The International Colony Club is actually right up the street (2-3 minute walk)from a really good snorkeling beach "airport beach". It's across the street from the Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas and just a few minutes from the main part of Ka'anapali and Lahaina.

I don't think the OP mentioned Kaanapali Alii or the Whaler, but as long as we're still discussing them, the OP should know that the KA is <much> more upscale than the Whaler.

I'm with Sylvia about South Kihei and Wailea. Much prefer this area to Kaanapali, and I've stayed in Kaanapali and north in Kahana a gazillion times and swore I'd never stay anywhere else on Maui. The beaches are better in Kihei (Kamaole 1, 2, 3 and Kewakapu) and Wailea, and so is the snorkeling. Sure Kihei lacks a bit of charm, but the location on the island cannot be beat and there are some great new restaurants in the area. Wailea is a bit more expensive than some of the places mentioned above, but you get what you pay for...the beach and the location. Let the debate continue.

I just changed my screensaver to a photo of Big Beach. Sigh.:)