Hawaii Itinerary - Oahu / Maui - feedback please

[evident]

I agree. For reference I ran out back and snapped this pic for you of kailua's beach...

why must you tease me :'(

can i be your best friend?

 

[mugs]

Warren & Annabelle is awesome. Good to see that on your list.

 

[thegimp03]

Regarding Maui...Lahaina Grill is good, but it only has a street view. If you want a place that's on-par with Lahaina Grill, but has a nice patio where you can catch the sunset, you should try Merriman's near Kapalua.

As for day activities in Maui, zip-lining is really fun if you haven't done it before. The place that I've been to is up near Kapalua and the Ritz Carlton. Also parasailing. There are a few companies that do it near Whaler's Village.

 

[Xstatic1]

Oahu:
Stop at Dole Pineapple on the way to North Shore, and do the maze. It's fun, then get some pineapple smoothies.
Shaved Ice in Haleiwa, and surf museum.
Go to Lanikai beach for relaxation. Voted one of most beautiful beaches in the world.

:thumbsup:

Pineapple Whip at the Dole Plantation is yummy.

In Haleiwa, stop by Matsumoto Grocery Store (expect a line, but the wait's not too bad). Surf 'n Sea Shop is the oldest surf shop in Hawaii. Lots of surfboards and gear.

The Laniakea Beach, aka “Turtle Beach" is cool if you'd like to see huge turtle(s). Can't touch 'em though.

Near Kahuku, get ice cream from Kahuku Farms Country Cafe. When we went, they were only open Fri-Sun 11am-4pm.

You haven't lived until you've had Shrimp Scampi from Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp (it's a food truck) in Kahuku. I still dream about it, and will hopefully one day replicate the recipe. If the BBQ Corn food stand is still there, order it "Island Style".


Eastern side of Oahu:

Near Kaaawa, go to Tropical Farms Macadamia Outlet, they have free samples of their macadamia coffee and 8 macadamia flavors. Go on their tour...it's awesome!

If you love movies, you'll wanna check out the 1 hour Movie Sites tour at Kualoa Ranch in Kaaawa.

In Kaneohe, order the Kalua Pork at Mike's Huli Huli, aka Mike's Shrimp Truck (food truck).

Lanikai Beach is gorgeous. You'll have to find parking along the street (it's a residential area). On Mokulua Drive, use the walkway on Kai'Olena Drive.

If you wanna see a blow hole, check out Halona's...and in the same parking lot, you can look over the Beach Cove where the movie "From Here to Eternity" was filmed. You can hike down the rocks to it too.

A few miles west is Bubbies Ice Cream. Try their Mochi ice cream (they have different flavors).

 

[Paladin]

Spooner, offering up an alternative in Maui, to going back to the Eastern half twice.
NOTE: Only do this if you don't need to say you've "Survived the Road to Hana" and go all the way. IMHO it's a waste to go all the way to Hana, there's not a ton there to do. Most waterfalls on the Hana Highway are within the first few miles.

Get up and head to the top of Haleakala. Up to you if you want to do sunrise.
On the way back down, turn left on 377 and hit the lavender fields
Then hit the winery.
Head towards the Hana Highway. On the way, stop in the little town of Makawao.

Hit the Hana Highway from there, and hike to Twin Falls (easy walk). Here's a list of waterfalls to see.

On the way back from seeing enough waterfalls, hit the little town of Paia. It's a nice little artsy place.

It's a decent full day, but it's going to save you from going back there twice, and saves you a day for something else (like more beach and snorkeling).

 

[Spooner]

Spooner, where are you staying? It sounds like somewhere in the upper west side (good).

I'm going on Marriott Rewards points, so we're staying Marriott Waikiki and the Wailea Marriott Resort

not the MOST ideal locations, but given it's 2 weeks "free" we couldn't justify staying anywhere else.

Thanks much for the suggestions. Awesome post

 

[Spooner]

We also did Anabell's one night followed by the Mt. Haleakela ride. Be aware that you will be up late at Anabells and will need to get up VERY early for the trip up the mountain. I would reverse these two days if possible.

i'm just noticing this and since we're going to the early show figured we'd be tucked in bed around 10ish in order to wake up around 2:30 to drive to the place by 3:30 check-in

need to think about this more, because your point is very valid

 

[GT1999]

Mama's is expensive (but good). I would recommend Paia Fish Market instead to save money, it's essentially the same food.

