Posts: 21
From: Cupertino, CA
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 05-28-2005 23:20               

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I've read many reviews of Kihei resorts that mention unswimmable beaches (seaweed). Is Wailea similar? And in Wailea must you cross the road to get to the beach as in Kihei?

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Posts: 164
From: Cypress, CA, USA Owner : WorldMark, Kahana Falls
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 05-29-2005 05:53               

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Not if you are staying at the Grand Wailea.

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Posts: 177
From: Stockton, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 05-29-2005 09:06               

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I don't think there are any Wailea timeshares right on the beach (although I could be wrong). Mostly high-end condos and luxury hotels. The beaches in Wailea are definitely swimmable. There's also a great state beach a little further down the road in Makena.
Christy

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Posts: 712
From: San Jose, CA USA Own at Westin Ka'anapali
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 05-29-2005 09:14               

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I don't even know if there are any timeshares at all in Wailea. I heard a rumor a while back that they were going to build some in Makena.

We love the Kea Lani and the beach there. It's an all-suites hotel. The Makena Surf has private condos (full kitchens, etc.) for rent and has a great, quiet beach too. We've rented there many times, that is, until we bought our timeshare!

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Posts: 17
From: Orange County, CA (own Westin Kaanapali)
Registered: Oct 2004

posted 05-29-2005 09:43               

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Great beaches in Wailea. I'd recommend the Kealani (all suites resort hotel). If you want to rent a condo, try to find a unit available at the Polo Beach Club --- this building is right on the beach, with great views, etc. You really can't go wrong with any of the nice resorts in Wailea.

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Posts: 483
From: National City, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 05-29-2005 11:12            

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Wailea does not permit timeshares. The 3 Kamaole beaches in Kihei are very swimmable; but the beaches farther north in Kihei are not great for swimming. Of course there is public access to all beaches in Hawaii, but the public parking for the Wailea beaches is somewhat limited.

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Posts: 592
From: Rochester, MI
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 06-03-2005 09:40               

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I've read this also, so we ended up renting in Wailea. But here's the thing, have you EVER seen any type of seaweed in Hawaii? On the beach OR while snorkelling? I've never seen a BIT of it ANYWHERE, so why does this spot in Maui have it?!? Hmmmm! Did it wash over from Japan?

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Posts: 542
From: sunny Southern California! - Laguna Surf, CA - MDSV-I, Palm Desert, CA - Maui Sunset, Maui, HI - Buganvilias, PV, Mexico - Grand Velas, NV, Mexico
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 06-03-2005 16:07            

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You cannot compare Kihei with Wailea. Kihei is a much older town and Wailea is a newer and very upscale area with beautiful hotels and very nice beaches in front of them.

Kihei has three nice public beaches too at Kamaole 1, 2 and 3 and there are several others close to Trendwest and Maui Lea at Maui Hill and most likely the Kamaole Beach Club too. There is no trace of algae there. There are two timeshares that I know of ((Maui Sunset and Maui Schooner) that have a beach with an algae problem but they clean that beach almost every day so it is a lot better than it was before. They are good beaches for walking but not for swimming because there is a reef too. Good for hurricanes as they are pretty safe there.

We were told the story that an entrepreneur wanted to grow algae to make toothpaste from and he used the ocean near Maui as a testing site. This started the problem and it is hard to contain where the reef is because the algae grows on the reef. Don't know if this story is true.

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Emmy

A picture is worth a thousand words.
http://www.picturetrail.com/iconnections/

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Posts: 786
From: Owner NaPali Kauai Club at Princeville, Embassy Poipu, & Maui Schooner
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 06-04-2005 13:56            

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I've heard the seaweed is because of a pig farm up in the mountains. They raise pigs to feed luau guests. Hasn't been confirmed.

Sterling

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Posts: 542
From: sunny Southern California! - Laguna Surf, CA - MDSV-I, Palm Desert, CA - Maui Sunset, Maui, HI - Buganvilias, PV, Mexico - Grand Velas, NV, Mexico
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 06-04-2005 16:22            

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Sterling, we were told this by the Pacific Whale Foundation several years ago but it has not been mentioned on the last few trips with the PWF. This is why I am wondering if this story was true or not? We always go to Wailea for snorkeling so it doesn't bother us.

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Emmy

A picture is worth a thousand words.
http://www.picturetrail.com/iconnections/

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