Maui- Things to do and see

[Meaney77]

My wife and I and our three daughters are headed to Maui, staying at the Fairmont in Wailea at the end of July- The kids' ages are 12,10 and 8. We have been to Maui a few times but haven't been there in 7 years and are looking for things to do and see. We plan on snorkeling, Turtle Town, Molokini, sunset cruise, etc.... I know there have been alot of changes on the island with the fire, and overall growth of the island outside of Lahina. I would greatly appreciate any input on things to do, see and places to eat.

Thank you

 

[Mini Kat]

You need to go to Lanai to see what the government is capable of doing very sad!

 

[gqchris]

I am a Fairmont expert sir! The only place we stay. Hit me up on a PM and we can text!

 

[golakers]

Your staying at the best place on Maui!!

Restraunts-Make your Reserv now!
Miso Fat-Sushi
Monkey Pod
Nicks-at Fairmont
Sugar Beach Bakery (Kihei)-Home made banana bread etc
Ulalis-Shave ice
Paia Pizza Company (Paia)-Cool hippy town
Island Market (wialea shops)-Fresh Poke


I'll try and think of more

 

[Wave Hi]

Mamas Fish House (if you can get reservations)
Hali Maili (Up country)
Pizza Madness, walk in best pizza on island
Tin Roof (there is a wait even ordering beforehand)

 

[boatpi]

I do not have the boats name, but there is a snorkel boat in Wailea that has the largest beam of nay local boat. Used it 2 years ago, the best that I have ever had. Going back in August with daughters, I'll find them again. Hit the road t ohana, just beyond the city is a house on the left side with a blue tarp and a food sign. ad fishes at night, they fry in day, family operating at $15 or less. Great locals. FYI, been to Maui over 50 times, great locals. IN HAWAII, ALWAYS Thank them of allowing them to visit their island.

 

[BTR]

If you want to save some serious coin and have an absolute chill, no crowds vacation, check out the Big Island, Hilo side. Rent a house from VRBO and prepare to be blown away. Pepeekeo is close enough to town but far enough away to feel the local vibe. No sand beaches but Onekahakaha beach park is like a giant bathtub. This is it on a crowded weekend

 

[HNL2LHC]

Can’t really see much as far as Lahaina. Blocked off for the most part. Sounds like a lot of good suggestions. Only thing to add is makIng sure you have reservations to places you want to see. There is Haleakala sun rise, Seven sacred pond, Kapalua, Kaanapali beach walk is a nice alternative to Waikiki. If you get board let me know and I can get you a list of job sites you can visits for me.

 

[EmpirE231]

If you’re staying long enough, I’d definitely set a day aside and do the road to Hanna. There is an app you can download that is sort of a guided tour (don’t remember the name because my buddy is the one who downloaded it) but it kinda tells you the cool spots to stop along the way. We stopped at all sorts of cool short hiking spots to waterfalls, lagoons etc and the made it at the end to the main hike at the Jurassic park waterfall. Packed a cooler for the day and headed out. Made it back at night time. Great trip and memories. If you go, just make sure you don’t stop at all the spots. Pick and choose because you won’t be able to hit all of them in one day.

 

[77charger]

Went there last year stayed in Kihei. But traveled out each day did Hana rd one day hung out at a cool beach git some good roadside tacos and hit a waterfall.

Also did the crater dive I scuba it. Hadn’t dove in almost 10 years got out with the advanced group based on experience I had. ( I also said last dive was within a year lol) so I was nervous at first left go pro on boat for this. We’ll jumped in had zero issues clearing ears straight to 45 ft to gather up. Was first down to bottom. Then to 88 ft and were looking into the blue in hopes of a ray or shark. Nothing then worked way back up but the fish and coral were something was a great dive. Daughter snorkeled she loved it.

Second dive was to be tuttletown but bad vis so we went towards Lahaina cool reef near shore but boat access only. Took camera for this one a 35ft dive.

 

[77charger]

If you’re staying long enough, I’d definitely set a day aside and do the road to Hanna. There is an app you can download that is sort of a guided tour (don’t remember the name because my buddy is the one who downloaded it) but it kinda tells you the cool spots to stop along the way. We stopped at all sorts of cool short hiking spots to waterfalls, lagoons etc and the made it at the end to the main hike at the Jurassic park waterfall. Packed a cooler for the day and headed out. Made it back at night time. Great trip and memories. If you go, just make sure you don’t stop at all the spots. Pick and choose because you won’t be able to hit all of them in one day.

