Any updates on Maui travel from RDP?

[branier]

Having never been to Maui and always wanting to go there, I just couldn't pass up the current airfare deals going on so I booked some flights for the end of May. I read up on what seemed to be the most recent Maui centric post, https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/threads/school-me-on-maui.260745/ Just wanted to see if there was any newer trip info from RDP members on where to stay, things to do/places to see, places to eat etc. Did I screw up by not booking a package type deal? Any updated lessons or insights about Maui travel are appreciated!

 

[Boat 405]

Ez pz. I go a couple times a year for work. They have redone the airport parking area and rental car to make it pretty user friendly. Ez in and out. I personally like Napili Bay. I don't recommend the road to Hana if you have young kids. It's an all day car ride to make the trip. Trip to the top of Haleakela is always fun if the weather is clear (usually the top is in the clouds). If you are into diving and catch it on a clear vis day the dive to Molakini is awesome. Depending on the time of year whale watching is always fun. Endless stuff to do, but mainly I like to put my feet up and watch and listen to the waves with a bikini blonde in my hand.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

Going 4-22. Leaving airport going to Hana for 1 night then 7 nights in kaanapali at westin. Thinking about doing a helicopter tour around the island

 

[shintoooo]

Make reservations now for dinner at the nice restaurants. We went to the Plantation on our last trip in August and told them it was our anniversary and they put us at the nicest table and had champagne waiting for us as well. Totally unexpected. https://www.opentable.com/the-plantation-house-restaurant

Had dinner at Leilani's on the Beach and got a great seat to enjoy the sunset. Again you need to book now for these otherwise forget about it. https://www.opentable.com/r/leilanis-on-the-beach-kaanapali-lahaina

Mama's Fish House is amazing and I've been a couple of times and I don't think I would go again anytime soon. It's good but very expensive. https://mamasfishhouse.com/

Another favorite is Merriman's. Go early and enjoy the views and take some pictures. Just breathtaking. https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/kapalua/

Lots of restaurants and bars to go along with tourist trap shopping on Front Street in Lahaina. The Banyan tree is worth the trip and you get amazing sunsets there.

We have done snorkeling trip aboard the Trilogy and it was great. Food and drinks are included and the service is great. https://sailtrilogy.com/

Rent a car and go around the island. Do Road to Hana one day and then go and circle the other side another day.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[shintoooo]

Here’s some pictures to get you excited about your trip.

Our view from our table at The Plantation House

On our way to waterfalls on the road to Hana

 

[shintoooo]

View from our room

 

[DanG]

If you like to drive and see the island, I highly recommend purchasing the Gypsy Guide Tours App. They have different tours you can purchase. I recommend the Maui package that includes the whole island and the Road to Hana. We found this app very informative and entertaining and left it on whenever driving. The guide will tell you about history of the area as well as some hidden spots to check out. Again, it does cost to download on your phone, but we found it well worth the $15.

 

[shintoooo]

We also did the Bike ride down from the Haleakala crater. I think it was 30 miles or so all downhill They take you up there with a van and the bikes and then you bike all the way down at your own pace. It was awesome. https://mauisunriders.com/best-maui-bike-tours/haleakala-downhill/

 

[Taboma]

Going 4-22. Leaving airport going to Hana for 1 night then 7 nights in kaanapali at westin. Thinking about doing a helicopter tour around the island

That brings back a Hana flashback from about '93.
Got reservations at the Hana-Maui resort for the first two nights. That place is really cool, in those days these small ranch cabins were nice inside, but for sure 'Ranch' rustic.
Seems they've modernized them a lot. In those days a lot of the rock stars and other elites that wanted privacy went there. In fact one night I was sitting in the bar next to Val kilmer, listening to an old guy singing and playing the ukulele. Everybody was really cool and super low keyed.

But let me warn you with a story.

