JohnD

Seeking the advice of Hawaii Kahunas for our 2nd trip to Maui in a few weeks. We first visited Maui a few years ago as naïve hedonistic heathens, however we saw the light atop Haleakala and now follow a text written by wizard(s) cited sometimes by varying titles, commonly called "the blue bible" and seek your experience/opinion about the paths/places described. Mahalo in advance for your replies!

Day 1
Pick up condo supplies in Kahului
Find condo in Wailea, check beach.
Suggestions for fresh fish market?

Day 2
Find macadamia nut pancakes, in Paia?
Reverse route to Hana, driving up from S to N backside of Haleakala (east coast)
Rent snorkel fins, Maui dive shop

Day 3 Four Winds Snorkel cruise AM
How to find harbor/parking?

Day 4 La Perouse/Aquarium/Fishbowl Snorkeling
Which of these is easiest hike/trail for tenderfoots?
Which has best fish variety?
Kayaking /boat trip not an option.

Day 5 Day Trip to Lanai with jeep.
Best snorkeling beaches from land (Lanai) ?
Best snorkeling beaches if it rains and 4WD useless?

Day 6 Find & Free (Uncle) Willy

Day 7 Snorkel Black Rock, Honolua, Slaughterhouse etc.
Where to Park (for free) and snorkel Black Rock?

Day 8 check in GW
Wailea area Restaurant suggestions for cooked seafood ?

Day 9 GW pools-late check out of paradise

Suzie

Snorkel with Four Winds is great! When you call to confirm that you made it to Maui and to confirm your date and time they will tell you how to get there from where you are staying. It's really easy to find. You drive past the Ocean Marine place and parking is easy, right near the boat.

Park at the free beach parking at the Sheraton for Black Rock. We had no problem with this as most people had no idea that there is free parking. There is not a bunch but there were empty spots when we parked there. It's adjacent to the path on the south side of the hotel. It's covered as it is located in the lower section of the parking structure.

JohnD

Mahalo nui loa for your time and akamai help. =D>

bogart

JohnD -- you were very helpful to me when planning our trip in May. Glad to hear you are going back! Aloha and have a wonderful time.

Snorkel Kapalua Bay - there's free beach parking somewhere (sorry I don't know exactly how to get there). Enjoy your time in the water, the fish and the views - it's gorgeous!

Suzie

Tryiiiingggg not to be jealousssss. Noooot workiiinnngggg.......arrrggghhh!

bluefan

Hey JD, your itinerary looks great!

Day 2: For mac nut pancakes in Paia, I believe you're thinking about Charley's. But the best banana mac nut pancakes are presumably at Gazebo at the Napili Shores Resort. Another place to consider for delicious BMNP's is the Kula Lodge. In Kihei close to where you're staying, there's Stella Blues and go to Cinnamon Roll Fair for their honey mac nut rolls.

And if you're doing the Road to Hana in reverse, definitely consider hiking the Pipowi Trail near Oheo Gulch...my personal favorite.

Day 4: I think the Fishbowl would probably be the easiest to get to and has a good volume and variety of fish (per Doug). But the Aquarium is worthwhile and a neat environment to snorkel in. I've also come across several posters who've enjoyed the snorkeling at Ahihi Bay, which wouldn't require a trek through much lava.

Day 7: If you haven't already, I'd consider the drive around NW Maui after you snorkel. The Nakalele Blowhole and Olivine Pools under the right conditions are cool to see and the panoramic coastal views are breathtaking.

I'm sure you'll have a terrific time, and I too am jealous!!! 8-)

JohnD

Wow!-Bluefan, Mahalo nui loa for your thorough insight =D>, and thanks Bogart I agree about-Kapalua, it was the first place I ever snorkeled in Hawaii.

Don't feel too envious, amp; we probably won't find half the snorkel spots, but at least we will be spared some frost on the as we're east coasters.

BTW, Did anybody require dramamine etc on Four Winds cruise?

jomale

We went on Four Winds when we were in Maui a few weeks ago. It was great. I got a little queasy outgoing, but not that bad and nothing that required dramamine.

You may want to buy a cheap snorkel and bring it with you, for sanitary reasons only. We had our own snorkel equipment and after seeing the stuff they had, I was glad.

We had great dinner's (seafood and beef) at Nick's at the Fairmont and Spago at Four Seasons. Truth be told, every mean we had was great.

Have a blast.