My sister in law did that should have seen us trying to head down the trail to jaws surf spot look out point.

Brother in law had a awd cadilac suv we scraped bottom got in tight spots decided turn around was an adventure though lol. But saw some cool spots

 

[Mandelon]

We were there in March. It sounds like you have all the right places.

We did one night at Chef Morimoto's restaurant in the Andaz hotel in Wailea. They do a beach front Luau a few nights a week. When you make a reservation as for the front table because you are celebrating an anniversary or birthday. You get a great view of the luau dancers and fire filled activities. Tickets to the Luau are like $340 but you get a great seat, have amazing food and are next to the bar for the price of dinner.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Thirteen years ago we did a horseback ride in the hills at Mendez ranch, that was pretty cool. We drove through a pretty cool town called Paia, it has a vintage Venice,California vibe about it. Unfortunately we had dinner reservations that night and couldn’t stay to check it out.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

$340 x 5 for a luau? Thats why I stopped going after I had my 2nd kid. 20 years later and next time I go back I am bringing my golf clubs. Last year with my girlfriend I ditched her and went fishing out of Lahaina and we caught a bunch of wahoo. I think it was $450 on shared charter. How about a day trip to Lanai? They had a ferry boat that left out of Lahaina but probably goes out of the other harbor now. We did Hana road and we stayed the night out there I wish we did two nights so we could have chilled a little more. We did a shore snorkel in that preserve up past Kapalua its where that yacht ran onto the reef last year.

 

[sczagurs]

I’m sure you will stop by Costco to pick up supplies. Across the street are food trucks. Give this pizza place a try, 10/10. It is amazing!

https://g.co/kgs/V8i17D2Da Grateful Dough

We booked a lot of planned events through either Groupon or through Aunties Snorkel, highly recommend the doors off helicopter ride through air Maui. Was a once in a lifetime trip for sure.

If you can get a reservation, Mama’s fish house and Merrimans. Both were amazing, at Merrimans request to sit outside down by the water on the peninsula.

Breakfast you need to have the Gazebo. Get there early there is a line. For a quick breakfast you need to have cinnamon rolls from Papi’s Ohanas. Both places 10/10.

 

[PlanB]

I second doing the road to Hana.

 

[Meaney77]

Thanks for all of the input, keep in coming!

 

[sczagurs]

I second doing the road to Hana.

100%, we did the full drive all the way around the island. Got sketchy at times in our small suv rental but the views were insane.

Go see the blow hole, can’t recall the time to go but Aunties told us.

If you do decide to go to mamas or Merrimans get your reservation asap.

Had a little issue with the rental car company if you pm me I can Fill you in.

 

[BTR]

Holy crap. Those prices are shocking. Took a family of 4 to the BI stayed in a house on 2 acres in the rainforest for $6000 total with air fare. Turn up the volume on the video. No cars, no people, just nature. 20 minutes to the store and restaurants but that is what we like.

 

[gqchris]

Ok so I just got back this spring and my buddies here on RDP had amazing tips. I was with my 2 year old and 14 year old daughters:

: Surfing Goat Farm was a blast and beautiful country side. Just do the smaller walking tour. Plenty of time to feed and pet.

We do NOT eat at the resort. Its overpriced and only order food at the pool. We have our spots we go to. We dont do Costco supplies. Just waters from the ABC store at the mall down the street. Which is awesome by the way. Drive dont walk. The hills are killer. Lol.

Pro tip, tip a pool guy a $50 spot on your first day. You have a friend for life and will make sure you get chairs and umbrellas. Those shits get plucked up at 7am daily.

My pizza spot on the golf course is Manolis Pizza Company. They also deliver to Fairmont if in a pinch, but I suggest eating there.

South Maui Gardens in Kihei! We went EVERY night! Every food truck was amazing. You save money, and support local businesses. Make sure you walk to north end of the gardens. Thats where the good trucks are!

Aquarium was cool and worth a visit.

Take a drive south down coast from the hotel to the middle of nowhere to Jazzys Food Truck. Thank me later! Fish tacos! Google or look on Apple Maps for location.

Ill think of more later. Youre gonna love it. The remodel they did is just amazing!

 

[brianwhiteboy]

Kihei Cafe just down the road from Wailea for breakfast! Banana Mac pancakes for the win.

X100 on the road to Hana. It’s God’s country back in there. Take all day and take your time. I’ve done it a couple of times and still haven’t seen everything I wanted to.

