Favorite destinations - other than beaches - on Kauai and/or Maui?
 

The title says it all. We are planning a tentative itinerary and would love to know what others feel are the best destinations on both islands, other than particular beaches.

On Maui - I always like spending a day wandering around Lahaina shopping and eating while overlooking the ocean. Hopping the ferry to Lanai for a day from there is fun too!

I love Paia..wander in and out of the shops, people watch, have lunch. Love the Burritos at Milagros. Then a drive up to Makawao and hit Sherri Reeves shop to restock my T-shirts. Her designs are gorgous and I love them in the summer. She also has other art work. I love her shop.

You can also visit the aquarium, it's quite nice.

Oops, sorry, you'd probably figure it out, but I'm referring to Maui.

On Kaui: Hanalei, Napali Coast, Waimea Canyon
On Maui: The Road To Hana and Oheo Gulch, Haleakala Crater (love the sunrise), A snorkeling trip to Lanai, A Drive through the West Maui Mountains, The town of Lahaina, Iao Needle and Valley, Maui Tropical Plantation, Wailea

I also really enjoy the town of Lahaina and Paia on Maui, but neither is whole-day excursion for me, more like lunch and a couple of hours. In fact, I'd save Lahaina for the evening, and make it dinner and a couple of hours instead!

I like Paia and the I'ao Valley.

On Maui, I like to drive Upcountry, through the Kula District.
I stop at Grandma's in Keokea for coffee, beautiful views, and sometimes live music on the back porch. www.grandmascoffee.com.
I continue around to the Ulupalakua area, with a stop at the ranch store and Tedeschi Winery. www.mauiwine.com. Enroute, pull over at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park for fantastic views down the slopes of S. Maui to the tiny Wailea and Kihei hotels and condos 2400 ft below. I drive back the same way. On the return trip, you're up above the clouds looking down on the isthmus and windward shore. I usually stop at Kula Lodge for breakfast or lunch.
Another drive I love in the same area is from Paia up to Makawao, then over to Haiku on Kokomo Road. This is a very green, lush area. Stop at Colleen's in the old cannery building for good food and colorful clientele. www.colleensinhaiku.com. Good gallery and funky shopping in both Paia and Makawao. I did this drive just last week. Loaded up on lotions, soaps, etc. from Kopa Haiku, which offers a 15% discount at their little warehouse in the back of the cannery building in Haiku. www.kopahaiku.net.
My other do-it-every-time stop on Maui is the Swap Meet in Wailuki on Saturday morning. It's held at the community college running track. Wonderful produce, fresh flowers, crafts, and..of course...t-shirts. www.mauiexposition.com. IMHO, it is far superior to the stadium swap meet on Oahu.

On Maui, enjoying the sunrise at Haleakala, whale watching with Pacific Whale Foundation (seasonal), snorkeling Molokini with Trilogy, doing the road to Hana, and the Old Lahaina Luau were all things we enjoyed.

On Kauai, we loved the helicopter tour and sunset sailing tour of the Na Pali coast. You can also visit the falls and go see the Spouting Horn.

Wow Barbara, I've never heard of Colleen's before. It looks like a great place. Thanks for the tip.

These are our favorite excursions that we have done on Kauai:

Waimea Canyon all the way to the end of the road. Plan to go early in your trip and early in the morning just in case there are clouds. You can always go back on another day. Lunch at Waimea Brewing Co. (http://www.waimeabrewing.com/waimea/restaurant.htm)

Polihale State Beach for great sunsets (http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/beach...eBeachPark.htm).

Drive north to Ke'e Beach and either snorkel or hike. Hit Tunnels for snorkeling. Lunch at Hanalei Dolphin (http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/) or Bubba's Burger (http://www.bubbaburger.com/restaurant.html)

Wailua Falls (http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/sites...ailuaFalls.htm)

Explore Kilohana Plantation (http://www.kilohanakauai.com/)and have dinner at Gaylord's

Dinner at Duke's (http://www.dukeskauai.com/)

Explore the Marriott in Lihue, enjoy the beach and have lunch at Duke's Barefoot Bar, Kapapaki Joe’s or Kalapaki Beach Hut

Check out the swinging bridge in Hanapepe

Lunch at Da Imu Hut and ice cream at Lappert's in Hanapepe

Spouting Horn to shop with the local vendors. Eat lunch at Puka Dog.

Explore Maha'ulepu beach and Poipu.

Visit the Kilauea Lighthouse and go to Kilauea bakery

Helicopter trip on island with Inter Island Helicopters out of Port Allen (the waterfall tour is awesome!)(http://www.interislandhelicopters.com/about.htm)

Sunset cruise or snorkel cruise with Kauai Sea Tours out of Port Allen (http://www.kauaiseatours.com/)

Kayaking with Outfitters Kauai on the The Hidden Valley Falls Kayak Adventure (http://www.outfitterskauai.com/hidden.html)

ATV tour with Kipu Ranch Adventures (http://www.kiputours.com/)

Fixed wing (airplane) flight with Wings Over Kauai (http://www.wingsoverkauai.com/)

Golf at Kukuiolono in Kalaheo (awesome view and very cheap green fees)

watching the sun set on the lanai with my DH and a good wine, Tubing and snorkeling....oops does that count as a beach thing?

If you follow Barbara5353's upcountry itinerary, you can also make a stop at Alii Kula Lavender.

www.aliikulalavender.com

We skipped the organized tour and wandered through the property at our leisure. The grounds are beautiful - mounds of lavender grow just below the clouds along with hydrangeas and proteas. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this stop.

Maui: Haleakala and the town of Lahaina

Maui - driving the West Maui mountains (although it can be a bit scary so if you're a bad driver, stay away); visiting Haleakala; driving the Road to Hana & back

Kauai - Napali boat tour, visit Waimea Canyon, walk through Hanalei

Top of the Sleeping Giant. 360' views of the Coco Coast and Mt Wally.

Road to Polihale reopened yet????

Kal,

Read over on TA that it is open but only to 4x4 at this time.

Love the Na Pali boat tours and drive up to Kokee, view never gets old.

HawaiiVirgin drove her Mustand convertible to Polihale and lived to tell the tale. The car survived also.

Waimea Canyon
Kee Beach
Hanalei Bay at Sunrise (walk along the surf)
Seabreeze Napali Boat Tour (From Anini Beach)
Spouting Horn
The Tree Tunnel on the way to Koloa
Anini Beach
Farmers Markets
Na Aina Sculpture Garden
Hanalei Pier
Mission House in Hanalei
Salt Pond Beach House
Coffee Samples at Kauai Coffee
Kilauea Lighthouse
Kauai Museum
Grove Farm Homesteads in Lihue
Hanapepe and its swinging bridge
Princeville Overlook
Island Soap and Candleworks
Tropical Dreams for the best Ice Cream ever
Wailua Falls
Opakapaka (forgive spelling) falls
The walk in Kapaa

Sorry I forgot, these suggestions are for Kauai. Read Hawaiianvirgins trip report for some great ideas