since i will be there for a week in july (9th-16th), and have never been, i would like to know what other travelers or locals recommend. thanks.

Drive to the summit of Haleakala, enjoying the beautiful Upcountry journey.
Visit the Iao Valley.
Walk through Lahaina, taking care to enjoy the history, not just the tacky shops.
Watch every sunrise and every sunset, from the beach if possible.
Eat local foods like loco moco, poi, poke', etc.
Strike up a conversation with locals every chance you get.
Don't miss the funky little towns like Paia and Makawao for great food, shopping, and people-watching.
Watch the kitesurfers at Ho'okipa Beach.
I'll put the road to Hana in there as a must do once thing.
Take the West Maui drive up and around the coast visiting the blowhole and Olivine Pools.
Old Lahaina Luau.

I've already passed up the number seven and I know there's more. These are my favorite things. Notice I did not include a snorkeling cruise or a helicopter ride, although I've done and did enjoy those things. Everyone's list will be different.

Oh...Oh...Oh! Please let me add Wailea Nights at Mulligan's to the top of the list - AND the Kahului Swap Meet to the middle of the list somewhere. I do these things every time I go!

Hike the King's Highway and see the 1789 Lava Flow past Makena. Go to Big Beach past Makena too. Huge waves, great views of Molokini.

Agree with West Maui drive (prefer this drive over Road to Hana), Paia and Makawao for one of a kind shopping. From Makawao drive around the dry side of Haleakala to see the ranches and get beautiful views of the Pacific.

Eat at Longhi's in Lahaina.

Snorkel at Black Rock. Have drinks at the Hula Grill in Whalers Village.

Not in any special order:


1. Komoda’s Bakery.
2. Eat pineapple – every day!
3. Picnic on the beach – every day!
4. Enjoy the sunset celebration every day!
5. Attend a luau - we enjoyed the Old Lahaina Luau.
6. Spend an afternoon at Haleakala. Watch the clouds float by and/or roll in...
7. Visit the Iao Needle – take a lovely walk.

So, so many things to do and see! Enjoy your trip!

Snorkel at Ulua Beach or at Black Rock,

Watch the torch lighting at the Sheraton.

Drive to the end of the road past Makena to the old lava flows. You can look south for as far as your eyes will allow and on a clear day I believe you can see the big island.

Other stuff I'd say is already posted.

My husband would have to say golfing the wonderful courses, that's if you golf of course !!

He liked The Kapalua courses and The Wailea courses, especially!!

wow! great responses! just what i was looking for. i'm sure all the books and web sites are great, but this is what i felt i needed to read to get REALLY excited about this trip. i'll of course try to hit the must-see places, but i do appreciate info on what most people don't know. thanks everyone.

Find some REAL Hawaiian music to listen to.
Go on a snorkling boat trip

PS_ the west Maui drive is the scariest drive I have ever done in my life-
maybe the road has improved since I did it back in the 60's but it would have to have improved a lot before I did it again

scariest drive?

In the 60s? Gee you think in 40 years the road has improved?

West Maui drive is a piece of cake compared to the Road to Hana and much prettier. There's only one place that I recall where the road is dirt and so narrow two cars can't pass. And the views of Molokai are unbeatable.

Just don't do it after dark (but sunset would be great!)

Don't let the maps or rental agencies scare you off!

The part I remember was where the road was very narrow and it was straight down to the ocean on one side - and straight up on the other side and if another car had been coming I dont know what we would have done.
The car rental company specifically said not to drive that road - so of course we did.

1.) Relax by the pool or on the beach (be sure to wear some good sunblock)
2.) Snorkel. Many places.
3.) Eat at Sensei
4.) Umbrella drinks of your choice
5.) If you have a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, kids, parents other relatives or friends, kiss, hug and otherwise act in loving ways toward them
6.) Get wet!
7.) Smile, because you get to do 1-6 and a whole lot more.

Crazy for HI captured most of mine. Two cafe's I like, are Sunrise Cafe in Lahaina and Pauwela Cafe & Bakery in Haiku. Casanova's in Makawao is fun, and yummy pizza.

1. Snorkeling at Honolua Bay
2. Swimming at on the Road to Hana
3. Old Laihana Luau
4. Eating pineapple by the Fairmont Kea Lani pool
5. Dinner out at Mama's Fish House or Nick's Fishmarket
6. Boogie boarding
7. Sipping a blue hawaiian or a mai tai at an outdoor bar
8. Sunset cruise on the America II

(sorry had to do 8!)

http://www.geocities.com/tomtammitravel/hawaii.html

When we were there in April, someone drove off the cliff & died. We had done the road the day before. The maps the rental car companies give you do not include that area because they don't want you driving it. It is a beautiful drive. Just don't sightsee while you are driving!! Keep your eyes on the road & you should be fine.

bons, i appreciate the info. just the driving off the cliff depressed me a bit. i'll be traveling solo. so yes! i'll remember to keep my eyes on the road. i want to take the drive to hana and the biking down haleakala and a lot of other things. is there ONE thing i shouldn't do alone? please don't list the obvious like getting into a stranger's car. : )
thanks

Don't go snorkeling alone (take a snorkel boat trip).