wakemom
Platinum
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Maui
Jan 13, 2019 16:24:36 GMT -6
Post by wakemom on Jan 13, 2019 16:24:36 GMT -6
In June we're taking my senior DD to Hawaii (her choice) for her Senior gift from us and at this point she's leaning towards Maui. We'll most likely stay at a VRBO for personal comfort and laundry capabilities and rent a Jeep. We're not huge into tourist traps and events like luaus and things like that. We like to go off on our own adventures. For sure we want to be beach bums, do a "Snuba" or a snorkel activity, possibly a photography trip. Not sure on surf lessons for H and D, but I want to, if possible. We don't have a tiny budget, but we're not going crazy either as we have another trip a few weeks later for the entire family. I doubt we'd island hop, we're planning on hitting up Disney for a day when we fly back over to LA before heading back to Texas, it was a very special place to us when we lived out there and can't wait to spend a day with just her at Disney.
Is there anything you feel like we CANNOT miss. Did you find any certain beach to be your favorite. Is Maui worth going to over all the over islands? I've never been to any of the islands so we are picking Maui based solely on what we're reading online and pictures of the beaches. Road to Hana looks very interesting, but is it worth it, because it sounds like it would take up most of one of our days, but we like an adventure if it's worth it, plus I guess it could replace a photography outing with a group). We also like hiking, but unsure if June is a very good idea...is it too hot and muggy at that point to hike?
Her other trip ideas were Japan (Tokyo, Tokyo Disney, sunrise hike up Fiji, and Kyoto), but she really wants to go to a beach. Other idea is Bahamas or BVI, but we know nothing about those areas and where to stay. We really don't think we want to have to stay in a resort, and not know where to go outside of that. Also not sure about safety outside of resorts. Which islands are safe and how to know about safe areas....I overthink things! She keeps going back to visiting Hawaii, so I think that's where we're going to end up going.
Also how can I lose a ton of weight and look beautiful in a swimsuit all before JUNE?!?! kidding, sort of.
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jabbers
Amethyst
Posts: 6,329 Likes: 23,137
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Maui
Jan 13, 2019 22:01:55 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by jabbers on Jan 13, 2019 22:01:55 GMT -6
What a fun graduation gift!
I’ve been to Maui (twice) and Oahu (once). I prefer Maui. Where on the island to you plan to stay? The really touristy part (ex, Kaanapali), or the more resort/residential part (ex, Wailea)?
MH’s old co-worker lives right outside of Wailea, and she sent us an amazing list of things to do, see, and eat. If you do decide on Maui, let me know and I’ll send it to you.
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wakemom
Platinum
Posts: 1,153 Likes: 2,581
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Maui
Jan 16, 2019 10:17:54 GMT -6
Post by wakemom on Jan 16, 2019 10:17:54 GMT -6
jabbers, thank you!! I have no idea where on the island we'd be staying yet, I was hoping for recommendations. I'm putting together a budget sheet for her to see what all we could fit in. I will definitely reach out to you for that itinerary as time moves closer...if she doesn't change her mind. I'm glad to hear you'd pick Maui, makes me feel better about our choice.
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aydee
Gold
Posts: 915 Likes: 1,506
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Maui
Jan 16, 2019 21:46:36 GMT -6
Post by aydee on Jan 16, 2019 21:46:36 GMT -6
I've also been to Maui twice and Oahu once. Maui was definitely my favorite. We stayed in Kaanapali both times. There is a lot to do near there, tons of restaurants, and other areas of the island are an easy drive.
Highlights:
-The Road to Hana. Yes, it pretty much takes up a day, but it's beautiful and there is so much to explore along the way. You can get a CD to guide you through the drive if you wish. We found an amazing ocean front mom & pop stand selling homemade banana bread baked fresh throughout the day. It was amazing! I think we ate most of the loaf throughout the drive.
- Boat trip that circumnavigated the nearby island of Lanai. It was through Ocean Riders. It's a relatively small boat so it won't be mobbed with people. The staff were great. You stop to snorkel out in a quiet bay with beautiful fish and we even saw an octopus. The first time we came up a large pod of dolphins playing in the water. Unforgettable. The second time we got up close with a whale (whales are only there approximately Dec-April). Also unforgettable.
