Help me plan our first trip to Maui!
 

So...we are going to Maui in mid January! Our son has surprised us with reservations at the Westin Nanea in Kaanapali ( 6 days) and we would like to extend for a few days. We would like to drive up to Haleakala for a days trip and take the road to Hana on a different day. Our plan is to do this after we leave Kaanapali so my question is this: Where should we base for a few days so that we are closer to these destinations, be able to have a meal at Mamas ( lunch or dinner), be in an area that is safe, has restaurants nearby and some nightlife?

I realize that we can do day trips from Kaanapali, however, we are not in favor of 12 hour days in a car to accomplish this.

Another issue is being able to drive the road to Hana without our luggage in the car so the plan would include leaving Kaanapali early, dropping off our luggage and then either heading to Hana/Haleakala.

We are a very active Senior couple who enjoy hiking, walking on the beach ( rather than laying out in the sun), eating vegetarian, a nice glass of wine, sunrises/sunsets, photography and listening to live music. We will have a car and have 2-3 days after our stay at the Westin Nanea.

Thank you!

We enjoyed our stay in Paia. That would put you close to the activities you've listed.

Thanks AustinTraveler for your quick response! Where did you stay in Paia? I had read some unfavorable reviews of this town regarding tons of traffic, car break ins and generally being unsafe.

DW and I stayed in a condo in Kehei across the street from a beach park. Public access to the beach is quite limited and the parking lots are often filled.
We saved the trip up to the top of Haleakala for sunrise for the final day of our trip. You must make a reservation to drive up with the Park Service. You might have to change to a different day if all of the reservations for the day you wanted to go are filled.
We got a ride up in a Cadillac driven by a local that our daughter knows.
We enjoyed the luau in Lahaina. If and when we go back to Maui, I think we will stay in Kehei.

We stayed at Paia Inn and loved it. Rooms are pretty small but very clean. We just liked the whole vibe of Paia. I think some people are turned off because it's a very crunchy, hippy-type town.

I thought I replied earlier, but poof -it’s gone!

We love the town of Paia for its hippie/surfer vibe, but there aren’t many places to stay in town.

Kihei and Wailea are only about 15 minutes - much closer to RTH and Haleakala than Kaanapali (pbly a half hour closer). I’m not a fan of Kihei but it is very popular. It’s a “regular town” that lacks the charm and tropical feel of other beachy areas. Depending on your budget thought, it might be right for you -
there are many low-rise vacation rentals on the beach or just across the street. The beaches themselves are very nice.

Wailea is a planned development like Kaanapali - everything from very fancy houses to older and newer condos, to many hotels including Marriott, Andaz, Fairmont and Four Seasons. It has a lovely beach path. The beaches are great. There are a number of good restaurants in the development, and more in Kihei.

We recently stayed at the Hyatt in Kaanapali followed by a condo at Ekaki Village in Wailea. They both have their pluses and minuses but all in all, we liked the condo better - so much that we even cooked dinner in one night!

BTW, we are also an older couple with similar likes to yours - but when we go to Hawaii, were not interested in nightlife.

Definitely do not miss Haleakala. No you don't have to go for sunrise :-) And yes on a different day that road to Hana.

I was going to suggest Feast of Lele or Old Lahaina Luau but not sure how that would work for vegetarians.

There's a self-guided historic walking tour you can do in the town of Lahaina. Not a must do, but fun if you happen to be there.

What are your opinions on another possibility rather than Paia and Kihei: The North Shore Lookout in Makawao? What I am faced with is that I will have 3 days and plan to take the Road to Hana and to Haleakala on two separate days. Shouldn't I find a location that will be closer to these destinations rather than a place closer to the beach? We don't snorkel nor will we be sunbathing on the beach and we will have just spent 6 days at a resort on the West side so why reproduce this experience? My son has encourage us to find a place away from the city lights and get out in the upcountry. Help!!!!!!!

Makawao is a nice little upcountry town. We never stay far from the beach in Maui, so I can't comment on any particular accommodations, but I think the IDEA of staying in Makawao is a good one.

I enjoyed attending Waiola Church in Lahaina- the oldest Christian church in Maui.

Some of the hymns and prayers are done in Hawaiian. Afterwards there was a lunch in the community hall. It is next to an old cemetery where Hawaiian kings and queens are buried as well as missionaries and family.

Music was a piano and ukulele. It was a lovely way to appreciate some Hawaiian history and culture

Waiola Church Online, Lahaina, Maui

Look at upcountry Maui, Makawao or Haiku. I know you want to move, but I would stay put and add extra days where you are staying. Save the time.

Thanks to everyone! I ended up booking The North Shore Lookout B & B in Makawao. It looks great, is close to the Road to Hana, easy access to Haleakala, Paia, Kihei and the airport. Our plan will be to checkout of The Westin Nanea, drive to Paia and explore, lunch at Mama's ( made reservations), check our luggage and perhaps just spend a very short time on the Road to Hana. Day 2; Spend the day on Road to Hana and Day 3: Haleakala!

Now that we know where we are staying I would appreciate some suggestions:

1. Things to do/places to see nearby our location in Kaanapali

2. Restaurants in/near Kaanapali ( will need vegetarian options for my wife).

3. Which places/hikes to waterfalls to stop at on our Road to Hana day.

4.. Any live music venues

Thanks!

I like Merrimans Restaurant- didn't actually have dinner there- we went for happy hour. Fabulous views with whales breaching off the coast.

Its a bit of a drive from Kaanapali but not bad in my opinion.

In the town of Lahaina, I like to eat at Kimo's.

We recently had a very good pizza/pasta dinner at Sale Pepe.

Good Mexican at Frida’s

and an excellent seafood meal at Malo (expensive)

We we go to Star Noodle every time.

looking forward to trying Star Noodle when we go in March. A friend of my daughters is the manager. It has great reviews.

sunbum, it's very good, but we like the vibe as much as the food! Be prepared to sit at the bar even if you have a reservation (we're always happy with the bar).

Two nice restaurants within very easy walking distance in either direction on the boardwalk which is between the ocean and the Nanea. Go north to Duke's, and they have live music. Go south to the Westin Ocean Villas North. Their restaurant is Pulehu (closed on Monday and Tuesday). Ask to be seated next to the koi pond. I'd suggest advance reservations for both. I'm not sure about vegetarian options so check menus online.

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions!

Still interested in which stops you would suggest a long the Road to Hana. We probably would leave our B & B in Makawao on Day 2 very early and return around sunset. Also considering driving on our first day in the area to just Twin Falls ( after an early lunch at Mama's) and then skipping that on Day 2.

Any opinions on attending a Luau? Old Lahaina vs Feast of Lele?