Also, La Perouse Bay and the national reserve on the southwestern side of the island is one of the BEST areas of the island that is easily accessable.

-- Been to Maui twice, and my ex's fam had two houses on the island.

 

[drebo]

Canoe's in Kaanapali is also really tasty and has a great ocean view.

 

[OogyWaWa]

I went to maui last year... it rocks. my advice (didn't read any previous posts, sorry)

Skip the Luau.... seriously. It's boring, food not great... overall just a tourist trap


molikini is great, go for it...i wouldn't blow your money on the snuba unless your not going to scuba or something later...

road to hana - good
lahaina grill - good
bike down mountain - good

Definitely try to find time to go to the top of the big mountain. You will literally be above the clouds... it was my favorite part of the whole trip.

Also check out http://www.yelp.com/biz/mauigrown-coffee-co-store-lahaina-2 if you're into coffee... man that stuff was good 🙂 Lots of free samples


have fun!

 

[purbeast0]

damnit this thread made me go look at my honeymoon pics again and get sad that i can't be there right now 🙁

i uploaded some of them to show you a lot of the stuff that we did that is on the list of yours to do. all of the snorkeling pics are at blackrock, except the eel, that is at molokini. and man i remember hiking up to the waterfall at the end of the road to hana and thinking i felt like i was in an episode of LOST. it was so badass.

http://imgur.com/a/YyzL3

 

[Spooner]

Skip the Luau.... seriously. It's boring, food not great... overall just a tourist trap

have fun!

The one that we're going to, Feast at Lele, is supposed to be an "upper scale" one that sounds like a much better experience. Five course meal, our own private table, and performances at sunset

 

[Fingolfin269]

The one that we're going to, Feast at Lele, is supposed to be an "upper scale" one that sounds like a much better experience. Five course meal, our own private table, and performances at sunset

Haven't done that one but did the Old Lahaina Luau. Both are basically the two highest rated luau performances in the Lahaina area. I definitely had my doubts going in but ended up enjoying it. We may actually do it again some day.

 

[Spooner]

I figure the first time being in Hawaii for two weeks, we kind of have to do a luau

 

[mooncancook]

I am going to Oahu later this month on the 16th, hopefully it's not too crowded. This is my second time, and I want to book a boat tour to snorkel with wild dolphins and sea turtles. I kind of narrow it down to EO Waianae Tour, Wild Side Morning Wildlife Cruise, and Ko Olina Cruise Adventure. Anyone had experience with them? Any recommendations? I prefer a more comfortable ride coz I don't want to get seasick.

OP have you considered such a tour? They usually start very early and back by noon so you still have a half day left.

 

[Spooner]

OP have you considered such a tour? They usually start very early and back by noon so you still have a half day left.

we're doing one in Maui:

May 20: Pride of Maui snorkel tour (Molikini / Turtle Bay)

 

[purbeast0]

we're doing one in Maui:

May 20: Pride of Maui snorkel tour (Molikini / Turtle Bay)

just a heads up, from my experience on snorkel tours in barbados, costa rica, and maui, going to the "turtle island" places usually are crap. the one in maui is in like 30-40 feet of water (at least the one we took for our molokini/turtle bay tour was) and we saw like 1 or 2 turtles, and they are all the way down at the bottom just sitting there. had the same experience in barbados, and in costa rica we didn't even see a turtle.

just don't be shocked if you don't see one or if you see one very far away that is just sitting there, when on the tour. the cool turtles to see were in the shallows at black rock. saw the same 3 turtles on 3 different days.

 

[mooncancook]

we're doing one in Maui:

May 20: Pride of Maui snorkel tour (Molikini / Turtle Bay)

Very nice. That looks like a big boat, should be pretty stable ride. Too bad I only have time for one island.

 

[Spooner]

just don't be shocked if you don't see one or if you see one very far away that is just sitting there, when on the tour. the cool turtles to see were in the shallows at black rock. saw the same 3 turtles on 3 different days.

don't worry we'll also be doing Black Rock per your suggestion :biggrin: