Any tips on MAUI

[Beach Bob]

The wife and I are taking a trip to Maui/Oahu in May. I have been to Oahu a few times, but never Maui. Any ideas on what to see/do, where to eat, etc. in Maui
Thanks for the help.

[chippewa]

Start by getting Maui Revealed. By the time you're through it, you'll feel like a local, best 10 bucks you'll ever spend.

Maui is awesome! Tons of great beaches, hikes, the Road to Hana is a great drive, even a little nightlife (at least by Hawaiian standards) around Lahaina. Sunrise from atop Haleakala, a bike trip back down. I could go on and on...

[VanillaGrl]

Exactly what chippewa said!!!

I LOVE Maui!

[chippewa]

...add:

It sounds kinda dumb, but the Warren & Annabelle magic show in Lahaina is a riot. We will definitely be going to that again, when we return...

[IrishPirate]

Maui noka oi, Maui is the best! Be sure to see:
Iao needle
Road to Hana (do a tour so you don't miss the fine points, besides the drive is intimidating.Tedeshi Winery & Charles Lindbergh's grave, "Seven Sacred Pools, numerous waterfalls, etc.)
Sunrise at Haleakala (Dress warm in layers, you'll arrive in single digit temps)
Royal Lahaina Luau
Dinner at the Chart House (if its still there)
Shopping, eating, swimming, drinking in Kaanapali (Sunset Grill Beach bar is my Fav)
Snorkeling at Molokini and Turtle Bay
Front Street in Lahaina
Whale Watching Charters out of Maalea Harbor(my OPH)
Sunset dinner cruise
Historic house tours
And alot more that we didn't get to do. Enjoy!

[MileHighPirate]

My Wife Kathy and I Got MARRIED in Married almost 4 years ago!

I highly recommend eating at MAMA'S FISH HOUSE on the north shore!

Google it! YOU WILL LOVE IT!! It's a little pricey, but we are still dreaming of that place almost 4 years later.

The Royal Lahaina Luau was great too! With an open bar, I ALMOST got into a lot of trouble!

I also recommend the ONION RINGS at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua.

A friend said, "Go get the MAUI ONION RINGS at the Ritz." So, we did. Not only were they the best onion rings I've ever had, the beach was SPECTACULAR!

[lilsalty]

We love Ferraro's at the Four Seasons Wailea at sunset...spent our honeymoon there!

[jimsig]

Definatly do the drive to Hana, be sure to get a convertable with a CD player. Don't let the drive intimidate you. Just take it easy and slow and like the guide books say, if you see a line of cars behind you, pull over when you can and let them pass. Do it at your own pace.
You will see ads in the brochures (names like Maui Gold etc) for narrative CD of the trip, pick it up, it makes the drive better. It will tell you where to stop on the route and what there is too see. If it is still there it located in an old Photomat booth at a gas station/deli in Kahului. Included was a coupon for a free cooler rental from the deli. Pick up sandwiches, drinks, and snacks and they will fill the cooler with ice. We got the large sandwiches and could not finish them! Don't be afraid the drive past Hana. If memory serves correct if you car does not have CD player they will let you use a tape player.

If I can did up the address I will add it later

[Ambition At Bay]

The road to Hana is a MUST DO!!! Take your time and take it ALL in! I rented a Jeep, perfect.

[Gulfbreeze]

These guys do a great job...

http://www.sailtrilogy.com/

The trip to Lanai out of Lahaina will be something you won't forget...enjoy the trip BB...

[IrishPirate]

Regarding the Road to Hana trip, I've done the road twice, first time with a tour and the second time just me and DH in our rental car with CD. I would recommend the tour if only for the legends and history that the tour guide will describe. He pointed out indigenous flowers and trees that we would have driven right past(and did when we drove) Legends of some of the waterfalls added interest. The hawaiian culture is something you want to know about while there because it adds so much to the trip. Either way, the trip is a must do! But start out early in the day, its quite a journey in the dark!

