Need advice on Maui, Hawaii

[punkwax]

West Jet has decent flights.

[Phozy]

Any recommendations for where to stay? -Specific condos from VRBO?

First time going to Hawaii with the family, not sure if we want to stay in kaanapali for the traditional resort experience or Keihi in a condo. We're planning on heading late April for 1 week

Is there anyone that stayed in a resort and would have wanted a condo/ vice versa?

[tiger_handheld]

looking to rent a car - i recall someone on here saying they got a deal for $200 cad for one week?

What i'm seeing now is $300+ - is this the going rate now?


Also interested in areas to stay - Kanapali or Keihi. Looking for beach easy beach access.

[vash13]

I just came back from Maui this past Sunday. Keep checking the car rental online daily. Prices fluctuate quite a bit like stock. I used Costco car rental and they seem to to give the best rates. I stayed in keihi at the cameola sands. Great condo and beach access is just across the street.

[fliptuner]

Everytime the rate drops, reserve at the lower rates. Join their loyalty programs and search for promos and see if you can stack them.

Trying to get to Kihei next month, otherwise, September.

[H.Specter]

When you land in Kahului and need a bite of food, must check out Tin Roof, their mochinki chicken or pork belly bowl is top notch.

Other sights I recommend are
Snorkelling at black rock beach
Whalers village
Front Street / Banyan tree (3rd largest in the world)
Road to Hana ( I recommend a tour with Valley of isles excursions, save yourself the stress of driving that road so that you can enjoy the view and the guides are so informative to keep the trip interesting)

[jbsali]

I would strongly recommend a car for your visit. I stayed there for 17 days once and without a rental car, you would be pretty limited unless your doing private tours, local bus or uber.

Rental cars tend to be pricey but there are some local mom & pop rental companies. You would want to have a rental car for Road to Hana.

I would also recommend getting an Air BNB or equivalent. The hotels are expensive and tend to be in two areas: Waliea and Kaanapali. Both areas are great but you may want to pick a location that is central to the two hotel areas along the coast if you're doing an Air BNB. Kihei is always littered with rental units but their beaches are decent. Thankfully other beaches are very close. If you're looking for cheap rentals, check listings for AIR BNB or Tripadvisor with "Maui Vista" in the property name. Its an older building and about a 2 minute walk to the beach.

If you have to pick between the two hotel areas, base it around what you want to get out of it. Kaanapali has more shopping options and is closer to Lahaina (Tourist town). The water conditions and colour are also drastically different between the two.

If you're looking for waves: Waliea. If you're looking for calm gentle water: Kannapali.

Keep in mind food; whether made for you or bought from a grocer is hella expensive. Do yourself a huge favour and sign up for a Costco card before you go. The Costco is close to the airport. This really only applies to you if you have a rental unit or a hotel room with a kitchenette.

Gas pricing is not too bad. I went through about 2.5 tanks in about 16 days.


Some must do's:

Road to Hana (would recommend rental car)
Sunrise at Haleakala (Book parking spot in advance)
Old Lahaina Luau (Book well in advance)
Ulalena Show in Lahaina
Big Beach and Little Beach (Drumcircles on Sundays at Little Beach, its a nude beach though, devils lettuce everywhere)
Kannapali resort Beach.
Surfing (if wanting to learn: Maui Wave Riders in Kihei)

The interior stuff on the island is meh.. unless you like horseback riding and farm tours)



if you're looking to not rent a car and stay in a resort, I would strongly recommend Oahu, Wakiki or Honolulu areas.

if you have any questions, just ask

[jbsali]

Originally Posted by Phozy

Any recommendations for where to stay? -Specific condos from VRBO?

First time going to Hawaii with the family, not sure if we want to stay in kaanapali for the traditional resort experience or Keihi in a condo. We're planning on heading late April for 1 week

Is there anyone that stayed in a resort and would have wanted a condo/ vice versa?

Literally go to Tripadvisor and type in SEARCH "200 meters from" its a unit at Maui Vista. Its probably one of the best priced units I've found and hey also have a listing on VRBO. Only sleeps 4 comfortably. 1 bedroom

[mikemhg]

I wanna repeat the recommendation for Little Beach. Legit, Big Beach and Little Beach were by far my most favorite beaches on the island, could easily go there every day of the trip and be happy.

[fliptuner]

Ugh...looks like I'm cancelling my trip for next week.

Even if there's only minor damage, supplies are going to be super low. Good thing is, I think WestJet isn't charging penalties for rescheduling.

I just want some shave ice, dammit.

[68style]

I really enjoyed all the hiking on Maui... going up the northern peak you're higher up than even the tour helicopters and it's super nice! There's some books on hidden trails there, one of which you can access from trespassing (briefly) on a golf course on the north side that takes you into a river and some ropes that people have installed to drop yourself down little waterfalls into some pools... so peaceful... also the dragon's teeth and blowhole and tidepools full of fishies are on the north side. The road is only open all the way through 1 day a week I think though.