Our flight was supposed to get in plenty early enough to allow for an easy drive on that challenging road to Hana Ranch, this our first drive on it. Flight gets delayed several hours, so we arrive at dusk and oh joy, it's raining. In hindsight, we should have gotten a room right there, but hey, it was an adventure.

Pick up the Ford Escort rental and we're on our way.
As we got to the more seriously challenging long section of that twisty narrow road, it's now raining really hard, wipers going a million mph. Not another car on the road, and pitch black like I'd never seen. What's scary is, when the road does a 90 degree bend at one of the narrow bridges, the rock wall you're driving into is black lava and your headlights illuminate nothing, it's as if you're driving into a tunnel with your lights off.
So we're pushing the speed a bit on the rarely encountered straights, but creeping along when we'd come up on a corner, which there just happens to be 600 of

I'm trying to push it a bit, because we were starving and in those days the number of eating establishments open at night were about one, maybe two and the proprietors were all going to have locked up and retired for the evening at the rate we were progressing.

Out of the darkness I see two pairs of headlights coming up on me, YES, YES, YES --- and I could tell by their speed, they must have been locals, because they caught up quick. I pulled over to let them pass and they took off, with me now giving chase.
I found if I could keep them somewhat reeled in, I could see them turn so I'd know where the turns were before I got there. Problem is, these guys are seriously flying and now my lovely wife is starting to freak out, "We're going to crash" Trying to explain the logic of keeping them in sight, didn't matter, so I finally backed it down and let em go.
I assured her that these guys who were apparently racing, obviously knew the road, but you win.

Thankfully that burst of speed for awhile got us much closer and soon the darkest place in the world I'd ever experienced was showing a few lights of humanity here and there.
Then as we come around one bend I can see the reflection of blue flashing lights, and next thing we saw was both these cars on their lids......... I'm sure I need not reveal the conversation that ensued from there until we got to the hotel.
Regardless, we got there just in time to grab a meal --- YEAH

The moral of this story, allow yourself LOTS of daylight to get from the airport to Hana, you really don't want to drive that road at night.
In the day time however, it's amazingly beautiful, but I'm sure it's a line of cars now a days.

Enjoy, Hana is very cool, but two nights would be better, one to sight see, the other you could leave in the morning for the drive to the other side, before everybody else tries to head back later on.

 

[boatpi]

Depending upon the date, Southwest airlines has flights to Long Beach as little as $175. Each way to Honolulu and Maui is also direct probably around the same price.

 

[Chevy5150]

This place was fun.

Ocean Organic Vodka - The Home of Ocean Vodka

Experience Hawaii's premium organic vodka - learn about how we lovingly craft our tribute to the world's oceans and raise a toast.

oceanvodka.com

The Gazebo : Great Breakfast and Turtles in the reef out front.

 

[boatpi]

One thing about Maui if you get to the right spot the snorkeling is almost 2nd to none going out on a boat.

 

[Backlash]

This thread is getting me excited for our upcoming trip! Different island, but same experience!! Bring on the summer!!

 

[boatnam2]

So what the deal on flights?

 

[77charger]

Going in june but booking flights sucked werent no deals a couple months ago,We plan on rd to hana and im gonna do a scuba dive one of the days went to oahu years ago didnt care to go back there these days wanted a different island to go to.

 

[Activated]

We also did the Bike ride down from the Haleakala crater. I think it was 30 miles or so all downhill They take you up there with a van and the bikes and then you bike all the way down at your own pace. It was awesome. https://mauisunriders.com/best-maui-bike-tours/haleakala-downhill/

Did you do the sunrise over the volcano? We did that one and god was that an early morning.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

That brings back a Hana flashback from about '93.
Got reservations at the Hana-Maui resort for the first two nights. That place is really cool, in those days these small ranch cabins were nice inside, but for sure 'Ranch' rustic.
Seems they've modernized them a lot. In those days a lot of the rock stars and other elites that wanted privacy went there. In fact one night I was sitting in the bar next to Val kilmer, listening to an old guy singing and playing the ukulele. Everybody was really cool and super low keyed.

