Hello all,
My parents and sister are visiting us from India and in addition to the popular tourist locations in the lower 48, I wanted to take them to a trip to Maui. We (me and my wife) had been to Big Island last summer and really loved it. I was just wanting to share our iterinery with my fellow Fodorites to see if they could offer any suggestions to improve our plans.


We made a reservation on United for air+hotel. We leave SFO (san fran) for Kahului at 9am July4, and are coming back on the red eye on July 9. That give us about five and a half days in Paradise.
My parents are vegetarian and hence I made hotel reservations in a condo, Outrigger Aina Nulu (formerly the Islander) at Lahaina. Here is our brief plan. As always, I couldnt take the trip without going over the iterinery with my fellow Fodorites for their wonderful tips/suggestions. We are using the Maui Revealed guidebook for reference.

July4, Land OGG at 11.30am, pick up full size car from dollar. Go to Costco to pick up grocery. Do a take out lunch and have lunch in a picnic table on one of the beaches. Check in and drive to see the Olivine Pools and the Blowhole nearby. Spend the rest of the evening at Kannapali beach.

July5, Get up early morning to do the Haleakala sunrise. Rest of the evening beach time.

July6, Get up and on our way to Hana. We are overnighting in Hana. So take a leisurely drive. Overnight in Hana Kai Maui.

July7. Morning at Hana, and drive back early afternoon. Back to outrigger for the night.

July8. AM snorkelling trip to Molokini. Evening some more beach time.

July9. AM Hike to Waihee Valley Trail. Afternoon Lao Valley. Rest of the time shopping till our late night flight out (9pm).


My Questions

1. We can combine day1 and last day if the Over the Top drive is doable in west maui? Is it as bad as people claim ?

2. If you had to name the three best beaches on Maui for clear water and gorgeous sand, which would they be?

3. Any other suggestions for improvement?

4. Any recommended authentic restaurants with a vegetarian option? We are open for dinner for atleast 2 nights.

Thanks
Aravind

I'd advise staying away from the Olivine Pools and blowhole. It's a long drive up there, you have to hike on some slippery steep stuff, and people have died there when swept off the rocks. You will all be tired enough after the flight and Costco shopping that a quiet evening in Ka'anapali Beach will be about all you can handle.

1. Over the top drive? I'm not sure what that is exactly, but you cannot go entirely around the island clockwise. There road back over the top to Ulupalakua is not open.

2. Makena Beach (Big Beach)
Beach in front of the Maui Prince Hotel
The black beach over by Hana

Another activity idea is either the glass bottom boat or submarine ride out of Lahaina. Was really quite fun, especially if some in your party don't snorkel.

Are you leaving in 2 days?

A regular grocer may work just as well, make sure to sign up for the ohana cards to get discounts.

Olivine Pools is a dangerous climb down a hill of rocks, in case you didn't know. And make sure to stay away from the ocean side of the pools , as people have died here....dragged out by rogue waves. Just make sure to put your common sense, thinking cap on. Regarding continueing on for the West drive another day. You are in a full size car. If you are a confident driver that wont' panic if they must back up a one lane cliff side dirt road to let someone pass - you'll be fine. We LOVE the west side drive, but then we love the challenge and are assertive drivers in general.

Hana - love redsands beach!!! How wise to take your time with this part of your trip.

Molokini - not a fan, I think you can spend your time more wisely snorkling on your own and exploring beaches. That is unless the joy of being on the open ocean is calling you, then go for it. Often the snorkling is reported to be lacking.

I am a big fan of snorkling and hanging in Makena, as well as the Napali area and beyond. I love watching the kite riders and windsurfers in Paia.

To let them experience the spirit of aloha and the culture of the islands, try to make one of the hotel hula shows since you have no luau planned. A couple of years ago we saw an AMAZING performance at the 4Seasons in their lounge around sunset. Ask a concierge near your lodging where these performances are available.

Safe journey!
'lani

The Molokini snorkel is as nice for the cruise and views of south Maui as it is for the snorkeling.

I would suggest Sansei for dinner, a terrific Sushi/Japanese Restaurant, should have vegetarian options. There are 2 locations. Also, I think breakfast at the Gazebo is a can't miss Maui experience. Just join the line and have Macadamia nut Banana Pancakes, or the fried rice with egg( has meat, though), or anything else, with a beautiful view of Napili Bay, which is a nice beach.

The other beach I absolutely love is Wailea Beach.

Absolutely go to Sansei in Kapalua-it was the best meal we had in Hawaii. It's in the Kapalua resort.

ag3046-For #1, I think the OP is talking about the drive from Kapalua to Wailuku. But there is no way they could do drive in the afternoon. aravind-Once you get to Wailuku, you would still need to drive back to Lahaina. So maybe you were talking about driving as far as the blowhole.

I was just there 2 weeks ago with my daughter staying in Kaanapali. We drove up to see the blowhole and then went about 5 miles further on that road. We then turned around and came back. It is very beautiful and more rugged and we are glad we saw some of that scenery. As far as the blowhole, it was not blowing much when we were there but we did get some pictures. We just walked down a little ways to get pictures and there were some other people up with us. A few others had gone all the way down but it is a long, slippery way down which is why we didn't do it. Also heard about people being swept away.

We only spent about 2 hours driving up to the blowhole and back and I think it was worth it. That would probably fit into your first afternoon schedule if you get to your condo early enough. Our plane arrived the same time as yours and we found that by the time we got our luggage, rental car, groceries and had lunch it was later than we thought. Your parents might just like to relax a little before dinner.

We enjoyed Napili Bay also. We did the road to Hana in one day but I think it's nice you are staying overnight in Hana. The one thing we didn't do was a luau or hulu show. I wanted to do one but my DD thought they were too expensive. Since when does a college kid care what Mom spends!! LOL Anyway we didn't do one and I wish we had. My DD also agreed once our trip was over.

We liked the Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina for dinner. Reasonably priced and we sat right by the water and watched the sunset. Don't know about vegetarian dishes but I am there would be something they could eat. The atmosphere was just perfect.

Thanks all for the responses. A few more points.

Ag3046
When I meant over the top, i meant the drive from Kapalua to Wailuku. I was only intending to do Lao valley on the last day. However if i could drive from Kapalua to Wailuku, I could just drive on the last day and spend the first day just relaxing at the beach.

Kealalani,
What are Ohana cards? Where do I get them? Thanks for the tip about the Hula show.

Bikom,
Thanks for the pointer to Gazebo.It sure looks interesting. A local at Kona recommended the Hawaiian style cafe in Big Island last summer and it was an outstanding tip.

paula,
I did mean the drive from Kapalua to Wailuku. However I was thinking about the feasibility of combining the lao valley and the blowhole/pools in one day(the last day there), thereby avoiding the pools/blowhole on day 1. This meant that I would have to do the drive. Do rental companies allow the drive from Kapalua to Wailuku? Thanks for the Aloha mixed plate tip

Also people, a general question, is there any one hike other than the ones on the road to hana that you would recommend?

Thanks
Aravind