Never been to Hawaii, need some positive reinforcement. Picked Maui for direct flights from SF to Kahului (OGG). Honolulu/Waikiki is better combined with a cruise I think, need just to "chill" this time.

1) is May OK? if not, next year February or March. I'd rather go now.

2) looking forward to just "book by the pool" type of relaxation, no car (shuttle to resort?) so food and shops within walking distance would be nice - Lahaina?

3) if you want to warn me about the roosters, that's OK too

Maui is great and you'll have a terrific time. We stay at Kaanapali whichhas a great walk that stretches from the Hyatt on the south to the Sheraton on the north. All the hotels have restaurants plus there is Whalers Vilage which has both shpping and restaurants. We have stayed at the Mariott Ocean Resort and the Hyatt.

If you decide on Lahaina you will be able to walk to dining and shopping as well.

I don't know what your budget is but there are great prices on VRBO for The Whaler on Ka'anapali where you will get an ocean view and a kitchen.

Maui is a great place to just chill. If you get bored you can drive up to Haleakala a 10,000 foot extinct volcano or take a drive to beautiful Hana, or just lay on the beach. The whales will be there in January / February but have gone north by May.

We have had good luck with condo rentals in Kihei which is not as nice as Lahaina but is cheaper. Prepare for sticker shock on the groceries.

On our first visit to Maui, we were rather shocked at how built up it was and did not like Ka'anapali at all, which is a long line of hotel after hotel, on a rather splendid beach. However, the next day we drove to Hana and it put the island into perspective. Once we were away from Ka'anapali and the other purpose built areas, we found Maui to be very beautiful and have been back 3 times.

I would advise having a car, then you can stay anywhere and drive into Lahaina for groceries or restaurants. Parking can be difficult but there are designated car parks. We usually stay in Napili since it's not far from Lahaina and is on a beautiful beach and there are several condos & hotels to choose from.

I didn't notice roosters in Maui, but did in Kauai.

Kihei might be more convenient without a car, but IMO the area is not as nice as Napili/Lahaina and even Ka'anapali.

If you want to be just by the pool and not have a car and not see the island, you could probably choose something else.

May will be a nice time to go. We went late May til early June last year (around Memorial day time for 12 days) and the weather was nice with no real crowds. The whales are gone and kids are still in school at that time, so families usually wait til summer.

I am a car rental person and stayed just north of Kaanapali Beach. But if I were to do Maui without a car, I would stay on Kaanapali Beach. There is a shuttle you can take to get there from the airport. Once there, there is the Kaanapali Resort shuttle to get you around within the resort area. It runs from around 9 AM to about 9 PM. It goes all over the entire K'pali Resort development-from Maui Kaanapali Villas (and Castaway's Cafe, good food) at the north end to the Hyatt at the south. It stops at the Royal Lahaina, up by the Fairways Shops (Cj's Deli, good spot), down to the Sheraton, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Whaler's Village, then on to the Westin etc. It loops out to the golf course clubhouse and then does it all over again. To get to Lahaina you can take the bus, or if you stay at a Starwood property there is a free shuttle. You can lounge to your heart's content, or if you decide you would like to check out the Road to Hana, you can do a van tour of the Road to Hana. We really enjoyed Valley Isle's tour, still relaxing because we were not doing the driving. http://www.tourmaui.com/

FYI Toucan,

Haleakala is not an "extinct" volcano. Although it is considered to be in a dormant state, it is also considered to be an active volcano and is monitored as such. The last eruption was about 500 years ago, and you can see the flow by driving past Makena.

Deyanu, Maui without a car is tough to imagine for me. I think the suggestion of Kaanapali is the best to consider. We've done many May trips to the islands and love it. The above post seems to give some good advice for car free living on Maui.

Thank you all! I've checked out a few websites, but never got such a clear explanation.

And in one of reviews of a condo somebody complained a rooster woke them up, this is why I've added this as a smile.

The bus to Lahaina departs from Whaler's Village and the route you would take is the Kaanapali Islander route. Cost is $2. Here is the route map: http://www.co.maui.hi.us/documents/2...er20111208.PDF

And here is the schedule: http://www.mauicounty.gov/documents/...1341180673.pdf

Your resort should have a schedule for the Kaanapali Resort Shuttle.

P.S. You'll have a great time!

Oh, and here is the schedule for the complimentary shuttle to Lahaina for those staying at a Starwood property: http://www.westinkaanapali.com/resortoverview/shuttle

The path that Suzie mentioned actually now continues north of Black Rock, although you do have to circle through the Sheraton to pick it up on the other side. It goes as far as Honua Kai.

Thank you all! Printing out to go over each word, to check out each link.

Oh sf7307 I know it continues past Black Rock. But the path after that is less rich with dining and shopping than the main walk along Ka'anapali.

When I travel solo and just want to read by the pool, I head to Waikiki. It's also cheaper than Maui and you don't need a rental car there.

If you're set on Maui I (personally speaking) would absolutely choose Lahaina because I like to have a town to walk around in. You'll want a rental car.

suze

Dayenu,

Hope you reconsider Oahu. Great place to " chill" as well. Car not necessary, great bus system.

Goddess, Oahu will be our future trip, combined with a cruise. This time it's Maui.

If you're set on Maui, and you're set on not renting a car, I would absolutely go with Lahaina.

Dayenu,

Looking forward to you visiting Oahu, would love to treat you for breakfast! Have a great time on Maui.

"Haleakala is not an "extinct" volcano."

Quite right Lookin_Glass, thanks for the clarification. At any rate, the road to it was the highlight for me. We stopped and hired a horse-back ride through beautiful grassy fields. It's a scene right off a post card, and was great fun!

Road to Hana... is it as scary as some photos I see?

I think I am religious enough, no need to say another prayer on the road Don't know if we are going to do it!