bruddas. Oh yea, "'Maui No Ka Oi'... "Maui is da bes."
 
Don't waste your time driving to Hana unless you stay the night and can explore the next day, because buy the time you get there it will be dark. biggest waste of my day, might have been cool if we stayed the night so we could actually explore it.

There is an ATV tour of the volcano/mountain, that is pretty cool, I would recommend that. One of the funnest things we did while we were there, plan a day around it.

Check out cheese burger in paradise, fun little burger joint with live music.

Definitely do some snorkeling or diving, it's a whole different wilderness down there!
 
P.S. If you do a luau(sp?) spend the couple extra bucks and do the private one. Well worth it.

If you do a hotel one, you will be sitting on a big park bench with a bunch of other people, and eat buffet style.

If you do a private one, at least the one we did, we had our own table, everyone had there own table. The dancers rowed into the beach, and there was a dance for each of the five different islands/island groups, with each dance we were served a course from the featured island. So, you get a private table, five different dances, five course meal including desert, and all your drinks are included in the upfront price, so drink up!
 
Two words for ya.....

SCUBA DIVING.......

We went to Hawaii in January. Commissioned a local place called Jack's Diving Locker for one confined water dive, and two open water dives. Fantastic experience. $$$ well spent.

I even bought the T shirt. Wearing it right now...... Jack's Diving Locker. :)

They are on Maui as well. Good outfit with great gear, and very competent instructors.
 
i;ve never been to maui or any of it's surrounding areas....:( my wife went there for 10 days last june, by herself... for a good friends wedding.. she loved it... she loves the beach and the water........................... i don't.....:o

have a great time... pics are good...:thumbup:
 
Do the trip to Hana and rent a convertible. I did it with a group in a caravan of 3 rented Mustang drop tops. If you can, get some other sucker to drive. I was behind the wheel and missed alot of the scenery. Even at slow speeds, you HAVE to keep your eyes on this road. And do the very early morning drive to the summit of Mount Haleakala to see sunrise. Pack a good shell and a fleece, it'll be the only time you'll need it on the trip, but alot of people I went with did not have proper outerwear and were miserably cold as the the sun rose above the clouds. I stood out in the wind and enjoyed every minute while they retreated back the car. Mostly, enjoy every minute.
 
The outdoor stuff has pretty much been covered. The only thing I'd add is that the Northwest of the island is awesome also. Just up from Kapalua and Honolua there are some excellent places to pull off the highway and explore.

Also, don't miss breakfast at the Gazebo restaraunt in Kaanapali right on the water (ask around and you'll find it.) Also eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Lahaina at least once. Live music, lots of people, good food, GREAT time! Also be sure to eat at Maui Taco in Napili. The fish tacos and pretty much anything else involving fish is ridiculously good.

Most of all, be sure to take some time to kick back on the beach. I'm of the opinion that that stretch of the island is the most beautiful and relaxing place on Earth.

If we hadn't just spent an insane amount of money on a baby and law school tuition, that is where we would be for a couple of weeks this summer. I'm jealous!

ETA: If you like seafood and don't mind spending a few bucks, you have to go to Mama's Fish House! The best seafood I've ever had, hands down!
 
I go to Maui often on vacation. It is so laid-back compared to the Big Island.

Yes the drive is worth it, most people spend the day and circle the entire island. Even in Summer, it can be a quiet & crowds-free experience. If you do this, there are plenty of places to stop and hang out to see the sights. If you go inland, there are still small & quiet sleepy towns (just be respectful of the locals and you shouldn't be getting any "stinkeye').

Nothing much to do with a knife unless you fish.
 
stingray4540 said:
Don't waste your time driving to Hana unless you stay the night and can explore the next day, because buy the time you get there it will be dark. biggest waste of my day, might have been cool if we stayed the night so we could actually explore it.
Click to expand...

I don't think you'd waste your time by doing Hana, without staying the night, but you'd get a lot more out of the trip. People say, it's not about getting to Hana, but the journey along the way.

There are a series of Hawaii Revealed guide books that are great, and there is one specific to Maui (probably, Mauai Revealed). It gives you great insight on not only tourst attractions, but local tips which don't always get spelled out elsewhere. If you have kids or even if not, there is an aquarium on Mauai that's small, but nice.

Lastly, while I agree that getting a plate lunch is a mustt, on the other end of the dining spectrum, visit a Roy's restaurant. Roy's is Hawaiian-Asian fusion, and is a popular chain, which has sprung up restaurants even all over the mainland. There is nothing like going to a Roy's in Hawaii though, where the local flavor is heightened. You might recognize Roy Yamaguchi as one of the Food Network's Iron Chef's. Try poke, the butterfish, and a chocolate souffle. You won't be sorry!
 
James Todd said:
Article today in the Birmingham News, Alabama about the drive to Hana, 617 curves (hairpin), 56 one way bridges and few rest stops. I read it in the print edition, do not know if it is online or not. A real good read as I have been there. Great trip. Have fun
James
Click to expand...

Wow! Thanks for the info. Sorry I am just getting back to my post, but I have been out at a conference for the past two days. Hana sounds much more remote than I thought it would be. I am looking forward to it.
 
Quirt said:
I've worked there serveral times...awesome place! Hana highway is a real hoot...take a video camera and when you show the folks back home it will make them sick. Narly curves of the kind you've never seen before. Go to Charlie's for Pizza (hang out for Willie Nelson) and you'll have the best pizza you've ever eat'n. I've traveled to 46 of the 50 including PR and no place even comes close to their pizza. Then head up Hana from there. You'll get away from the tourist stuff and see Hawaiian wild. Also see some cool surfing along the shore.
Click to expand...

Charlie's Pizza? Never heard of it. They even have on in Puerto Rico? I used to live there. Where in PR is Charlie's?
 
Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the suggestions. Based on what you are saying, I will look to take an all day rive to Hana and try to get up the summit the next morning. From looking at the map, I thought I could get to Hana in about 2 hours, but I will take our suggestions.

What is a plate lunch?

Charles Lindbergh is buried on Maui? I did not know that. I'll have to check it out.

Scout
 
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