If someone in your group wanted to attend a luau on Maui, which would would you recommend and why?

Also, what about Trilogy. Anyone sailed with them over to Lanai or on any of their other excursions?

And, Hana, how long do you need to stay actually in the Hana area? 1 night, 2, 3???

i'2

I wouldn't stay any nights in the Hana area unless it was my destination and I wanted to be far away from anything.

I am not believing y'all don't have opinions.!!

Luaus - If you want traditional Hawaiian luau then go with Old Lahaina Luau.
http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/index_main.html
Make reservations in advance. If you want a luau that has a region flavor (fire dancers, tahitian) choose the Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt.
http://tinyurl.com/h7qj2
For something totally different choose The Feast at Lele.
http://www.feastatlele.com/
I took the Trilogy (and have the t shirt to prove it) . It was a terrific boat trip. Loved the sailing, the crew, the food, the snorkeling and the short visit to Lanai.

I have been to Maui 5 (or is it 6?) times and have never been inclined to take the Hana trip. We went part way once but I can't bear to spend so much time in the car. If you do it though get the audio tour for the car so you can hear about what you are seeing. Drive a convertible so you have a 360 view of the trip.

For Maui pick up Maui Revealed but don't tresspass even if they say it's ok.

If you are staying in Hana I'd stay 2 nights. You'll use a bunch of day 1 driving and stopping. Day 2 sight seeing and relaxing, day 3 driving back. Try to drive back on the west side of the island rather than doubling back. This way you'll see sights you haven't already seen on the way there. You can also stop in at the Tedeschi Winery for something different:

http://www.mauiwine.com/

Haven't been to Hana for the same reason Suzie stated. We really enjoyed the lush and lovely Iao Valley Park, short drive and easy hike with gorgeous views, takes about 1/2 day.

In addition to, or instead of, the "Blue Bible" I'd recommend Richard Sullivan's
"Driving Hawaii: Maui and Molokai" as it has fantastic phiotos, with specific driving directions on how to get to those places.

Luau: agree with Suze. Feast at Lele. Why: better food, better drinks, more intimate setting and seating, than the other commercial luaus. It may cost a few $ more, but is well worth it according to all I know who've attended. (Disclaimer: I've not yet been; basing this review on family/friends' feedback.) Saw my son and DIL's mini-video of it--wow! Food is by the chef at the next-door restaurant --Pacific something? Private table for your group(not the cafeteria style tables as at most luaus) steps from beach. Icee, if you choose this option, try to reserve asap (no cancellatino penalty if you change your mind later) as they place your table seating according to the order in which you booked. The front row is just steps from the beach and show.

Hana: we did not stay overnight, but did the round trip in one day, which I highly do NOT recommend. One day overnight should be enough. Search Melissa5's postings, as she spent a night or two there a few yrs ago.

i'2 --
I spend many hours anquishing over which luau to go to and then decided I wanted the fire dancers so I made reservations for Drums of the Pacific. We go in mid October so not sure if waiting for my feedback will work for you. I found a good price online for it so it ended up less $$ than Old Lahaina.

We are most likely going to do a sunset cruise with Paragon as we really want to "sail" not just motor.

If you haven't been to Jon's website...it is a wealth of info:

http://www.mauihawaii.org/

Hope this helps...
Debi

I have seen the Drums of the Pacific. It's entertaining enough as far as those style luaus go. If you are looking for something a bit more sophisticated, then OLL or Feast of Lele. The mass produced luaus are not bad -they are completely entertaining- but there is alot of "Who's celebrating a birthday?" "Who has been married the longest?" etc.

Trilogy did not motor the entire trip. We sailed the entire trip back as a matter of fact. By sailing I mean the sails were up and the wind was carrying us back and the motor was off. I don't know what Debi intended with "sail".

That's good to know about the "Sail" Suzie. We prefer the use of sails to motor. Thanks.
Debi

I'd recommend at least two nights in Hana (assuming you aren't someone who needs a restaurant for every meal and you enjoy being away from it all). If you like the busy-ness of Lahaina and Kihei, Hana probably isn't for you.

The advantage of this is that for at least one day, you will be in Hana in the morning - most people who drive there get there in the afternoon and the good places to stop right around Hana town are far more crowded then.

Go to O'heo Gulch (aka 7 pools) at 8 in the morning and you are likely to only see a couple of locals, if anyone else. We were there an hour one morning and only saw three other people.

If you are a hiker, staying a few days gives you time to do the Pipiwai trail without having to do it on a day that you are driving one way or the other.

If we return to Maui, we most likely will spend the entire time in the Hana area (Kipahulu to be exact).

I'2,

Well...I'm used to being in the minority, so I'd actually suggest you spend AT LEAST three days in Hana. Hell, call me a major glutton for punishment, but I've spent a whole week in Hana and it was not enough time! Spend the mornings hiking and your afternoons at Hamoa Bay at the beach. It don't get much better than that. But you never take my advice anyway, so you should probably listen to the naysayers.

-Bill

Bill,

If you read carefully you'll see that you are not in the minority. Only sylvia3 said don't stay in Hana. Calinurse said stay 1 night, I said stay 2 nights and SandratheGardner said stay at least 2 nights. Counting you that looks like a 4 out of 5 recommendation for staying in Hana.

My husband and I went to the Feast at LeLe on our 30th anniversary in 2001 and it was awesome. It was worth every penny we spent, even my husband agrees.

The trilogy tour was highly recommended to me!

I could spend another week in Hana. Love the silence at night. Red Sand Beach is spectacular, and rarely seen by daytrippers. Hamoa Beach is one of the most beautiful on Maui. Hana Bay is worth strolling. Swim/wade (depending on tide levels) to the Queen's birthplace. Pay your respects to the tsunami victims. Climb the hill to Fagan's Cross. Do one of the numerous shoreline hikes or those in Haleakala Nat'l Park. Pay homage at Lindbergh's Grave. Peruse Hasagawa's aisle's for a unique shopping experience. Do continue your drive back to civilization in a clockwise direction, and get a glimpse at another side of unvarnished rural life.

ttt

I am sadly offended that it appears that someone on this thread decided to ask the editors to delete my accurate observation. Why? That was downright meanspirited and a personal attack on me. Unkind indeed.

Iceeu2, I adore Hana and spend 3 nights everytrip. I prefer a private rental, so that I can cook and hang. Plenty of options. The folks at Hana have good reason to keep many of their properties at a 3 night minimum....keeps out the one nighter riffraff. Protects the town's spirit of aloha, and keeps Hana Heavenly!!!

Old Laihana Luau is a classic, although I haven't been in years, so others will have better opinions to share.

I love ya, sistah....

i'2

sistahlou,

My response to you was also deleted. But I didn't take it personally. I just assumed that the mods were watching carefully and decided our responses did not address the original question so they deleted them. I didn't even consider someone would have asked that they be deleted.

We always spend a few days in Waikiki and then on to Maui for 3 weeks. Last year, we flew into the airport early, early in the morning, got our rental car and headed to Hana. Never been there in all the 15 years we've been going to Maui. Spent 2 nights in a little house overlooking the bay. House wasn't anything wonderful but listening to just the sounds of the waves crashing below the two nights we were there made up for anything else the cottage lacked. Fridge, stove and laundry facilities were a plus. We were able to explore beautiful Hana and not just see if flashing by the car windows.