Trip to Maui

[Scarpozzi]

Back in May, we decided to book a trip somewhere and it worked out with airfare and hotel accomodations lined up. Maui became the agreed destination because we were able to get work to reimburse most of it.

I was a little apprehensive about flying with kids, but we had to be vaccinated or have a negative covid test. The 777 we were supposed to fly on was flipped to a 787 because of all the changed flights after the gov said not to travel unless it was for business. We had 9 seats to the 4 of us (my wife even moved into an empty set of 3 to lay down and actually sleep).

The hotel is at 10-12% capacity this week. The hotel restaurants are mostly empty.
Sunset view:

Anniversary flowers for Mrs. Scarpozzi:

 

[Captante]

Nice pics .... glad you've had no issues so far.

Any tension from the locals considering they were just recently actively discouraging tourists?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Nice pics .... glad you've had no issues so far.

Any tension from the locals considering they were just recently actively discouraging tourists?

Not if you tip well. Seriously, everyone is masked indoors. Most staff are always masked.
Here's the crowded pool right now:

 

[BoomerD]

Make sure you hit Mama's Fish House. IMO, best food on the island. Old Lahaina Luau is, (also IMO) the best luau on any of the islands.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Make sure you hit Mama's Fish House. IMO, best food on the island. Old Lahaina Luau is, (also IMO) the best luau on any of the islands.

I have a reservation for MFH for next week. We're skipping luaus this trip, probably. Just too expensive for what they are....we would rather spend $800 on 3-4 meals elsewhere.

 

[BoomerD]

I have a reservation for MFH for next week. We're skipping luaus this trip, probably. Just too expensive for what they are....we would rather spend $800 on 3-4 meals elsewhere.

I was surprised to see the price was up to $145/person now. Maybe I shouldn't be...it's been over 15 years since we were there last. Still the food and drinks are (were? ) great...and the show is fabulous.

Several of the luaus we tried, food and shows were still good, but drinks were watered down...and (IIRC) you got one or two drink coupons with your meal...any others were ala-carte. At the Old Lahaina, drink servers came to the table and took your order...then, the drink guys (almost always guys) would stop by periodically, "here, brah, you gotta try dis one...it's ono!" and leave you two or three different drinks.

 

[LikeLinus]

Make sure you hit Mama's Fish House. IMO, best food on the island. Old Lahaina Luau is, (also IMO) the best luau on any of the islands.

THIS! We go to Mama's every time we hit Maui. Kids will like the Black Pearl dessert. It's cute.

Are you guys planning on driving the road to Hana? It's basically a day trip, but there's a lot of neat spots on the way with waterfalls and freaking chickens everywhere Some good food on the roadside as well!

 

[Scarpozzi]

THIS! We go to Mama's every time we hit Maui. Kids will like the Black Pearl dessert. It's cute.

Are you guys planning on driving the road to Hana? It's basically a day trip, but there's a lot of neat spots on the way with waterfalls and freaking chickens everywhere Some good food on the roadside as well!

We're probably going to do some driving on that side if the island. Looking forward to some waterfalls and a few hikes.

I went snorkeling off the beach and didn't see many fish, but did get some decent footage of a green sea turtle that was next to me. I saw plenty on the big island last year, so it wasn't a huge surprise. I'm hoping to get out there early a few days this week to see more actual fish...

 

[DigDog]

im gonna sound like a broken record but:
1/ prefer houses (i.e. AirBnB) over hotels and stay the fuck away from buffets and other places where many people gather
2/ buy travel insurance with COVID cover *yes even if you are vaccinated*

 

[Greenman]

THIS! We go to Mama's every time we hit Maui. Kids will like the Black Pearl dessert. It's cute.

Are you guys planning on driving the road to Hana? It's basically a day trip, but there's a lot of neat spots on the way with waterfalls and freaking chickens everywhere Some good food on the roadside as well!

I was so disappointed when I tried a black pearl. Had high expectations, ended up with something not as good as a Hershey bar.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Booked a early morning snorkel trip to Molokini Crater with the wife and kids. I think it's going to be a blast. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures and video.

