Maui - Alone in July
Jun 8th, 2003, 11:26 PM
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Maui - Alone in July
My son (12) has the wonderful opportunity of attending a photography camp in Maui in July. I checked the flights out and from IAH - OGG was only $445. We are expatriates living in Switzerland and will be in Houston for our home leave in/out hotels etc., so I decided to fly with him since that is such a great price and I've never been to Hawaii.
Problem is my husband can't join me because of business. I decided to go it alone anyway. I've been literally around the world and on all continents save Antarctica, but never anywhere alone. I'm not worried, but would like some suggestions on what types of things to do.
I've rented a studio near Lahaina for 2 weeks. I have a PADI Advanced diver card, but haven't been diving in over a year so would like to find a place with a good check-out dive program (looking at Lahaina Divers Rusty Diver package). Other than diving, what else should I consider doing alone?
Is parking available by all the beaches? What about day trips to other islands? Open for any suggestions.
Problem is my husband can't join me because of business. I decided to go it alone anyway. I've been literally around the world and on all continents save Antarctica, but never anywhere alone. I'm not worried, but would like some suggestions on what types of things to do.
I've rented a studio near Lahaina for 2 weeks. I have a PADI Advanced diver card, but haven't been diving in over a year so would like to find a place with a good check-out dive program (looking at Lahaina Divers Rusty Diver package). Other than diving, what else should I consider doing alone?
Is parking available by all the beaches? What about day trips to other islands? Open for any suggestions.
Jun 9th, 2003, 12:01 AM
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maadimom, you and your son will have a fantastic time on Maui. My first advice would be to get a good guidebook like Maui Revealed. There's hundreds of activities available on Maui to keep you busy, and as long as you have a rental car, you can explore the lush interior (Iao) and northside as well as the fabulous coastlines. Save at least a day each out of your 2wk stay for Haleakala, road around Northwest Maui and the Road to Hana (more for the individual sites along the way rather than the town itself). Just do a search here (e.g. Maui AND activities) and you should get a load of info as a result. For inexpensive activities, there's hiking (Haleakala Sliding Sands Trail and the Pipowi Trail to Waimoku Falls are 2 favorites), snorkeling (Aquarium, Fishbowl, Honolua Bay, Black Rock and many more sites), and just sunbathing and walking along the Kaanapali and Wailea beach pathways.
For pay excursions, there's tons like helicopter rides, Molokini snorkeling trip, Haleakala bike rides, parasailing, kayaking, guided tours, scuba, surfing lessons and so much more.
All of the above you can consider doing alone but with any serious hikes or strenuous activities like ocean kayaking, you should consider going with a guided group rather than solo. Snorkeling in most areas is safe as plenty of others will be in the vicinity.
Parking is available at nearly every beach but do go early for best spots. So many terrific ones like Makena "Big" Beach, Kapalua, Napili, Kaanapali, Wailea, Polo and don't forget the less popular ones as well as the ones near Hana (Black Sand Beach, Red Sand Beach and Hamoa).
The only other island I would consider as a day trip would be Lanai because you can take a boat to it, and maybe Molokini. For the other islands, it would be too much of a hassle to just drive to the Maui airport and go through all the security, those alone will kill much precious time. Hope this helps!
For pay excursions, there's tons like helicopter rides, Molokini snorkeling trip, Haleakala bike rides, parasailing, kayaking, guided tours, scuba, surfing lessons and so much more.
All of the above you can consider doing alone but with any serious hikes or strenuous activities like ocean kayaking, you should consider going with a guided group rather than solo. Snorkeling in most areas is safe as plenty of others will be in the vicinity.
Parking is available at nearly every beach but do go early for best spots. So many terrific ones like Makena "Big" Beach, Kapalua, Napili, Kaanapali, Wailea, Polo and don't forget the less popular ones as well as the ones near Hana (Black Sand Beach, Red Sand Beach and Hamoa).
The only other island I would consider as a day trip would be Lanai because you can take a boat to it, and maybe Molokini. For the other islands, it would be too much of a hassle to just drive to the Maui airport and go through all the security, those alone will kill much precious time. Hope this helps!
Jun 9th, 2003, 01:28 PM
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If you do investigate a day trip to another island.....couple of suggestions: Big Island (Hawaii) trip to the Volcano National Park-if you can hike out to see the flowing lava.........Molakai: Mule ride to see the leper colony. Both would seems fun for a 12 yr. old perhaps. For inter-land arrangements see www.RobertsOvernighters.com....they specialize in inter-island day trips
enjoy....Hawaii....it's all good.
enjoy....Hawaii....it's all good.
Jun 10th, 2003, 08:40 PM
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http://www.hawaii.sierraclub.org/maui/
Parking is easy. Most beaches are right by the road. Of course you will shop and explore the Lahaina area. Great galleries.
If you like spas go to the one at the Grand Wailea.
Kaanapali is a great spot to sit and read. You can parasail with a group.
Molokini is an easy spot to dive.
Parking is easy. Most beaches are right by the road. Of course you will shop and explore the Lahaina area. Great galleries.
If you like spas go to the one at the Grand Wailea.
Kaanapali is a great spot to sit and read. You can parasail with a group.
Molokini is an easy spot to dive.
