Gyppielou,

Haha, awesome, thanks! Maui LOVED me!

love
roxy

Thanks everyone, great list and very helpful.

yeah!!! Maui and Kauai LOVED me too!!! Both islands opened there arms and said Hey!!!

I am heading out for trip # 5 since 2001 so here are my top 10. It really depends on the individual - I don't go in for "tourist stuff". I have been to Hawaii 6 times and have never gone to a luau. That said:
Snorkel: Honolua area/Kihei(Kamaole III)
Eat local food: Saigon Cafe/Da Kitchen/Sansei for sushi/wei wei noodle house!
Shop for junk to bring home
Catch plenty of sunsets
Eat lots of fresh fruit
RELAX
Snoop around Paia and the upcounty art galleries
If this is your first trip go ahead and do sunrise on Haleakala/road to Hana or better yet be brave and drive around the west. Don't bother with boat trips for snorkeling.
Buy a grass mat at ABC and hang loose on the beach.

Anyone have any additions to this list?

Since I wrote my last post I've returned to Maui and have a few new items...

Found a GREAT snorkeling trip to Lanai. We took a tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation (they have amazing, uncrowded eco-tours) out to Lanai. The trip we took was called the "Lanai Wild Dolphin & Snorkel Eco-Adventure." We saw tons of dolphins (they swim right up to the boat and jump around in the water-- it was wonderful!). Then, we were the ONLY boat snorkeling off the coast of Lanai that day. What a change from super-crowded Molokini. It was great!

If you're staying at one of the resorts, check out the spa there. We stayed at the Hyatt and had lomi lomi style massages at Spa Moana. It was so relaxing!

I still think that the Road to Hana is a can't-miss activity. Be sure to stop at Waikamoi Ridge Trail (a gorgeous area that features a half-mile walk through trees, bamboo and ferns, with scenic overlooks) and Waianapanapa State Park (a beautiful beach with black lava rock along the shore).

Was only in Maui for a few days, but some of my favs:
- The Road to Hana is not necessarily a must in itself, but more so because of the abundance of sites along the way. Waterfalls, exploring at various colored sand beaches, snorkeling, etc.
- Pools at Oheo gulch and Pipwai Trail (4 mile rt hike, lead to 400ft Waimoku Falls)
- Snorkel cruise
- Haleakala
- Macadamia Nut pankakes at Gazebo oceanfront restaurant

Hike Hoapili Highway and beyond
Mountain Biking or hiking at Poli Poli Springs
Aloha Festival closing weekend in Hana
Halloween in Lahaina
Surfing the north shore
Surfing a south swell
Dinner at Chez Paul
Seeing Kealii Reichel perform with his halau
Catching Uncle Willie K at Hapa's
Floating on a cheap blow up raft at Baby Beach in Lahaina

In no particular order:

Seeing Kealii Reichel or/and Willie K.

Breakfast buffet at Renaissance Wailea

Easting Onion Rings with a Mai Tai at the Maui Onion, Renaissance Wailea

Eatings tons of fresh pineapple and papaya

Going to the upcountry (cowboy country) for lunch, and stopping at the winery

Doing the walk-way behind the Wailea resorts early in the morning, stopping for coffee along the way

Doing Haleakala sunrise, then having Eggs Benedict at Kula Lodge on the way down.

A table on the water at sunset at Lahaina Fish Company (reasonable & fun!)

Anyone else have suggestions?

This is not for everyone but here goes. Get up very early one morning and go out for a walk or a jog. See Maui when it is awakening with few if anyone else out, by yourself or with an SO. You will think you have paradise for yourselves, at least for a little while. :-)

ttt

Which Maui Kayak tour did turniton take? I have been looking for a kayak snorkel tour and and comparing????

We loved the helicopter tour over Haleakala and the Hana coast. It saved us a LOT of driving.

I do not like seafood, but Mama's Fish House was great! Our group mentioned to the waitress that I didn't like seafood - and she remarked that I certainly cleaned my plate. The food was awesome and the setting is lovely.

