2 Weeks in Maui

We reserved a travel package through Maui for Less on the internet. With two children I was very interested in minimizing meals at restaurants. A condo would provide a base for breakfasts and lunches, as well as refrigeration for adult beverages. We were furnished with a 2 bedroom 2-bath condominium at the Kahana Sunsets (Ocean Views over master bedroom and Living room). The Kahana Sunsets has its own cove facing west for optimum sunset views, and an excellent place for the kids to swim.

Quick Tips:

As we left the Kahalui airport we stopped in at Costco to stock up on provisions for the condo. This turned into a great stroke of luck, Kahalui is a long way from Napili and the supermarkets in and around Lahaina are very expensive.

Best Way To Get Around:

The condo package provided a compact car that was easy to upgrade at the airport. The rates were quite reasonble.

Roy's Nicolina, Napili which was absolutely phenomenal, extremely fresh ingredients blended to perfection. Roy's has an extensive wine cellar and the desserts were fabulous, service was also excellent. The price was pretty steep 120 for dinner for my wife and I.

Wonderfully fresh fish served with panache with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled veggies, my wife had a filet that was cooked to perfection. Kids had spaghetti and a hamburger and the cost didn't break me. What broke me was the jewelry/art gallery next door that my wife strolled into; locating a bracelet that she couldn't live without.

For a real taste of authentic Hawaii better known as the Hawaiian plate lunch. Anybody who wants to get a feel for a Hawaiian working man's lunch this was great. Plenty of food and some great flavors. The kids loved it.

We basically snorkeled everyday, the places that we snorkeled included Honolua Bay, Kapalua, and Makena. The snorkeling was fantastic, all the coves listed above provided a whole variety of colorful, amazingly shaped undersea flora and fauna. We also took the Blue Dolphin from Maalea to Molokini and Turtletown. The cruise started very early; on the boat at 6:30am, out of the harbor by 7. The travel was very relaxing and the snorkeling in both locations was outstanding. We saw 3 sea turtles at Turtletown and a variety of fish that were truly exceptional at Molokini.

We also drove to Hana; a 3 hour serpentine drive, through bamboo rain forests, beautiful ocean vistas and literally hundreds of waterfalls. There are a number of local travel books detailing places of interest along the way. These are highly recommended as a way to break the monotony and to be able to periodically inhale some of the local flavor. There is also a tape describing the journey that can be purchased at the Shell gas station in Paia that was recommended to me by friends. The drive to Haleakala is, shorter, higher, very different, but very beautiful, and recommended.

I surfed a number of places on the west shore. Olowaloo, 1000 peaks, Lahaina reef, and the sand bar at Kaanapali. Plenty of places to paddle out with varying crowds. I would recommend a long board because all the locals were riding them.