1st trip to Hawaii (Maui)
Jun 6th, 2015, 06:48 PM
#1
1st trip to Hawaii (Maui)
Hi, My husband and I are going on our first trip to Hawaii. We are early 50's, have been to the Caribbean a couple of times but never Hawaii, so we're looking for some good tips 
We leave in a couple months. Could we get some recommendations on restaurants(mostly casual but maybe one or two that are a little nicer), Luaus and some good places that are a must see or do. Also, best golf courses there. Thanks for any recommendations.
We leave in a couple months. Could we get some recommendations on restaurants(mostly casual but maybe one or two that are a little nicer), Luaus and some good places that are a must see or do. Also, best golf courses there. Thanks for any recommendations.
Jun 6th, 2015, 06:52 PM
#2
Also, want to add that we are staying in a time share in Kihei(sp?) Is that a good area? We got the timeshare from my sister-in-law as a last minute thing. Don't know anything about the different areas.
Jun 7th, 2015, 04:43 PM
#8
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Best golf? I am noting that you did not say "best value" golf, given that resort golf in Hawaii is not cheap. OK, here are my own very subjective opinions, on the best of Maui golf.
Kapalua Plantation - best, most fun course. Very unique, and you get to re-live your round every January, when the PGA Tour starts the year there. Golf can be pretty wild, at times. The fairways are very wide, the greens huge, with big, swooping breaks. If the trade winds are blowing, you could very well hit the longest drive of your life on #18! I know that I did.
Manele Bay on Lanai -only a short ferry ride away from Lahaina, the Jack Nicklaus design has some stunning oceanside holes, and views. Proof? Bill Gates picked one of the holes, here, to stage his wedding!
Wailea Courses, 3 of them, are very "civilized". I prefer a little more rugged. Nice courses, though, especially Wailea Gold.
Kaanapali courses are fine, but a bit boring. Too flat, for me. Could be considered overpriced, comparatively speaking.
Kapalua Bay Course - not up to the high scenic standard of the Plantation Course, in my view, but a really good course.
I have not played the King Kamehameha course, which is private, but at times they advertise for people to be a 'member for a day'. Supposed to be a decent track.
I have enjoyed playing the Makena Courses, and the Koele Course on Lanai, but renovations are continuing there, and they are closed.
Most of the courses do offer some breaks on green fees, particularly for resort guests, and at twilight times. Check out their websites.
There are other courses that don't qualify as 'best', but are still worth playing. For example, we paid $55 to play 18 holes at Pukalani, with cart, a couple years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised at the value we got for our money!
Kapalua Plantation - best, most fun course. Very unique, and you get to re-live your round every January, when the PGA Tour starts the year there. Golf can be pretty wild, at times. The fairways are very wide, the greens huge, with big, swooping breaks. If the trade winds are blowing, you could very well hit the longest drive of your life on #18! I know that I did.
Manele Bay on Lanai -only a short ferry ride away from Lahaina, the Jack Nicklaus design has some stunning oceanside holes, and views. Proof? Bill Gates picked one of the holes, here, to stage his wedding!
Wailea Courses, 3 of them, are very "civilized". I prefer a little more rugged. Nice courses, though, especially Wailea Gold.
Kaanapali courses are fine, but a bit boring. Too flat, for me. Could be considered overpriced, comparatively speaking.
Kapalua Bay Course - not up to the high scenic standard of the Plantation Course, in my view, but a really good course.
I have not played the King Kamehameha course, which is private, but at times they advertise for people to be a 'member for a day'. Supposed to be a decent track.
I have enjoyed playing the Makena Courses, and the Koele Course on Lanai, but renovations are continuing there, and they are closed.
Most of the courses do offer some breaks on green fees, particularly for resort guests, and at twilight times. Check out their websites.
There are other courses that don't qualify as 'best', but are still worth playing. For example, we paid $55 to play 18 holes at Pukalani, with cart, a couple years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised at the value we got for our money!
