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hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 532 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-15-2005 10:24 Here's my question for all of you Mauai Experts (besides how to spell it!): Can anyone give me a brief synopsis of "which side of the island is which". We're looking at going this summer and are wondering.... Which side is the "wet" side and which is the "dry" side? And in July is the "wet" side sunny? Where are the best snorkelling beaches? Best beaches for swimming/enjoying? I'm assuming the main high rise area is around Lahaina? (we probably want to avoid this). Which area would you recommend for hiking, natural beauty, beaches and snorkelling? Thanks so much! IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2073 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 04-15-2005 10:42 The dry side of Maui is not inhabited - it is the backside of the road to Hana and it is very barren. Almost all the accomdations are along the west coast of Maui. Lahaina - Ka'anapali Beach has the most resorts. The south coast has the huge, gated, high-end resorts, and the north coast has some nice resorts that specialize in goif, in the Kapalua area. We like Kapalua Bay and Black Rock for snorkeling. Hana is on the other side of the island and is very isolated. It has one or two nice places to stay, but has little or no dining, nightlife, shopping or activities and it is a 2 hr. drive to everything from Hana. If I were you, I would get the book, Maui Revealed, or Driving and Discovering Maui and Molokai and do some research. Here is a map that might help - http://www.bestofmauiguide.com/Images/MauiMap2K4.jpg July is very dry on Maui. You will get some sprinkles here and there, but for the most part it is hot and sunny. ------------------ Denise [This message has been edited by dbmMayer (edited 04-15-2005).] IP: Logged
Luanne TUG Member Posts: 1979 From: San Ramon, CA, USA Owner: Maui Lea at Maui Hill, San Diego Country Estates Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-15-2005 11:12 There is also the entire Kihei/Wailea area of the island. I've always felt this is "drier" than Lahaina/Kaanapali. It is also less crowded, or at least it was the last time we were on Maui which I must admit was a few years ago. ------------------ Luanne IP: Logged
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 532 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-15-2005 12:49 Thank you! Actually, a stop at Borders to buy Maui Revealed was already on my itinerary for the drive home from work tonight! =) You have been very helpful! I found a little vacation cottage rental right by the Haleakala National Park entrance, but don't know if there is enough in the area to keep us busy for a 5 days daytripping out from there (we are very outdoorsy, but need water that is not so rough that the kids have to fear for their lives, or have too rough and rocky of entries). IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2073 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 04-15-2005 14:35 quote: Originally posted by hibbeln: Thank you! Actually, a stop at Borders to buy Maui Revealed was already on my itinerary for the drive home from work tonight! =) You have been very helpful! I found a little vacation cottage rental right by the Haleakala National Park entrance, but don't know if there is enough in the area to keep us busy for a 5 days daytripping out from there (we are very outdoorsy, but need water that is not so rough that the kids have to fear for their lives, or have too rough and rocky of entries). Frankly, I wouldn't stay there. You will have to drive a ways for everything, and it is a long way to the beach. Maybe it isn't important to everyone, but if I'm in Hawaii, I want to be on the beach. ------------------ Denise IP: Logged
Gazelle TUG Member Posts: 63 From: Spring Valley, CA USA Owner: Marriott - Maui; Lawai Beach Resort - Kauai Registered: Mar 2004	posted 04-15-2005 16:24 I know there is alot of info available on rentals. I have never used these people, but a friend recommended them to me. VRBO.com. They have alot of listings. Probably the Wailua/Kihei area or Kaanapali/Kapalua areas would be nice. You would be away from the Lahaina rush in those areas, but close enough to all the fun activities. Enjoy! IP: Logged
dewey444 TUG Member Posts: 66 From: Madera ,Ca Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-15-2005 16:59 Hibbeln, try www.maui.net You will find tons of links for rentals,snorkeling trips,hiking.We own on the west side(Hono Koa)thats in Kahana and find it easy to get around the whole Island.Have fun............ dewey IP: Logged
Luanne TUG Member Posts: 1979 From: San Ramon, CA, USA Owner: Maui Lea at Maui Hill, San Diego Country Estates Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-15-2005 17:01 quote: Originally posted by Gazelle: Probably the Wailua/Kihei area or Kaanapali/Kapalua areas would be nice. You would be away from the Lahaina rush in those areas, but close enough to all the fun activities. I found the worst traffic to be between the airport and Lahaina and Lahaina to Kaanapali. I wouldn't think you'd be away from the rush in the Kaanapali area. ------------------ Luanne IP: Logged
MOXJO7282 TUG Member Posts: 1130 From: KINGS PARK, NY - USA Registered: Mar 2002	posted 04-15-2005 17:24 You said you'd probably want to avoid Lahaina, but I can tell you that I don't know of any kid that wouldn't enjoy the Kaanapali area, specifically the Maui Marriott. The pool area there is one of the best on the island, I would bet it would be a hightlight for your kids. The resort is close enough to the real natural beauty of Maui, so that is something you can still do. Maybe you can try for the promo package they offer, the 5 day with the car for $699 or so. That is a tremendous value, if you can get it. Then you can try another spot if you want. Only place I would avoid with young kids, is Kihei. There are some very nice beaches, but otherwise we found it too subdued for a young family. Regards. Joe IP: Logged
