Limited time on Maui: Advice please
Jun 27th, 2016, 01:29 PM
#23
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Ive been on plenty of cruise ships, and no question more vacations to Hawaii than anyone on Fodors, so I have unmatched first hand experience. Why anyone would waste their time and money on a cruise ship so close to paradise, I have no answer
I'd jump off the ship, swim to Molokai and live on spam and rice than be that close to eden and have just a cruise ship type day
I'd jump off the ship, swim to Molokai and live on spam and rice than be that close to eden and have just a cruise ship type day
Jun 27th, 2016, 01:37 PM
#24
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However, remember it is very cold on the summit of Haleakala so you'd need to bring warm clothing
Haleakala is only cold before sunrise (it's actually freezing then). We have hiked into the crater late morning/early afternoon and it was incredibly hot. Bring lots of water, wear a hat and don't forget sunscreen!
Haleakala is only cold before sunrise (it's actually freezing then). We have hiked into the crater late morning/early afternoon and it was incredibly hot. Bring lots of water, wear a hat and don't forget sunscreen!
Jun 27th, 2016, 01:51 PM
#25
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Picking up on Songdoc's comments, IMO, what you do on Maui may depend somewhat on your plans for Kauai. Haleakala is unique to Maui, so you it should be on your to-do list there, but I'm not sure I'd say the same for the Road to Hana. IMO, Kauai's north shore is equally (or more) beautiful, and about 1/3 of the distance.
Full disclosure: We'd visited and stayed on Kauai's north shore several times before going to Maui. Having read/heard that the RTH was a must do, we started out on it but turned around a bit over half way, thinking it over-hyped, and wondering if those who committed an entire day to it had ever visited Kauai.
So, if you decide against the RTH, after sunrise at Haleakala, consider a snorkeling excursion from Lahaina or Kaanapali. The sights underwater are just as marvelous as sights above it, and Maui might be your only chance to enjoy them. Snorkeling is actually better on the Big Island (Hawaii), but you'd justifiably want to spend most of your time there visiting Volcanoes National Park.
Full disclosure: We'd visited and stayed on Kauai's north shore several times before going to Maui. Having read/heard that the RTH was a must do, we started out on it but turned around a bit over half way, thinking it over-hyped, and wondering if those who committed an entire day to it had ever visited Kauai.
So, if you decide against the RTH, after sunrise at Haleakala, consider a snorkeling excursion from Lahaina or Kaanapali. The sights underwater are just as marvelous as sights above it, and Maui might be your only chance to enjoy them. Snorkeling is actually better on the Big Island (Hawaii), but you'd justifiably want to spend most of your time there visiting Volcanoes National Park.
Jun 27th, 2016, 03:09 PM
#26
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Sunrise at Haleakala can be (and often is in our experience) an overcast washout. Sunsets are more predictably spectacular, and they don't require getting up at 2:30am. 
As for the Road to Hana, we've heard the same feedback from a handful of others, either a) drivers who wish they could have been looking at scenery rather than driving, b) Type A personalities who wouldn't dream of stopping the car to explore anything, or c) people who simply waited too long to start and wound up stuck in traffic on the road. Traffic and heat can easily combine to ruin the experience. Go early.
As for the Road to Hana, we've heard the same feedback from a handful of others, either a) drivers who wish they could have been looking at scenery rather than driving, b) Type A personalities who wouldn't dream of stopping the car to explore anything, or c) people who simply waited too long to start and wound up stuck in traffic on the road. Traffic and heat can easily combine to ruin the experience. Go early.
Jun 27th, 2016, 03:10 PM
#27
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> However, I must step in and say the Helicopter tours on Maui are awesome. imo- better than Big Island, almost as good as Kauai
That's our precise order as well. Molokai ranks between the top two.
That's our precise order as well. Molokai ranks between the top two.
Jun 27th, 2016, 03:12 PM
#28
<should not offer an opinion without revealing you have no first hand experience.>
I have never taken a Hawaiian cruise.
But I'm all for people doing what THEY want to do with their vacation time.
You can go to Haleakala mid-day, no need for sunrise or sunset either one. It's still spectacular.
I have never taken a Hawaiian cruise.
But I'm all for people doing what THEY want to do with their vacation time.
You can go to Haleakala mid-day, no need for sunrise or sunset either one. It's still spectacular.
Jun 27th, 2016, 05:23 PM
#29
Haleakala at sunset was unforgettable. It would have been pretty at any time of day--but now that I've seen that red sunset from above the clouds--and the colors of the caldera as the sun began to sink, I don't think I'd do it other than at sunset. I never imagined anything could look like that. But it was indeed FREEZING!!!
I "liked" the RTH--but I didn't "love" it. The black sand beach with the caves (just before you reach Hana) and the Pipiwai trail/Seven pools were the RTH highlights for me -- and they can't be seen unless you go all the way.
I'm surprised no one else is suggesting the Iao Valley. I thought it was magical and the tragic history is fascinating, too. The added bonus is that it's not an all-day commitment.
For me, nothing beats Kauai's North Shore, Waimea Canyon, and Kalalau Lookout (not to be confused with the Kalalau Trail).
I "liked" the RTH--but I didn't "love" it. The black sand beach with the caves (just before you reach Hana) and the Pipiwai trail/Seven pools were the RTH highlights for me -- and they can't be seen unless you go all the way.
I'm surprised no one else is suggesting the Iao Valley. I thought it was magical and the tragic history is fascinating, too. The added bonus is that it's not an all-day commitment.