- Find a restaurant in Kaanapali where you can eat dinner outside at the waterfront and watch the sun set during your meal.
Things to Pass on:
-Sunrise at Haleakala crater. We got up at 4am or something crazy like that to be there in time and froze our asses off (due to high elevation). It was pretty, but I don't feel I would have missed out on anything if we hadn't done it.
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wakemom
Platinum
Posts: 1,153 Likes: 2,581
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Maui
Jan 17, 2019 8:17:28 GMT -6
Post by wakemom on Jan 17, 2019 8:17:28 GMT -6
aydee, thank you for your response! Now I really want to go to Maui even more...the boat trip you talked about sounds like the one I've been looking at online, I'm glad to hear it is a lot of fun. That's one of the top activities on her list.
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michyme
Platinum
Posts: 2,118 Likes: 5,747
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Maui
Feb 21, 2019 14:41:04 GMT -6
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Post by michyme on Feb 21, 2019 14:41:04 GMT -6
wakemom The road to Hana was my fav part of the whole trip! So much so we did it twice, to stop at a few places we missed the first time. If you do go all the way to Hana, make sure to eat at Braddah Huts for the best bbq chicken! We stayed in Kehei and we loved it. Walking distance to the beach and lots of shops/restaurants. We were there 2 weeks and saw a lot of the island. If it was raining on our part of the island, we looked to see where it wasn’t. For example, rainy day in Kihei meant sunny up north in Lahaina for example. So much to explore! Another fav spot off the beaten path was Nakalele blowhole. Lots of spots to park on way to that spot with different lookouts. I could go on forever about Maui, I hope to be able to go back one day
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wakemom
Platinum
Posts: 1,153 Likes: 2,581
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Maui
Feb 22, 2019 10:50:16 GMT -6
Post by wakemom on Feb 22, 2019 10:50:16 GMT -6
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Cher
Global Moderator
BMB, GD, Special Interests
Posts: 57,464 Likes: 442,215
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Post by Cher on Mar 9, 2019 17:16:16 GMT -6
I have been to Hawaii countless times. Maui is my favorite island, Wailea is my favorite part of it. Kaanapali tends to be lusher so they get more rain, whereas Wailea is drier and sunnier. I stayed in Kaanapali the first time I stayed in Maui and it’s good in a touristy/luau way, but I’m not sure if you’re looking for that. Road to Hana is an entire day, we did it once and never felt like we needed to do it again. We’re not big excursion/all day people though. We also stayed at Wailea Beach Villas once, which is like a hotel that rents villas. Once you decide where you’re staying, I can give you lots of recommendations. It’s a magical island.
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thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
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Maui
Mar 20, 2019 16:23:32 GMT -6
Post by thatgolfb on Mar 20, 2019 16:23:32 GMT -6
What a fun graduation gift! I’ve been to Maui (twice) and Oahu (once). I prefer Maui. Where on the island to you plan to stay? The really touristy part (ex, Kaanapali), or the more resort/residential part (ex, Wailea)? MH’s old co-worker lives right outside of Wailea, and she sent us an amazing list of things to do, see, and eat. If you do decide on Maui, let me know and I’ll send it to you. I never visit this board, but I just saw this and hiii. We will be there next week, may I have this list, please? I will probably just text you.
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jabbers
Amethyst
Posts: 6,329 Likes: 23,137
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Maui
Mar 20, 2019 16:51:25 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by jabbers on Mar 20, 2019 16:51:25 GMT -6
What a fun graduation gift! I’ve been to Maui (twice) and Oahu (once). I prefer Maui. Where on the island to you plan to stay? The really touristy part (ex, Kaanapali), or the more resort/residential part (ex, Wailea)? MH’s old co-worker lives right outside of Wailea, and she sent us an amazing list of things to do, see, and eat. If you do decide on Maui, let me know and I’ll send it to you. I never visit this board, but I just saw this and hiii. We will be there next week, may I have this list, please? I will probably just text you. Good thing you texted, cuz I’m just now seeing this. Hope the list helps...have such a great time!!
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