Top 10 on Kauai & Maui
Nov 1st, 2003, 10:32 AM
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Top 10 on Kauai & Maui
I'm planning a trip to Hawaii... spending one week on Kauai and one week on Maui.
Staying either in the Lahaina area or the Kaanapali Beach area on Maui. Still deciding on which resort.
On Kauai we are staying in Lihue.... can you please give me the top 10 activities to do?
We like to golf, rent a car and sightsee/explore, snorkell and go out for nice dinners.
Thanks so much.
Lori
Staying either in the Lahaina area or the Kaanapali Beach area on Maui. Still deciding on which resort.
On Kauai we are staying in Lihue.... can you please give me the top 10 activities to do?
We like to golf, rent a car and sightsee/explore, snorkell and go out for nice dinners.
Thanks so much.
Lori
Nov 1st, 2003, 11:24 AM
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Kaui:
Waimea Canyon and Kokee park - some incredible views
North Shore Beaches - I liked Anini (not THE most beautiful but quite pleasant and very safe swimming and snorkeling). Stop at the Lighthouse on the north shore - I forget the name but the views are great and the bird life is amazing.
Lydegate Park (East Coast) - for the tame fish begging for handouts (if you snorkel you WILL see fish - they are very used to being fed).
Poipu Beach (south coast)
Salt Pond Beach (south) - quiet, mostly locals, the wind surfers off shore are amazing and we saw a Monk seal. It is a great spot to stop for a swim after you do Waimea Canyon and Kokee.
Waterfalls - watch for the signs
Maui:
Haleakala - breath taking
Lahaina
Waimea Canyon and Kokee park - some incredible views
North Shore Beaches - I liked Anini (not THE most beautiful but quite pleasant and very safe swimming and snorkeling). Stop at the Lighthouse on the north shore - I forget the name but the views are great and the bird life is amazing.
Lydegate Park (East Coast) - for the tame fish begging for handouts (if you snorkel you WILL see fish - they are very used to being fed).
Poipu Beach (south coast)
Salt Pond Beach (south) - quiet, mostly locals, the wind surfers off shore are amazing and we saw a Monk seal. It is a great spot to stop for a swim after you do Waimea Canyon and Kokee.
Waterfalls - watch for the signs
Maui:
Haleakala - breath taking
Lahaina
Nov 1st, 2003, 02:33 PM
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Here are the things we like to do on Maui.
Haleakala. Take a little hike. We have done the whole crater two times. It was like nothing we have ever seen before. Stunning views and colors.
The road to Hana. So green and lush.
Snorkel Ulua Beach, it's great for novice snorkeling. Nice sunsets,too.
A walking trip through Lahaina.
Hookipa Beach. Go watch the wind surfing. The sails are so colorful.
Drive around the north west side of the island. Some of the ocean views are very dramatic.
Find your favorite beach and just sit and watch the waves roll in. That's my favorite pastime.
Haleakala. Take a little hike. We have done the whole crater two times. It was like nothing we have ever seen before. Stunning views and colors.
The road to Hana. So green and lush.
Snorkel Ulua Beach, it's great for novice snorkeling. Nice sunsets,too.
A walking trip through Lahaina.
Hookipa Beach. Go watch the wind surfing. The sails are so colorful.
Drive around the north west side of the island. Some of the ocean views are very dramatic.
Find your favorite beach and just sit and watch the waves roll in. That's my favorite pastime.
Nov 3rd, 2003, 07:17 AM
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We have only been to Maui. Going to Kauai and Maui in April. We stayed at Kaanapali and loved it. We went to Lahaina but I wouldn't want to stay there. We walked the boardwalk at Kaanapali every evening we weren't busy elsewhere. Watched the diver at the Sheraton, watched the sunset and then ate at Whaler's Village. We could drink, enjoy ourselves and not have to drive home. After eating we would go back to the Hyatt and enjoy their live entertainment at the bar until we went to bed.
