stevelyon

Thanks everyone for all the information and forgive my slowness been distracted by Wimbledon and football and took my eye off the other ball.

hpeabody

If you are still considering The road to Hana, I recently went with Valley Isle Excursions and was very impressed. They specialize in the tour it as turns out. It was a great day, but long.

stevelyon

Apologies in advance for my laziness - I agree FaceintheCrowd I need to do my homework and am trying. What I am picking up is:
1 Haleakala is the must see regardless whether it is sunrise, mid morning, afternoon or sunset;
2 The Road to Hana is good but why bother when you can see Hanakua Coast which is nearer;
3 Hire a car or an helicopter;
4 Iao Valley is beautiful but infrequently mentioned;
5 Consider a CD audio guide for your rental car.

Follow up questions: 1 Doesn't seeing Haleakala involve the Road to Hana?
Where are the audio guides acquired .... tourist centres, purchased on line?

Thanks so much

Odin

1. Agree
2. Disagree with that esp being from Europe. I think the trip is more than just good but you don't have alot of time to do it and the best parts of it are towards the end of the road. Maui is such a built up commercialised island, anything that gives an idea of how it used to be and what nature looks like there is a good thing IMO.
3. Renting a car and doing your own thing is a good idea.
4. Iao Valley might be infrequently mentioned here, but a good number of people visit it and is definitely worth visiting esp if you don't have the time or inclination for the RTH.
5. Can't see why you would need one unless you need to know everything about what you are seeing.

Would you be driving straight from Kahului to Haleakala? If so, seeing the volcano does not have to involve the RTH.

fdecarlo

steve, audio CDs can be picked up from gas stations, coffee shops and other local businesses on the island, e.g. Anthony's Coffee in Paia, or Shell gas stations etc. Some are better than others, if you can find one called "R2H" it's considered one of the best.

fdecarlo

Also Anthony's Coffee is now called Honolulu Coffee Co in Paia, not sure if it's the same owner so they may not still sell audio CDs.

FaceInTheCrowd

The Hamakua Coast is on the Big Island, but I think the point is still valid. Why spend an entire day on the RTH if you're planning to spend time on Kaua'i, which (I think) most would agree is the most naturally beautiful of the islands, sightseeing and exploring its wonders? So, what *are* your plans for Kaua'i and the Big Island?

But yes, if you do the RTH, get a CD. I think we got ours from a sandwich shop in Paia. I didn't think it very helpful in terms of deciding where to stop, but it certainly made the drive more interesting and enjoyable.

Yes also to hiring a car. And +1 to Odin's thoughts on Iao Valley. To your question, "Doesn't seeing Haleakala involve the Road to Hana?", the RTH takes you around the base of Haleakala, not to the summit.

ChiSue

I sometimes say Maui has 'a little of all of the other islands'. Because your cruise takes you to the others, there's no need to replicate them in your short time on Maui.

Maui and Big Island have volcanoes. (Actually, each island IS a volcano, but nevermind!) Haleakala is a *walk-in* dormant volcano, and a very different experience from Volcanoes National Park on Big Island. Do both. 'Upcountry' Maui is ranches you will see enroute to Haleakala; more (and more interesting) on Big Island.

Road to Hana is heavily tropical -- but you'll see 'heavily tropical' at VNP on Big Island and on Kauai. Skip the 10-hour day doing RTH. Iao Valley is a one-hour stop; hope Bailey House museum (same location) is open when you do Iao.

Maui has lots of easy access beaches with *good* snorkeling. Big Island has better sea life, but not as easily accessed. Kauai has the beaches, but less-good sea life. Oahu has beaches, but more crowded/regimented. Do beaches/snorkeling on Maui.

Historic sites and 'city life'? Honolulu. I'd also do City of Refuge on Big Island if you have time. Wide variety of ethnic cultures/food? Honolulu. Paia is not memorable unless you yearn for leftover hippy vibe.

North Shore Oahu? Not AS lovely as Kauai's.

Luau? Maui or Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu.

Golf? *Everywhere*!

Posh hotels? Four Seasons on Maui (and others in Wailea and Kapalua) and on Big Island. I don't know status of what was F-S on Lanai. Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu is historic.

stevelyon

My goodness, stop, pause for breath. The amount of knowledge you folk have is breathtaking. I need to sit quietly and mull it all over as I need to appreciate all your advice. Many thanks.

stevelyon

I've made choices for Maui. Sunset at Haleakala Crater. Second day car hire (assuming I can rent a car just for a day) to explore Iao and the north coast beaches. Any tips on car rentals? I will post questions about Big Island soon, and hope people can help with that. Big thanks again.

FaceInTheCrowd

Just one comment; if by exploring beaches you're thinking about snorkeling as well, you'll find better beaches for that south of Kihei and on the west/northwest coastlines.