I recommend the following book for in depth reviews and tips on just about everything on the island - Maui Revealed

 

[golakers]

Kihei cafe is great. But the Gazebo on the other side is worth the wait. its a must.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

You guys are crazy, that road to Hana is brutal. lol ... It never ends... And when it does there's not really a huge payoff.. Last couple of times we kept driving and came back the southern part of the island. It's pretty cool. My all time favorite restaurant is Mama's Fish House, the food is amazing and the ambiance is totally incredible. But with the family you're gonna at least $500 on lunch alone, it's crazy expensive. I'm a fan of Kihei,when it's hot in Kanapalli and Lahaina, Kehei always has a nice breeze. I have stayed at Sugar Beach several times and love it.

I would get the kiddo's all set up with snorkel grear and bring it or buy some at Costco there.

If you need someone to look over the house or bring your mail in I can't help with that, neighbor. I'll be in town at the end of July..

Have a great time..

 

[Boat Potato]

We are in Maui now. Staying at Kahana Sunset condos by Kapalua. Great spot with a private beach and snorkeling. Check out Honalua bay. It's an awesome walk in through thick trees and chickens everywhere. The reef was awesome with a lot of fish. Did the maui nui luau at the Sheraton kaanapali. Download the Shaka app and do the road to Hana. It narrates and tells you where to go. Everything is definatly expensive here.

 

[Englewood]

You guys are crazy, that road to Hana is brutal. lol ... It never ends... And when it does there's not really a huge payoff.. Last couple of times we kept driving and came back the southern part of the island. It's pretty cool. My all time favorite restaurant is Mama's Fish House, the food is amazing and the ambiance is totally incredible. But with the family you're gonna at least $500 on lunch alone, it's crazy expensive. I'm a fan of Kihei,when it's hot in Kanapalli and Lahaina, Kehei always has a nice breeze. I have stayed at Sugar Beach several times and love it.

I would get the kiddo's all set up with snorkel grear and bring it or buy some at Costco there.

If you need someone to look over the house or bring your mail in I can't help with that, neighbor. I'll be in town at the end of July..

Have a great time..

I’m with you. That drive was torture and never ended.

 

[BTR]

There are no private beaches in all the islands. All have a pathway for locals and others to use. The locals just don’t go to that one.

 

[LB247XS]

The GAZEEBO for breakfast
NAPILI BAY to chill and snorkel
Kapalua Bay for the same
MAUI MAGIC boat for offshore snorkeling at MOLOKINI CRATER and TURTLE TOWN
ZIP LINE up in KAPALUA was epic

 

[Mandelon]

Little Beach just up from Makena beach. You don't need clothes.

Eat shave ice every day. Twice if your wife lets you. LOL

The Kalama Village in Kihei is full of small shops. The usual local trinkets. Good for gifts and shirts We usually stay in Kihei. Affordable and best weather.

If you drive to Hana, you can't keep going any more. Road is closed. It's a long ass drive, rains a lot, and the end has a little marina and a few food trucks. There's no pot of gold. Just a $16.00 Poke burrito that is damn tasty.

Paia is small but has some cute shopping spots. Good drinks at the Rock & Brews bar. Not much parking.

We played bargain golf at the Waiehu golf course. Right on the water. Muni prices.

 

[wzuber]

Thanks for all of the input, keep in coming!

If you can't get a reservation at mama's you can always call in the afternoon for a cancelation opening. We scored one for 4 of us. It was excellent...spendy...but excellent.
An plan b for that could be piaia fish house. Tasty grub and very reasonable.

 

[wzuber]

I’m with you. That drive was torture and never ended.

That's why you stop along the way and take hikes to streams, pools, waterfalls etc.
The 7 sacred pools at the end are cool, crowded at times tho.....beautiful drive up the Mt.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

$340 x 5 for a luau? Thats why I stopped going after I had my 2nd kid. 20 years later and next time I go back I am bringing my golf clubs. Last year with my girlfriend I ditched her and went fishing out of Lahaina and we caught a bunch of wahoo. I think it was $450 on shared charter. How about a day trip to Lanai? They had a ferry boat that left out of Lahaina but probably goes out of the other harbor now. We did Hana road and we stayed the night out there I wish we did two nights so we could have chilled a little more. We did a shore snorkel in that preserve up past Kapalua its where that yacht ran onto the reef last year.

Lanai is only inhabited by violent savages, no one should ever ever go there.