Nov 3rd, 2003, 07:23 AM
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For things to do: definitely go to Haleakala. We drove ourselves because the biking seemed a bit treacherous. We will go back and take a hike or horseback tour next time with snacks and some wine. We loved that but we couldn't handle the Road to Hana. We went about 25 miles and turned around because our nerves were shot. Some people love it just be open to changing your plans if you aren't enjoying it. We turned around and had a late lunch and a much needed drink at Mama's Fish House. It was wonderful. We also watched the windsurfers which was pretty entertaining. When are you going?
Nov 3rd, 2003, 09:48 PM
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This has been asked a lot here...these are my answers for Maui:
1. Kayak trip through La Perouse Bay (swim with spinner dolphins and turtles and snorkel the awesome coves Aquarium and Fishbowl, 120' visibility) with Maui Kayaks, they take only 8 people at a time...people who have done this and Molokini swear by this instead!
2. Stay a night or two in Hana at the end of yr trip to really explore.
3. Get up at 5am and snorkel snorkel snorkel as many South Maui places as you can when it's super calm and there's no one out then dry out on the soft golden sand and do it all again...Palauea and Po'olenalena were two of our favorites south of Wailea...don't worry, neither the air nor water temps are much cooler that early, the water was very warm
4. Olivine Pools, it's like God's waterpark
5. Shaved ice with coconut ice cream on the bottom...we went to Local Boy in Kihei, it was incredible
6. Take the Pipiwai Trail (across the street from the Seven Deadly Pools) two miles out to Waimoku Falls...it follows the stream the whole way so it's constant waterfall/pool swim opporunities, gorgeous, easy hike, and the 400' Waimoku Falls at the end is breathtaking
7. To me a wonderful meal at a great restaurant right on the beach is way more worth yr time and money than a cheesy luau...we sat right at the edge of the sand on Keawakapu beach at Sarento's and wouldn't have traded it for a second for a night at a goofy luau
8. I have to agree, that even though the "sand" you eat with yr feet in at Hula Grill is like kitty litter, having drinks at their bar was a lot of fun, terrific ambience there and delicious drinks...avoid the Lahaina area as much as you can though, it's a real tourist trap and kind of a let down after a wonderful tropical day
9. Have some kids teach you how to really catch the waves on a boogie board...we had so much fun and it was even more fun surrounded by little kids who got a kick out of US
10. Catch the sunset, every night, from the beach...we watched it a few times on Black Sand beach in Makena, backed by a huge black cliff and totally empty except for the little crabs and the sea turtles floating near the shore
Least favorite? Lahaina--felt like Ft Lauderdale, very un-tropical feeling, tacky, tshirts everywhere. Not much else we didn't like there because we planned so well and knew where the throngs of people would be and instead tried to focus on the outdoors and finding quiet places, which we did.
There are so many wonderful things to do on Maui that are free if you're adventurous and the book Maui Revealed is a great resource, it's what we used.
love
roxy
1. Kayak trip through La Perouse Bay (swim with spinner dolphins and turtles and snorkel the awesome coves Aquarium and Fishbowl, 120' visibility) with Maui Kayaks, they take only 8 people at a time...people who have done this and Molokini swear by this instead!
2. Stay a night or two in Hana at the end of yr trip to really explore.
3. Get up at 5am and snorkel snorkel snorkel as many South Maui places as you can when it's super calm and there's no one out then dry out on the soft golden sand and do it all again...Palauea and Po'olenalena were two of our favorites south of Wailea...don't worry, neither the air nor water temps are much cooler that early, the water was very warm
4. Olivine Pools, it's like God's waterpark
5. Shaved ice with coconut ice cream on the bottom...we went to Local Boy in Kihei, it was incredible
6. Take the Pipiwai Trail (across the street from the Seven Deadly Pools) two miles out to Waimoku Falls...it follows the stream the whole way so it's constant waterfall/pool swim opporunities, gorgeous, easy hike, and the 400' Waimoku Falls at the end is breathtaking
7. To me a wonderful meal at a great restaurant right on the beach is way more worth yr time and money than a cheesy luau...we sat right at the edge of the sand on Keawakapu beach at Sarento's and wouldn't have traded it for a second for a night at a goofy luau
8. I have to agree, that even though the "sand" you eat with yr feet in at Hula Grill is like kitty litter, having drinks at their bar was a lot of fun, terrific ambience there and delicious drinks...avoid the Lahaina area as much as you can though, it's a real tourist trap and kind of a let down after a wonderful tropical day
9. Have some kids teach you how to really catch the waves on a boogie board...we had so much fun and it was even more fun surrounded by little kids who got a kick out of US
10. Catch the sunset, every night, from the beach...we watched it a few times on Black Sand beach in Makena, backed by a huge black cliff and totally empty except for the little crabs and the sea turtles floating near the shore
Least favorite? Lahaina--felt like Ft Lauderdale, very un-tropical feeling, tacky, tshirts everywhere. Not much else we didn't like there because we planned so well and knew where the throngs of people would be and instead tried to focus on the outdoors and finding quiet places, which we did.
