Best options for Maui and expense advice
 

My friends went to Maui in June. They stayed at the Westin and said it was horrible. She also said that Maui is tremendously expensive. Expect to pay $60 to $80 a meal.
I expect our trip to have some cost to it. I was planning to spend about $1000 for food, souveniers, and excursions. Is that realistic?
I figured we would shop at Costco, Walmart, and Safeway. Bring some goods with us like cereal, mac and cheese, peanut butter and snacks.
I want to go snorkeling, see Haleakala- not sure which is better the sunrise or sunset and star gazing, or if they are both just awesome. Of course the Maui Ocean Center and maybe the Atlantis. Not really sure which trips are best for kids and most cost efficient. I think I am choosing between Trilogy, PWF, and Four Winds for the snorkel trip.
I have really tried to do my homework, but still feel like I don't know a whole lot.
All advice is appreciated!!

$1000 a day? a week? a month?

How many people?

$80 a meal- for how many people? with drinks?

Really, you are going to have to give more specific information to get useful answers.

Seriously, you're going to bring macaroni & cheese with you, but you're going to go on a Trilogy snorkel trip? I think you've got a lot more homework to do.

Did your friend stay at the Westin Kaanapali hotel or the villas? What was "horrible" about it?

Are you planning to stay in a condo or a hotel? What is your nightly budget?

If your friend thinks Maui was horrible, wait until she gets to Kauai.

You could certainly save money by snorkeling from the beach. There are many great snorkeling sites on Maui that have easy beach access.

A guidebook would be a reasonable investment.

Well there is no reason to pay $60 to $80 for a meal unless you choose to eat in expensive restaurants or hotels. Totally not true that Maui has to be expensive.

I don't think you need to go to the extreme with groceries you are talking about. There are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, etc. local to use. Sandwich shops, shrimp catering trucks, plate lunch, etc. that are delish and not expensive.

Skip some of those expensive tours and take a picnic to the beach instead. What's better than that?

From what I've seen it's the highend organized activities - helicopter rides, sunset cruises, luaus, that run up the price of a Hawaiian vacation.

You don't say where you'll be staying, but I found all kinds of fun and reasonably priced cafes and bars to eat at in Lahaina.

You don't say the age of your kids but wouldn't buying inexpensive snorkeling equipment that they could use everyday and findplaces to swim for free and snorkel off the beach be more fun for the money than a one-time organized cruise?

I just got back this week from Maui with my two kids and you can seriously cut your costs if you don't have to go high end. I rented a condo at the Papakea Resort on Kaanapali beach, through Maui dreams come true ( I went through Randy, who was most helpful). Now the Papakea does not have much of a beach but you can walk down to beaches a little further south- or take your car and park at the Whalers Village (ok not supposed to use this for beach access....) shop a bit and swim. The room I rented was in the $200.00 ranges and the resort itself rents condos for a bit more through the front desk. There is a grocery store across the street. The only down side is that if you don't rent through the resort itself, they refuse to answer any questions you might have (like where is the light switch) but MDCT was very helpful to me, even when I left my phone on the counter and flew to LA.
If you are willing to listen to a timeshare speech, you can stop on Highway 30 at the gas station that has the Carls JR and a family golf course (very expensive) and Vicki J at the counter where all the travel brochures are can hook you up for snorkling ($5 each for me, yes, $5 each) to Molokini and Turtle town plus other things that she might have available for a bit more $$. The condos have stoves, fridges, etc., book rental car way ahead of time and upgrade there if you have to (I did), get a cooler and bbq along many of the roadside beaches (or at many of the condospoolside). It can be done - take your own snorkel equipment - cook and take your meals for great picnics and blow your money on shaved ices along the way. You will never regret it. Save your $$ for resort hotels in other places where you can really spoil yourself and stay longer on Maui just enjoying the sights and water.

OOps. By the way, the snorkel trip was on a boat called the Island Princess and it was a wonderful trip - bbq at Molokini and really sweet helpful Captain and crew. It was out of Lahania so we got an hour on the boat before the first stop, great time to just chill and relax with a cup of coffee or with muffins and juices (free) on the boat. My only iffy comment was that is was a longer swim to see the turtles off the boat than I would have liked (darn swimming sealife!!F) but my kids did it and it was the highlight of their trip.

OOps. By the way, the snorkel trip was on a boat called the Island Princess and it was a wonderful trip - bbq at Molokini and really sweet helpful Captain and crew. It was out of Lahania so we got an hour on the boat before the first stop, great time to just chill and relax with a cup of coffee or with muffins and juices (free) on the boat. My only iffy comment was that is was a longer swim to see the turtles off the boat than I would have liked (darn swimming sealife!!) but my kids did it and it was the highlight of their trip.

Maui is my favorite island. The Hana highway is a beautiful drive- lots of breathtaking scenery, little waterfalls and lagoons to stop and cool off along the way. In Hana the 7 Sacred Pools are beautiful. There are waterfalls. You can move from one natural pool to the next. There is also a hike where you walked through a bamboo forest to a waterfall. I did this with 2 young boys and everyone loved it. It is an entire day trip- the drive is long because the road is on e lane in parts and winds. We stayed in a condo at Hana because we loved it so much. There is a black sand beach, brown sand beach and beige sand beach. The people are friendly. There are not many options for stores and it is pricy, so bring food with you. There are plenty of areas with picnic tables along the drive or you can sit on a boulder and eat by a waterfall!