[jonesbeach10]

Eat dinner at the the Kapalua Resort at the Plantation Course Clubhouse. Reserve a table for about an hour before sunset. On one side of the restaurant is a beautiful view of the sun setting over Kapalua and Molokai and the other side of the restaurant has a view of the sun basking the 18th hole of the Plantation Course (where they play the season opening tournament of the PGA tour). The hole is over 600 yards from the back tees and is all downhill, and is one of the most magnificent and beautiful golf holes I have ever seen. Either way, you will have a great view.

Other suggestions:
Rent snorkel gear and get advice on what the best beaches to snorkel off of. There was one north of Kapalua that even the charter boats went to, and meanwhile my family went to the same spot by swimming out from the beach (not far!!!) for free!

Take Surfing Lessons

Hiking or Horseback riding into Haleakala Crater. Just be warned, if you're walking, the walk back up is going to be 10 times harder than the walk down.

[buffettbride]

My tip on Maui: Take Me.

[gingerbreadman]

Take the Road to Hana, and go all the way around the Island. You don't need a 4wd vehicle. We did it last March with Chrysler Sebring convertibles. So beautiful with the top down!

Go up to Haleakala. Watch the sunrise coming over the crater in the morning. Beautiful! (and very cold) In '05 we did the bike ride down after we saw the sun come up. They say it's the only place in the world where you can go from 10,000 feet to sea level in less than 40 miles!

Have lunch at Cheesburger in Paradise on Front Street. It's not Jimmy's place, but worth checking out anyways!

Dinner at MAMA'S was really really good, but it cost twice as much as it should. Once is enough!

Definitely do some snorkeling. The water is warm enough in most places and you'll think you were at the big-city aquarium! But you'll be in the same tank!

[magnus & Mr Moon]

what everyone else said - Maui is a beautiful place and one of those rare vacation places that lives up to and exceeds the hype you hear before you go. Definately get Maui Revealed and Oahu Revealed if you are spending anytime there. Great resource. This is fun web site to check out as you count down the days - http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/

My favorites (most mentioned before - not in any order)

1. Haleakala at sunrise (did it twice and I am NOT a morning person - bring hats and mittens and lots of film).
2. Road to Hana - so much to do - lots of fun places to stop - black sand beach, hike to waterfall worth it - allow time) and the infamous mongooses! Bold little critters.
3. Old Lahaina Luau - thought it was going to be hokey and cliched - but really neat - great food, great entertainment, great, friendly staff with lots of knowledge. Reserve early - I hear they sell out.
4. Mexcian restraurant in the Cannery Mall - on "local talent night". We sat on the "patio" table and watched all of the local kids hula hula in the center of the mall - really neat to people watch and see all of the family and support. Food ok - not great but margaritas were tasty.
5. Mama's Fish House - definately EXPENSIVE but a great location and worth it - just once.
6. Trilogy catamarang to Lanai - this co. was sort of panned in the Maui Revealed book - but still a favorite of mine - we saw sea turtles, spinner dolphins and had a grand time snorkeling. Snorkeling at Molikini was also neat but I wish I had also signed up for the turtle island part of the tour. Never saw a sea turtle or shark while snorkeling.
7. Sitting on the lanai (spelling - the porch?) watching the whales and sunsets - we also took a whale boat tour the first year - very inexpensive and informative - (pacific whale foundation - more about education than tourist hype). Whales were mostly gone by April though. No whales I don't think in May
8. Ioa Needle - beautiful!!! Lots of stray cats that some locals feed.
9. Front Street - Saturday "crafts" - fun to walk around the area and see local artisans.
10. Tiny plane ride to see the volcanos on the Big Island - expensive but worth it.
11. If you get to Oahu -it was fun to check out Magnum's house... Remember the lagoon from opening scenes? Really looks like that - but house / grounds WAY smaller than you think - we missed it several times. Dole Plantation (too late for tour but gift shop was fun), USS Arizona (moving), Diamond Head, driving around the northside to check out beaches. Never made it to Waikiki Beach tho since we were there when the waters were contaminated and someone had died from being in the water.