There are so many wonderful things to do on Maui that are free if you're adventurous and the book Maui Revealed is a great resource, it's what we used.
love
roxy
Nov 6th, 2003, 01:09 PM
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I agree with other posters. Do not stay in Lahaina. Its a town rather than a beach. Stay on Kaanapalli beach. A cluster of nice hotels, whalers village (shopping and restaurants) walking distance, etc.
We stayed at the Westin for our honeymoon. Loved it. I hear the Hyatt and Sheraton are very nice too.
Have a great time!
We stayed at the Westin for our honeymoon. Loved it. I hear the Hyatt and Sheraton are very nice too.
Have a great time!
Nov 6th, 2003, 05:27 PM
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OK I beg to differ with the other posters... WE have been to Kaanapali and prefer the Wailea side- the Wailea beaches are much better than Kapalua, and Kihei beaches, the town next to Wailea, is so much better than anything near Kaanapali/Kapalua. You can beach hop along Kihei beaches, and what about Keawakapeu beach in Wailea???? Simply Gorgeous. Great little out of the way places in Kihei, not so expensive. Go for it.
Nov 6th, 2003, 08:41 PM
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I agree with Travlnut...we stayed at the Kihei Surfside condos on Keawakapu beach in the Wailea area. Much more laid back than Kaanapali, wonderful crescent shaped beaches, tons of good snorkeling right off shore...Wailea just feels more quiet and tropical to me than Lahaina/Kaanapali, less frenetic, more elegant and soothing. And definitely hit Kihei for all sorts of fun, cheap places to eat!
love
roxy
love
roxy
Nov 25th, 2003, 08:57 AM
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We stayed at the Hyatt in Kaanapali in October. We saw beautiful things on the road to Hana & definitely recommend it, although it was a long & tiring day. If you're interested in a show, check out Warren & Annabelle's in Lahaina. It's a combo of slight of hand magic & comedy. The best show we've seen. We did the Old Lahaina Luau too which was neat. In our 12 days on Maui & Kauai we drove about 1000 miles while sight seeing. We never ran out of beautiful things to see. Our favorite restaurants were Mama's Fish House in Maui & Coconuts in Kauai.
Nov 25th, 2003, 12:34 PM
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Kauai - Some off the beaten path suggestions: Lighthouse and Bird Sanctuary (if you have time), Napali Hike(a must), Pole Hale State park - best beach in all of Kauai and well off the beaten path, Sunset drinks and snacks at Brenneckes on the beach at Poipu, Burgers at Bubba's; ShipWreck Beach, End of the road beach (annini,), zodiac boat trip, horseback/waterfall ride with swimming and picnic (this was a tour), Hawaiian Fruit Preserve Company between Poipu and Waimea Canyon - small family business on the right side of the road with the most wonderful jams and cocoa dusted macadamia nuts for sale, breakfast on the terrace at the Princeville hotel. We've been to Kauai several times and love it. Maui - drive along the Kaapalua coast and continue north - beautiful country, see sunrise at the volcano, stop at the winery, the aquarium is fun on a cloudy day, snorkel at Molokini (I'd get a two stop trip as this can get crowded), golf at Silver Sword (less crowded and less costly), go down to beaches past Makena, stop at Cheeseburgers in Paradise for sunset drinks and burgers, if Keoki's Paradise is still there, its also good for dinner. (these are in Lahina).
