MAUI
WELCOME TO MAUI!
Planning to visit Maui? Beautiful coastlines are abundant, covering over 100 miles. If you are visiting in the winter months, you will have many opportunities to see humpback whales, even from shore! Maui is also home to Haleakala, the world’s largest dormant volcano, which is most frequently visited at sunrise and sunset. Seeking a luxurious resort to spend your vacation? Don’t look any further than the resorts in Wailea. Maui is incredible, but be aware that paradise comes with a steep price tag.
No matter what your adventure, you will discover it in Maui!
HALEAKALA
Sunrise or Sunset?
If you have been admiring images of Maui on Instagram or doing research for your trip, you have inevitably stumbled upon images of Haleakala. The summit at Haleakala National Park is at 10,023 feet elevation and offers magnificent views.
Sunrise: To visit Haleakala at sunrise, you must obtain a permit. The permit is $1 per vehicle and is available up to 60 days prior to your visit. It is important to remember that you must also pay the normal park entrance fee ($25 per vehicle), or use your annual park pass ($80 annually). There are many tour groups that offer sunrise viewings, but you can have the same experience on your own at a fraction of the cost!
Sunset: There is currently no reservation required for sunset viewing. Consistent with sunrise, a park entrance fee is still required. This is a good alternative if you are not a morning person or prefer not to travel in the middle of the night.
Be Prepared: Depending on where you are staying, you may have an hour or longer drive to reach the summit. For the sunrise viewing, you should arrive early enough to get a spot and not miss the action! You should also be prepared for significant wind and cold. During our trip, we underestimated the wind and were very cold!
Visit the National Park website for reservations and sunrise/sunset times.
ROAD TO HANA
Is the Road to Hana worth it?
Search “things to do in Maui,” and the results will be the Road to Hana every time. If you drive all the way to Hana, this will take all day. Time is precious while in Hawaii, so you are probably wondering if it is worth the trip.
Let’s make one thing clear, driving this road is intense. Our expectation was “over 600 hairpin turns,” but the reality is it feels as if you are on a never-ending one-way road. You must be extremely cautious of oncoming traffic. Yes, the views are absolutely beautiful. You will see lush landscapes, waterfalls, and coastline. With the limited road space and significant traffic, it makes quite the challenge to actually stop. Many people boast the small roadside stops, but our favorite part of the journey was the natural scenery around us.
No one says you actually have to make it to Hana. If a half-day adventure to experience the views and crazy road sounds perfect for you, take the road half-way and turn around! Remember this is your vacation. Yes, we do recommend the experience – no matter how far you take it! Just make sure to stop for lunch at Ka Haku’s Smoke Shack.
HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A
A place or a thing?
Technically, it is both! Humuhumunukunukuapua’a is Hawaii’s state fish, but it is also one of the most wonderful restaurants in Maui. Located within the Grand Wailea Resort, HumuHumu is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or just the fact you are in paradise. The views from this restaurant can’t be beat (pictured is the view from our table).
We recommend making a reservation ahead of time, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend or a holiday. We opted for local fresh fish options, and we were not disappointed.
Pronunciation: hoo-moo-hoo-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-poo-ah-ah (or just ask a local to help)!
THE GRAND WAILEA
You had me at Aloha
Looking for luxury? Look no further than Grand Wailea. Once you arrive, you will not want to leave. This resort is the definition of paradise. This resort has everything you are looking for in a relaxing Hawaiian vacation. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with leis and treated like royalty!
The amenities are expansive from free beach chairs and umbrellas, to various pools, and lots of dining options. This resort also offers their own luau (described below) so you truly do not have to leave! During our time on the various islands, we can honestly say no other resort compared to this one.
Have a late flight home? Don’t worry, the Grand Wailea offers hospitality rooms to their guests to shower and clean-up after check-out. We spent the entire day at the pool, had dinner at Bistro Molokini, and cleaned-up prior to our 9PM flight back to the mainland!
A GRAND WAILEA LUAU
Hulas, leis and alohas
You are going to Hawaii, but the options for luaus seem endless. It is very easy to become overwhelmed trying to find the best option. After lots of research, we decided on a Grand Wailea Luau (Aha’aina Wailea). Even if you are not a guest at the Grand Wailea, it is absolutely worth coming to this luau. The luau is held in a large lawn that overlooks the ocean and sunset, unlike several other luaus we looked into.
So you decided on the Grand Wailea Luau, but now you are indecisive on general versus VIP admission. If you don’t mind waiting in line to ensure a great seat, go for general admission. You can purchase discounted tickets through Costco (even if you are not a member) for $99 per person. We arrived once the ticket counter opened (one hour prior to opening), and received our table assignment. If you want the best seat at the table, we recommend standing in line, but the table assignment is most important!
Let’s talk about the food, drinks and show. This luau offers an open bar, a full buffet (including a traditional Kalua pig), and a phenomenal show. Everything was well organized and exceeded our expectations. You will absolutely love this!
KAANAPALI
Aloha beaches
If you are planning to stay in Kaanapali instead of Wailea, you will have access to beautiful views of the ocean and whale watching! The key difference in this area is we considered Kaanapali to be more touristy and populated. Resorts line Kaanapali Beach and surround the Whalers Village shopping center.
Aside from any dining options your hotel might offer, the main area for restaurants is Whalers Village. This area was one of the most expensive area for dining that we experienced during our time in Hawaii. A dinner for two, without drinks, will easily cost $70. There are lots of vendors offering tours and excursions in this area as well.
What we took away:
Overall, the island of Maui has a lot to offer. If you are seeking an adventure, you can explore areas such as Haleakala or the Road to Hana. If you are looking for a relaxing vacation, the options for luxurious resorts are endless! Compared to Oahu and the Big Island, Maui was the most expensive for food and accommodations. We recommend spending at least a few nights of your Hawaiian vacation in Maui!