But let me warn you with a story.

Our flight was supposed to get in plenty early enough to allow for an easy drive on that challenging road to Hana Ranch, this our first drive on it. Flight gets delayed several hours, so we arrive at dusk and oh joy, it's raining. In hindsight, we should have gotten a room right there, but hey, it was an adventure.

Pick up the Ford Escort rental and we're on our way.
As we got to the more seriously challenging long section of that twisty narrow road, it's now raining really hard, wipers going a million mph. Not another car on the road, and pitch black like I'd never seen. What's scary is, when the road does a 90 degree bend at one of the narrow bridges, the rock wall you're driving into is black lava and your headlights illuminate nothing, it's as if you're driving into a tunnel with your lights off.
So we're pushing the speed a bit on the rarely encountered straights, but creeping along when we'd come up on a corner, which there just happens to be 600 of

I'm trying to push it a bit, because we were starving and in those days the number of eating establishments open at night were about one, maybe two and the proprietors were all going to have locked up and retired for the evening at the rate we were progressing.

Out of the darkness I see two pairs of headlights coming up on me, YES, YES, YES --- and I could tell by their speed, they must have been locals, because they caught up quick. I pulled over to let them pass and they took off, with me now giving chase.
I found if I could keep them somewhat reeled in, I could see them turn so I'd know where the turns were before I got there. Problem is, these guys are seriously flying and now my lovely wife is starting to freak out, "We're going to crash" Trying to explain the logic of keeping them in sight, didn't matter, so I finally backed it down and let em go.
I assured her that these guys who were apparently racing, obviously knew the road, but you win.

Thankfully that burst of speed for awhile got us much closer and soon the darkest place in the world I'd ever experienced was showing a few lights of humanity here and there.
Then as we come around one bend I can see the reflection of blue flashing lights, and next thing we saw was both these cars on their lids......... I'm sure I need not reveal the conversation that ensued from there until we got to the hotel.
Regardless, we got there just in time to grab a meal --- YEAH

The moral of this story, allow yourself LOTS of daylight to get from the airport to Hana, you really don't want to drive that road at night.
In the day time however, it's amazingly beautiful, but I'm sure it's a line of cars now a days.

Enjoy, Hana is very cool, but two nights would be better, one to sight see, the other you could leave in the morning for the drive to the other side, before everybody else tries to head back later on.

I didn’t think it was a good idea but got over ruled but plane scheduled to land a 1030am so seems to be enough of a time cushion

 

[Taboma]

I didn’t think it was a good idea but got over ruled but plane scheduled to land a 1030am so seems to be enough of a time cushion

Haven't been back to that side in close to 30 years. Back then, entirely different Maui on that remote end. Enjoy

 

[boatpi]

The best deals are almost always Southwest Air out of Long Beach. I just checked, LGB to OGG NS Maui in early May is about $380 RT. Those are 1980's fares.

 

[shintoooo]

Did you do the sunrise over the volcano? We did that one and god was that an early morning.

No, too early lol

 

[Duffster]

We were out there early December had a great time as usual but delayed coming in from SD and delayed 24hrs going back home 24hrs do to crazy weather broken airplanes etc. That airport sucks if you have to sit there and wait and Alaska Airlines ended up writing me a check at the counter for $1500 for the mess they created.

 

[RVRKID]

The best deals are almost always Southwest Air out of Long Beach. I just checked, LGB to OGG NS Maui in early May is about $380 RT. Those are 1980's fares.

The best deals are almost always Southwest Air out of Long Beach. I just checked, LGB to OGG NS Maui in early May is about $380 RT. Those are 1980's fares.

We are currently in the air heading to Maui out of Long Beach, can’t beat a direct flight on Southwest for 2 under $800. We are staying at The Ocean Club Marriot in Kaanapali. We have a wedding tomorrow, 160 confirmed guests, which should be a blast then whale watch booze cruise Sunday and Monday will be our day to hang by the pool and relax hopefully!

