Maui or bust!
 

For our 25th anniversary, we are taking a trip to Maui. Leave Iowa Sept 30th and return Oct 8th (fly on 7th). First and probably only trip to Hawaii...we have five kids from 1-21, and not lots of extra $ around. We will be staying at Westin Maui Resort, getting a decent deal on Expedia with a car.

I realize there are many things to do in Maui, have the book Maui Revealed. Our budget is pretty much a shoestring. Old Lahaina Luau is a planned spurge. We are looking for other ideas (Road to Hana and Haleakala are planned) that might be romantic and exciting. We aren't old, 44 and 46, and want to make the most of this trip. Seing beauty, being together, experiencing Hawaii, romance would be great.

Oh, if you were mid 40's, do you recommend the OLLuau sitting at tables or on ground?

I'm searching thru Maui posts, and feel a little overwhelmed. Any suggestions are appreciated!

We sat at the tables at the OLL and that worked great for us. The people sitting on the ground looked uncomfortable as the night wore on. We went to Maui for our honeymoon and loved it. We also did a snorkel trip to Molokini that was fun; we used Trilogy, and they barbecued on grills on the boat. Haleakala and Road to Hana are great and free! Just spending the day at the beach is great on Maui.

I'd sit at the tables for Old Lahaina Luau, between cocktails, dinner, and the show it's a long time to be sitting on the ground (regardless of your age).

I really enjoyed a self-guided historic walking tour we did (free) in the town of Lahaina. We got a pamphlet from a tourist information office that we followed around the town (reading the history of various buildings).

Spend the afternoon and sunset at Makena Beach. Pack a romantic picnic.

Maui Revealed has some great recommendations for places to snorkel. Great thing about Maui--you can enjoy yourselves immensely and inexpensively by avoiding the activity side-shows.

However, you may wish to review Pacificwhale.org for ideas about "eco-adventures," some quite reasonably priced and discounted for members.

I vote for the table seats at OLL, too. The ground seats looked too hard-even for my young children.

Another thought regarding visiting Makena. You might consider calling the 4Seasons to find out when they have a hula presentation in their cocktail lounge. Last time I was on island, for the price of an expensive cocktail, this was 5 star entertainment in elegant surroundings.

With 5 kids, you ought to think about Royal Lahaina Luau. It isn't quite as good as some of the other luaus, but decent & much less expensive. They have a fire knife dancer.

Kids under 11 are free (one per paid adult).

Kids 5 & under are free.

They have a kids menu in addition to the typical luau menu.

Lots of sites that are good for all islands & a couple just for Maui:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34812564

Snorkel Honolua Bay

Walk around Lahaina

Hike to Waimoku Falls (near 7 Sacred Pools on Hana Hwy)

I'm liking these ideas!! I think I need to check out what Makena is like. As for OLL, thanks for the feedback. I wanted to do the floor, hubby wanted to do table, and I think we have decided to do table and chairs based on responses here.

One little correction after re-reading my post: five kids are staying home! We just dont have endless funds because of five kiddos (three bio kids, two adopted). We're hoping to do some really special things just the two of us, romantic things.

I appreciate any and all ideas!! Thanks so much!!

Must say that one of the best bang for your buck day trips will be snorkeling at Ahihi Cove. I say rent some snorkel gear and self-guide while there. Maybe a use permit is required now? Things change...worth researching.

AR

We went in the spring with our kids for our 15th. I bought snorkel masks that we brought with us and the snorkeling at our resort (Westin Maui Ocean Resort)and in front of the Black Rock /Sheraton was as good as if not better than Molokini and the other trips we've taken on the island. When staying at the Westin, there is a shuttle that you can take you all Starwood Resorts and use their beach facilities and have charging priv. on site. We visited local beaches - a popular one is MaKena (they call it Big Beach)- a bit south of you in South Beach but well worth the drive. Also, there was a beautiful black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park on our way to Hana just before you hit the town. These were probably some of the best things we did - and all were very low cost. The Maui Aquarium was also a hit with the kids. I would agree - the beaches and beauty of Maui is romantic and magical in and of itself.

We loved breakfast at the Gazebo restaurant in Napili ( about 10 minutes N. of the Westin). It is right on the water tucked inside a small hotel (can't remember the name) and it was excellent! Best Pancakes ever!! You sit in an open air gazebo and the atmosphere can't be beat. Get there early as there are lines. Also, not too expensive at all, much cheaper than eating at the hotel! ALso, make sure to call the Westin a few days prior and let them know you will be celebrating your anniversary - hopefully, they will give you a nice upgrade and some champagne - enjoy!!

The Gazebo is located at Napili Shores, a condominium complex on a picture perfect stretch of beach. Famous for pancakes and long waits.

Itinerary for seven day trip. Days are not in order, other than we have booked luau (with chairs/table).

Day One: Hanging around resort area/pool/beach, shopping, Old Lahaina Luau

Day Two: Maui aquarium, Iao Needle/Valley

Day Three: Road to Hana

Day Four: Lahaina

Day Five: Haleakala

Day Six:

Day Seven: 10:40pm flight home.