JohnD

Mahalo jomale! We always carry our own snorkel gear (except fins). Hearing only good things about Spago we will have to give it try, and also will check Nick's.

bogart

We gave friends a gc for Spago in Maui-they could not stop raving. We have been to the one in Vegas and both thought it was the best meal we have ever had.

go for it!

Suzie

Hey John, the staff on the Four Winds do everything possible to ensure your comfort. They have remedies for those feeling quesy and make announcements to make sure nobody is suffering silently. Nobody in our group looked miserable. While our son got really sick during a late afternoon sail on a windy day in Tahoe he had no problem getting out to Molokini. Coming back was much easier than going out and I don't know why! Beer?

JohnD

Hey Suzie, Mahalo for your info! We'll probably stick with ginger, unless it gets rough on the boat, we have gone whalewatching from Lahaina on our last visit with no problemamp;.

I was reading a related post today about using disposable underwater camera with flash vs no flash at Molokini/4windsII . If you used a underwater , what worked best for you?

Suzie

Not really interested in photos of fish so we didn't take a camera. They also take a video of all the people snorkeling and try to sell that to you as well. You can preview the vidoe before you buy.

julesj66

I used the "sea bands" wrist bands on the 4 Winds sail and drank ginger drinks. Had just 1/2 a bagel for breakfast & coffee. Drank a bunch of the ginger drinks. I sat right up front on the bottom on the way there & felt fairly queasy but didn't get sick. Had lots more ginger drinks throughout the day. One the way back I stood at the front of the boat the entire time and felt MUCH better. I still hate that for 2 days after a boat I still feel like I'm on one (and then the jet lag after going back to NY!, just over now!)

Suzie

I wonder how location affects how you feel? We were on top at the front side and nobody on top seemed to have a problem. Ditto on the rocking motion staying with you!!!!

JohnD

We routinely go whalewatching from Massachusetts and NY, and they advise sitting towards the middle and rear of the boat to avoid amp; rocking motion and to keep your eyes on the horizon, which can be accomplished on the upper deck or outside edges of the lower deck.

They also advise us not to stay inside the cabin on the lower deck, or to breathe in diesel fumes near the lower rear of the boat. From what I understand motion sickness happens when what the eye and brain see does not match what the inner ear detects as movement, hence keep your eyes on the horizon.

On the other , a few amp; passengers might serve quite well to attract some of thesubjects we are snorkeling for!

gyppielou

JohnD....my advice is to slow down a bit. I've gone to Molokini and Lanai, for 4 nights...both day trips should be decided the night before in regards to weather and wind conditions. When we left Lanai, we were nearly blown off our feet waiting for the ferry due to gale forse winds...still we saw a catamaran that made the snorkling journey with many a green face..the trip over was crystal clear. The trip back from Molokini was stomach wrentching as the trade winds kick up each day. As far as i can see you have too much on your plate to Hang Loose, which is perfectly fine if you improvise as you go...I always have a ton of must do's and then filter them out as we go. If you do go to Lanai, I'm not sure if it was Blue Ginger or Pele's, but the place on the left side of town had the most amazing meatball subs----I know it sounds crazy, but believe me. Spago yes!!! Take a walk to the food place at Kea Lani to get a takeout lunch to enjoy by your pool. I am returning soon, am soooo excited!! Definately Charlie's in Paia for breakfast! Hang at Makena beach for an hour or two on one of your days. For me, each day in Hawaii requires 3 hours of something and the rest nothing. Aloha and happy trails!!

JohnD

Hey gyppielou, Mahalo nui loa for your perspective, I guess we are just trying to cover as many hawaiian destinations as we can, can there be too much of a good thing?

Also, I don't recall seeing the "goin cheap on lanai" post, but perhaps you can fill me in on "where to go in a jeep on lanai"? >-

scott_s

Hi John,

First of all, thaks for all the great advise you have given me in the past. Anyway, I can help you a little, as far as "How to find harbor/parking?", the harbor is very close to the Maaui Ocean Center, once you pull in the parking lot to the harbor, stay to the right, four winds II is near the end, we parked when we got to an open spot, however, there were many open spots much closer to the boat. I beleive that the four winds II leaves before many of the other boats, so you should have prime choices for parking.

As far as cooked seafood in Wailea, we ate at Spago's and it was great.


Have a great trip....


Scott

JohnD

Hey Scott, Mahalo nui loa for your helpful info. and kind words. Must confess to some anticipaaa-aaa-tion with all this talk of Maui! :-"