Maui Help

[beechparty]

Hi all!

 

We are going on the POAM and I have most of our days planned but the Maui days. We have rented a convertible. Here are my concerns: I have read here and in all my guide books (yes, I am a control freak and over-planner :D) that the Road to Hana is the must-do. Knowing me and mine, I am thinking that is probably is not the best thing. I am thinking my husband wont see as much and enjoy it because he will be too busy driving, I wont see much for worrying about his driving, trying to read my revealed books on where to stop and what to see(remember my personality:D, and my ds 16 will be totally bored(most 16yos constant state anyway). I totally understand all the warnings about its not the destination of Hana but the trip itself but afraid nt matter all the warnings we will fall into the trap. This all said, I still am trying to decide if we try it anyway or is there something else we should do or maybe try for specific places on the road. Thought about the excursion, it would be nice to leave all the driving and planning to somebody else for once but a 9 hour trip on a bus with a lot of other people just doesn't sound appealing or my idea of paradise in Hawaii but then driving a winding road with a lot of traffic doesn't either. So dear CC members what do you suggest keeping in mind my personality (which I think most of you understand, after all you are CC members;))

Thanks for all your help!

[bankofdad]

On our 2004 POAloha cruise (just DW and I) we rented a converatble and on day 1 spent drove up to Lahaina in the AM to walk around and do some liesurly shopping for abot two hours. We then stopped and had lunch at Cheesburger in Paradise (food not great, but the view is spectacular). After that, we drove up to the Sheraton and spent the day at Kaanapali Beach near blck rock. The snorkeling was excellent around the rock, and we saw several green sea turtles as well.

 

On day two, we took the Four Winds AM molokini sail/snorkel. I didn't really care for the snorkeling and comercialism, but others have loved it. both DW and I agreed we would have prefered a beach day instead of this

 

On our 2005 POAmerica cruise (this time with our three kids and MIL), we drove down to the south shore, and stopped at a lot of the beaches recommended by the "Revealed" guidebook, and then also went up to Kaanapali Beach as well. Before we set out to the beach, we stopped at the Wal-Mart near the airport and bought a couple of cheap boogie bords for the kids. They absolutely loved this, and seemed to have had the best time of the cruise during the time in Maui.

 

I know your concern about Hana, because we have had the same. The long day driving doesn't appeal much to me, so on our 2006 POHawaii cruise (just DW and I), we're doing something somewhat unconventional for a cruise. We have rented a beach cottage next to Hana Bay for the overnight. We're going to liesurley (with lots of stops) drive the road to Hana, then check into our cottage and enjoy the afternoon and evening up there. IN the AM we plan to drive the road around the back side of the volcano, and stop up in Kula to enjoy the view and lunch prior to returning to the ship.

 

Whatever you do, you'll have fun! Maui is beautiful!

[tomatopa]

can you get to Kaanapali beach without renting a car or paying a lot for a taxi? where did you snorkel on the beach? are there places to get refreshments there? we are coming in on a cruise just for the day. we have not been to Hawaii before. thank you.

[bankofdad]

can you get to Kaanapali beach without renting a car or paying a lot for a taxi? where did you snorkel on the beach? are there places to get refreshments there? we are coming in on a cruise just for the day. we have not been to Hawaii before. thank you.

 

Hi tomatopa! Go Suluki's! (I'm an SIU Alum, and I see you're in Southern Illinois).

 

What cruise will you be on? If you are traveling on the NCLA ships (POAloha or POAmerica) you'll be docking in Kahalui which is about an hour away from the port. Your best bet if that's the case is to either rent a car, or if you just want a few hours at the beach NCL offers an excursion called "Kaanapali Beach Break" which actually uses the beach in front of the Sheraton Kaanapali (the nicest part of Kaanapali Beach, IMHO).

 

If you will be tendering in Lahaina (which most other ships do), its just a short cab ride (about 10 minutes) to the Sheraton. There is a public access walkway right next to the property.

[tomatopa]

Bankofdad, thank for the info. we are sailing in on the Summit, celebrity ship. so we will plan to get to the beach via a short cab ride to the sheraton and snorkel there. my parents both were from Murphysboro...spent a lot of time there as a child...many friends and relatives went to SIU. we live by St Louis. leave in 3 weeks!