Jun 8th, 2015, 05:58 AM
#10
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Shops At Wailea has several moderately priced restaurants: Longhi's, Tommy Bahamas, a Ruth's Chris. Gannon's is on a golf course above Wailea with a panoramic view. Five Palms is on Keawakapu Beach (located in the Mana Kai condo-tel). Each of the posh hotels in Wailea has one fine-dining restaurant.
Casual or carry-out: Coconut's in the Azeka Place Mall in Central Kihei. Paial Fish Market in South Kihei.
Drive south past Makena to where the black lava from Haleakala's last eruption meets the blue ocean. Drive north through West Maui to piney Kapalua, stopping in Lahaina Town.
Will you do Road to Hana and Iao Valley? Visit 'walk-in' Haleakala for sunrise, sunset, or just in between? Spend some time in Upcountry below the volcano?
If you want to attend a luau, reserve now. Same for any must-do snorkeling excursion -- along the coast, to Lanai, to Molokini. (Only take first boat out to Molokini if you want to see more fish than tourists.)
I'm trying to think of a timeshare in Kihei...Menehune Shores in North Kihei? Best beaches are Sugar Beach -- and the three Kamaole Beach Parks in South Kihei, along with Keawakapu. There are more good beaches south, through Wailea and Makena. All Hawaiian beaches are open to the publice; most on Maui have free parking near the posted "Beach Access" points.
Casual or carry-out: Coconut's in the Azeka Place Mall in Central Kihei. Paial Fish Market in South Kihei.
Drive south past Makena to where the black lava from Haleakala's last eruption meets the blue ocean. Drive north through West Maui to piney Kapalua, stopping in Lahaina Town.
Will you do Road to Hana and Iao Valley? Visit 'walk-in' Haleakala for sunrise, sunset, or just in between? Spend some time in Upcountry below the volcano?
If you want to attend a luau, reserve now. Same for any must-do snorkeling excursion -- along the coast, to Lanai, to Molokini. (Only take first boat out to Molokini if you want to see more fish than tourists.)
I'm trying to think of a timeshare in Kihei...Menehune Shores in North Kihei? Best beaches are Sugar Beach -- and the three Kamaole Beach Parks in South Kihei, along with Keawakapu. There are more good beaches south, through Wailea and Makena. All Hawaiian beaches are open to the publice; most on Maui have free parking near the posted "Beach Access" points.
Jun 8th, 2015, 12:42 PM
#11
Thanks so much for all the information. Kanunu-about the golf, I think my husband (who is a much better golfer than I am is going to golf the Plantation course and maybe the Bay course. Would the Pukalani be a good one for the both of us? I am still trying to be a good golfer(Lol). So I don't want to spend a ton of money on a really hard course for someone who is still just a below average golfer. So I was thinking if Pukalani was inexpensive then maybe that is the one I should try? Also, ChiSue- When you talk about some of these places I'm not really sure about any of it since I haven't been there before? I have heard mixed reviews on doing the Road to Hana, is it worth it? I am not a morning person at all Also, the timeshare we are in is a Worldmark that is supposed to be across the street from the beach in Kihei. Will there be a lot to do around that area or should we plan on venturing out in our rental car? Thanks so much.
Also, the timeshare we are in is a Worldmark that is supposed to be across the street from the beach in Kihei. Will there be a lot to do around that area or should we plan on venturing out in our rental car? Thanks so much.
Jun 8th, 2015, 12:57 PM
#12
If you have facebook, check out the Worldmark owners group for helpful info.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldmarktheclub/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldmarktheclub/
Jun 8th, 2015, 03:16 PM
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You need to have a rental car...there are many beaches on Maui and a lot to see, especially on a first trip. Some of the nicest beaches, I think, are in Wailea, which is just south of Kihei. You will definitely want to visit those. Ulua is a popular one for snorkeling. Haleakala is a great destination, and you don't have to go at dawn, but morning is good...just make sure it's clear up there so check the weather report before heading out. If you can't see anything, no point in going. We have been many times to Maui without taking the road to Hana, but I tend to get carsick on narrow, winding roads. There is plenty to do without it.
