opinions Maui itinerary
 

Hello,

We are leaving for Maui in about 4 weeks and I have thought of an itinerary and wanted some opinions.

Arrive Maui on Saturday about 5pm, go to Safeway and Costco, then head to hotel in Kihei
Sunday:
Drive to Iao Needle for hike, pack lunch, Dinner at Las Pinatas of Maui
Monday: Breakfast at Charley's, West Maui Coast Hike, Dinner @ Hecko's and watch luau from Hecko's
Tuesday: Pony Express ride into crater, dinner at Saigon Cafe
Wed: PWF whale watching cruise, go to aquarium, lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate and dinner at Mama's Fish House
Thursday: Road to Hana and winery, dinner at Alexander's Fish,Chicken,and Chips
Friday: Helicoper tour? lunch at Maui tacos

Depart Friday evening back to the midwest.

We do not have our days packed with activities we wanted to relax. We are going to throw in some snorkeling here and there. We will have most of our breakfasts at the condo except for one morning we are going to try Charley's.
Another question is whether or not it would be worth it to buy the Entertainment book for our trip. I think they have a 2 for 1 at Hecko's in the book, but not sure about anything else. Thanks for your input.

Cathy

I love Maui. I loved Iao needle and it was an easy day. The trip to Hana is long and the return is VERY long when you are tired. But, it is very nice. I recommend snorkeling in a couple locations. There is a park on the main highway out of Kaanapali north that is next to the Aston Kaanapali villas that was pretty nice. But the best we did was right off the road north going towards Kapalua. You had to walk through a jungle to get to the lava rock beach, but the snorkeling was awesome! ABout the entertainment book...I have one. I bought it in October for my trip to Oahu. Not as many coupons for Maui. I don't see Hecko's. Could you possibly mean Hecocks? or Hakone's? There are about 30 coupons for Maui dining in the book. Keep in mind it will be hard to use the book enough on a rigid itinerary where you have most of your time planned out. I used my book three times in one week. It paid for the book, but just barely. Have fun!

You should be fine just shopping at Safeway, it is a huge store. You don't want to spend time in paradise in a Costco.
You might just go straight to your room and try and catch the sunset. There are little stores in Kihei where you can buy breakfast stuff, maybe within walking distance from your hotel.

We did the Haleakala helicopter tour on the same day we flew back home and wouldn't do it again on the same day. There's also a possibility of bad weather and if you schedule earlier in the week you can reschedule if necessary. We also did the West Maui tour and liked it a whole lot better than the Haleakala trip. You may also want to consider a helicopter tour to Hana and then have them drive you back (complete with lunch and stops). A little more expensive but certainly not as tiring. The winery could then be on another day. They have mini winery tours during the day if you get there early enough.
We're just starting to count the days till we go again next year. Have a great time.

You itinerary has a lot of driving in it. For instance, on Monday you are friving from Kihei to Pa`ia for breakfast, then from Pa`ia to west Maui for your hike, then to Lahaina for dinner at Heckocks. Tuesday your are upcountry then eating in Wailuku, Wednesday, Ma`alaea to the other side of Lahaina and then back to Ku`au, beyond Pa`ia. Do you have a map of Maui?

Also, just curious why Las Pinatas for dinner? Las Pinatas does not impress me enough to go out of my way to eat there--it is just a Mexican restaurant. Since you'll be in Wailuku already, maybe you could eat that day at A Saigon Cafe. Instead of breakfast at Charleys on the day you're hiking west Maui, how about breakfast at the Gazebo in Napili?

Is the Pony Express ride the early or mid-morning ride? If you are doing the 11:30 ride, then this would be a good day to have breakfast at Charleys.

One last suggestion, Alexanders does not impress me to much either. I know a lot of visitors eat there, but I couldn't pay my husband to eat there. Me, I'm just not into fried foods. Since you'll be coming back form Hana you might want to considser the Pa`ia Fish Market for a lighter, inexpensive, fresh fish dinner (best `ahi on the island!).

Where is the Safeway located? Need groceries for our room also. Is it close to Kaanapali Beach?

Your Thursday itinerary road to Hana. If your plans are to drive completely around to the Tedeschi Winery, check the winery hours. We planned on stopping there but they were closed when we arrived. Be sure to hike the Pipiwai Trail through the bamboo forest and to Waimoku Falls. Come to think of it, that is why we didnt make it the the winery on time.

Winery tours are at 10:30 and 1:30. The tasting room is open 9 - 5.

There is a Safeway at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, which is on your way to Ka`anapali.

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I have a map, but did not think to much about the driving. I love the fishmarket idea for a light meal. Would the fishmarket be open when we arrive in Maui about 5pm on Saturday or should we get something from Safeway to cook at the condo? Thanks again for your help.

cathy

The Safeway has a large selection of prepared foods for your first dinner. Chicken, sandwiches, sushi etc. Kihei has lots of inexpensive restaurants (by Maui standards).
Our routine is to head straight for the condo,walk to the liquor store for mai tai fixings, enjoy the sunset and then walk to dinner.

You will probably not spend a whole lot of time at Iao Needle. If you make it a morning hike, pack the lunch to the beach and plan on doing some snorkeling on that day.

At which condo are you staying? Rather than eat Safeway service deli food or drive out of your way to Pa`ia in evening "rush" hour traffic, why not get settled in your condo and then take a short walk or ride to one of the many options in Kihei. Maybe you could have Alexanders that night. Other options might be Keoki's Fish and Chips, Jawz Tacos, Thai, Chinese, Italian or Japanese (New Toji Japanese Buffet just opened--haven't tried it yet) food, or local style food from Da Kitchen or Maui Kitchen.

We will be staying at the Leinaala condo complex. The complex is at 998 S. Kihei Rd.

I second Wendys suggestion of the Pipiwai Trail on the other side of the road from the Seven Sacred Pools past Hana. The bamboo forest is amazing and the waterfall is very cool.