[bankofdad]

Bankofdad, thank for the info. we are sailing in on the Summit, celebrity ship. so we will plan to get to the beach via a short cab ride to the sheraton and snorkel there. my parents both were from Murphysboro...spent a lot of time there as a child...many friends and relatives went to SIU. we live by St Louis. leave in 3 weeks!

 

Have a great trip! You'll love this beach and the snorkeling!

[wuppis]

We have been on 4 islands of Hawaii in 1999.

I think I remember, that we were told, that its not allowed to make the Hana Tour with a rented car.

And its really an exhausting and long lasting tour. We did it with a tour guide and a van for 14 people. That was really good.

Because we are in Maui in may, I sent him a mail and asked him about the same tour.

But the Radiance tenders in Lahaina and so we don´t have enough time for the Hana tour (about 9 hours).

But NCL is docking in Kahalui and sometimes they have overnight stay. Then you have enough time for this special tour and you will love it. And the tour does not have lots of traffic and they only can drive along with small busses or vans.

 

Best regards from Germany

[bobnsandi]

Hi all!

 

We are going on the POAM and I have most of our days planned but the Maui days. We have rented a convertible. Here are my concerns: I have read here and in all my guide books (yes, I am a control freak and over-planner :D) that the Road to Hana is the must-do. Knowing me and mine, I am thinking that is probably is not the best thing. I am thinking my husband wont see as much and enjoy it because he will be too busy driving, I wont see much for worrying about his driving, trying to read my revealed books on where to stop and what to see(remember my personality:D, and my ds 16 will be totally bored(most 16yos constant state anyway).

 

There are many, many threads on CruiseCritic about

the Road to Hana, so do look around the boards.

 

Last year, we took the bus (van, really) tour

all the way around and loved it. Our driver Iwi was

the best! In your own car, the driver will have trouble enjoying

a lot of the trip, which is why we suggest thinking

about the van tour.

 

If you drive yourself, you can buy CD's to put into the car's

stereo, that tell you all about the road and what you are seeing

in each spot, where to stop, etc. No need to read the

guidebook as you drive.

[rjscott]

beechparty, check your Maui Revealed book starting on page 55, about the drive around the West Maui mountains. We did this drive recently on our last visit to Maui. It is a beautiful drive, but much shorter than the Road to Hana (we've done the Road twice now, and enjoyed it both times, but it is a commitment of a day). There is a very nice gallery as you come near the end of your drive, and then you can stop for lunch in either Wailuku or Kahului. We had lunch at Manana Garage in Kahului, and we also liked Da Kitchen for plate lunches in Kahului.

 

Becki

[mermaid40]

bankofdad,

Is there parking at the Sheraton in Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina?

Thanks!!

[penorment]

We just reurned form POAM cruise and parked in Whaler's village which is right by Sheraton Black Rock. It is 3 hrs free with a $10 validation. No problem for us, there were plenty of shops and even an ABC store where you could pick up drinks and snacks for the beach. I think it is only $3 an hour otherwise. We loved the beach there, there was a medium surf and the kids used tubes to ride the waves for 2 hrs. There was sand in every part of them!! You can buy the tubes at the ABC store too.

[bankofdad]

bankofdad,

Is there parking at the Sheraton in Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina?

Thanks!!

 

Hi Mermaid40,

 

There are several free parking areas along Kaanapali Beach that offer a public access walkway. The Maui "revealed" guidebook gives all of the info (complete with maps), and it's right on target. There is one small garage lot right adjacent to the Sheraton (right off of Kaanapali Parkway) that is free of cost and open to the public. However, it only holds about twenty cars. We got lucky on our last trip and found an open spot in the garage.

 

I hope this helps!

[sceptic]

The original post asked if the road to Hana is a "must see."

 

No. Simple as that. It's a very pretty drive - not the prettiest in Hawaii, IMO, but nice. If long drives aren't for you, don't do it. It's a full day, and I would never suggest that a person use up the sole day in Maui on the road to Hana. If you're there for a week or so, and need a day away from the beach, go for it!

 

(Reading your post twice makes it sound like you'd rather have oral surgery than drive the road to Hana.)

 

Alas, I don't know your personality. If you like beaches, Maui is blessed with some great ones. Napili, Kapalua, Honolua Bay up north. Kaanapali. Some great, nearly empty beaches S of Kihei.

[4minus1]

also a saluki alum. l981.

