GoodLifeRetreats

You have to do the Road to Hana during your stay. My recommendation would be to travel to Hana in the morning to get the best views. If you go in the afternoon, there is a chance you will come across rain and clouds.

For the best experience, you should consider booking a one-night stay in Hana and go to the top of Haleakala in the morning. The best way to do Haleakala is with a tour. Haleakala tours offer van rides to the top for sunrise, which is awe-inspiring to say the least; just be sure to dress warmly.

You can also try hiking into the crater for other-worldly views. If you do that, though, it would be best to start mid- or late morning and make your way back before sunset. Here's some info I posted on my website if you need more information:

http://www.goodliferetreats.com/maui...ons/haleakala/

Skip Davis
http://www.goodliferetreats.com/

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Thought I'd report back, since we just returned from Maui yesterday.

We had a wonderful dinner at Lahaina Grill in, ta da, Lahaina. No view, but a lovely room, and excellent service. We both had fish, but it's the risotto under my fish and the carmelized Maui onions that I'd love to have some of right now! Expensive - $210 for 2 including one cocktail each, no wine, 2 apps, 2 mains (dessert was complimentary)

We ate twice at Star Noodle, both times at the bar (rather than wait for a table, although the second time we had a choice of sitting at the bar or across from each other at the communal table). We wouldn't call the food "exceptional" but it was very creative and very tasty. We loved the whole vibe of the place. Noisy, but not too noisy, very friendly bartender and servers. our first visit, the bill was about $80 for 4 dishes and 2 cocktails. The second time it was only $40, for 3 dishes, 1 individual (but huge) malasada, and two soft drinks.

As always, had lunch on arrival at the Paia Fish Market . Love the place. I get a fish sandwich (I had ahi, my husband had Ono, both delicious),because the fish platter (which costs twice as much) is too much food for me. Love their cole slaw.

Also ate lunch at Milagros's in Paia. We were famished after hiking in Haleakala - anything would have tasted good, but it actually was pretty good. One enchilada, one fajitas, soft drinks - $35 for two.

Had a great plate of banana macadamia nut french toast at Kihei Caffe.

Delicious breakfast at The Gazebo in Napili (banana macadamia but pancakes).

Lunch at the Hula Grill - never thought the food was special - it's fine- but love the ambiance at the Barefoot Bar, especially when there's live music.

Actually tried to go to Aloha Mixed Plate but it was closed for refurbishing.

(thought Makena Beach was beautiful, loved driving down past there to the lava fields, still not a fan of Kihei, took at great hike on Sliding Sands trail in Haleakala, loved the drive through beautiful upcountry, liked poking around Paia and Makawao, other than that, just hung out!)

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Oops, I left out dinner at Honu. Nice location, we got there just in time to snag the last table at the rail. The food was hit and miss. We liked the dressing on the tomato salad, and the ahi poke was very good. The free bowl of fried chickpeas were dry and not good. We had the special pizza with grilled lobster. The lobster was dry and the pizza was wet - literally, there was a puddle on the pizza plate under the pie, so needless to say, the crust was just a little soggy. I'd be inclined to try it again, but stick to our tried-and-true margharita pizza.