I am going to Maui with my 70 year old parents. I am very active, and they are obviously less active. I would like to do some hiking. Are there places where I could hike alone (not on a $100+ guided tour)safely? I know generally hiking alone is not considered a smart idea. Anyone have any comments?

My father is 82 and he hiked last November on Maui and Kauai. He has tons of pictures to prove it.
He hiked the Kalalau trail on Kauai but did not enjoy it because there were hords of people. What I am trying to say is maybe your parents enjoy hiking too. Did you ask them?
My dad is skiing this week in Gore Mtn. Not croos-country but downhill Some people in 70 and 80 are as active as you are so ask them. You can always chose some easier trails.
Have fun
Best regards
Ringo

Thanks for your positive thoughts, but my mother's knees are bad and my father has gout. So neither of them can walk very far. I should have included that in my post. I would love to include them, but its not possible.

anyone else? (I'm shamelessly trying to keep my post from sinking down the list)

Hi active, I wont let it sink LOL.. I havent been to Hawaii yet..
Sounds wonderful from all the posts I have read.
I cant give you any input but can tell you to HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

Do it. I did it many times.
Leave with your parents an exact route you will be hiking, time you will start and time you think you will finish. If I'm planning on hiking for four hours, for instance, I tell my partner to get help and look for me if I won't show up after eight hours. Be careful, get a walking stick, have a plenty of water )more than you think you will ever need, snacks including fruit, raincoat and a wool sweater. Maybe that is silly to talk about a sweater in Hawaii but it may save your life. Have chocolate bars in your backpack for emergency. Bring a mosquito stuff and your camera with an extra film and battery. Read about the route you will be hiking, share with your parents your thoughts and feelings about hiking and have fun. Enjoy what around you when you're hiking.
Almost forgot, if you have a cell phone bring it with you. Call your parents and tell them you are fine

Unfortunatelly, I do not know Maui but if you decide to hike on Kauai I will be happy to recommend some nice trails for hiking alone

Thanks Nina, that's good advice.

Here are some things to consider for your situation. If hiking alone, I would suggest sticking to trails where you'll at least come across other hikers...just to be safe. And try to avoid those that require traversing over raw lava fields (easy to get cut up).

Two of the most scenic happen to be the most frequented (which is still relatively light): Sliding Sands Trail from the summit of Haleakala and the Pipowi Trail near the O'heo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools).

The full Sliding Sands Trail is quite long, but most people only hike a portion of it and not even to the floor of the "crater". It offers a great view of a truly unique environment. The Pipowi Trail leads through passion fruit fields, an immense and serene bamboo forest, and ends at the enormous Waimoku Falls.

Also, those two trails may be more conducive to you since they're right next to popular destinations which you'll likely venture to as a group. However, your parents would have to make do for a while until you get back. Generally, the Pipowi trail takes about 2 hours round-trip at a brisk walk and the Sliding Sands Trail can be however long you want.

If you want to explore other options, get a good guide book like Maui Revealed or hiking guides. You might also want to check out the trail system on Maui at www.hawaiitrails.org. Hope this helps!

Sierra Club (sierraclub.org) has hikes on the weekends that are open to non-members. They certainly cost much less than $100!

You guys are great. This really helps. Having recently scrolled through some other posts, its nice to ask a straight question and get straight information in exchange!