Can people suggest their absolute favorites including things that are not too expensive for a Maui honemoon coming up a week from Saturday. Sights, economical restaurants that are still good, best place for luau, etc. Thanks in advance!

Any ideas?

The beaches are free. Drive to the 10,000 foot summit of Mount Haleakla volcano ($10 for a carload). Drive the road to Hana (free) and the road around West Maui (free). Reasonably priced fun restaurants - Rusty Harpoon. Leilani's, and Hula Bar (all in Kaanapali) and Bubba Gumps and Cheeseburger in Paradise (both in Lahaina).

Going to the summit of Haleakala is free unless you use a tour company. That is, if you have a rental car and just drive up there on your own, there is no charge to get in. My husband and I have done this three times, most recently in September of 2001, and were never charged a fee. But then, we've always gone up there really early to see the sunrise--maybe if you go later in the day, you get charged to enter the "park." Go early and it's free, and you'll never forget the beauty of the sunrise from that vantage point as long as you live.

Also, there are plenty of places from which you can snorkel from shore, so you're not paying a tour operator to take you out on a boat. We bring our own snorkel gear and just do our own thing. Just stop in to any dive shop and ask; they'll give you a map showing all of the beaches from which you can snorkel and see beautiful marine life without a boat.

How are you getting into Haleakala National Park without paying? The fee is $5 oer person or $10 for a car load as per the Park website.

http://www.nps.gov/hale/pphtml/feespermits.html

I too have been to the summit at dawn three of our times and I always paid.

We loved the Hula Grill(Barefoot Bar part). Also, for a wonderful sunset dinner that won't break the bank,even though the food is ok,Kimo's(sp?). Sunset looks like a postcard.

Get the guidebook Maui Revealed. It has tons of info about activities to do and all kinds of restaurants in different price ranges. Try to think like a "local", not a tourist, and you can find lots if inexpensive things to do! A couple of great inexpensive rest. we went to were Maui Taco, Pita Paradise,& South Shore Grind, all in Kehie; Cheesburger, Maitai & Rock & Roll at the shops at Wailea, and Maui Onion at the Renn. Hotel. Look in the book Maui Revealed and check out the rest. that they give their rating of "ono" which means good!! Other activities are snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing, relaxing, all which are free. The first time I went to Maui I asked a local if he ever went on a boat trip (snorkeling or sailing) and which one was the best? He gave me a look like - are you kidding??? He said that the boat trips are basically for tourists because locals making 8-10 dollars an hour can't afford to spend that kind of $$$$$. So, if you think like a local you can avoid the "tourist traps".

I don't know where your staying, but definitely a drive around Maui. We stayed in Kaanapali area and drove to Wailea. Very Pretty. Also drove to Haleakla mountains. We also hung out a lot on Front Street. They have restaurants and lots of shops. Whalers Village is another nice shopping area with restaurants, beautiful views. These areas are nice just to walk around and site see. Of course, you know us women, I did end up doing a little bit of shopping when going to these places.
No matter what ya do, Maui is just a beautiful place to be. I wish I was going next Saturday.
Have fun!!

Thanks so much for the info posted!! Is a luau worth going to?

The Old Lahaina Luau is very nice especially for a honeymoon. It is wise to reserve well in advance, but for the price, I think it is a worthwhile evening. Not as crammed in as other luau's and much less cheesy. The show isn't as spectacular, but it is much more relaxed and peaceful with nicer chairs and tables than the others where you get crammed onto a long picnic table with a plastic folding chair. As for inexpensive ideas, snorkeling, visiting different beaches like Wailea, Kaanapali etc., and driving to Hana and Haleakala were some of the highlights of our trips. I always seem disappointed paying a lot of money for tours and activities when I enjoy them less than the free stuff anyway. And don't think driving around Maui is miserable. In fact, just taking a drive and stopping off at whatever you see at whatever time of day can be very enjoyable. Wish I was there now.

We were all about the cheap holiday last time we went to Maui. Additional ideas: IAO needle is neat. Also, if you are an active type, hike into the Crater at Haleakala....definately one of the most memorable hikes in the world. You definately need a car on Maui. If you don't have one, book one. It will save you $$$ in the long run because then you can drive yourself places as opposed to hiring a tour. Also, Kehi has lots of cheap, fun eats. We ate lunch at Maui Taco when ever we could! Also the Denny's at Kehi is great. We sat outside on the patio and had some great dinners. In Lihina, we ate at Bubba Gumps one night. We had the best table as it overlooked the bay @ sunset.

