I've been reading and reading and I just get more confused. We are staying at Kamaole Sands. I would like any recommendations on what to do and what day to do it so that we don't up drive up and down every day. We are looking to mainly snorkel and just hang out. I would also like advice on cheap eats (not Mama's) more like Maui Taco as I hate to cook and want to eat out as much as possible.

Kamole Sands is near Keihi, and there are plenty of fast food joints and a Safeway with a decent deli near-by so food should not be a big issue. The small shops turnover a lot so what was good last year may not be this year. The activity desk at the Condo can give you the skinny on that.

The good snokeling spots tend to be a ways south or north, so you probably will need to drive to those places. Ask at Snorkle Bob's for current conditions. They Know.

Keihi town does not have the tourist charm or night life of Lahaina, so you will likely be driving that way a number of times. Its about 22 miles if I recall, but it is an Island 22 miles so don't figure on 22 minutes to get there. A number of the better snorkel spots are a ways further north even. There is a good place to watch a sunset just past Maalea bay, just watch for all of the cars pulling over.

You are close to the start of the road to Hana, which in my opinion is worth doing, and Haleakala at sunrise is worth losing a little sleep over. Take some fresh Island fruit and a coconut and spend a little time hiking the crater after the sunrise.

The good news is that the beach at Keihi clear to Maleaa (excuse my spelling) is the longest uninterupted beach in the islands. Great for long walks or a tough run.

Big Beach and Little Beach is South to Wailea, (Big Beach, I think is still a nude beach) but you gotta work some to get to it so its not an in your face kind of thing, and Little Beach offers some good snorkeling.

A number of small boats go to Molokini from Kamole Beach Park or Maalea, I think. If the water is not too rough that is a nice place to scuba or Snorkle, particularly if the whales are in the area (you can often hear them.

In the keihi area you will spend a bit more time in the car than if you were in Wailea or Kaanapauli but not a big deal.

Since you are in a condo, once at least, buy a bag of Azeaka's ribs and cook them on the grill. Azeaka used to have a grocery store in Keihi town, but finally left that business to Safeway, but he has a small kiosk in the Azeaka square (where True Value Hardware is). They are wonderful. We always stay in the Kaanapauli area but I drive down to Keihi just to buy a few pounds. Our trips to Maui aren't complete without them.

Near the north end of the Island is DT Fleming Beachpark and to the north of that is Honolua Bay. If the water isn't real rough, rent a kayak at DT Fleming (or in town) and paddle around the point to Honolua bay for some on the best Snorkling on the Island. The best thing about a Kayak is that you don't have to deal with 1.) the parking at Honolua (non existant after 9:AM) and 2.) the rocky shorline that makes it very difficult (and sometimes painful) to ingress or egress the water. With a Kayak, its not an issue.

Don't leave anything in your car at DT Fleming or Honolua they are notorious for theft.

I agree with the above post. Do you have to stay at Kamaole Sands? Kehei would not be my first choice as to where to stay on the island. I would stay closer to Lahaina, if possible, such as Kannapali or Napili.
If you can't change your stay, I'd recommend a day trip to Lahaina and you could also go over to Wailea.

If you are referring to Sugar Beach it may be the longest beach on Maui but it is far from the longest beach in the Hawaiian Islands. And it is far from the best beach on Maui.

www.mauihawaii.org Maui Jon has a great site with lots of info & recommendations.

www.visitmaui.com

www.driveguidemagazines.com Good maps & restaurant guids.

Kamaole Sands is right in the heart of Kihei. Beautiful beaches right accross the street. South Maui has the best beaches period. Big Beach is a beautiful beach. It's not a nude beach----- that is Little Beach.
Sunsets up on top of Haleakala are way better than the sunrise. To catch the sunrise you have to get up way to early, it's dark, it's freezing cold and there are way to many people up there and too many downhill bikers on the road. Plus if it's cloudy you aren't going to see anything at all. Lots of great eats in Kihei/Wailea area. Thumbs down to Lahaina. It's a tourist trap with lots of cheezy stores selling cheap tourist crap. You want to shop in some nice boutiques you have to go to Wailuku, Paia and Makawao. If you want to see Hawaii and not a manmade paradise you need to get in your car and drive away from the towns and hotels. Go to Hana and spend a night or two out there, now that is paradise. Natural beauty, the way Hawaii was and should be.

