50th birthday trip advice needed

Old Oct 27th, 2003, 09:41 AM
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50th birthday trip advice needed

Hello everyone:

I have been following the board for a few months and now it is time for me to ask for some advice pertaining to my trip to Hawaii celebrating my 50th birthday.

I will be putting tickets on hold this weekend for my trip along with my husband and some family and frinds. So it looks like we will have a group going. My dates are Sept. 25th through Oct. 8th. The plan is to fly from Dallas to Maui first. Since the airport is on the road to Hana I was thinking of picking up the convertible when we land around 3 pm and going up to Paia (sp) to do some shopping, stopping at places along the way remommended by Maui Revealed and have an early dinner at Mama's Fish House. Then proceed on up to Hana stopping along the way and spending one night at the Hotel Hana Maui. The next morning go on up to the 7 sacred pools and Linbourgh's grave then back down the road stopping for waterfalls etc. This way we would be traveling opposite the traffic flow? Then we will send 5 nights at Napili Kai Beach Rresort. I picked this over Kaanapili beach Resort as it is only two stories ( I really don't care for high rises) and it is on a quiet bay and not in the center of the action. Does anyone have any thoughts? After our stay in Maui we will fly to Kaui for either 5 or 6 nights? Renting an open air jeep of some kind. We plan to stay at Hanali Colony Resort here as it looks so romantic and quiet and is on the most beautiful part of the island (who cares if it rains some) The last part of our trip will be one or two nights in Oahu at some hotel on the beach. My husband and I want to do the "home of the brave" military tour. Has anyone done this? If you do it on Friday (the day we fly home ) actual Pearl Harbor and WWII vets make appearances. The only this is that the USS Missouri and Bullfinch are not on the tour so if we want to to that we will need two nights not one. I also would like to climb diamond.

I would love some feedback from those of you who have been here to do all this for advice or suggestions?

thanks
Kay

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Old Oct 27th, 2003, 01:29 PM
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I think you are planning an awful lot to do in the first few hours. If you do all those things you plan, shopping, early dinner,...it will be getting dark by the time you hit the road to Hana. Then you will miss all the beautiful scenery that you drive to Hana for in the first place.
My husband and I fly from Tucson to L.A to Maui. When we get to Maui all we want to do is get to the condo, change clothes, go for a walk on the beach and get a bite to eat. It makes for a very long day. You might want to rethink the first day again.
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Old Oct 27th, 2003, 01:47 PM
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I second that as the road can be a little tricky and if you are in any way tired it is probably not a smart thing to do. I just wanted to comment on the Napili Kai. Although I have not stayed here, we parked in public lot right beside this hotel to access Kapalua Bay for snorkeling. The grounds look very lush and it seems to have a true Hawaii feel to it. I had not seen this area of Kapalua before and I was pleasantly surprised. I think you will like that Hotel. Have a great time, Aloha
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Old Oct 27th, 2003, 02:47 PM
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You know, Hawaii doesn't get the long evenings that northern states do. Sunset in October is about 6 p.m. See
http://www.hawaiianweddings.net/paia...nsettimes.html

So your plan to drive to Hana doesn't work, unless you like hairpin turns on dark roads when you are overtired! I would recommend heading for Napili Kai the first day, after doing some stocking up at the towns near the airport, and saving the Hana trip for the two days before you leave.
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Old Oct 27th, 2003, 04:04 PM
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Hear, hear! Don't try an evening drive to Hana. You will regret it. It is worthy of so much more time and the ability to relax and enjoy it. An overnight stay in Hana is definitely recommended, but not if you arrive late at night! The distance on the map may fool you - it takes a lot longer to get there than you might think.
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Old Oct 27th, 2003, 05:05 PM
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I'll be making my third overnight trip to Hana soon and would never even consider making it in the dark after a long flight, and the rest of the logistics of car etc.....It's simply dangerous, not knowing the road and what to expect. After a few nights of getting your island legs, driving into the sunset and the last half in darkness, maybe.....jetlagged DON'T Attempt it! But do fit it in, and have a wonderful bday trip...love the idea of b.day trips!!!!!
 
Old Oct 28th, 2003, 06:23 AM
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Good advice, we may just put the overnight Hana part of our trip on the last night in Maui before we fly to Kaui.

Thanks we appreciate your input.
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Old Oct 28th, 2003, 06:38 AM
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Since we arrive in Maui at 3 pm, what do you think of the idea of still going to Paia for a 5 pm dinner reservation at Mama's then drive to Napili? Or should we just head to Napili from the airport and do dinner at Mama's when we spend the night in Hana?

Kay
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Old Oct 28th, 2003, 06:50 AM
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gyppielou
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Perfect plan to visit Paia and Mama's from airport! You might do a search for Hana lodging for more options. Homoa Bay House is one of my favs...
 
Old Oct 28th, 2003, 06:52 AM
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A 5 p.m. dinner at Mama's is a nice idea; it will certainly put you in the Hawaiian mood! And if you are flying coach, you are sure to be hungry. Since you are flying inter-island on your next leg, flights that are usually during daylight hours, this is probably your best plan to include Mama's. And I always say, do the "must-dos" on your list early in your vacation! BTW, Paia itself is very small. If you have time, you can go out to watch the windsurfers at Ho'okipa.
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