This is very elementary itinerary, we want to have some basic plans and lots of freedom to snorkeling a few beaches, and of course hanging out at the beach/resort area. Definitely some sunset picnic dinners on the beach will happen.

A few more questions: (thank you for your patience and input!)

* From Ka'anapali, how long does it take to get to Haleakala? What time should we leave? I admit being afraid of mountains (I am from Iowa!). Hubby will drive, but wondering how scary the drive might be if you are used to flat land and cornfields. We already are planning the warm clothing, have a lot of that around the house.

* Possible rookie snorkeling places might be: Kapalua Beach, Kahekili Beach, Black Rock, Cemetery, Wahikuli Park, Ulua & Mokapu Beaches. Thoughts on these spots?

* Still working on restaurants. We want to have some basic places to chose that allow flexibility. I looked into Gazebo and it is on the short list. A lovely romantic dinner at sunset on the ocean would be awesome if you have suggestions. I guess I should with an oceanview....I'm not talented enough to dine while sitting on the ocean.

* Are there sugar cane plantations/fields that one can see? Not interested in any long tours, just thought it would be interesting.

* We want this to be a laid-back trip, unlike our frenzied Europe trip two years ago. Suggestions for above itinerary are also accepted. I really do appreciate your thoughts and feedback.

My feeling is that any day you don't have to get in the car is a relaxing day. I'd add another one or two of those.

Central Maui is all sugar cane fields. You drive by them on the way to the west or south coast. You approach the airport over them. Nothing worth stopping and seeing.

Sunnyshine, you did not tell us if this means mid 40s like the typical FastFoodFedFatEffers or the rest of us mid 40s who haven't given up on life and remain active and athletic.

<i>&quot;Oh, if you were mid 40's, do you recommend the OLLuau sitting at tables or on ground?&quot;</i>

Another nice option is a day trip upcountry to visit the winery and lavender farms. The winery is very basic, but the grounds are nice, and you learn some of the old history, and get a spectacular view at the same time. I don't recommend trying to do Haleakala and the winery in the same trip. It is counterproductive. Actually, the best &quot;trip&quot; I ever had to Haleakala was when the flight to Kona flew over it and I got a breathaking view of the entire thing. I'm really not a big fan of the immensely overhyped sunrise there.

Armani: We are mid-40's, little overweight and not real athletic, but also wouldn't see us on the Biggest Loser tv show. I have a 22 month old and four year old, so I'm up and down the floor with them and chasing them around. I can handle mild to moderate hiking, walked all over Paris and Prague two years ago.

Marginal: Cool idea, the lavendar fields and winery! I wouldn't have thought of this one! In Iowa, we have cornfields and beanfields, and flat terrain. We want to see the sights at a slow pace, enjoy God's beautiful creation, and enjoy the time without children. Appears as if I need to read about lavendar fields. Will they be in bloom in two weeks? We fly out on Sept 30th.

Is it difficult to get around on the island? My hubby thinks we need to take the GPS, and I tell him that is not necessary. I'm assuming there are few roads on the island. Would you leave it home?

A late afternoon stroll though the cute artsy &quot;cowboy&quot; town of Makawao in upcountry followed by dinner at Hailimaile Country Store would be a nice way to end one of your do nothing days.

No need at all for GPS unless you want a toy to worry about. I would leave it. Not very difficult to get anywhere in Maui.

I don't know if the lavender is seasonal in Hawaii or not. You could always e-mail them to ask:
http://www.aliikulalavender.com/akl_tours.asp

As you are coming from Iowa, Hawaii will be about 5 hours behind you. I suggest you take advantage of the intial jet lag by doing the Haleakala sunrise earlier in the week. The recommendation is you leave your hotel about 3 am. For you, that will feel like 8 am, so it is not so drastic.

However, that also means for the first few days, you will want dinner about 2pm and be asleep by 8!
I take advantage of this to have lunch at a nice restaurant and skip dinner, having only a glass of wine and some snacks for &quot;dinner&quot; at sunset, until my clock is reset.

Make that Hali'imaile General Store. Sashimi Napolean is a must.

There should be some lavender in bloom as the farm has many different varieties growing. Besides viewing lavender, you can get lavender tea and scones, or lunch made with culinary lavender, as you enjoy the scenery. (resv req)The views are breathtaking. They have scheduled tea time/farm tour at 10 in the morning but you can also get tea and scones anytime outside the gift shop. You are also free to walk the property on your own. The terrain is sloped so have good walking shoes. I love their gift shop! They have cute lavender bracelets with dragonfly charms--their logo(dragonfly).

Upcountry Maui is so different. Yes, the beaches are spectacular and wonderful and everything you could wish for, but upcountry has a cooler climate, and is more mellow. I would love to have a house up there with those views. Me and Oprah, I guess.

Back to the Table/Ground:

Chairs with backs? Opt for tables.
Chairs w/o backs? Ground is authentic.

Having been to Old Lahaina Luau- I would take the tables. It's a fairly long program and it is not that comfortable on the ground. It is much easier to get up and walk around to get another view, or another drink, when you are at a table.