Hi,

My sister is getting married in Hawaii, so I am planning my first trip! I had pretty much decided on Maui - seems like a lot of different sights as well as making sense geographically (the wedding is on Lanai). But after reading through some posts on this board it sounds as if Maui is getting sort of touristy. So my questions are:

Will Maui be really crowded in early May?
Should I maybe consider Kauai or Big Island instead?
Is it generally safe for women to camp alone (in a cabin) in the state parks?

I like natural beauty and cultural stuff - dislike crowds, resorts and tourist towns.
I'd really like to try to see a volcano, a black sand beach, forests and waterfalls and maybe a heiau. I'm a college student so money is a consideration. I'll probably only be able to stay for a week.

Please help me decide!
Thanks!
Aerin

the only place you can see all of the things you list is on the Big Island. However, it will be hard to see it all in only a week and you will definitely need to rent a car.

I have been to Maui several times and have never felt it to be crowded. There are some serene and tranquil areas there like the Iao Valley and the drive up Haleakala as well as some more commercial areas like Lahaina. It's my personal favorite although all of the islands are delightful!

I would stick with Maui, though we haven't been there in May, we have never felt crowded there and if you don't mind visiting a dormant over an active volcano-it has everything on your list.

Perhaps staying in the town of Hana would be more in line with what you are seeking, though I believe you would also need to rent a car to get around. Guidebook Maui Revealed has some info. on rentals etc. website www.wizardpub.com
Enjoy your stay in Paradise !

If Maui is too crowded w/ tourists, things will not improve when more tourists go as tourists.
There are many places on Maui that are near deserted. Wouldn't advise any unarmed woman to camp alone anywhere or hike alone in remote areas.

I was on Maui the first time a few years back on a family reunion trip. Except when you went to tourist places (up the volcano, on tours or specialized activities) it didn't feel crowded at all.

Of the camping I saw along the beaches, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable staying alone there myself. Not that it reeked of danger, but because of the isolation *should* anything go wrong you'd be on your own. Now you mention a cabin, so in a state park that's probably different.

As already clarified Maui doesn't have the specifics you are wanting to see, but with only one week, plus a wedding to attend, I think Maui is an excellent choice.

Personally I loved the town of Lahaina, it has a lot of history, but also a lot of tourists now, so you'd probably be happier avoiding that.

Aerin, Kaanapali on Maui is very crowded and over-built. We drove there for a day-trip and thought it was awfully overbuilt and touristy. It took us 30 minutes to find a parking spot for our small convertible, and that really sucked the life out of the experience!

However Hana, Maui is delightful, and has many of the things you mention...natural beauty, a black sand beach, forests and waterfalls. (Though the forests aren't primary forests...hardly any primary forests left on Maui). Hana is lush and delightful. Especially delightful is staying in hana, which allows you the privilege of getting up early and beating the day-trippers to the waterfalls and little picturesque pools near Hana. Also after the day-trippers leave, you can find peaceful, uncrowded places near Hana in the late afternoon.

We saw a few people camping in the forest on the way up to Haleakala. My husband said they have free camping up there.

We also went to Kaui several years ago. We actually prefer Kaui over Maui, though we very much enjoyed Maui as well, especially as this was an anniversary trip for 2 and we spoiled ourselves with high-end hotels and expensive restaurants.

But Hana is a very special place and my favorite place on Maui.

food is expensive on Maui too but if you ask on-line you can get recommendations for good food for good prices on Maui.

I've been to Maui 3 times in May. I find that is a really good time to go. I'ts after Easter(spring break) and before school lets out. Kauai that time of year should be great, my husband and I are going in April for 4 weeks. I think Kauai meets alots of your requirements.

Tent camping is permitted at Kipahulu, at `Oheo Gulch, and at Hosmer Grove. We camp at Kipahulu, but Hosmer can be pretty cold and damp and icy (it's at about 7000 feet), so we have skipped that one. There are also cabins and wilderness camping at the summit, and the hike in ranges from 4 to 10 miles. The cabins are very hard to get, are awarded via a lottery, and are booked far in advance. You need to pack in water. Cabin fees are $40, tent camping is free.

There is also camping at Polipoi Springs and Wai`anapanapa State Parks, by permit. Permits are $5 and you need to apply for them in advance. Cabins are available at Wai`anapanapa, but they are hard to get.

There are some privately-owned lands that will allow camping for a fee, one I know of at Keanae, some between Hana and Kaupo. Huialoha Church allows overnight camping on the church property, but there are no facilities and they don't allow extended stay camping. They pretty much offer a place for backbackers to crash at night at Kaupo Gap--you can't set up camp for the weekend there.

There is also limited camping by county permit at Kahana and at some other locations, but the permit process is tiresome.

Anyplace else you see campers, unless they have a permit, they are camping illegally, or on privaste property. You might seee some tent villages of homeless people--there are some well-established squatter areas near Twin Falls, hidden deep in the forest on near Keanae, and in the west Maui mountains, as well a group who has been camping near Olowalu for a really long time.

Thanks to everyone for the advice! Sounds like Maui is the place to go, and I will definately look into staying at Hana at least part of the trip.

thanks!

You mentioned that the wedding is on Lanai. We stayed at the Manele Bay hotel. You'll find petroglyphs to explore not far from the hotel. The "Garden of the gods" is an interesting rock formation unlike any other in the islands, and there's also shipwreck beach. Lanai is an island with no stoplights and no crowds. Maui is great but spend time seeing Lanai as well.

you can never go wrong in hawaii especially on maui.