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Nights in Maui

Hello all,

We (myself, wife and 20-year-old son) are going to Hawaii next May and will be there for 10 nights. The first day is travel into HNL so I’m thinking just relaxing as our flight arrives around 3:00 and we should be at the hotel by 5:00 pm I’m guessing. So, with 10 evenings the game plan is to spend 6 Oahu and 4 Maui. I’m thinking of Changing this to 5 Oahu and 5 Maui.
My Question is this. We really have no interest in doing the Road to Hana (OK, Let the flaming begin!). We’ve done our research and it just doesn’t seem like something we want to do although I’m sure it is very beautiful and exciting for others.
With that being said is 5 days too many in Maui without doing the RTH? We want to have one day just to relax at the resort and maybe walk over to Whalers village and walk around, so that leaves us with 4 full days to do what we want.
(Looking at Island Air for the shuttle form HNL and plan on renting a car when we land at OGG)
Our other tentative activities/events would include:

Dinners at:
Mamas Fish House and the Old Lahaina Luau
Local treats:
Ululani's Hawaiian shave ice

Activities:
Snorkeling On Sail Maui Pali Coast.
Pipiwai Trrail
Haleakala National park (no sunrise)
Ohe o’ Gulch
Red Sand Beach
Zip Lining

This is what we have for now, and we don’t want too much to try to do, but I want just enough to keep busy for the time we are there without doing RTH.

Does this sound like it will work?

Thank you

Posted by
18 posts

Thank you.

Right now prices similar with Hawaiian Air and Island Air. Reason I'm leaning more towards Island air is from what I am reading they seem to fly lower and you get better views of the ISland. Not really sure how high HA would be flying being the short distance.

I'll check out the restaurant you mentioned as I am a foodie and I rather have better food over atmosphere anytime.

Thanks again!

Posted by
5837 posts

The "Hidden Maui" guide book may be a good start. (I haven't read Hidden Maui but used Hidden Hawaii [Big Island] ).

Haleakala NP is a yes. We did the sunrise drive up only to have a massive cloud/fog cover the summit 10 or 15 minutes before sunrise. Note that at 10,000 ft ASL, temperatures are a lot cooler than sea level.

We tried to snorkel Molokini on two different trips, one on a "six pack" sailing boat and another with the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation boat. The ""six pack" carried six passengers plus crew of two and the wale watching boat carried about 30. On both of those two occasions, while heading to Molokini the skippers decided that the wind/waves were too choppy for clear water viewing at the crater and turned back for snorkeling off the Maui coast. On both occasions, snorkeling off the coast was great and after an hour or two of snorkeling, the big snorkeling cruise boats joined us. Some of the large boats must carry 100 passengers.

Iao Valley is a hidden gem.

Spam and egg on rice breakfast.

Hawaiian vacations including Maui should include a lot of hang loose (relax) time.

Posted by
2545 posts

Not a flame, just my perspective...I love the drive to Hana and have driven it a number of times. Years ago, I enjoyed a stay in one of the cabins at Waiʻanapanapa State Park. Clearly, some have a different perspective. A friend, who happened to be a priest, explained that he felt safe driving the road by imagining an angel on each front fender.

EDIT: Have you considered a bike ride down Haleakala? Our family thought it was a blast.

Posted by
9022 posts

I thought the Road to Hana was a cruel joke intended to permanently get rid of tourists. We liked visiting the winery on Maui, and the cowboy towns inland. On Oahu, we liked the Kuá Aina sandwich shop on the North Shore. I would lean towards more time on Maui unless you want more non-beach activities. You can fly direct to mainland from Maui as well.

Posted by
11946 posts

To get to Ohe o Gulch ( aka the seven pools) you have to go through Hana or drive across the south side of the Island on a road the rental car companies prohibit . I do not know of any tours that stop at the Gulch to allow a real visit.

Have done lunch and dinner at Mama's ---not cheap, but felt I got my money's worth.