First of all I'm apprehensive about the flight from Richmond, VA, which will last forever. What tips do you have for making it as pleasant as possible? (This is a trip my husband won in a sales contest, we would never have planned a trip to Hawaii on our own nickel) We are staying at the Ritz Carlton in Kapa something on Maui and I have read things on the web that this is not a good place to stay and I have also read about how expensive everything is. I would really appreciate some insider tips on how to enjoy this "vacation". Thanks so much!

For the long plane ride wear comfortable clothes, bring magazines and a book, pack your own food and snacks, drink lots of water, get up and walk around the cabin whenever it's allowed, watch the movie if they show one.

I don't know that specific location but hopefully you have a rental car? Find the grocery store and make picnic lunches, buy your own beverages, eat at "plate lunch" or roadside stands, buy the fabulous local fresh fruits. Get in the spirit of the islands.

Hawaii does not have to be expensive but it certainly is in hotel restaurants, if you do too many fancy activities such as helicopter rides, sunset cruise, luau, shows, and the like.

You are staying at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua? (it is helpful to try to get used to the Hawaiian names and words).

You might like to buy one guidebook about the island? Moon Handbook's Maui guide is a good one. You can order it from Amazon I'm sure.

Hopefully you can get on the happy and positive side of this trip... that alone is the best suggestion I can share in response to your post.

Congratulations! What a great prize.

I have never been to the Ritz but I hear it is lovely. Definately one of the nicer hotels on the island. I just spoke to a friend who stayed their for a wedding and loved it.

When people talk about the cost of going to Hawaii, they are not kidding. But, if you are getting the flight and hotel for free--the big ticket items are out of the way.

You will need to rent a car if you want to see the island. That is another expense.

See if your prize includes the resort fees at the hotel, usually $15-20 a day. And parking.

Food is another big expense--especially if you eat at the hotels. But, you can always go to a grocery store and get some granola bars, chips, fruit and sodas. I am a big fan of PB&J--cheap and you can keep it in your room or bring it with you on day trips. If you drink, buy a few bottles of wine so you can enjoy a drink without paying high prices at the hotel.

Get a guidebook and check out all of the free things there are to do. You might go to a bookstore and pick out one or two things you would like to do that cost money--snorkeling trip, golf, a special dinner, a luau, and then spend the rest of te time at the resort or beachcombing!

As for the flight, definately bring some books and snacks. If you get extremely anxious flying, consider speaking to your doctor and getting a presciption for a sleeping aid.

In the baggage claim at the Kahului airport on Maui, there are kiosks (you can't miss them)which have free magazines, pamphlets, booklets, etc. Be sure to pick up several, as they have a lot of info plus some good coupons for activity discounts, 2for1 meals, etc.
I think you'll enjoy the Ritz - the service is great & the location is wonderful.
Remember, you're in Hawaii!
Aloha, Dianne

As with any major resort area in the world, the hotel & resort area will have many expensive options. You'd be doing yourself a disfavor by not trying to get out and sightsee on Maui.

You'll find that the little towns on Maui are not so expensive for eating. when you go to Haleakala to watch the sun rise, on the way down stop in Makawao and enjoy the little shops and eateries. Nearby is Paia, which also offers reasonably priced stores and restaurants.

I found Kahului to be kind of expensive but just beyond that is Wailuku, and there are lots of cheap eats there (although I don't know why people want to go there?).

The Ritz Carlton Kapalua seems to get mixed reviews on Tripadvisor.com so I'm not sure....but hey, if it's free, how bad can it be?

We have friends that spend every xmas holiday to the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua and they love it. You don't sound very excited aobut the trip. I'll take it if you don't want it! Aloha.
-Bill

We also fly to Hawaii from the east coast and it's a long, long trip. Very much worth it though.

We eat lightly the day before we fly, bring snacks with us, wear the most comfortable clothing we own (something accomodating with an elastic waist). I bring my own cd player (will likely upgrade to mp3 player this year) and have selections of my favorite music to entertain me the entire way.

