OT.. Maui and Kauai

[fishwater99]

Heading out next week.

Anyone have any other recommendations that we should do not listed below.

Maui
Road to Hana
Sunrise at Haleakala volcano
Helicopter tour of waterfalls and island
Luau
Golf
Find some Maui Waui


Kauai
Hike Kalalau trail to Hanakapiai falls
Small boat tour and snorkeling on Na Pali Coast
Visit Waimea Canyon and waterfalls
Hanalei Beach

 

[coach66]

Looks like a great list, have you ever been in a helicopter in high winds?

My wife got sick and I came close.

 

[OurPrideAndJoySnots]

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/maui-hana-coast-road-trip/
http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/maui_snorkeling.html

 

[Crazy Cotton]

Get some Ono (wahoo) at the fish market. Fire up the grill and put it on there. Do it again and again.
There's a Costco on Kauai that gets in local fresh fish, it's really, really good; they had a few varieties I'd never heard of that were fantastic. I bought a cast iron skillet while I was over there and blackened a lot of it.

 

[ShrubDog]

Blue Hawaiian is good.

 

[Sutterkane]

http://www.mauioceanriders.com/

Circumnavigate Lana'i on a day trip and see whales, swim with sea turtles, 5 snorkel spots.

Haleakala is a little cold up top but well worth it.

Actual road to Hana sucks. The drive is not scenic at all, but the stops are nice. Take some water shoes with you as some of the paths will take you over some rocky streams. Get up REAL early for it. Take the southern route back, even though the rental car joints say it's a big no-no. GREAT scenic drive on the southeast side of the island and it's about 2 hours faster.

Looks like you have Kauai covered pretty well. Not a ton to do there but it's beautiful. It rains an ASSLOAD on Kauai.

 

[tldawg85]

Only been to Kauai. Looks like a good list you have started there.

If you like beer, I would recommend the Kauai Island Brewery & Grill in Port Allen. It's on the way to/from Waimea Canyon assuming you're coming from the north or east side of the island. Above average food too.

I thought the town of Hanalei was interesting, if a little touristy. (watch out for the 1 lane bridges)

 

[camsu1]

Heading back to Kauai in May our favorite Island. Very laid back Island and beautiful. 1st stop is always Costco. Fresh fish, steaks local beer, wine and just relaxing. I agree the road to Hana sucks, it very slow and really not much to see. Always see turtles in Kauai, if the whales are still around Maui nice evening activity.

The ride to Princeville to do the snork is slow also but worth it. I assume you are staying south. Couple nice eating places depends on where you are staying.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

http://www.mauioceanriders.com/

Circumnavigate Lana'i on a day trip and see whales, swim with sea turtles, 5 snorkel spots.

Haleakala is a little cold up top but well worth it.

Actual road to Hana sucks. The drive is not scenic at all, but the stops are nice. Take some water shoes with you as some of the paths will take you over some rocky streams. Get up REAL early for it. Take the southern route back, even though the rental car joints say it's a big no-no. GREAT scenic drive on the southeast side of the island and it's about 2 hours faster.

Looks like you have Kauai covered pretty well. Not a ton to do there but it's beautiful. It rains an ASSLOAD on Kauai.

I personally would heed the advice of the car rental company, but if you opt to take the southern route back rather than retrace your 5,000 turns back from Hana, make sure you are traveling in a Jeep Wrangler or some other type of small CUV or SUV. I took the northeast route around the island in a Toyota Sienna van and thought I was going to roll down a cliff and kill my family. White knuckles driving. The actual road to Hana was tame in comparison.

 

[Apoplectic_Objurgator]

Heading out next week.

Anyone have any other recommendations that we should do not listed below.

