The last time we went to Maui and Kauai, I went to great lengths to make sure we had sunset reservations and seating with a good view when we went to dinner. But then I felt like we were trying to enjoy the sunset AND order dinner at the same time. Plus it would either be windy or the slanting sun HOT. I vowed this time we would enjoy the sunsets and then go to dinner. But that makes for a pretty late dinner in the summer - especially considering the time difference most of us experience.

What is your preference? Dinner before, during, or after the sunset? I'm a little afraid to "play it by ear" and not have reservations - and I find myself booking sunset times again! (This time for the Big Island and Maui.)

Dinner almost at sunset with view, then enjoy the sunset while walking off (a bit of) dinner on the beach!

That sounds great. Many of the restaurants take reservations for 5:30 or 6:00 and sunset should be about 7:00 when we go. Maybe I can get them to wrap up dessert to go!

On the Big Island we were thinking about eating dinner at Bamboo and Kilauea Lodge, neither of which offer much of a view... I'll have to really think about the timing on those two.

Yea, enjoy your dinner early. If you get the first reservation for the evening, say 5:30, you should be in and out fairly quickly and in time for the sunset viewling. Take your dessert (or coffee to go) to go and watch the sunset. Or, you could go somewhere else after the sunset for an evening cocktail and have your dessert then.

Aloha, C4H!!...W\e ate at Kilauea Lodge AFTER sunset from Chain of Craters Road. It got cool out there, altho' it was summer. The fireside dinner at Kilauea Lodge was perfect after both the view and drive up from the end of CoC road. If i recall right, last seating for dinner was 9 pm, but as that was a few yrs ago and may have changed, better check when/if you make res. There's outside view from the Lodge(other than the surrounding lovely landscaping) but the inside of the Lodge more than makes up for that. You'll love the big hearth/fireplace--I think it's called the International Friendship fireplace?

oops, i meant "little" outside view....

Aloha, CaliNurse! I did make reservations for Kilauea Lodge for our arrival night in Volcano. Is it worth the hype? Did you enjoy your meal there? When and where is your next trip to Hawaii?