Have a wonderful time - save your money and don't think twice about spending it all and thensome when you are there - it is really a magical place!!!

[jonesbeach10]

Also, you might want to know that the peak season for whalewatching is in the winter. I don't know if you'll be able to see whales in May.

[tryin' to reason]

There's a guy with parrots on Front Street that charges to have your picture taken with parrots on your head and shoulders.
Makes for a good PH festivus card!!!!

[Bob Roberts]

Things to do.................

1. You are in Hawaii, so you have to do a Luau. We did "The Feast at Lele" which is done by the people that do the "Old Lahaina Luau". It was great!

2. Warren and Annabelle's magic show is absolutely terriffic! We hesitated to book a magic show for our honeymoon, but it was the best thing we did the whole trip! Completely amazing!

3. The road to Hana is great. Take your camera! Lots of beautiful waterfalls. Take the advice of putting on bug spray if you're getting out of the car. I didn't and my wife got 76 mosquito bites. The only way to do it right is to leave very early and take your time. We were passing the airport and on our way by 7:00am. The book "Maui Revealed" will be your best friend on this trip. The CDs are great, but make sure you get the book. The secret places it has listed are priceless!

4. I would almost say that driving the North Shore in Maui is better than the Road to Hana. We did it one late morning and it was great! Buy some banana bread at one of the road side stands.

5. Seeing the sun rise on top of Halekala is a chance of a lifetime! The only way to do it is to get up and leave your hotel by like 3:30am. We did it our very first morning because your body thinks its like 9:30 because of jet lag. PACK WARM CLOTHES FOR THIS! Jeans and hooded sweatshirts are a must!



Places to eat..................

1. The best advice we got from anybody was to eat breakfast at Moose McGillicuddy's. Check out the menu and cheap prices!..........http://www.mooserestaurantgroup.com/moo ... akfast.htm It is right on Front Street in Lahaina, so the atmosphere is great! We ate there 3 times in 5 days! Try the coconut syrup on your pancakes.

2. Cheeseburger in Paradise is a must for any Buffett fan! It is right across the street from Moose's. Nothing beats a frozen Margarita and a burger while looking over the ocean!

[gingerbreadman]

Also, you might want to know that the peak season for whalewatching is in the winter. I don't know if you'll be able to see whales in May.

You're right. The best time is Feb -> NOW!

When we went in '05 it was just about this date in March and the whales were everywhere. Just hang out on the beach and tails were going up all the time... Look out the window of the hotel... every couple of minutes... FINS!

When we went in '06 it was April, and almost all the whales had left. so May would not be too good for whales.

[cheetogyrl]

A few more recommendations...

1. DO THE ZIPLINE ON HALEAKALA!!!! So much fun! The ziplines getting longer and longer with your last one being 850 feet and way above the trees. Nothing like hanging like laundry! I HIGHLY recommend it!

2. Take the ATV ride around Haleakala. We got to eat lunch in the most beautiful place I've ever seen and the lunch they provided was so good.

3. The Kaulana sunset cruise is a lot of fun. Free drinks and hors d'oeurves (the meatballs are yummy). There is entertainment and you dance and drink and drink and drink! It's funny to see the calm mood of people when the boat leaves because by the time you get back, it's a party!

4. Eat at the Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina. The cheeseburgers are some of the best I've ever eaten. Not sure if The Whaleshark (Eric Pietsch) still plays there but he's hilarious!

5. We always stay at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel and love it! It's not the most expensive but the views are great, the service is outstanding, and they've got a good Tiki Bar. They also do a goodbye ceremony to you. It's always been a great experience.

6. The Old Lahaina Luau has the best taro rolls! Can you bring me back some? They also have good taro rolls at The Pioneer Inn (I think that's what it's called). It's green and is right across from the Lahaina harbor and where you wait to get on the Kaulana.

7. In my opinion, The Road to Hana is very beautiful and is nice to say you've done it before. I don't think I'd do it again as it is very long. I like to be out of the car and laying on a beach somewhere. Definitely get the narrative CD though....and Maui Revealed.

I hope you have a great time! I wanna go back....