I also really enjoyed strolling around Lahaina - the galleries, and seeing that huge Banyan tree. In the basement of the courthouse is the old jail, which is now being used as an art gallery. Some pictures hang inside the jail cells.

We also really enjoyed Makena Beach - very pretty.

Regarding Kayak/Snorkel tour, I really feel it boils down to the guide. Pretty much all the tour companies provide the same equipment. I prefer a smaller group of about 6 kayaks. One time we had a guide who was adequate, but maybe was having an off day. Translation : I have furniture with more personality. Be sure to quiz the tour companies on your kayak route and where the stops will be.

Driving up Haleakala anytime of day. Smelling the eucalyptus as you travel through Kula. Looking down at the coastline between West and South Maui, the surreal quiet surroundings as you almost reach the top!

The lush beauty of the Iao Valley - the streams and the history behind "the Needle".

The drive up the coast of West Maui. How weirdly purple the dirt at the side of the road gets when you get to the one lane parts of the road.

The Kahului swap meet.

Walking the beach path in the Wailea area - seeing other islands in the distance, stopping for a coffee at the pathside stand by the Outrigger.

Frolicking in the Grand Wailea pools!

Wailea Nights at Mulligan's. The setting, the music, the food. Ahhhh...

Going to the "real" places in Kahului - the bakery, the laundromat, the Fabric Mart, the lumberyard.

Watching the windsurfers from the beach near Mama's Fish House and then going in for a cocktail.

Sitting on any of the beaches - especially the South Maui ones.

Enjoyed Old Lahaina Luau and shopping in Lahaina the first time - but been there, done that now.

Love that banyan tree in Lahaina still.

Oops! I had more than 15 items in my shopping cart. Better stop now. Ya got me daydreamin'!

We loved snorkeling in Honolua Bay.

Our Divers loved diving with Ed Robinson's company.

Our small children & our older folk loved the Atlantis Sub.

Loved the Banyan tree in Lahaina.

Loved the pineapple.

Loved swimming in the condo's pool that overlooked the ocean.

Loved the little geckos in our condo.

Loved Hana and the road.

Loved Mama's Fish House.

I want to go back!!!!!

OK! Here goes from a 2 time a year (at least) return Maui traveler from 1959. Molokini...never went there as our daughter, a PADI diver, took folks there daily from Lahaina during a summer stay and said the best thing they could do was be sure not to get sea sick! November is windy and heading into Hawaii winter which= WIND and roug seas.
Kaanapali to Kapalua and the Ritz Carlton are horrible in the winter..wind wise.
we always head to the beach at the Prince hotel at Wailea for the BEST snorkling in Maui unless you head further south to Makena beaches. The turtles LOVE the area (don't touch them- you can be arrested) and the fish are happy happy...unless it's windy and rough. Snorkle in the morning. The wind is up by noon...guaranteed.
If you really want to see a volcano close up, do the helicopter thing. Expensive, but not something you will do on a regular basis and you learn so much more than driving all over the place!
Then you can decide at a later date if a pre dawn winding ride up the crater is worth it.
The drive from the west side over the north of Maui is spectacular. It's narrow but safe if you cool it.
And ****** when you land in Kahalui head for Costco (if you have a card..or sign up for one!) and shop for provisions...tan lotion, drinks, snacks, breakfast goodies, etc..and their books are great for beach reading, not to mention Hawaiian subjects for collecting and gifts.,,flowers and leis are a bargain! Grab a pizza or hot dog on the way out! Better than airplane food!! Down the road, all the markets you need for other stuff. Empty the hotel refrigerator for overpriced drinks and snacks and throw in your own goodies.
By the way..at the airport are at least a dozen "tourist blab magazines" for free at the luggage claim. Grab a bunch and plan your stay+tear out coupons.!
Head to HIlo Hatties for great Hawaiian clothes and gift selections (and look for their coupon!)
AlOHA