SNORKEL, SNORKEL, SNORKEL!!!!!! I had an incredible fear of fish, and now I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahihi Bay down near LaPerouse Bay was the best snorkel spot, and of course Black Rock.

Old Lahaina Luau, don't even consider another.

The drive north of Kapalua to the blowhole (just ask any local for directions to the cliffs and the blowhole) is an incredible drive, and a very romantic spot to sit. Pack an old sheet (does not take much room in a suitcase) and really comes in handy for inpromtu picnics, always have a little cooler with water or pop and your sheet to sit on,(either on the cliffs or on the beaches) your snorkel gear, your suit on under any clothes and you are golden.

Bubba Gumps is average priced and fun, Maui has restaurants in all price ranges, people really had me freaked out about that, and it was for nothing.

I agree with do not miss Haleakela, or Hana, see it all, who knows if you will ever go back. If you want to just sit on a beach, go to Florida Right?

Sunsets are free too, not to mention incredible, you can spend as little as you want or as much as you want.

Congratulations, and have fun.

Try staying in a condo and cooking some of your meals there, it saves a little since restaurants can be pricey. Many have BBQ's & microwaves. Check out the local food - chili rice is my fave!

The Wailea ocean walk is gorgeous, park at one of the hotels or the little shopping area and walk the coastline. Have a burger at the Onion at the Rennaisance.Drive to Hana and go completely around the island, 7 Sacred pools, the Lindberg grave , stop at the winery for a free taste. Old Lahaina Luau is great. In Kiheu, there is a chain steakhouse, cant remember which one but like a Damons, go there when you are hungry , reasonably priced. Marco's Italian restaurant near the airport is reasonably priced for casual food. Drive drive drive, the beautiful nature views are free. When you drive up the volcano, stop in Kula at the botanical shops to see the homegrown flowers.

To Nova: I don't know what to tell you; my husband and I have been to Maui together three times and have gone up to Haleakala all three times for the sunrise--we wouldn't miss it. We arrive super-early and have never, ever been asked for a red cent to get in; nor have any of the other people who were in cars just ahead or right behind us. There is no attendant on duty at that hour (between 4 and 5 a.m.) to collect any fee; we've always slowed down and looked, as have other nearby cars, and there's no one around.

I know you're correct that the fee is posted on the park Web site, but honestly, we've never been asked for payment of any kind. We'd have gladly paid had we been asked, but no one has ever asked us for money. What can I say--just lucky, I guess!

4 to 5 am !! You do get there early considering that sunrise is about 6 am. You must arrive before the attendant !!

Go to Hookipa Beach Park near Paia and watch some of the best windsurfers! If you can afford to splurge, go to Mama's Fish House in Paia and have a unforgetable lunch with a great view (http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/). Paia is a funky little town that's also worth browsing.

Great snorkeling for free at Ulua Beach which has a rocky outcropping that has schools of fish, eels and we even saw a sea snake (creepy). It was much better snorkeling than either Black Rock or Molokini. It also has bathrooms and showers. Parking is just a short walk from the beach. I believe it is right next to the Renaissance in Wailea.

If you are in Kaanapali near sunset, another free event is the torch lighting at the Sheraton. After all the torches are lit on the grounds the guy runs down the beach with the torch, climbs up black rock and lights those torches and then dives from the rock into the water below. He's very friendly and will stop to talk to those who stay to watch.

Everyone told us to go to that Old Lahina Luau, and we did --waste of money! Take a walk on the beach and watch the show for free. Since you're budget concious, spend your luau money elsewhere, have fun!

Maui is great. Period. If you drive around the west coast of maui, don't bother stopping at Ulupakai (sp?)at the winery or the little eatery across the street. You'll most likely see locals who love to beat their dogs and throw rocks at them. The food is good though.

Drive the hana hwy ONCE. Stay in Hana a max of two days which should be enough to see everything. Disregard the "tudes" you'll get from some of the locals. Most of them like "mainlanders" At mile marker 7 (I think) is the entrance to a wonderful 30 minute hike or so to some hidden waterfalls. Venus Pool in Hana is most excellent as are the scared pools. Blue pool isn't blue, however, and the owner of the land there doesn't appreciate tourists leaving trash or human waste on his property so be eco- conscious if you go there. Waianapanapa state park has a beautiful black sand beach that is worth seeing.
Ka'anapali is about the best place on the island. LaHaina is too touristy and you pay touristy prices for everything from T-shirts to internet access. Kihei is the Florida of Maui.
You'll have a great time but don't expect Maui to be a utopia.