Get a condo (try Kamaole Beach area of south Kihei; VRBO has great offers on Kamaole Sands, Hale Kamaole, etc., right across from the beach.). Buy food, etc. at Costco, Safeway. Do picnics at the beach. Forget the paid visits and tours, you don't need them (our kids always preferred our own tours, and got bored at aquariums and places like the Ocean Center); why go to Maui unless you are going to enjoy what it has to offer? What souveniers must you buy? There are bins of Maui teeshirts, 4/$10 in most of the shopping plazas. Make sure you rent snorkel gear (2/1, weekly cheap rates, all kinds of Snorkel Bob and other offers) with coupons (get Maui Gold and other coupon books at the airport stands); might want to rent a boogie board, too. Some snorkel trips come right up to places you can swim from the shore to (yes, kids too); why on earth pay (and it's expensive) for that?! Last, if you go out for dinner, do a sunset supper...BTW, I wouldn't buy cheap snorkel stuff; it never fits, often breaks, and taking up room in luggage (that we have to pay for now) is silly (I'd add packing food as a silly notion, too)

Ummm, this is the family that wants to put a 3-year old on a jetski, and they are complaining about the costs?

By the way, Costco ( stop on your way out of the airport, save on gas $$$ ) has a great guide book on Maui - its got a blue cover and it does a great job describing the beaches and local sights. Don't let anyone discourage you - always time to pay the bills, not much time to spend with our kids in the long run. Have a great time and make great memories - these are the days you'll treasure!!!!

My kids are 3 and 9. I agree with Laura2 that there is never enough time to spend with our kids and I appreciate the input and ideas.
My friends stayed at the Westin Hotel and said the rooms were filthy and run down. We are staying for 8 days in a ResortQuestcondo where our kids eat, stay and play for free. I got a good deal on our flight, stay, car, etc. I decided that because we don't seem to get away, now was the time.
Money is always an issue in life unless you're rich.
Is it over the top to bring packaged items with us? Maybe it isn't that expensive and not worth the trouble.
Yes, the idea of jet skiing seemed tempting, but what doesn't. I want to do things with my family, have fun, and be cost efficient. I plan on cooking and having picnics, spending time at the beach and yet I want to make sure that when we look back we don't have regrets of missing out on something.
I have heard so much about the Haleakala sunrise and sunset and the road to Hana. My 9 yr old has a tendency to get motion sickness and I need to keep that in mind as well.
I have purchased Fodor's guide book, Maui Day by Day, and the Top 10 things to do in Maui. I am interested in Costco's guide book. Can you buy it at all Costco's or is it something specifically for Maui?
I am glad to hear that Maui doesn't have to be too expensive. I do plan on going to the swap meet and farmer's markets. My Father in gave us his snorkel gear, but I think that it might be wiser to rent it so that it fits properly and we don't have to lug it around.
What about life jackets in the ocean? I'm not worried about my swimming ability, but I do have concern for my family.

The kids might be more comfortable, less tired out, if they can wear lifevests while snorkeling (you might be more comfortable, too, if they are wearing vests); check out the ones at the rental shop that are for that purpose.
I have written many times about the (IMO overrated), frigid, middle of the night drive up a strange twisty turny road to see a usually murky sunrise through some clouds (really, we're talking freezing, damp temps; done it many times, and the kids in the party always hated it). However, the sunset, after viewing the colors in the caldera, etc., in the afternoon, can be even more spectacular; there are several pullouts (parking lots)that face due west near the top, and you can even make it a picnic. The stars are also awesome, if you want to wait. (The drive up through eucalyptus trees and changing microclimates, terrain, and views is wonderful in the day time, and much less stressful on everyone.)
The road to Hana is beautiful, and going to the "sacred pools" is fun, but maybe not for everyone (unless you dose the carsick person before you leave). You really can do a lot on a small budget, and lots of those memories are going to be of just plain fun on the beach!

I also suggest you look into some sun-protective coverups for the kids. The risk of a bad sunburn is always there if you aren't supervigilant- and snorkeling is one way to get horribly burnt, especially on the back of the neck or legs.

Take a look at www.coolibar.com to see what I am talking about. The kids outfits are really cute. You might be able to find some on Ebay.

I would also comment that sun protective clothing is important for the adults, too. It is awful when you can't even sit in a chair because the backs of your legs, especially just below your bathing suit, are so badly sunburned, you can't stand the seat. At least wear a long T-shirt and shorts.

This is a personal recommendation, believe me.

Ditto making sure the backs of their legs are covered - my daughter got badly sunburned taking a surfing lesson. Loved the lesson, hated the burn!

Yes I *really* do think taking boxed and packaged food items in your luggage is "over the top", will be a hassle, and not save enough money (if any) to be worthwhile. Just go to a Safeway after your arrive.