Just returned yesterday

We just returned from our first trip to Maui and it was great! I just wanted to post a trip report in case it offers any information that would be hepful to others. This board was very helpful to us in planning our trip and where to go.

The travelers were myself and husband (hate to say it, but we%26#39;re middle-aged) and my mother. Having my mom along was great, but did impact some of our choices due to her mobility and dietary restrictions.

FLIGHTS/RENTAL CAR

We had great flights on Hawaiian airlines from San Diego. The crew was friendly, provided good service and the meals were tasty. We arrived in Maui a half hour early and arrived home right on time.

We rented an intermediate car from Thrifty and received a Sebring. Only complaint is the smallish trunk, but it was clean and we had not problems all week.

ACCOMODATION

I had booked unit 317 at Kahana Reef (found through vrbo.com) and it was exactly as promised for $135 night (for 3; 125 for 2). It was in excellent shape and included extras like beach chairs, DVDs, music CDs, books, games, etc.).

The complex was very quiet, but had everything we needed (pool, laundry room and gas bbq). You can%26#39;t get much closer to the ocean (less than 30 feet)! The sunsets were magnificent.

DINING

We ate in our condo much more than I had originally thought we would because we were enjoying it so much and it was too much trouble to go out. We did eat breakfast out a few times. The first time we ate at Kula Lodge. The prices are high, but the view made up for it. The coffee there is the best.

Another time we had breakfast at the Gazebo. The secret to the pancakes there is there ';sauce'; which we understood to be dream whip mixed with butterscotch and maple syrup. We explored the tidepools there after the wonderful breakfast. Service was fast and friendly as well.

The last breakfast outing was at Denny%26#39;s in Kahului on our way to the airport. Not the best ambiance, but the food was good and if you order the specials, moderately priced.

We only went out for dinner once and had that at Kimo%26#39;s. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. My mother complained about the noise, but loved her teriyaki chicken.

We had lunch at Costco (bought Hawaiian shirts, CDs and coffee) for convenience. Our other lunch outing was at the Honokowai Okazuya Deli where I had the most wonderful mahi-mahi.

OUTINGS

We alternated beach days with sightsighting. Went up to see the sunrise at Haleakala the first morning. It was very cold, but worth the trouble to get up there so early.

Another day we did the road to hana (and a little beyond). It was beautiful and we beat the rush by starting our at about 6:30 in Kahana. I hated the return trip due to the oncoming latecomer traffic. I do not understand people that don%26#39;t think this drive is worth the trouble. We stopped in Keane and bought the most wonderful (and still warm) banana bread. We had brought a picnic lunch and ate it at the black sand beach (can%26#39;t think of the name right now).

Our third road trip was around the top of Maui. This drive didn%26#39;t seem nearly as popular as the last two, but the scenery was great.

SUMMARY

I lived on Oahu as a child and have been back there a few times. I found Maui to be more relaxing and just as beautiful (however more expensive). I want to come back again, but not until I visit the big island and Kauai first.

Just returned yesterday

Thanks for the trip report! We leave in 6 days and can%26#39;t wait!!

PS lucky YOU getting to live in Hawaii for some of your life! :-)

Just returned yesterday

Thanks for sharing the trip with us,

The big question is how did your mother like the trip? Did she do all the outings with you?

I brought my mother with us several years ago and she enjoyed spending time with the family...

Nice report. I am getting that you ate on the plane which if I were going again I might do. Didn%26#39;t ask anyone that did, but the airport food was priced like a good place on Maui and was well airport food. We left for the Road to Hana about when you did and was glad we did when we saw all the others coming at out at noon. Maybe they were staying in Hana? Thanks for tip on Gazebo%26#39;s .....I am going to try that at home. Aloha

Thanks for the report and glad you got the eat mahi mahi at Okazuya Deli. It is the best.

Maui really offers something for everyone. I took my 85 year old grandpa and my mom once.

The drives around the island are great for all ages.

In Maui you can be a hiking nature lover by day and a showered and shaved tourist by night.

I love up country Maui

Thank you all for your kind comments.

My mom loved the car trips. She has told everyone else in the family how much she enjoyed the drives and appreciated my husband%26#39;s driving the windy/narrow roads.

She doesn%26#39;t like beaches, so she relaxed at the condo on the mornings we went to the beach and I took her out shopping a couple of the afternoons which we both enjoyed.

Akeka- thanks for the nicely organized trip report! Do you remember how much the Hawaiian shirts are at Costco??? Is it a better deal to get them there than anywhere else? How%26#39;s the quality of the shirts and did they have a lot of designs to choose from? Wondering if I should pick up a few before the flight home. Mahalo and welcome home!!! ;)

Mahalo for your report. Maui appeals to all ages, IMHO.

I really enjoyed your report. We tend to ';live'; in our condo, too! (When you%26#39;ve found a nice place, why not enjoy it? I can never understand people who go on vacation and stay in a place less nice than home.)

huladolz -- DH buys a new shirt almost every year. The ';ONO'; brand shirts are available at Macy%26#39;s. They are wonderful, cool 100% cotton lawn and beautifully made. There are some made of boadcloth, but that%26#39;s a rougher weave. The Tori Richards brand is also nice. The Costco shirts are ';OK'; and more than OK at the price!

Last time I was in Maui the Costco was still carrying the more vintage style shirts, the faded reverse pattern fabric, more muted colors. They became really popular in the 1970%26#39;s or so under the PCH brand name I think. The ones at Costco are quite well made and if memory serves me are $17.99. Its just a slightly different look.

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