Agree with Mauigirl about Lahaina. Stay near Lahaina and hang out in Lahaina if you want to be around all the crowds and crowds of other tourists. Stay and hang out in Kihei if you want to just kick back and be among the locals. There's really not much to see in Lahaina other than a bunch of shops, restaurants, etc. where all the tourists hang out. The same for Kaanapali and Wailea. Kihei is the perfect spot to stay if you want to get away from all the tourists.

If you want nightlife....what little Maui has is in Lahaina. Again, where all the other tourists are.

Da Kitchen is the BEST and one of the cheapest places to eat in Kihei and all of Maui! Azeka Ribs are good too!

Kamaole Sands IS in Kihei, thankfully south, near Kam III beach and park. The beach itself is frequented by locals and is far south, again thankfully, of Sugar Beach, the unbroken beach with a unique redolence. The Kams are a strand of 3 broken, crescent shaped beaches. There is good snorkeling at I and III, and great snorkeling a little south, beginning at Keawakapu and the beaches of Wailea and Makena.

The road to Hana, Hana Highway, HWY 36 to 360, starts east of Pa`ia, on the north end of the island, away from Kihei (on the southern end of the island). It is a great trip, best made at a leisurely pace with frequent stops. Continue your drive clockwise, rather than turning around at Hana or Ohe`o.

Kihei has a plethora of moderately priced restaurants and nightlife. Azeka's does have good ribs, cut Korean style.

Big Beach is not a nude beach-that's Little Beach, over the hill from BB. I don't share the view that Lahaina is charming, though recommend that you see the town.

Be careful of the advice and spelling you see in well intended responses to your inquiry. You should invest in a good guidebook, such as Maui Revealed or Fodor's.

As you see, there are mixed opinions about staying anywhere you might choose on Maui. Kihei is certainly convenient to restaurants and shopping. It's a good base from which to explore the whole island.

Lahaina is a place rich in history. It's very worth a half day IMO. And who can resist The Gecko Store?! Or THE banyan tree?!

We just returned from Maui and enjoyed a few "fun" meals in Kehei. The Hawaii Entertainment book has a lot of coupons for the area (at already reasonable priced restaurants). I highly recommend getting it. The car rental coupon alone paid for the book. Also, we stayed at the Maui Prince in Makena (a few miles south of Kehei) and had great snorkling right in front of the hotel (left side especially). Saw some turtles and many beautiful fish and The beach is open to the public.

Rocky, are there any coupons in the Hawaii book for the Lahaina or Kaanapali area or for snorkeling trips to Molokini and if so, do you want 2 pass along your book?

Actually the activity section of the book was very limited. I think the Tropical Plantation was the only activity on Maui that had a coupon. There where coupons for Kobe Japanese Steak House in Lahaina(which we used) and Chez Paul's (which is further South)

Thanks everyone. I was wondering about getting the entertainment book. Someone had said it didn't have much for Maui. I love Japanese Steakhouse's. I looked on Kobe's website at the prices, either I got a wrong website or the prices where exactly the same as where I live $15 for the chicken meal $23 for the steak. What was the coupon for? What a deal! Can you tell me some other restaurant coupons that are in there.

The coupon is 2 for 1. We got out of Kobe with 4 alcoholic drinks and the tip (which is added on automatically) for under $50. AMAZING.Mr. Sub coupon for $5 off breakfast or lunch (good for bring to Hana). 25% off Marriot Luau and Royal Lahania Luau, Royal Ocean Terrace ($23 off), Hecocks ($17 off) and a bunch of casual restaurants. There are tons for Honolulu, but enough for Maui that it pays for the book. We got it as a gift (sounds funny), but we ended up saving about $150 during the trip.

SoupNutz @Java Jazz in the Honokowai Marketplace on Maui is super kitshy coffee house with healthy soups and sandwiches - reasonable prices. We also liked Kahuna Kabob in Old Lahaina - their special of the day is usually a creative and fresh fish dish for about $10. Extremely casual.

I like staying at one of the B&B's in upcountry. Haiku, Makawao and Kula have several. Also like Paia for restaurants, groceries and assorted small shops.

If you want to snorkel, stay in Kihei and head south daily to the fab beaches; Lahaina does have night life, but there are no beaches for swimming or snorkeling to speak of. Kihei is a fine place to get to Haleakala (I also always say go for the sunset, not the sunrise), Hana, etc. You will be right across from Kamaole beach parks at the Sands--there are places to snorkel at the ends of the beach, if you don't want to travel a few miles down the road.
Also, avoid Sugar Beach, except for walking.

p.s. The Pilani highway, parallel and east of the beach front road, is the best way to get to and from Kihei and offers easy access to Safeway, etc. Avoid the main beachfront drag!