2 full days on Maui - suggestions for something away from the crowds
Jan 26th, 2009 | 09:09 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 142
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2 full days on Maui - suggestions for something away from the crowds
Hello,
We will be in Maui at the beginning of March for 2 full days plus part of our arrival day (coming from Honolulu). I know that this is not enough, but that is what we have to play with.
We prefer to stay at quaint and/or historic B&Bs or inns and I have found several online that seem appropriate and that have been given great reviews. Could someone please suggest what side of the island would be best for us.
We do not care to sit on the beach ( We will be spending more time in Big Island afterwards as well as in Kauai) We do not like huge crowds and touristy places.
We would like to to the drive to Hana and perhaps visit the volcano and do the bike ride(unless it is best to do the one on BI if time is an issue).
The areas where we have seen B&Bs that could work for us are (in no particular order) Kihei, Makawao, Hana, Haiku, Paia,Wailuku, Lahaina (although I am tempted maybe not to stay in Lahaina).
As these are all over the place, I welcome suggestions as to which area would be best for us to stay so we can do the few things that we want to do and enjoy them.
cheers
We will be in Maui at the beginning of March for 2 full days plus part of our arrival day (coming from Honolulu). I know that this is not enough, but that is what we have to play with.
We prefer to stay at quaint and/or historic B&Bs or inns and I have found several online that seem appropriate and that have been given great reviews. Could someone please suggest what side of the island would be best for us.
We do not care to sit on the beach ( We will be spending more time in Big Island afterwards as well as in Kauai) We do not like huge crowds and touristy places.
We would like to to the drive to Hana and perhaps visit the volcano and do the bike ride(unless it is best to do the one on BI if time is an issue).
The areas where we have seen B&Bs that could work for us are (in no particular order) Kihei, Makawao, Hana, Haiku, Paia,Wailuku, Lahaina (although I am tempted maybe not to stay in Lahaina).
As these are all over the place, I welcome suggestions as to which area would be best for us to stay so we can do the few things that we want to do and enjoy them.
cheers
Jan 26th, 2009 | 01:30 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
The explanation of each area may help you decide
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...hborhoods.html
To be honest if you are going to do the road to Hana one day it is best to just stay there overnight before heading back to the airport or skip it all together
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...hborhoods.html
To be honest if you are going to do the road to Hana one day it is best to just stay there overnight before heading back to the airport or skip it all together
Jan 26th, 2009 | 02:03 PM
#4
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
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From my Oct 2006 trip report on here:
We decided not to drive the road to Hana. I know we missed many wonderful sites, but I just didn’t want to be in the car all that time and then have to drive back the same night. IF we return, we will spend a night or 2 in Hana.
We drove Central/west Maui stopping at ‘Iao Needle. The hike up the steps left many people winded and struggling, but for us, coming from 6200+ feet, caused us no problem. We also walked down among the gardens. It was a lovely, spiritual place and was true rain forest like foliage.
We had gotten lunch at Safeway, so we continued back towards the main road and stopped at , Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens. This was an unusual place in that it had different buildings and memorials dedicated to all the different people who settled in Hawaii.
We continued on the road heading north and then west around the island [West Maui Highway], amazed at the roads [a lot like the ones we have here in sw CO, but with ocean at the bottom of the cliff. not rocky valleys like here]! I guess this must be what the road to Hana is like.
We got Banana Bread in Kahakuloa and then shave ice right down the road! Good thing we don’t eat like that everyday! From there we continued to Nakalele Blowhole – which was so powerful to watch from the rocks. It was so unique, we went back the next day and walk all the way down to it and got sprayed royally and took some neat pictures.
Hope this helps!
Deb
We decided not to drive the road to Hana. I know we missed many wonderful sites, but I just didn’t want to be in the car all that time and then have to drive back the same night. IF we return, we will spend a night or 2 in Hana.
We drove Central/west Maui stopping at ‘Iao Needle. The hike up the steps left many people winded and struggling, but for us, coming from 6200+ feet, caused us no problem. We also walked down among the gardens. It was a lovely, spiritual place and was true rain forest like foliage.
We had gotten lunch at Safeway, so we continued back towards the main road and stopped at , Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens. This was an unusual place in that it had different buildings and memorials dedicated to all the different people who settled in Hawaii.
We continued on the road heading north and then west around the island [West Maui Highway], amazed at the roads [a lot like the ones we have here in sw CO, but with ocean at the bottom of the cliff. not rocky valleys like here]! I guess this must be what the road to Hana is like.
We got Banana Bread in Kahakuloa and then shave ice right down the road! Good thing we don’t eat like that everyday! From there we continued to Nakalele Blowhole – which was so powerful to watch from the rocks. It was so unique, we went back the next day and walk all the way down to it and got sprayed royally and took some neat pictures.
Hope this helps!
Deb
Jan 26th, 2009 | 03:56 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
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Jan 26th, 2009 | 06:20 PM
#8
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 140
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Upcountry certainly would meet your description. We stayed in a B&B near Makawao called "Olinda Country Cottage and Inn". It is part B&B, part flower farm, on the slopes of Haleakala.
It would certainly meet your needs for solitude and proximity to Haleakala, and was quite a pretty property. It was not particularly luxurious as I recall, but perfectly adequate, and definitely a different Hawaiian experience.
Good luck with your search!
It would certainly meet your needs for solitude and proximity to Haleakala, and was quite a pretty property. It was not particularly luxurious as I recall, but perfectly adequate, and definitely a different Hawaiian experience.
Good luck with your search!
Jan 27th, 2009 | 04:14 PM
#9
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 142
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Thank you all,
I was away for a couple of days and am only looking at the posts now. I will look at the suggested itineraries as they all sound of interest to me. Somehow I still want to see the road to Hana -- but we will see. We are used to doing long road trips and my husband has driven on tough winding roads before -- we did the Amalfi coast back and forth by car and other similar roads elsewhere.
I am also looking at Upcountry.
By the way, I did research that Olinda Country Cottage before I read it on sg92's post and really liked it -- the only problem is that they do not accept credit cards and so that is not convenient for us.
There is a lot of reading and planning to do.
Thanks again everyone.
I was away for a couple of days and am only looking at the posts now. I will look at the suggested itineraries as they all sound of interest to me. Somehow I still want to see the road to Hana -- but we will see. We are used to doing long road trips and my husband has driven on tough winding roads before -- we did the Amalfi coast back and forth by car and other similar roads elsewhere.
I am also looking at Upcountry.
By the way, I did research that Olinda Country Cottage before I read it on sg92's post and really liked it -- the only problem is that they do not accept credit cards and so that is not convenient for us.
There is a lot of reading and planning to do.
Thanks again everyone.