For me, nothing beats Kauai's North Shore, Waimea Canyon, and Kalalau Lookout (not to be confused with the Kalalau Trail).
Jun 28th, 2016, 07:42 AM
#31
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"As for the Road to Hana, we've heard the same feedback from a handful of others, either a) drivers who wish they could have been looking at scenery rather than driving, b) Type A personalities who wouldn't dream of stopping the car to explore anything, or c) people who simply waited too long to start and wound up stuck in traffic on the road."
Then there are those of us who simply didn't find RTH unique and/or interesting and/or beautiful relative to what we'd seen on other Hawaiian islands.
If you're still with us, Steve, and planning to do RTH, do your research. There are many more places to stop and "explore" than you'll have time for, so choose wisely.
Then there are those of us who simply didn't find RTH unique and/or interesting and/or beautiful relative to what we'd seen on other Hawaiian islands.
If you're still with us, Steve, and planning to do RTH, do your research. There are many more places to stop and "explore" than you'll have time for, so choose wisely.
Jun 28th, 2016, 10:45 AM
#32
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> Then there are those of us who simply didn't find RTH unique and/or interesting and/or beautiful relative to what we'd seen on other Hawaiian islands.
If you didn't venture from the road, not much is visible from it, relative to what's in the area to explore (Keanae Peninsula/Garden of Eden, parts of HNP etc). If you did visit these sites and still weren't impressed, you've got a much higher standard of satisfaction than most visitors.
If you didn't venture from the road, not much is visible from it, relative to what's in the area to explore (Keanae Peninsula/Garden of Eden, parts of HNP etc). If you did visit these sites and still weren't impressed, you've got a much higher standard of satisfaction than most visitors.
Jun 28th, 2016, 11:39 AM
#33
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One other note to Steve, if your rental car has a CD player (or you have a portable), excellent self-guided (and, obviously, self-paced) audio tours are available. Listen as you drive for info about the road, and your options for exploring off of it. Highly recommended.
Jun 28th, 2016, 01:09 PM
#34
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"If you did visit these sites and still weren't impressed, you've got a much higher standard of satisfaction than most visitors."
We did in fact venture from the road, took a few short hikes/walks, bought banana bread, and walked around on Keanae Peninsula, etc., but I think you missed the point of my first post in this thread. Otherwise, can I assume you haven't been to Kauai?
We did in fact venture from the road, took a few short hikes/walks, bought banana bread, and walked around on Keanae Peninsula, etc., but I think you missed the point of my first post in this thread. Otherwise, can I assume you haven't been to Kauai?
Jun 28th, 2016, 02:02 PM
#35
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FaceInTheCrowd, we've been going to Kauai regularly since 1962. So no, it's not a good assumption. IMO you obviously don't know as much as you think you do about Maui, since parts of the island easily match or beat anything Kauai has to offer, except (arguably) Na Pali and Waimea Canyon. As a matter of fact Maui has as many uniquely gorgeous areas (Iao Valley, HNP etc) as Kauai.
Jun 28th, 2016, 02:29 PM
#36
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Well I haven't been going to Kauai that long, but many times, as well as many times to Hana. I've never understood the comparison game. I can honestly say that I've loved the Road to Hana, the to Hanalei and beyond north shore of Kauai, Maui's West end drive, Molokai's East end drive, and the mule trail to Kaluapapa, Hamakua Coast drive. Mountain Road, Island of Hawaii, Government Beach Road in Puna district, the drive down thru pines in Lanai to the beach adjacent to shipwreck beach. . it's all good! They're all winners. To me there is no best or better. It's all been amazing life journeys for us.
Jun 28th, 2016, 02:39 PM
#37
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> Hamakua Coast drive.
I agree with everything in the last post, especially this bit. Those gorges along the Hamakua Coast also qualify as among the most stunning in the state. Basically the wet sides (N and E) of all the islands offer these lush paradises, one of our best friends lives on the slopes of Mauna Loa and because of the elevation (4500') and surrounding mountains, at his house there is absolutely no way to tell it's Hawaii and not the hills of Malibu. Simply amazing lack of humidity and cooler temperatures etc.
I agree with everything in the last post, especially this bit. Those gorges along the Hamakua Coast also qualify as among the most stunning in the state. Basically the wet sides (N and E) of all the islands offer these lush paradises, one of our best friends lives on the slopes of Mauna Loa and because of the elevation (4500') and surrounding mountains, at his house there is absolutely no way to tell it's Hawaii and not the hills of Malibu. Simply amazing lack of humidity and cooler temperatures etc.
Jun 28th, 2016, 02:41 PM
#38
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Also, in regards to Ioa Needle/Valley, I never recommend it and appreciate Songcocs dual takes. To me it was beautiful, but the weight of the blood of the past was overwhelming to me. A very heavy experience. I've never been comfortable sending people to one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaii history as a beautiful place to visit. I think a lot of people don't read when they visit and miss the historical importance of this sacred land.
Jun 28th, 2016, 02:44 PM
#39
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Well according to that logic, do you have problems visiting Civil War sites in our country? I admit it is a bit disconcerting, eating lunch on a field in PA and then being told it was a mass slaughter site during this war. The general consensus is that flowers grow better in these areas.
Jun 28th, 2016, 02:58 PM
#40
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No, not at all fdcarlo. If you told me to go to a place on a field to be the most beautiful field in PA, and didn't tell me that it was also the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, I would arrive with anticipation and leave deflated.
