I am planning a trip to MAUI IN March and would like to know if there will be whale watching tours, and if so if someone could recommend the name of a tour company and do we need to book this in advance. Also if anyone has any advice on where to stay we will be traveling with a 14 and 10 year old, and are thinking about the Embassy Suites but I have saw alot of negative reports about it, any recommendations would be great. Also do we need a 4 wheel drive if we are going to Hana, I think that is the correct spelling thanks.

Pacific Whale Foundatoins gives great tours -- fun and educatoinal...smaller groups too. I don't think you need to book more than a day or 2 in advance...

No experience with Embassy Suites...would recommend Kea Lani...all rooms are suites and you get a mini kitchen too.

You don't need 4 WD for Hana...but keep in mind the beauty of that trip is the trip itself...stop and enjoy the sights...there is not too much in Hana itself.

For lodging, try the NapiliSunset condos. They are on a lovely stretch of beach and are nice. Website:www.napilisunset.com

We used Trilogy and thought they were wonderful. They pick you up right in front of Whalers Village.

If you are bringing children of that age I qould recommend either the Hyatt Regency or the Westin Maui. They have excellent pools.

If you're traveling with children that age, I would highly recommend the Ka'anapali. Even though I'm much older, I still like to keep busy instead of lying on a beach all day and that is really the best area to keep you occupied.

We also used Pacific Whale Foundation and booked our excursion less than two hours before it departed. We hit Maui on an "off" week just before the end of whale season. You should see tons of whales in March. In mid April we could see them from our balcony, the outdoor restaurant at our resort, and almost anywhere along the coastline. We loved it! We stayed at the Outrigger Wailea and can't say enough about it. Not a single complaint, but then we are a child-free couple in our early 40's. You may not like what we like. The Grand Wailea next door is like a huge watery Disney World. Your kids will surely love it there, but it's a lot more expensive than the Outrigger.

We went with Pacific Whale foundation too. They have several departures per day so there is no need to book far in advance. Usually same day reservations are available or if you need a specific departure time, then book a day or two ahead. We went in the afternoon out of Lahaina and the seas were quite rough. Don't know if it's any better in the morning, but if you're prone to seasickness, you may want to ask. PWF also operates boats out of Maalaea Harbor - convenient if you happen to be taking your kids to the Maui Ocean Center too.

Hi - Your "Maui in March" heading sure brought back memories! We went in March 2002 with our two boys 8 and 10. Stayed at the Sheraton. They loved the pool area and the nightly cliff dives and wonderful beach. We went on whale watch on the Maui Princess? Boat left from Lahiana for a 2 hour trip. $18.00 for adults and 12.50 for kids. It was wonderful. Just one other hint. We stopped a Kmart on our way to Kaanapali and purchased rash guard shirts for our boys. We are from Idaho and in March not much sun to prepare for the Maui. The rash guard shirts saved our boys from any kind of sunburn and rash or scrapes from the beach. They even wore them in the pool. They are still wearing them this summer and everytime the put them on we all think of Maui in March. Have a great trip. Your kids will talk it about forever!!! Cant wait to go back again in 2004 for our 3rd trip!

ttt