We are going to Maui and the Big Island in February. I was hoping some of you could lend me your experience with a few activies companies, or recommend some. We are leaning on taking a snorkeling cruise with SeaQuest (morning 4 hour cruise) on the BI, and also wanted to snorkel Lanai when we get to Maui. I heard Trilogy was excellent for that. Also, any recommendations for whale watching? We are leaning towards that on Maui with the Pacific Whale Foundation. They seem knowledgeable. I was thinking about SNUBA also (I don't have a SCUBA license) - anyone have good experiences on either island? Thanks for any recommendations.

Mike

Aloha Mike!
We've been on the Trilogy trip to Lanai twice and
I highly recommend it as the BEST trip on Maui.
You'll spend about ten hours with them. Snorkeling
is at one of the ten best sites in the world! They
give you a fantastic barbecue lunch. They were
building a new barbecue area on Lanai and it
probably should be ready when you're there in
February. You'll sail also and probably see some
humpback whales and the local spinner dolphins.
Their website is (www.sailtrilogy.com).Also on Maui,
if you're interested in biking down Haleakala, may I
recommend Aloha Bike Tours. The owner runs the tour
and keeps the group small to about 12 people. You
go down the volcano at your own pace. I've seen
the other tours and all they're interested in is
getting to the bottom. Also, Aloha ends their tour
at Maui's only winery, Tedeschi Winery, for a nice
outdoor lunch which is provided. They have a
website at (www.mauionline.com).

Aloha,
ED

My husband and I and another couple were in Maui in 96 and are going back in march of 98. It was the best vacation we have had. We used Pacific Whale foundation and found them to be friendly and very interested in making sure we could view whales, even though only a few were still around in April. We didn't do the bikes down Haleakala but did get up at 2:30 am and traveled up to see the sun rise on the volcano. We also took every road around Maui encluding the one from the Tedeschi winery around the bottom and up to Hana instead of the upper road.
It was isolated but we had a ball and stopped and ate at a litte wagon called Auntie Janes. She makes hamburgers one way, her way and they were great. We then went from Hana to Hokipoo and back to Wailea.
We also did the upper road from Ialo to Kaanapali and back around to Laihaina. I know my spelling is poor but it was great.

We want to do a day over on Kona. Does anyone have a good tour group for that. We want to land and not just fly over.

You'll have a ball. Just relax and enjoy!!! Aloha

I just got married and my wife and I went to maui. It was the best time we have ever had. You must go on the Trilogy tour, also you need to go see the sunrise and last but not at all least go on one of the helicopter rides! But, through all the hustle and bustle of trying to have fun you have to get some sort of fruity cocktail and sit and enjoy one the most beautiful places on earth. I hope you have fun and I am a little jealous.

Nothing here on the Big Island so I thought I would say a few words. Volcanoes National Park will remind you just how insignificant we are and how magnificent nature and Hawaii are. The Park is located on the south side of the island but there are many excellent hotels on the Kona and east coasts. Renting a car is the only way to go. I did not take a tour but there are many available. In the 4 days I was there I walked miles over just cooled and older lava fields, made my own lava scultures out of 2000 degree lava fresh from the ground (kinda hot - wear loose fitting clothes covering your body and take plenty of water), drove then hiked up Mauna Kea (highest mountain in Hawaii - above the clouds and in the snow), dined in excellent restaurants and sat at the water's edge before dawn watching red/orange lava pour into the ocean, an awe inspiring sight. The history, spirituality and beauty of Hawaii is so pervasive on the Big Island you cannot escape from it, whether you are watching a sunset on the Kona Coast or seeing the glow from Kilauea volcanoe in the distance. Its energetic but the perfect cure for tourists and stress.

Going to Maui for our honeymoon in April '98. Could you recommend a company for the helicopter tour? Also, were there any restaurants that are "musts"??

Thanks,
Matt