jwnismo

I have so many questions about visiting Maui! I don't mean to be a worrywart, but the longest flight I've ever been on is about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The almost 8 hour flight to Hawaii really freaks me out. Anybody have any assurances they can give me?

I'm looking into staying at a condo-but how do I know for sure it's in a safe place? It's about 6 miles from Lahaina at Kahana Reef, between Kaanapali and Napili. Can anybody give me tips on this area? How far is the Kahului airport? What is the driving like? (I know that's probably a silly question but after being around the driving in Mexico I can't help but ask!) Is it easy to get around? Is this a decent place to stay in order to be close to things, such as a helicopter tour, Haleakala, and walking tours? What nice beaches are close by? I've done a lot of internet research on Maui so I'm familiar with some areas, but not all.

I saw on the visitmaui.com website that they say to lock up your car and stuff, but this forum says not to do that. I won't usually have anything in my vehicle to worry about anyway (it'll usually be on me), but what is the right thing to do? Is Maui a safe place? I mean there's crime everywhere, but I was just wondering if it was something to be concerned about?

Thanks in advance for your replies...I'll probably think of more questions later.

carbogilligan

Calm down........relax........breathe.
The area you have selected is beautiful and enjoyable! While I haven't stayed at the Kahana Reef, I am very familiar with the area. My family has always felt safe there. Of course, you need to use common sense in storing belongings in the car. From this area, its about a 30-45 minute drive to the airport if there are no accidents or road construction. Its easy to drive around the island. You'll have no problem accomplishing all the things you want to do. Some our favorite beaches include Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay for snorkeling. Both are close to your condo. For big beaches, the Wailea area provides beautiful wide beaches. Regarding the flight itself, bring a good book or two, watch the movie, take a nap. Also, spend some time reading all the various discussions about Maui and buy the book Maui Revealed. All this information should help you ease your mind!

Rusty

The Kahana Reef is a very nice small condo property. I believe all units are ocean front with a fantastic view. The units are very nice and large. However there is no beach in front of the property and the pool is very small. It is a five minute walk to a swimable beach. The nicer beaches are further away. Kaanapali, Kapalua, and Napili Bay beaches are all within about a three mile drive.

The Kahana Reef and the general area is very quiet. If you want more action you will go to Kaanapali and Lahaina about three to four miles away.

Anything else?

jwnismo

Thank you, I have just ordered Maui Revealed (been thinking about it for awhile and finally did it.)

I would prefer to stay at or near a beach but we are on a budget. I guess an extra hundred or so wouldn't break us though. Maybe I should keep looking around?

JohnD

In a Maui UnRevealed and Fodorless state, we stayed at a Kahana Reef condo in 2001, the unit had washer, dryer, full kitchen and lanai and was clean. We could see whales in late Feb. right from our lanai, but it was not an ocean front view, more like a side angle view, and other buildings and telephone poles, powerlines are slightly in view.

The unit was across the street from the ocean, where there was not much in the way of sandy beach, but you could at least walk a little along the coast. We drove up the coast to snorkel at Kapalua Bay which was excellent for beginners, but tight on parking. There are tennis courts and a pool and the area was safe for our convertible.

Last October we stayed at a condo in the Wailea region for less $) and prefer it over Kahana because of its proximity to great snorkeling beaches, but the very distant ocean view is too far to see whales (fortunately Oct. was not whalewatching season).

Feel free to ask questions.

travelinsisters

Hi jwnismo: My sister and I just returned from Maui on Wednesday, and YES it is a long flight [total of 10 hrs. for us]. However, on the flight over we were too excited to sleep so took books, CD player to pass the time. On return flight we took Tylenol PM to help us get some zzzz's and readjust to the differant time zones...worked great for us. We were not afraid anywhere we went, but tried to use good judgment that should be used anywhere. We stayed in the Kihei area, but stayed in Kahana 2 yrs. ago. Kihei is a great location if you are going to be touring locations such as Halekala, Hana, Wailuku + other locations on that side of the island. The price of gas was between $2.35-$2.39/gal. so running back and forth between the Kahana/Napili area and the southern side or upcountry can cost you quite a bit in fuel. Maui is a very easy place to get around, so don't fret about driving there. I would not drive in Mexico, but driving in Maui was just driving here on the mainland. As for your condo search, we found More Hawaii For Less to be very helpful [www.morehawaiiforless.com] in helping us find what we needed in the price range we wanted to pay. We loved the Kahana, Kaanapali, Napili area, but depending on what you are looking for, found Kihei to be more commercialized...lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. Should you decide to stay in the Kihei area, let me know and I will tell you of some good places to eat, shop, etc. Aloha

JohnD

Correction: the condo we stayed in 2001 with side ocean view was Kahana Villa condos, which are behind the ocean front Kahana Reef condos. Do not recommend attending the timeshare presentation at Kahana Reef condos.

