Maui, what not to miss.
 

Everyone was so helpful on my post with which Islands to visit in Hawaii and where to stay. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-time-help.cfm We are now booked for 8 nights in Hale Pau Hana in Kihei. http://www.hphresort.com/mauicondos.php?title=location

Now I would like help with more specific <b>scenic</b> places we shouldn't miss on Maui. Beaches, waterfalls, hikes, drives and beginner places to snorkel are my priorities. We will be doing the drive to Hana. DH does not swim so we need really easy places to get to to snorkel.

Thanks in advance,

Utahtea

If DH does not swim, DH should not be going in the ocean to snorkel. Hopefully, someone will describe a lagoon or two where DH can stand and put his facemask in the water!

There is good snorkeling from the beach in front of Hale Pau Hana.
Very easy entry and small surf make it a great place for beginners.

Suggest you also rent a life vest for your husband if he can't swim. Better safe than sorry.

A great spot is on Baby beach in Sprecklesville near Paia. It's like a swimming pool and you can stand up easily if you are above 5' tall.

You should also be sure to head to Hana. It's a beautiful drive and overall a full day of waterfalls, incredible coastline views, beautiful rain forest and more.

Also, go up to the crater and do a hike into it if you can. It is out of this world.

Wailea Beach in the resort area has very easy entry for snorkeling. You can stand up quite a ways there.

You already know about Haleakala ... make sure if you are in the area you see some of the Kula area. There is a lavender farm in the area that is a little different and a nice diversion.

As others have said, Hana Road has plenty to see -- arboretum, black sand beach, town of Keanae ... watch the surfers and the big waves just outside of Paia at Hookipa... and can't forget one of the nice coast roads ever between Kihei and Lahiana. Lots of traffic but pretty awesome ocean views.

Old, but hopefully still valuable:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...activities.cfm

Call me old school - but as one who has pulled struggling types form the ocean - and also always seem to the one the dive master picks to help with the other divers (even though I don't have that many dives) - get your huband a life vest if he gets anywhere near the water. Period. Case closed.

You have to eat at Mama's Fish House!

Do you like to horse back ride? You could take a ride at Haleakala Crater! Or you could get there for the sunrise and beautiful views.

In Lahaina - there is a Historic whaling village with some great places to eat and see the sunset

Kaanapali Beach - Signature beach of West Maui


8-)

Not to worry, DH won't be going into the water without a life jacket!!!

I don't think I'll be getting him on a horse either. We are in our early 60's and bones break to easily! ;)

Thanks for all the ideas.

Utahtea

We had the most wonderful day by going past Hana to O'heo Gulch. Great waterfalls and pools to laze about in. The road does get skinnier and skinnier after Hana but not too bad if you leave early and go slow enjoying the day. Also stopped at Waianapanapa state park at the black sand beach. great coastal trail.

kadeycat,

Thanks for the feedback on the road to Hana. Narrow roads don't scare us....we're use to driving around Utah on one lane 4x4 roads.

Utahtea

PLEASE be careful with a non-swimmer going in the ocean in Hawaii!!! Tourists drown every year there. Even with a life vest you need to be extremely careful where you pick to go in water.

A vest and a boogie board or similar to float on would be ideal for him; he can lie on the board and put his face into the water. Ulua beach is very close, and ideal for starters. Get there early for the parking.

Also - also get dear hubby a beanie with a flashing red light. :) And the best place to start to learn how to use the mask/snorkel is the shallow end of a swimming pool, not just cold turkey into the ocean.

Enjoy the road to Hana. Suggest you take plenty of beverages and snacks and stop along the way to enjoy it.

And as people habe been warning: Pick a very safe beach/area - with little current/wave action. That's actually better for visibility anyway.

We really enjoyed the Pipiwai Trail hike through a bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls. The sound of the bamboo clicking above us in the breeze was an unusual, musical accompaniment. The trailhead is about 10 miles past Hana.

Tomsd, The idea of starting in a pool was suggested to us just the other day. I think we might try that!

Thanks to everyone who has given suggestions. I'm writing them all down!

Utahtea

We enjoyed the drive up the mountain (Haleakala) to see the sunrise. We had to leave really early in the morning, and didn't dress quite warm enough. But it was spectacular. It got quite crowded as sunrise neared. As I recall, we had to watch for bikers on the drive down. (We didn't do a tour bus, we just drove our rental car.) If you enjoy biking, you might like the ride down if you choose that instead of driving.