[Dorothy]

The road to Hana is beautiful but very long. There is much more to see and do in Lahaina and Kaanapali. I love Kaanapali. Park at Whalers Village and enjoy the shops, the Whale Museum (It is free, but a small donation would be great). It is on the beach, so you can walk 5 minutes to Black Rock for snorkeling. Many places to buy food and dine on the beach. 10 minutes drive south is Lahaina with shopping and dining.About 30 minutes south of Lahaina along the highway (there is only one) towards Kihei is the Maui Ocean Center. One of the best aquariums I've seen.

 

You will enjoy Maui. I fell in love with the island and it is now a second home.

 

One last thought, you can book a helicopter tour and see Hana by air. It's awsome and only takes 45 minutes. You also fly over Haleacala Crater. The heliport is next to the airport in Kahului.

[Dorothy]

I almost forgot about Iao Needle. Also, an easy drive and very beautiful. If you rent a car, the car rental places have maps they give out.

[TravelYoung]

The original post asked if the road to Hana is a "must see."

 

No. Simple as that. It's a very pretty drive - not the prettiest in Hawaii, IMO, but nice. If long drives aren't for you, don't do it. It's a full day, and I would never suggest that a person use up the sole day in Maui on the road to Hana. If you're there for a week or so, and need a day away from the beach, go for it!

 

(Reading your post twice makes it sound like you'd rather have oral surgery than drive the road to Hana.)

Alas , I don't know your personality. If you like beaches, Maui is blessed with some great ones. Napili, Kapalua, Honolua Bay up north. Kaanapali. Some great, nearly empty beaches S of Kihei.

 

I totaly agree. It's way too much time to be on the roadIMHO I'm not going to fly 5+ hours ( or cruise ) Kaanapali is a great palce to spend the day! Whalers Village is the place to be. Have a drink at the barefoot bar at the Hula Grill. You'll love it! 2 weeks Do it if not... dont.

[tootall]

How about rental of snorkeling equipment in Maui? Are there places around the Sheraton that rents equipment?

[beachchick]

We have been on 4 islands of Hawaii in 1999.

I think I remember, that we were told, that its not allowed to make the Hana Tour with a rented car.

And its really an exhausting and long lasting tour. We did it with a tour guide and a van for 14 people. That was really good.

Because we are in Maui in may, I sent him a mail and asked him about the same tour.

But the Radiance tenders in Lahaina and so we don´t have enough time for the Hana tour (about 9 hours).

But NCL is docking in Kahalui and sometimes they have overnight stay. Then you have enough time for this special tour and you will love it. And the tour does not have lots of traffic and they only can drive along with small busses or vans.

 

Best regards from Germany

 

The part of the Hana drive that's often listed as off limits in rental car contracts is actually the unpaved southern section (past Hana and Ohe'o Gulch) that is part of the what is called the "circle route." If a driver chose to take this route and got stuck or had an accident on the unpaved section, they would be out of luck regarding help from the rental car company (and often the rental car companies threaten fines, etc. because it voids the contract). However, this doesn't happen often. It's best to know the risks though.

 

Most people do the drive from Kahului to Hana (or beyond to Ohe'o) and then turn around and double back to Kahului. I've never heard of a rental car company that did not allow that.

 

As for whether it's a must do, I absolutely agree with sceptic--it isn't. It's a pretty drive and there are many places to stop and sightsee, but it's an all day activity and will be exhuasting for the driver. It's entirely possible that teens would be bored--it's a lot of time riding in the car. Don't forget to factor in motion sickness issues. It's a long road with literally hundreds of twists and turns--not ideal for anyone who gets car sick.

 

Definitely consider doing "smaller" sightseeing, such as Iao Needle or Haleakala, and spend time at the beach.

 

As for renting snorkel gear, I don't know about the Sheraton, but if you plan on snorkeling on other islands and if you have the time before your cruise, I suggest doing a week long rental from someplace like Snorkel Bob's. The good thing with that is that you have gear during the whole cruise. You save time by not having to rent on each island; you save money as well over the individual 1 day rentals. With Snorkel Bob's (don't know about others) you can rent on one island, but return the gear to ANY SB location on the islands. We schlep our own gear now, so I'm afraid I don't know the best places to rent.

 

beachchick

[rjscott]

tootall, Whaler's Village, near the Sheraton, has Maui Dive Shop. Here is their website: http://www.mauidiveshop.com/ They do daily or weekly rentals.

 

Becki