For nicer restaurants, we always like Gannon's in Wailea. Eskimo Candy in Kihei is great for lunch or to get fresh fish for dinner. We also like Sansei and the Paia Fish Market.
For nicer restaurants, we always like Gannon's in Wailea. Eskimo Candy in Kihei is great for lunch or to get fresh fish for dinner. We also like Sansei and the Paia Fish Market.
Jun 9th, 2015, 02:09 PM
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I have never had problems booking things after I arrive for later in the trip, but if you are going in summer or during the school holidays, I would try to book maybe 2 or 3 weeks in advance. There are a number of operators for the different excursions, etc. The problem with booking boat trips that far in advance is you have no idea what the ocean will be like...might not be a great day to go out. And booking a trip up to the top of Haleakala is, IMO, not a good idea until you get there and have seen a weather forecast.
Jun 10th, 2015, 02:19 PM
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Book a luau now. The two best in the state are in Lahaina: Old Lahaina Luau and Feast At Lele. It's about 40 minutes from Kihei to Lahaina. There are also luau at the Marriott Wailea and the Grand Wailea hotels. (Some luau accept Costco discounts -- buy at Costco in Kahului.)
Worldmark is centrally located in Kihei, across from (I think) Kam II beach park. There are little shops and restaurants along Kihei Road within walking distance or just a short drive.
Road to Hana is optional. You can start and turn back if it's not your thing. Iao Valley is a one-hour stop. (Use OFF!) You can go up Haleakala any time of day -- not necessarily sunrise or sunset. If you plan to hike in a little, have plenty of water and sun protection. Come back down through Upcountry, possible stopping in Hippy-Dippy Paia Town. (Mama's Fish House is popular there.)
Book any snorkeling expedition early in your trip so that if it is cancelled, you can do it another day.
Do you have a map? You could see where everything is.
Worldmark is centrally located in Kihei, across from (I think) Kam II beach park. There are little shops and restaurants along Kihei Road within walking distance or just a short drive.
Road to Hana is optional. You can start and turn back if it's not your thing. Iao Valley is a one-hour stop. (Use OFF!) You can go up Haleakala any time of day -- not necessarily sunrise or sunset. If you plan to hike in a little, have plenty of water and sun protection. Come back down through Upcountry, possible stopping in Hippy-Dippy Paia Town. (Mama's Fish House is popular there.)
Book any snorkeling expedition early in your trip so that if it is cancelled, you can do it another day.
Do you have a map? You could see where everything is.
Jun 11th, 2015, 07:56 AM
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You can go up Haleakala any time of day -- not necessarily sunrise or sunset. If you plan to hike in a little, have plenty of water and sun protection. Come back down through Upcountry, possible stopping in Hippy-Dippy Paia Town. (Mama's Fish House is popular there.)
Last time we were there, we went up to Haleakala mid-morning, and hiked into the crater about 2-3 miles (5+ miles round trip). It's a great hike. On the way back, we first visited Makawao (upcountry), nice little town, and the drive is beautiful. We would have had a meal at Hali'imaile General Store, but our timing was bad and it was closed (after lunch and before dinner) so we went back to Paia, which is a cute little beach town for some poking around and dinner (not at Mama's - we're don't like fish enough to spend what Mama's charges!). It was a really fun day.
Last time we were there, we went up to Haleakala mid-morning, and hiked into the crater about 2-3 miles (5+ miles round trip). It's a great hike. On the way back, we first visited Makawao (upcountry), nice little town, and the drive is beautiful. We would have had a meal at Hali'imaile General Store, but our timing was bad and it was closed (after lunch and before dinner) so we went back to Paia, which is a cute little beach town for some poking around and dinner (not at Mama's - we're don't like fish enough to spend what Mama's charges!). It was a really fun day.