Rusty

Each to there own, but the only benefit I can see for staying in Kihei is that it is cheap. And it is cheap for a reason. It is one long street lined with shopping malls and condos and it is not pretty at all. The beaches are small. There is constant traffic congestion. There is little vegetation or greenery. If you have to stay in Kihei then South Kihei is far better than north Kihei.

West Maui, especially Kaanapali, is superior in every way.

jwnismo

Thanks everyone. I am so overwhelmed trying to find condos that suit our preferences and our budget. I've been looking at all places in Maui and I've been on vrbo.com several times.

I'm not set as far as where I'm staying yet so any ideas would be appreciated. As far as Kihie goes, would anyone recommend Kamaole Sands? As far as Kaanapali would you recommend Maui Eldorado? To be honest, I've heard a condo is the best route to take, but after cleaning fees (I'm on vacation and don't particularly want to clean) and possible cancellation penalties, I'm not sure a condo would be the best idea.

mccarthysofboston

Hello Jwnismo,

I feel your pain with the flight. My husband and I are leaving Boston Tuesday morning at 6:30 and will arrive in Maui at 6:00PM after a layover in LA....Hope this makes you feel a little better....

jwnismo

mccarthysofboston: congratulations, good luck, and have fun!

carbogilligan

Have you considered the Maui Kai condos? If you rent directly from the managing office, you do not incur additional cleaning fees and their cancellation policy is quite reasonable.
Check out www.mauikai.com

sweetj

jwnismo - Maui is a safe place, but just like so many others, there is some crime. In the 5 years I lived there, my leased car was broken into 3 times. The car rental companies even have stickers inside the cars which say, "Do not leave anything of value locked in your car." And please don't think that by leaving your camera (etc.) under the front seat, or by locking it into the truck that it'll be safe. It won't. Thieves can get into your trunk faster without a key than you can with one.
So lock your car.

orchid

Look at Aston Kaanapali Shores for a VERY nice condo. Our rooms have always been very nice, and clean. This will be our third year coming up. In a one-room condo we enjoyed a very large main room, a dining area, kitchenette, sizeable bathroom , and roomy bedroom. Washer & dryer in the room, discreetly hidden behind shuttered doors. On site is a terrific restaurant. Also, there are a few shops, sundries, and clothing. Grounds are maintained beautifully. Check it out @AstonHotels

summerinslc

John D

You said that you stayed in a condo in the Wailea area. Which condo? Were you pleased with it? Price range?

here_today_gone2Maui

I have been visiting Maui with my local husband for the past few years, sometimes as often as every few weeks, until we moved here in January. Up until now we have always had a rental car, and never once have we had our car broken into or vandalized. On the other hand, we lived in what is considered an upscale area outside of L.A. and in ten years we had our car broken into three times in our own driveway. Use common sense. Don't leave valuables in plain view. I feel much safer here than I did on the mainland.

QAs for the Kamaole Sands, it is a gated community, across the street from Kam III, which is the nicest of ther Kamaole park beaches. My husband has friends who own a unit there. We live very close to there and it is a very nice neighborhood with a very nice, safe beach.

pspercy

Jwnismo, you don't say how large a unit you're seeking.We've stayed twice at Noelani in Kahana, no regrets ( http://www.noelani-condo-resort.com ); also stayed at The Mahana slightly south( http://www.themahana.com ). There's lots of good places in the area, depends on budget & amenities wanted. Don't know where you live but keep an eye on your local airline's vacation offerings, for example www.aavacations.com sometimes their packages make sense overall.
Eight hours to Hawaii is a bit shorter than from here but it's nothing, just think where you're going ! Suggest get seats on the left side (A,B) for arrival views.
The driving will be slower than mainland city driving IMHO, we've never had any problems with car break-ins etc and we take normal commonsense security precautions in condo.
Maui is great, go for it
Have fun.

JohnD

Reply to summerinslc, we stayed at a 1 BR GrandChampion condo ~$100/night, and were very pleased as it had A/C and I believe a studio was also available for less$). The unit was very quiet as you are close to a golf course but I recall you are going in Feb., so you would not be able to see whales directly from the unit we stayed at. You can read more at my "Hanging loose in Maui Trip Report", or inquire again.

turn_it_on

Last July we stayed in a one bedroom condo, the Kihei Surfside, which is five minutes removed from the Kihei strip mall center, and is basically Wailea. It was only $125/night through CRH Maui and the view was outstanding (all units have great views). I have expounded excessively on this topic in my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34436140

It's closer to the airport than West Maui too, and if you're into snorkeling and big wide beautiful very often empty beaches, south Maui is the place.

Bring your guidebook on the plane, the flight will pass in no time when you're totally excited about all the places you're going to see when you land. We flew Aloha Air to Maui, and they give you warm cookies and milk toward the end of the flight. We liked that, it made the whole cabin smell good. And the captain wished me happy birthday!

Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help.

love
roxy