 

[86403]

Costco close to airport to stock up. Food trucks across the street from Costco for real local cuisine. Island Gourmet Market (Wailea) has a great selection, plus cook to order. TSA lines, non-Pre-check, can be very long, so give yourself plenty of time. Airport food court is very limited (CPK/BK).

 

[boatpi]

We are Marriott Vac club owners. executive level so we get fairly good pickings. The two Maui locations are super clean, and in prime beach front property. If you get an ocean front room, the view is an 11.

 

[branier]

Sorry for the delayed response, work got in the way. Smash and grab at the local jewelry store, a pursuit with 7 bad guys caught = lots of paperwork to process and court to deal with which made sure I didn't get back to this thread until now!

Seeing RVRKID taking off, and reading all of the above make me wish I had booked it for next week instead of May. I have already booked the RAC through costco, and definitely planned on driving the island to see and do things. I just have to pick a place to stay, and that is always a balancing act of price and what type of vacation we want (full service versus airbnb). I was looking at Kaanapli Beach hotel, as several people have recommended it. Either way, Costco is a must stop for room supplies, and the food trucks are already planned on!

Southwest was having a sale, so I managed to snag a roundtrip nonstop LGB - OGG for 200 bucks PP which I could not pass up. I checked Hawaiian air and they were about 300 PP for the same days so it seemed like a steal. While SW can be a circus, at least out of LGB it isnt such a mess usually and more importantly a nonstop flight. I don't do layovers!

I see that most restaurants won't take reservations this far out, but I will keep checking and make them as soon as they become available. Thanks everyone for the info so far! Anyone do any horseback or ATV tours recently? I was thinking that might be fun too. Is ziplining worth it?

 

[PRIMO]

OLD LAHAINA LUAU.......

Book Now if you would Like to Attend / Top Rated LUAU on the Islands !

 

[BTR]

If you want to get away from resorts, Honokeana Cove is bad ass. No restaurant, no bar, no beach but world class snorkeling steps away and located where you can go out and explore. Next to Naplili Bay.

 

[Smupser]

OLD LAHAINA LUAU.......

Book Now if you would Like to Attend / Top Rated LUAU on the Islands !

Best luau ever, worth every penny

 

[Gonefishin5555]

I got into the Luau at the end of April they had a cancellation. My GF was told they were booked solid through July. Thing is pricey $458 for 2

 

[Smupser]

I got into the Luau at the end of April they had a cancellation. My GF was told they were booked solid through July. Thing is pricey $458 for 2

Damn, price has definitely gone up. It’s still the best luau. great show, lots of food, plenty of booze and the service is above and beyond the best

 

[MCnParker]

Our family try's to go to Maui annually, last 5 years have been hit and miss with Covid and kids sport etc. We always stay in Kihei on the border of Wailea the picture was taken from the Lanai in our condo. Personally I like the older areas to go explore, upcountry is always a nice drive after a few days of sun and a little change of pace. If you head south of Wailea, you can stop at La Perouse, great area for turtles and view of the Big Island, keep going a little further and check out the lava fields. My wife and I have driven all the way around both the north and south sides of the island, and tried to see everything we can. As mentioned the road to Hana is a journey, stop and the falls, we may or may not have found a side road that I took a jeep down onto a black sand beach. This was 20 years ago, not sure how that would fly now but it was awesome.

With our kids we have found the more casual places to eat are generally better and usually easier to get into. The family favorite is Monkeypod, there is one in Kaanapali and one in Wailea. Both are really good and the Mai-Tai is top notch. Happy hour starts and ends early but usually the easiest time to get in. Last year we went to Maui Brewing company in Wailea, was a fun environment. For the OC peeps similar atmosphere to Brewery X, lots to keep the kids entertained and good local beer.

I could go on and on if you have questions feel free to PM and I can answer them.

 

[2Driver]

One thing about Maui if you get to the right spot the snorkeling is almost 2nd to none going out on a boat.

For Hawaii