Maui
Road to Hana
Sunrise at Haleakala volcano
Helicopter tour of waterfalls and island
Luau
Golf
Find some Maui Waui


Kauai
Hike Kalalau trail to Hanakapiai falls
Small boat tour and snorkeling on Na Pali Coast
Visit Waimea Canyon and waterfalls
Hanalei Beach

been several times to both:

Maui
1- Do the sunrise the first morning there - you'll still be on mainland time
2- rent the jeep and break the rental car rules and don't backtrack from hana - make sure you're not stuck at night though
3- stop at the hana picnic company for breakfast, a picnic lunch, and a CD to narrate the hana drive
4- do the old lahaina luau - book in advance - set aside some extra time to walk the shopping district in this area
5- if you have an extra day take a day trip to lanai - don't skip a day in kauai to do it - not worth it unless youre golfing -

Kauai
1-full day on waimea canyon and na pali postcard overlook - stop at the shave ice place on the way out
2-i personally wouldn't waste time at any of the beaches - i'm a seaside beach snob - unless you're doing some activity surfing, paddle board, etc. black sand beaches sound cool but they are as hot as HELL!!! Red beaches, pink beaches, green beaches are all just different shades of mud/clay.
3-i haven't done the na pali coast cruise but it's on my list
4-kauai is a laidback chill place - go to duke's, have a lava flow and watch the waves

 

[Sutterkane]

I drove it in a mustang convertible and took it slow. It's narrow and rough but well worth it. There's roads in Mississippi that are worse.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Sexy time**

 

[fishwater99]

Thanks for all the advice.
Keep it coming.

Staying at Sheraton on west side of Maui.

Staying on north shore in Kauai at hanalei colony resort.

 

[missouridawg]

Kapalua has two courses...

The plantation course is the one that the pros play... And it is fantastic. But the Bay course is very beautiful as well, with a few holes right in the water that are just stunning. Definitely play Kapalua if you can.

 

[leeinator]

Yes, take Blue Hawaii's "Western Maui & Molokai" copter ride....

...out of Kahului's airport. You'll get to see the waterfall where Jurassic Park was filmed. And then you will fly over to the Sea Cliffs of Molokai. They are the tallest sea cliffs in the world. About 4000 ft. high from the top of a jungle to the bottom of the ocean. Incredible!! Then you might fly over the ocean and see some whales. We saw several. Another copter ride that is great is from Hilo on the Big Island to all of the volcanoes. Very memorable! Copter rides aren't cheap, but highly recommended if this will be your only trip to the islands. We took two copter rides and negotiated a discount which knocked off about a $100. At least do the Western Maui and Molokai ride. You Will Not Regret It!!!!

 

[coach66]

Too windy**

Nm

 

[MississippiHeavyMetalDog]

Maui / Kauai

Maui
Road to Hana - leave early, eat at the fish market in Paia, watch surfers en route, JAWS (aka Pe' ahi) is off the beaten track but you may be able to find it, if you see cattle grates -> state maintained waterfall (or so I've heard), cool hikes once you get to Hana but they take a couple of hours (this is why I said to leave early), I took the south route back (one lane roads, blow horn before you go around the corner of the cliff, but not that bad and much shorter)
Sunrise at Haleakala volcano -> altitude sickness
Helicopter tour of waterfalls and island - you may want to helicopter trip on Kauai instead
Luau - Smith plantation but in Kauai
snorkling - Maui >> Kauai. Stop by Maui Dive Shop. Rent gear and use their map and ask advice. Hit 4-5 different spots. Secluded areas are sometimes the best.



Kauai
Queen's bath
sugar plantation tube / tunnel ride thru Outfitters
Yolo the river near the airport thru Outfitters

Most important: Hawaii is a great place for fun and adventure, but be careful. Lots of opportunities for mistakes. Queen's bath can be dangerous. If swimming, respect current warnings, wildlife warnings, hiking conditions, etc. Be smart. It's not publicized but many tourists are injured.

Due to injuries / lawsuits, many new laws are in effect. The blowhole in south Kauai is now "off limits" with a fine for trespassing. Ultimate Kauai Guidebook is a great source. You probably want an older edition before the fun was banned. 4th edition has the 'secret trail' to the bottom of Wailua Falls. I took it a few years ago. It's fenced now, but the locals will tell you away around if interested. I can't remember if there was a fine for crossing the fence. Lots of swings and waterfall jumping spots that no longer exist.

 

[msudawg12]

take the helicopter tour on Kauai. One of the best ways you can see that island

 

[Dogariffic]

Sunrise volcano is a yes!!!!! Also take the bicycle ride down after.... Deep sea fishing.... Kayaking, oh and the chopper is fun!!!

 

[Junction John]

Once aGAIN, the pack's group knowledge on any subject knows no limits.

Good info here I will also use on my trip.