We are planning a trip to Maui the last week of march (without kids!) and I heard that it was windy and colder up north. Would love to hear abou the weather differences between Kaanapali, Kihe and Wailea. I discovered through someone else's posting a great sounding boutique hotel and just want to make sure we won't be missing nice pools and beach access

Start with www.hawaiiweathertoday.com.->trip planning weather. Lahaina, Hana, Kahului historical. Kihei and Wailea are contiguous and normally dry. Also great beaches. Ka`anapali [What beach?] likely gets more precipitation, though it's more west than windward. Most guidebooks also give weather, climate data.

Have to disagree with Lex re Kaanapali -- it hardly ever rains there. Maui (and all the other islands) has so many microclimates, so some parts are green and lush due to rain, and others look almost parched (unless there's good irrigation like in Wailea). So...while Kaanapali is really dry, just a few miles up in Kapalua it can sprinkle almost every day. It's supposed to be a bit windier up there, too, although we never got too much wind when we were there. Kihei and Wailea are usu pretty dry, although I think Hana can get some rain (esp on the road to Hana...very tropical).

We prefer Kapalua and are going back there in June -- it just seems more lush and peaceful and Hawaiian to us there, but it's totally personal preference. By the way, Kaanapali does have a beach, although it's a bit narrow in some parts (ie, in front of the Westin) and much wider down by the Sheraton.

It is quite obvious that the Kaanapali / Lahaina area is quite dry because there is very little greenery outside of the resorts where everything is watered regularly. All along the highway in that area there are almost desert-like conditions indicating that there is very little rain. Lex1 is not only wrong about Kaanapali getting more precipitation but the comment "what beach?" is extremely misleading and untrue.

Well Lex, it looks like you are getting a reputation for being either a party pooper or a negative thinker....care to redeem yourself? hmmmmm? OSB.

Ka`anapali gets more rain and has more hazy, misty, rainbow kind of days than you will have in Kihei-Wailea. Kihei averages 8 inches of rain a year, whereas Ka`anapali is looking at 12-15. Hardly comparable to the 70 you will see in windward areas, but, still more than south Maui beach areas.

And you must admit that the beach at Ka`anapali is a bit narrow in places. All of our beaches experience seasonal erosion, and the seasonal erosion is obvious on Ka`anapali Beach, especially in the summer when a few good south swells can pretty much wipe out the southern part of the beach.

OSB: Nothing to redeem, though I marvel at the reading skills of some posters who shoot first. It is an objective fact that Kihei gets less rain then Ka`anapali, on average, most years- one can "disagree" with that statement, but you'd be wrong. The comment about the beach at Ka`anapali is an [overt] expression of subjective opinion, though at times the beach narrows and almost disappears. Some posters would tolerate bad words about their mothers before unflattering comments about Ka`anapali. Aloha.

Lexi: I'll let you know my opinion on the matter when I've actually been there! (Seems like a good idea!). Belle

It is not a requirement of this forum that you actually have to know anything about the subject in order to post an opinion!!

Apparently, one need not know about weather or climate facts to argue about those either. I am right [I say modestly] about the relative rainfall of the two areas, yet was privileged to be "corrected" by posters [one with characteristic gracelessness] who expressed their opinions and feelings [which happened to be wrong] about those objective facts. The morale for Kleenic:There is a lot of great advice rendered on this forum by people w/ a wealth of knowledge; there is also a lot of opinion and misconception parading in drag as "fact." Look critically to avoid unpleasant surprises. And, have a great stay.

I recall a lengthy and robust discussion on this forum last year, complete w/ cites to links to photographs, concerning the drastic seasonal beach erosion at Ka`anapali. Last time I was at Ka`anapali in April (1992)(I've skipped it on subsequent trips), the palm trees along the southern end of beach path were being tied down to keep them from falling into the ocean at high tide. The photos linked last year depicted the same thing.
OSB:
My recommmendation is this: When you get to Maui, skip Ka`anapali and continue driving north to better swimming, snorkeling and [in my opinion] looking beaches, such as Napili Bay, Kapalua and D.T. Fleming. In places Ka`anapali looks like FT Lauderdale, FL, with a better backdrop, or Menton, France with a poorer one. Highrises and Speedos (and a beach as thin as a Speedo in places). Not my idea of paradise.

Maybe one of our Maui residents can chime in here, but it is my understanding that Kaanapali Beach (and it is a beach) healed itself and is fine now.
-Bill

Here Today is a resident and describes the erosion as "seasonal." It comes and goes ("heals itself") like Ruby Tuesday.
She also, I believe, recognized the tongue-in-cheek nature of my remark. I haven't known her very long, but I love her.

To Lex1. FYI Rusty, aka isacruzin loves to play these tricks. He is a well known troll around here. Best to ignore him.

Izacruisin, I believe. I guess that makes bad manners, bad logic and bad facts her/his hat trick. I read her/his statement of 02/10/05 as a rather proud confession.

I just came back from Maui (was there in early Feb.), and the weather was so-so. Some days were sunny and warm, others were rainy or overcast. Not much difference between Kaanapali and Wailea, weatherwise. We were told by numerous people that if one place has rain, the other will not. We did not find that to be true most of the time. We were only there for about 5 days, so maybe we just caught an odd period of time. Anyway, it's beautiful regardless. If you're going for the weather only, go to the Caribbean and save Hawaii for fall or spring. The advantage of going this time of year is the great whale watching right from the beach. Very cool. Good luck!

Well said Lex1!

Jackie, good to hear that you are still alive and bitchin'. I see that you jumped to the comclusion that "Rusty" and "Izacruisin" are the same person. Why would you think that? And could there possibly be another explanation? Think hard.

Lex1, you should know that Fodors does not tolerate personal attacks. Keep that up and you will get yourself kicked off this forum.

try "Aloha Airlines Bankruptcy", 12/31/04, to begin answering musty's riddle.

Nice try Rustacruzin.

Hey Rusty what is the minimum wage uo to? -