If you have a layover airport or two en route -- let one person mind the carry-on luggage for a bit while the other takes a brisk walk. Switch between the two of you every 15 min or so (depending on the total length of time). Watch the movie no matter how stupid it is. Bring at least one book for the flights. Try to doze off.

Get up and walk the aisles a bit between food and beverage service. If you have a window seat and a day without clouds watch the changing scenery before you get to the Pacific. Much of the country, especially the Rockies, is very impressive.

About an hour before you are scheduled to arrive in Hawaii, begin to look for a sighting of land. The Big Island will be on the left and comes into view first -- I can usually pick it out 40-50 mintues before landing. At first it looks like a cloud. These "sightings" of boats & land fill the last hour for me.

Here are a lot of sites you can look through to find things to do on Maui

www.gohawaii.com Official Hawaii Visitors Bureau. They will send you a free brochure.

www.visitmaui.com They will send you a free brochure

You can also find hard copies of these at the baggage claim:

www.101thingstodo.com 101 Things Maui

www.spotlighthawaii.com Maui Gold

www.thisweek.com This Week Maui

Also pick these up at the baggage claim:

Driving Magazine of Maui

The Aloha MAPS of Hawaii

These are other good online sources:

www.mauihawaii.org This is a great site

www.hawaiiweb.com

www.alternative-hawaii.com

http://www.snorkeling-hawaii-insider...com/index.html

http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/snorkel/maps.htm

http://www.maui-vacation.net/snorkelmap.html

www.snorkelbobs.com On the bottom, click on MapnTips

http://www.mauimapp.com/information/hiking.htm

www.hawaiitrails.org

http://www.alohafriendshawaii.com/roadtohana.html

www.driveguidemagazines.com Lots of maps & a good dining guide

We are also flying from Richmond next spring! We are flying Delta which has one stop in Atlanta and then 9 + hours on the plane direct. We are taking kids so you should have it better than us!!! Remember this is a free trip to a very expensive place. You are staying in a Ritz Carlton which can't be too shabby. I am sure you will enjoy yourself. Go to seatguru.com and try to pick the best coach seat on your flight and book it. At least, if you can get leg room...
It doesn't have to be too expensive.

You will LOVE Hawaii! Everywhere you turn, there's a beautiful new scenic view!

Enjoy this wonderful opportunity that has come your way!

Belle

First of all consider yourself lucky to have won such a wonderful vacation. You are going free to a place most people have to save up for. There are alot of people that will never get to go. You didnt say if you have a direct flight or connecting flights. My family and I flew fom Newark NJ to LAX then to Honolulu then to Kauai earlier this month. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Bring a sweater in your carry on. Put your carry on in the overhead bins not at your feet. This gives your legs room to stretch. Pay the $2 for earphones or bring your own so you can listen to the movie. Bring magazines. If you're prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine an hour or two before takeoff, it really helps. If you want to sleep take Tylenol PM or Benedryl. I dont know anything about the Ritz Carlton or Maui but there are plenty of guidebooks and pamphlets at the airport and probably your hotel filled with free things to do. Get an economy rental car and explore the island. It's Hawaii!! Have Fun!!

Hello va_lady, just think about this. We here on the west coast of the US (or the left coast as some call it) have a really long flight to Europe. And the dear Australians have even longer flights and we all keep flying so it isn't that bad.

The advise you have been given here is excellent IMHO.

And how lucky you and your husband are to win this trip (well no doubt your husbands hard work is the reason rather than good luck). You must be so proud of him.

I have not stayed at the Ritz Carlton on Maui but I would think that it would be a beautiful hotel.

I hope that you two will get excited about this wonderful trip you will be taking. Maui is so beautiful and to win it is something most people only dream about. Best wishes.

Frommer's describes the Ritz Carlton Kapalua as the best Ritz Carlton in the world. Chances are, it's adequate [Doubtless you've been told that complainers are over-represented on those travel boards].
Unless you are going during a peak season rental cars are inexpensive. No matter when, rent one so you can enjoy the jaw-dropping beauty of the island.

va_lady, Saw your nice thank you to us on a separate new posting. Often people add their comments to the same thread they started, so everyone will be sure to read it.

I'm not being critical, but am guessing you may be new to posting on Fodors.

aloha, suze