Luanne TUG Member Posts: 1979 From: San Ramon, CA, USA Owner: Maui Lea at Maui Hill, San Diego Country Estates Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-15-2005 18:09 quote: Originally posted by MOXJO7282: Only place I would avoid with young kids, is Kihei. There are some very nice beaches, but otherwise we found it too subdued for a young family. Our timeshare is in Kihei and we spent every summer there with our girls from the time the oldest was about 2 until just a few years ago when we changed our Hawaiian destination to the big island. Gosh, I didn't realize it was a "subdued" area. ------------------ Luanne IP: Logged
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 532 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-16-2005 05:44 Thank you one and all! Mayer, thanks, I was wondering if the Haleakala area was pushing into the "too remote" to be able to drive to other areas. I'm going to have to put my nose to the book/map today and figure this out. We enjoy the natural beauty and ability to enjoy nature in the Islands, so a great pool is at the bottom of the list for what I'm looking for (I know, I know, my kids would love it, but if we're going to Hawaii, by god they're going in the OCEAN!). Snorkelling and swimming beaches and beautiful hiking areas rank much higher on our list. And we would sway towards the more "subdued" areas rather than the resorty areas (we own on Kauai). For example, while we enjoyed the snorkelling near Kona, I didn't much care for Kona itself. IP: Logged
MOXJO7282 TUG Member Posts: 1130 From: KINGS PARK, NY - USA Registered: Mar 2002	posted 04-16-2005 08:48 The Marriott is on one of the nicest beaches in Maui, although in the summer it does erode, sometimes significantly. So you can do both pool and beach at the Marriott. And it on a great beachwalk way to many great restaurants and shops. I know its somewhat expensive, so many don't consider it, but like I said, if you can get the promo package, that is a great value. As for Kihei, I guess I've should have added, in my kid's humble opinion, as I did not mean to offend anyone, but they just didn't like the residential feel of Kehei. They complained about being in the car so much. At the Marriott, the days you are not sightseeing, there is so much to do, without a car, its very relaxing. I'm not trying to convince you, I just hate when people rule it out because of what they have heard about it. It is not as busy, all the time, as people suggest. Pres Week, July 4th, and the holidays are busy weeks, but otherwise, the resort is fine. And if you can get there during the slow season, Sept through early Dec, that is a wonderful time to go, everything is right there for you, and you feel like you have it to yourself. Regards. Joe IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2073 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 04-16-2005 10:41 quote: Originally posted by hibbeln: We enjoy the natural beauty and ability to enjoy nature in the Islands, so a great pool is at the bottom of the list for what I'm looking for (I know, I know, my kids would love it, but if we're going to Hawaii, by god they're going in the OCEAN!). I agree that you want your kids to experience swimming in the ocean, but I think you would enjoy staying some where with a pool as well. The ocean is inherently more dangerous than a pool - When your kids are swimming in the ocean, you have to watch them every single second and probably be in the water with them. But if you stay somewhere with a pool, you have a great place for the kids to cool off, or burn off some energy, and you can sit by the pool and read a book or have a cold one and relax. We like to get up early and do our activities in the morning and then relax by the pool in the afternoon during the hot part of the day. We do a lot of snorkeling, but usually first thing in the morning when the water is the calmest. I would really miss not having a pool available. There is something to be said for being able to walk out the door and jump in the pool at a moments notice and it is a never ending (and free!) source of entertainment for kids. ------------------ Denise IP: Logged
ricoba TUG Member Posts: 837 From: Rancho Dominguez, CA Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-16-2005 10:52 quote: Originally posted by dbmMayer: I agree that you want your kids to experience swimming in the ocean, but I think you would enjoy staying some where with a pool as well. The ocean is inherently more dangerous than a pool - When your kids are swimming in the ocean, you have to watch them every single second and probably be in the water with them. But if you stay somewhere with a pool, you have a great place for the kids to cool off, or burn off some energy, and you can sit by the pool and read a book or have a cold one and relax. We like to get up early and do our activities in the morning and then relax by the pool in the afternoon during the hot part of the day. We do a lot of snorkeling, but usually first thing in the morning when the water is the calmest. I would really miss not having a pool available. There is something to be said for being able to walk out the door and jump in the pool at a moments notice and it is a never ending (and free!) source of entertainment for kids. I have to smile because on our visit to Honolulu this past Feb my kids NEVER went in the pool, though I did. It was OCEAN swimming for us only. Supposedly the "super pool" at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is one of the largest, but to them it was "just another pool". But the ocean in front of the resort or the other beaches we visited...ahhhhh now that was the good life! Rick IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2073 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 04-16-2005 11:23 quote: Originally posted by ricoba: I have to smile because on our visit to Honolulu this past Feb my kids NEVER went in the pool, though I did. It was OCEAN swimming for us only. Supposedly the "super pool" at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is one of the largest, but to them it was "just another pool". But the ocean in front of the resort or the other beaches we visited...ahhhhh now that was the good life! Rick If they enjoy the ocean that much, you should definitely stay right on a swimmable beach. I think you need one or the other, just to stay cool on those hot afternoons! We enjoy the ocean too - but swimming in the ocean is a lot more work, and some times we just want to stay cool....without much effort. ------------------ Denise [This message has been edited by dbmMayer (edited 04-16-2005).] IP: Logged
Luanne TUG Member Posts: 1979 From: San Ramon, CA, USA Owner: Maui Lea at Maui Hill, San Diego Country Estates Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-16-2005 13:17 For some reason for several years even though the kids loved the beach they seemed to prefer the pool, lol. I could never understand why. ------------------ Luanne IP: Logged
kauai kid TUG Member Posts: 694 From: Owner NaPali Kauai Club at Princeville, Embassy Poipu, & Maui Schooner Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-16-2005 16:05 Maybe the just saw JAWS? Sterling IP: Logged
hotmike98 TUG Member Posts: 219 From: Huntington Beach, CA Registered: May 2003	posted 04-17-2005 15:55 Our family's choice for Maui is always Napili or Kapalua. Lots of rental condos there right on the beach, small shopping center with good supermarket, and not that far a drive to Kaanapali for more choices restaurant wise. Even the drive to Lahaina (though I agree it can get congested) is only about a half hour. Both Napili and Kapalua bays have a reef protecting the beach, which makes for good snorkeling and calmer waves at the shoreline for the younger ones. IP: Logged
ricoba TUG Member Posts: 837 From: Rancho Dominguez, CA Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-17-2005 16:09 quote: Originally posted by dbmMayer: but swimming in the ocean is a lot more work, and some times we just want to stay cool....without much effort. Unfortunately that is true....at the HHV it was much easier to go down to the lobby and directly out to the pool attached to the Lagoon Tower....and to get to the beach it was a bit of a walk...but once I hit that warm inviting salt water with motion of the ocean....ahhhh it was soooo much more pleasant than a pool.... IP: Logged
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 532 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-17-2005 18:12 Thank you everybody! Lots of great advice. I poured over what you said, and devoured the MAUI REVEALED and I THINK we'll look in the Wailea area......probably at Grand Champions condos. They seem reasonably priced, and since we don't live in the room too much. I figure we will have access to do a one day loop daytrip of "West Maui" and one day over to Hana area and then the rest of the time the South Maui area sounded the most entrancing with the fantastic snorkelling and beaches (we'll be coming off of a week at Kauai at our home resort....Lawai Beach). I am truly blown away by the cost of the South Maui oceanfront resorts/condos. Whoa! I COULD pay what they want, but I think I just grew up too poor to ever be able to pay that much and not be just sick about it the whole time (know what I mean?). My kids have survived many trips to Hawaii being bundled into the car, so they will survive driving from here to there (we usually run them so hard when they get out of the car that they pass right out once they're buckled in (and the oldest is 10!)). Thanks again, everybody! Any other words of wisdom, pass them on! IP: Logged
luana TUG Member Posts: 190 From: Maui Schooner, Embassy Kaanapali, Maui, Imperial of Waikiki, Oahu, and Mt Bachelor Village, Oregon USA Registered: Jul 2001	posted 04-17-2005 21:36 If you plan to rent, check out mauiforvacation.com. This home belongs to my son's friend and his wife. They will be certain that you get a "local" flavor to your vacation by letting you know where they surf and may even deliver a longboard or two to your door. It is very near Wailea, the beach and shopping. They are raising their two sons there and I'm sure they don't find Kihei "subdued." Have great fun on your vacation on Maui! ------------------ luana IP: Logged
Go2curves TUG Member Posts: 140 From: Stockton, CA, USA Registered: Apr 2004	posted 04-18-2005 09:40 We love the Wailea/Kihei area. IMHO, it's easier to drive wherever you want from there than from Haleakala. The beaches in Wailea/Kihei are wonderful. Be sure to go to the state beach near Makena, too. My first trip to Maui as a kid was to a condo in Kihei, and I wasn't bored. Maui is different than Kauai, but I think you'll have a wonderful time. You'll find that book to be very helpful. Enjoy!!! Christy IP: Logged
Luanne TUG Member Posts: 1979 From: San Ramon, CA, USA Owner: Maui Lea at Maui Hill, San Diego Country Estates Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-18-2005 09:55 Our favorite beach in the Kihei/Wailea area is actually the beach in front of the Maui Prince. It used to be virtually deserted before the hotel was built and even after the hotel it was pretty open. ------------------ Luanne IP: Logged
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 532 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-19-2005 12:50 Thanks for all the great advice! And Luana, I checked out that house and it is GREAT, but bigger than we need. Now I want to go back with a bigger group and stay THERE! IP: Logged

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