Hi-My husband and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding Annver. in May 2000. Going to Maui May 23rd - May 30th. If anyone can give use opinons or advise on the following questions please reply. Thanks to everyone ahead of time. We just cant wait. We are both 40 and still feel like we are newly weds!!! Here goes. Is the weather good then?

1. We are staying at the Kaanapli Ali. I dont see much about it on the forum and that kind of worries me. I know its in between the Hyatt and the Marriot. So, if anyone can tell me anything about their experience staying there. Is the beach (snorkeling) and pool area nice?

2. The location that we are staying at---is this a very easy walk to Blackrock and Whaler
Village and all the other fun stuff to see and do? I kind of get the idea that you can just walk thru the other properties and look around have a drink check out their Entertainment?? Is this correct? How about using their pools for a dip along the away or is that a no no??

3. Should we book the Lahaina Luai before we go or just make sure we do this the day we arrive? Is one day better than another to see it??

4. We were thinking about taking the Windjammer Dinner Cruise. Or maybe the Brunch cruise? Is one better than another?

5. We will have a car and plan on going to Hana. We would really like to make the trip all the way around past Hana. Is this really a no no with car rental places. Some of the comments made prior say it was no big deal with a car --just that it will take alot longer.

6. We did the condo thing so we could really just eat out once a day and go somewhere really nice. Is there a real grocery store close to our Condo??

7. I just found out today that our Delta tickets will be going up $25.00 each because of increase in fuel tax. Does anyone know about this?? We have only put a deposit on our tickets (not paid in full) Boy I wont do that again! Our entire trip cost $2,200 for both of us. (air, condo and mid size car) Please tell me this was within reason.

8. We are thinking about renting a Harley for an afternoon. Is this worth the money? Does anyone have an idea where to go for a ride?

9. I know that the Jazz festival will be there. Does this cause alot of traffic and extra crowds?

10. Thanks again to anyone that will answer. This site is the greatest. I have learned so much about maui and people!!

P.S. I hope Heidi and Scott both respond!

Aloha Robin! Scott here with www.Maui-Info.com. I'm too lazy to reply in writing to the "book" you posted. From all your questions (and your e-mail address) you're obviously a teacher, right? Anyway, why don't you e-mail me and I'll send you my direct telephone number. Give me a call (mornings, Maui time, are best to catch me in the office) and we can go over your concerns. Mahalo! Scott...

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Aloha Robin,

Here are the answer's to your questions.

1. The Kaanapali Alii is a very very nice complex you will be very happy..
it is located between the Marriott and The Westin. They have large units that are fully furnished with A/C. the pool is small but how much time are you really going to spend in the pool, you will be in the ocean right.. it is a short walk to Whalers Village and all the great shops and restaurants there. It is about 3 blocks to Black Rock located on the North end of Kaanapali Beach in front of The Shearton Maui.
The beach area in front of the Alii is not for snorkeling.. it is where if
the waves are right you will see boogie boarders and surfers.

2. Yes you can walk thru all the other resorts and check out there entertainment but no no no you can not swim in there pools if your not a guest.

3. Yes I would advise you book The Old Lahaina Luau as far ahead as you can..
the sooner you book the better seats you will have.. let me know I can get you a 10% discount.

4. This is just my opinion.. but I am not a big fan of the dinner cruises no matter which boat.. I think they are overpriced for the quality of food that you get and what if the water is rough the evening or morninig you decide to go out.. you will not enjoy your food or trip if your sea sick will you..
I would suggest a great dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants that line the water in both Kaanapali or Lahaina. and then a romantic strool along the beach.. but if you really want to go I would say the dinner cruise would be better than the brunch.

5. As for the road to Hana trip..get a very early start..say be on the road no later than 8:00am and once you get to The Pools Of Oheo check at the ranger station there you will find a daily post
saying if the back road is open or not. If it is then by all means go for it.. just be sure to be prepared for approx. 20 miles of dirt gravel and rough paved road before you get to the reward for your efforts... a free wine tasting at The Tedeschi Winery.. but be sure to leave the Pools Of Oheo no later than 1:30 - 2:00pm so that you arrive at the winery before they close at 5:00pm .
If thepost says that the road is closed then you will have to come back the same way you came..just be sure to start your trip back no later than 4:00pm as it is un advised to be on the road after sunset as there are no lights and very few gard rails and it is a twisty and curvy road and there have been very nasty accidents with people going over the edge ;-(

6. As for where to get your grocerys..make a stop at the Safeway in Lahaina on your way to The Alii, you will see it on your way.. it is located in The Lahaina Cannery Mall ( where I work) and be sure to ask to get a Safeway Club card if you do not already have one it will save you lots of money..

