Looking for info on Maui, Hawaii

[ray1970]

So, the wife and I are planning a trip to Maui but neither of us have ever been. Kind of looking for advice on where to stay mostly. Thought maybe some of you had some ideas. We've been to Oahu already and did all of the touristy type stuff and are looking for more of a laid back, do nothing type of getaway.

Thanks.

[Beer]

[mcjhr]

Lived on Maui for almost a year and I really liked the lahaina, kihei, wailea parts of the island. No real info on hotels...hope it helps. Kahalui and wailuku are like little cities. Wailea has little beach and big beach nearby both very nice, of course this was 6yrs ago.

[bogie]

We stayed at Makena Bay at the SW corner. Very low traffic in that area as the road dead ends near there. I drove all over that island and I was very happy with our choice. Great snorkeling, lots of sea turtles in that area, a boat that runs you out to the molokini crater which has the clearest water I've ever seen. There was a regular shuttle to drive you to the town if you even want to go..

edit..

its just south of kihei which mcjunior mentioned.

[ray1970]

Thanks, gentlemen. Every bit of advice is going to help me make my decision.

[Beer]

[Madeinhb]

Check out www.vrbo.com usually much better than hotels. I've used this in Hawaii and Europe.

[Big E3]

Don't miss the drive to Hana, be sure to circle both sides of that end of the island on your trip. The north side is jungle and the south side is desert. Also take a walk to the red sand beach when in Hana (nude beach). I stayed near Lahaina nice little old style town with some good restaurants.

[def90]

If you want laid back I would suggest Kauai..

sent from a soup can and some string..

[rockhound]

I have been to maui, enjoyed all those location but that was years ago and have decided to try Kauai this trip, i understand it is less crowded. A family member went back to Maui a few years ago, she says the road to Hana has become less tourist friendly with locals placing burned out vehicles in the road in an attempt to discourage tourists, they were chased by a group of locals when the tried to use one of the beaches, had to flee in their vehicle while being chased at high speeds.

I actually use VRBO and have ski rental in breck that we advertise on VRBO, i am leaning toward using VRBO for the first nights that we will spend in Honolulu, but went with the reserts in Kauai because they offer a free rental car and parking with your reservation.

call sandi she was very helpful with helping us plan our trip for june, we are flying out on separate days and need an island hopper flight which you will also, it was so much easier to have her paln the flights, saved us hours of searching on line and made getting us both on the same flight home very easy.

Sandi J Pence
Table Mountain Travel Service Inc.
Travel CTM
Business hours 830a - 500p Monday - Friday
303.277.1580 / fax 303.277.1589 / 800.999.1580
14062 Denver West Parkway Suite 100, Bldg 52, Lakewood CO 80401-3187

[ChunkyMonkey]

... or Fiji, Christmas Island, Guam... some of the best vacations w/o the 'tourist mobs'

[bogie]

If you want laid back I would suggest Kauai..

sent from a soup can and some string..

I liked Kauai too. "Newly weds and almost deads".

I found Kauai in July was MUCH more congested than Maui in September. YMMV. Oahu is just plain cramped all the time.

[ray1970]

Thanks everyone. Kauai is something we are looking into as well. I'll definitely check out VRBO too before I book anything.

[flogger]

43215

Excellent place, spent 3 weeks last month there working. South Kihei would have my vote on where to stay. Dry side of the island with calmer water, gentle trade winds, spectacular sunsets and great beaches. Lots of stuff to see and do on the island, don't miss the high country drives. Costco is a real budget saver on Maui. Go for it and have fun!!

[KS63]

If you really want "laid back", stay on the west side of Moloka'i. Last time I was there, there was only one intersection with a traffic light. We left the harbor in Kaneohe, Oahu across the channel, into Moloka'i. A local just gave us the keys to his Suburban with instructions to leave it at the doc when we were done. So nice, like how it used to be. Kaua'i is my second choice. Screw Oahu for a relaxing "Hawaiian" vacation.

[eneranch]

Another vote for Kihei; we rented a furnished Condo for a week and had a blast. Much better & cheaper than a Tourist Trap Hotel.

[AR_ART]

We vacation in Hawaii frequently because of our Timeshare. Our timeshare is on Kauai, but we trade with friends on Maui every couple or so years. I like them both. Kauai is way laid back not very touristy at all but airfare is usually more expensive. It does have a lot of great things to do and see.

Maui is great too. Its more touristy especially along Kaanapali. But its not too bad. The drive up Haleakala is way cool. You go from the ocean through alpine looking areas that you'd swear you were elsewhere and not on Hawaii if you didn't know better all the way up the the above tree-line observatory.. Very moonscape looking. 10k feet I think and it can be cold!

I think if you are looking for a mostly just kicking it type vacation then Kauai.. If you want some city type stuff then Maui.. You can't go wrong with either. Neither has a super busy area like Oahu...

[hatidua]

Seeing the sunrise from on top of Haleakala is worth getting up early for (and, don't worry: those smoking breaks on the way back down are on a rental car that you turn back in a week from now, -not your problem).

[mcjhr]

Seeing the sunrise from on top of Haleakala is worth getting up early for (and, don't worry: those smoking breaks on the way back down are on a rental car that you turn back in a week from now, -not your problem).

Very, very true.

[flogger]

Not sure what dates you are looking at for your trip but, DO NOT miss the first Friday (night) of every month Stock Car Race at Paradise Speedway! This 1/5th mile oval dirt track is located in the middle of Sugar Cane fields on Highway 311 , the Isthmus road. They stop racing 1/2 way through the venue and park the cars on the field for a fan meet and greet, muddy mess and the kids love it! This guy had a sign on his steering wheel button that said " Holy Mary, full of Grace, Help me win, this F*cking Race"!
43265

Great fun if your any type of race fan.

[ray1970]

Going to miss the race it seems. Not going until late in the month of September.

[O2HeN2]

I lived on Maui (Makawao) for two years but it was many years ago, but I get back from time to time.

You want laid back? Stay upcountry at the Kula Lodge (http://www.kulalodge.com/).

Great fish without spending a fortune? Paia Fish Market (http://www.paiafishmarket.com/) and Eskimo Candy (http://www.eskimocandy.com/).

SCUBA diving? Ed Robinson's (http://www.mauiscuba.com/). Don't drive to the top of Haleakala after diving. Believe it or not, it happens.

If you stay in Lahina or Kihei, the drive to Hana is a very, very long and grueling day. Though coming back via the South side (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Kula,+HI/H%C4%81na,+HI/Kula,+HI/@20.7003,-156.330366,11z/data=!4m25!4m24!1m5!1m1!1s0x7954d3e1f8995db3:0x1f0 a595eb0a43db1!2m2!1d-156.3269338!2d20.7909697!1m10!1m1!1s0x7954ac25622d 34d3:0xfa34511da051c993!2m2!1d-155.988407!2d20.757508!3m4!1m2!1d-156.2388167!2d20.9101497!3s0x7eab357daa97de63:0x23 1a211c332db365!1m5!1m1!1s0x7954d3e1f8995db3:0x1f0a 595eb0a43db1!2m2!1d-156.3269338!2d20.7909697!3e0) makes it tolerable (especially if you're staying at the Kula Lodge! :))

O2