 

[Sukhoi]

If you drive out to Hana make sure you stop at Ka Haku Smoke Shack for lunch. It's delish.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Damn, at that point I would refuse to leave the island and take up residency in that hotel.

 

[Muse]

Damn, at that point I would refuse to leave the island and take up residency in that hotel.

I went to Maui with $50 in my pocket (and a backpack) and stayed for 2 1/2 years. At the time there were no direct flights to Maui from the mainland, just to Honolulu. I heard that if I go to Maui I'd never want to leave, so I went a few days later on a prop. Was mainly on the north side.

 

[BoomerD]

Booked a early morning snorkel trip to Molokini Crater with the wife and kids. I think it's going to be a blast. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures and video.

We did that...once. They took us to Molokini and "turtle town,"Had a GREAT time.

 

[mztykal]

If you like raw fish, Kaohu Store has the best poke of all the islands! I live in Oahu and purposely go there for lunch when I’m in Maui for work.

 

[skyking]

I reported this post to my wife, and suggested a trip there. Was not met with much enthusiasm

 

[LikeLinus]

I was so disappointed when I tried a black pearl. Had high expectations, ended up with something not as good as a Hershey bar.

I was recommending it for his kids because of the experience. I don't remember it being that bad, but I only tasted it and it was for my 8 year old at the time, lol.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Snorkeling was a blast, but the reefs weren't too active. We did see some fish swimming around, but I think too many tourists have killed the coral. It reminded me of snorkeling off the coast of Mexico. I didn't wear sunscreen because it was early morning and I covered up on deck with long sleeves and a hat. (Didn't get burned) I'm sure most people are covered in the stuff. 😕

I saw quite a few turtles and the standard array of tropical fish. Was definitely worth it and the company did a great job. If I get any underwater pictures, I'll share them later.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I did a West Maui and Molokai helicopter tour solo and ditched the family. None of the pictures do it justice. After the flight, I got some steak stir fry and a root beer float from the food trucks. Today's been a good day.

 

[NuclearNed]

Make sure you hit Mama's Fish House. IMO, best food on the island. Old Lahaina Luau is, (also IMO) the best luau on any of the islands.

Mama's is great food, but pricey - even for Maui. Old Lahaina Luau is our fav also, and we've been to several of the Maui luaus.

 

[NuclearNed]

If you're comfortable in deep water, go snorkeling in Honolua Bay. It's the best snorkeling I've ever done, but the best reef formations are in 30'-40' of water & are fairly far from shore. The snorkel boat tours go there, but you can do it yourself for free if you're adventurous & can find parking. The "beach" there isn't the best - its actually all rock with little to no sand.

While you're in the Honolua area, Slaughterhouse Beach is awesome (both the beach & the snorkeling). Parking is very limited & super hard to find, but that also helps ensure that the beach is relatively empty. It's perhaps my favorite beach on Maui.

 

[purbeast0]

You snorkel outside of he Molokini crater or inside? From the pic it looks like you all wee just outside of it. I thought inside was usually for snorkeling and outside was for (wall) diving since it goes down quick.

 

[skyking]

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I did a West Maui and Molokai helicopter tour solo and ditched the family. None of the pictures do it justice. After the flight, I got some steak stir fry and a root beer float from the food trucks. Today's been a good day.
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The pictures never do it justice it's just one of those things you have to do to really understand.

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you're comfortable in deep water, go snorkeling in Honolua Bay. It's the best snorkeling I've ever done, but the best reef formations are in 30'-40' of water & are fairly far from shore. The snorkel boat tours go there, but you can do it yourself for free if you're adventurous & can find parking. The "beach" there isn't the best - its actually all rock with little to no sand.

While you're in the Honolua area, Slaughterhouse Beach is awesome (both the beach & the snorkeling). Parking is very limited & super hard to find, but that also helps ensure that the beach is relatively empty. It's perhaps my favorite beach on Maui.

That's all West Maui. We're in Wailea, so we'll probably stick to these waters. We may come back and see how the Westin compares to the Grand Wailea next year.