First time to Maui - we don't want to miss out on dinner at the Hali'iamaile General Store. Staying in Kaanapali - like to see the sunset at Halekala. (Not willing to wake up for the sunrise). Is it about a 45 minutes drive down from the summit to Hali'iamile? We will leave Kaanapali around 10/11 AM - drive up to Halekala - pack lunch, hike, sunset, dinner at HGS. Going in early April. Sunset time is 6:45 PM. Dinner reservations at HGS at 8 PM. Home to Kaanapali by 11 PM. Too ambitious?

Side bar - excited for our dinners at Spago, and David Paul's Lahaina Grill. Lunch at Mama's Fish House. Breakfast at the Gazebo. Anything I am missing?

We too are heading to Maui for the first time in August. I am anxious to read your responses. Can you tell me a little about the restaurants you have selected. Sorry I can't offer any answers to your questions.

ksfonline
Yes it is. I am not too sure where is Hali'iamile but I can tell you that even if it says 45 minutes the road is very winding and it takes more than 45 minutes to get to the bottom. If you get there at 11:00 a.m. I don’t see how you will spend so many hours up there, please don’t get me wrong it is very beautiful and worth every second but 7 hours may be a bit much. I know you mentioned hiking and in all honesty I have gone and never done the hiking so don’t know how long that may take do take a nice warm very warm sweater it will be very cool up there. I hope this helps.
Gina

better you are doing the sunset vs. the sunrise which is lovely but imo, just a pain to get up at 2am..and its freezing.
I think you'll be fine with the sunset and dinner at Bev's.
It's a great place.
I like going to Hula Grill in Ka'anapali and love Gazebo for breakfast or lunch but really enjoy Plantation House at Kapalua for breakfast too..best deal in town for ahi benedict for under $13 and the views at the clubhouse are stunning..no wait either.
I prefer Mama's for lunch so you can see the view and the food is outstanding..pricey but very good.
Have a great time!

I heartily recommend the sashimi napoleon and pineapple upside down cake at HGS.

I think the sunset part to the restaurant is pushing it. Do you have the area mapped out so you can drive directly to the restaurant without getting lost? I would say it would be about 1 1/2 hours to get there. I love that restaurant and would not want to miss the reservation, I would suggest taking in the sunset on a different day when you are not rushed getting back down.

ksfonline,
No, I dont think that is too ambitious at all. The road down is basically empty, and an 8 pm dinner is very doable. As for time at the Volcano, if its nice you can hike for hours. We like the hike to the bottom of the crater but there are several others. If you visit the state park website, they will mail you a trail map. Further, the park has a few prescheduled Ranger led hikes. Be advised, the weather can really change up there fast and some days the clouds and cold move in(like today) and you could be stuck for a few hours and even miss a sunset.

If you watch the sunset until about 7pm and then get to the car and start driving down you can get to the restaurant in a little over an hour in good weather, in my opinion, if you know exactly where you are going. Maybe drive to the restaurant the day before so you can have it planned out. Good luck.

thanks everyone.
franks- how long is the hike to the bottom of the crater? that is the hiking we are hoping to do. is the cloud coverage obvious from sea level in the morning before we venture out?

ps - i think i'll push the reservation to 8:30 pm to be on the safe side - i spoke with HGS yesterday and they said the drive would be about 1.5 hours.

You do realize that it is windy & dirty there. We only did Sliding Sands trail for about a mile & came back grimy & in need of a shower. Be sure to take extra bottled water as it is easy to get dehydrated there.

I haven't eaten at the General Sore either but have read it is a great place!

ksfonline,

Thats a hard question, as all people are different. Figure 1 1/2 hours down, and 2 1/2 hrs back your first time? though I know people that said they have done it it 1 1/4 hrs down and 1 3/4 back. Anyways, leave at least 50% more time to get back back up regardless. If it looks too steep or weather is sketchy, even 20 minutes down is worth it.
Weather? It can be sunny at the beach and raining up there and vica versa. You will find out it rains then stops quickly too. Often when its raining on the coast, the summit is above the rainclouds and clear. If you get to the summit and see the windward side of the Island is clear, figure you can leave rain gear behind. But if you see lots of clouds windward beware, you could get drenched.
btw--Restaurants: add Merrimans and Roys in Kahana to your list