7. As for the $25.00 fuel surcharge...
everyone is being hit with that so don't feel alone.. I have a question for you, did you get change and cancelation insurance when you booked your package, because if you did you should not be charged for the increase.
Also let me know where your flying in from and then I can let you know how good a deal $2,200.00 is.

8. I would suggest you wait until you get here to decide if you want to rent a harley or not...they can be expensive
and there are no real open roads to ride them on..

9. As for The Jazz Festival... yes there will be crowds and traffic so be
prepared... but just relax and enjoy the music... you should be able to here some of it from your lanai ( balcony)

Robin... let me know if you need anything else...

Have a Maui wonderful day....

Mahalo,
[email protected]
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Robin,

My wife and I went to Maui in May of 1998 to celebrate our 20th wedding annirversary with our two kids. We renewed our wedding vows with our Son as the best man, and our Daughter as the matron of honor. We used a wedding company called "Simply Married" the
Rev. Ken Grimes remarried us. He was very good, and for a small fee he brought two of his emplotees to take pictures using our photo equipt. The total cost for the service was $275.00. It included two etched wine glasses, 8x10 certificate. The
e-mail address is [email protected]
Ph.# 1-800-291-0110. The experience was unbelievable!!!!!! and first class. We will also be in Maui in May-
June 4. Hope this helped. Louie.

Heidi-Thank you so much for replying to my questions. I hope the info. you posted helped other people too. Here are the answers to YOUR questions.

Regarding $25.00 fuel surcharge...No we didnt get the change/cancel insurance. But I think I will go and pay Airfare in full today!!! We have only paid a deposit on the package. (air/condo/car).
Do you think we really should have purchased the insurance??

Regarding whether the $2,200 package price is a good deal---you asked where we are flying in from: We leave Salt Lake City to LA to Maui (Kahului). So do you think this is a good buy?? How long will it take us to get to Kaanapali from the airport?

You said that the beach in front of Kaanapali Alii is not for snorkeling. Does this also mean that it is not a good swimming beach either? Also--I hope I have my directions right -- But, just south (?) of us is the Hyatt and isnt there supposed to be a good snorkel/swim area or park next to it?? How far??

Is there anywhere that we should stop on way from airport in Kahului to pick up last min. items before we drive all the way to Kaanapali? I can remember something about reef shoes being a must and available at Kmart at a good price. Would that be the best place to go? You said you worked a the Cannery Mall. Could you tell me alittle about it and where it is located?

I will be sure and email you to book The Old Lahaina Luau for 10% off.

Thanks again for you time!!! I hope to talk to you soon.

If anyone else has advice or opinons please reply

The Cannery Mall is in Lahania as Heidi said. You pass it on your way to Ka'anapali. Will be on your left-hand side. It has many little shops, the Safeway, restaurants, etc., and the Old Lahaina Luau is actually on the road in back of the Cannery Mall. Easy to find.

Kmart near the airport is a great place to find deals on just about anything.

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Aloha Robin,

your package price of $2,200.00 for 2 for a 7nts stay is very good, especially
since your stayiing at the Alii..break it down this way..
$2,200.00 % by 7 = $314.29 % by 2 =
$157.15 per day per person for Air /Room /Car not bad...
It should take you approx 45 min to an hour to make the drive from the Kahului Airport to Kaanapali depending on the time of day..
The beach in front of The Alii when there are no waves is just fine for swimming.. The beach south of The Hyatt is called Canoe Beach and this is where
the Canoe teams practice and have there races..no snorkeling here.
Other than the K Mart that you will see
shortly after leaving the airport you will also notice The Costco right next door, if your a member by all means stop and pick up some of the munchie type food you want it will be less expensive than in the grocery store..

Again let me know if you need anything else...

Have a Maui wonderful day...
Mahalo,
[email protected]
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