Which would you suggest recommend?. We will be there for our 5th ann. Dec 1-7. Already booked at Sugar Beach, but have heard not so good things about it, fish smell etc. Any help would be great as I need to be sure soon!

Aloha, congratulations on your anniversary. I have been to Maui at least 20 times and love it. Im going at christmas for 2 weeks and can't wait. Well I have never stayed at sugar beach, but I have been there when it smells and its bad, but it doesn't always smell. I would prefer the Mana Kai(I think thats what you meant) It is an older building, nothing fancy, but right on a nice beach with great views of the sunset, Most units have large lanais that look at the ocean. The people who stay there that I have spoken to really loved it. I wouldn't mind staying there. I stay at Maui Hill(timeshare) across the street from the Mana Kai very nice, but not much of ocean view. I think for the money and the location(on the border of Wailea) the Mana Kai is a good bet. Have a great time and don't worry about where you stay Maui is awesome. Aloha

Any fish smell would come from the Kealia Fish Pond. As the summer months wear on and the water level drops, the fish in the pond can die. This is more of a late summer/early fall phenomenon. A larger problem in that area in early to mid-December could be midges. They were pretty bad this past winter. It is also very windy and dusty in this area.

The other odor problem that occurs in north Kihei is caused by seaweed washing ashore. I have not noticed it to be a problem thus far this year, but I haven't spent too much time up around that area. There is no telling when the conditions will be right for the seaweed. It is a come and go, occasional problem.

Just for clarity, there is a Maui Kai AND a Mana Kai.

love
roxy

Oops I did mean the Maui Kai! Thanks

If you mean the Maui Kai, the condos north of Kaanapali, I would highly recommend them. We've stayed twice in the past two years. Really love it because its not a big resort, all units are oceanfront, and the proximity to Kapalua Bay (our favorite place to swim and snorkel) and the town of Lahaina.