My first two wedding guests are here. The rest arrive Tuesday and Thursday.
There are thousands without power on the Big Island, and many houses have suffered damage.It was cloudy today, but the forecast's looking great from here on in!

Thank you. Is this the first or second of the storms supposed to hit?

We finally got to Maui yesterday after deciding to push back our departure date by 2 days. Just didn't seem to be a good idea to try to fly to Hawaii when the hurricane was to make land! Other than very long wait times to talk to airline agents (took over 2 hrs for Hawaiian), everyone was very accommodating.

While we were sad to have to cut our vacation short (weren't able to extend it due to work schedules), we are so happy to be finally here! As were are staying at a condo in Wailea, we stocked up with some groceries at Safeway after landing yesterday and one of the employees told us they hardly got any rain. Oh well - better safe than sorry!

I am now hoping the weather cooperates this week. Hurricane Julio is bringing some rain to the islands potentially the next couple of days.

For those experienced Maui travelers, what do you do here when it's raining or overcast? Top on my list is Haleakala, Hana and Upcountry but I am saving those for sunny days. Any recommendations?

I am not sure if the entire island will be expected to rain all at once? Usually if it's raining in the west, you can go down south or upcountry and it may be different, weather-wise. I would probably avoid the east (Hana) since it's already much wetter than the rest of the island. But if so...

Go and have a nice meal at a restaurant with inside seating that doesn't get a lot of wind gusts or an open air concept. Some that come to mind are Star Noodle, Monkeypod Kitchen, Lahaina Grill, Koiso for sushi, Da Kitchen, etc. Save the restaurants with the view for the sunny days too.

Maybe you can go shopping - Maui Mall is covered as well as Lahaina Cannery Mall. Or Hilo Hatties. It's probably a good point to buy some souvenirs/gifts.

Other than that, just enjoy your time spent in your hotel/condo and look for rainbows afterwards!

tifa, that's my philosophy on rain in Hawaii. Look for the rainbows!