In all reality its not cheap...but when we go "home" we usually always fly over for at least one night at the lodge or the bay. Bri likes the little craft jewelers set up over there..and she gets some cool shit for not crazy money and is more than happy with that vs big ticket items.. Also love the food on Lanai, as well as the galleries..
My favorite things on Lanai though are a couple of things... one going and harassing ol' barb at Pele's other garden.. she is a phenomenal cook and always took care of my construction guys when we were working over there.. Second sushi at manele bay aka 4 seasons...and the venison pizza at hotel lanai with the live music. I'm sure ol Robaco is still running his shuttle service.. Dusk deer watching with him is one of the coolest experiences ever as they come out of the brush by the hundreds...

Lanai is a super special place to me...I feel privileged to have been able to do so much work over there and make great lifelong friends.

 

[Activated]

Not sure if it is still there but we did a snorkeling sail to Lanai on Paragon out of Lahaina harbor. It’s a small catamaran and we actually got to sail a bit. Only about 20 people or so on the boat, so a lot less crowded than some of the larger snorkeling boats.

 

[Flat freak]

Krispy Kreme, it’s right near the airport. Grab two dozen for the ride to your accommodation’s 🫃

 

[Meaney77]

Thank you for all of the input! We are Maui bound from LAX bright an early tomorrow morning and cant wait!

 

[wzuber]

Krispy Kreme, it’s right near the airport. Grab two dozen for the ride to your accommodation’s 🫃

KK? Really? Too each their own I guess...
Soo much better pastries on Maui... Hit up Leodas on the way to Lahaina. Right along the beach in the tree canopy covered section of the coastal hwy. Amazing pastries and great food.
Www.leodas.com

 

[Meaney77]

We just got home from our Maui trip around 1:30 this morning, we had an amazing time and it was soooo hard to leave. Getting in late last night and working today was a little bit brutal!!

I'm not gonna lie the though of selling everything and moving over there crossed my mind several times!! Those guys are living over there and live a great life. It would be pretty amazing to become a boat captain and charter tours all day and meet some really cool people!

We spent seven nights at the Fairmont in Wailea, this is the first time we have stayed on that side of the island we have always stayed in Kaanapali in the past. With the fires in Maui, we weren't sure what to expect. All of Front street is still blocked off. We went and checked it out there's several security guards and blockades around the area so you can't enter. We were told that the area opened up just within the last day or two because it was the one year anniversary of the fire. Sad to see the destruction over there and there wasn't much going on with any new building of any sort.

We have always been pretty partial to Lahina/ Kannapali in the past but after staying in Wailea and spending a lot of time in Kiehe this week- we really like Kiehe!!

Thank you @gqchris and others for all of their recommendations on things to do and see and places to eat.

The resort itself was great but eating meal their ads up quickly, especially with three kids that seemed always be hungry so eating out at some of the local places was awesome and saved us a grip of cash. I think on our next trip over there we would looking at staying at a resort/vacation rental like the Honua Kai. It's pretty nice to have a kitchen and barbecue area so you want to go out but you don't feel like you're committed to eating out three meals a day.

Tell me your not from Hawaii without telling me...

Some random pix-

 

[Meaney77]

We did a snorkeling tour and ended up seeing some dolphins too, super cool to see!!

There was a south swell and wind all week so the visibility at some of the snorkeling spots wasn't so great.

The boat ride back was terrible, there were quite a few people including 2 of my kids that all got sea sick, good times!!

 

[Meaney77]

The groms wanted to take some Surf lessons, they were super pumped and might be part of the next Costco Surf Team!

 

[HNL2LHC]

We did a snorkeling tour and ended up seeing some dolphins too, super cool to see!!

There was a south swell and wind all week so the visibility at some of the snorkeling spots wasn't so great.

The boat ride back was terrible, there were quite a few people including 2 of my kids that all got sea sick, good times!!
View attachment 1413947

Looks like you guys had a great vacation. As far as living in Hawaii it is totally doable but with young kids you really need to evaluate their education. Even more so on the neighbor islands. Don’t get me wrong it can work out but I know many who move and end up moving back only a few years later. Fortunately when the wife and were married and she wanted to move here we had my family here. But I did require a minimum of 3 years as the cost was a bit much and didn’t want to keep moving back and forth. She tells me that had I not made that requirement she would have asked to move back within a year.

 

[Meaney77]

If anyone cares or needs any info on places to eat while in Maui - we are ate at these places:

Waikiki Brewing Company- food was just kind of OK.

Manoli's- A great pizza and pasta open-air place with a full bar overlooking a golf course- we ate there 2 times, the food was good, and the kids loved it.

South Maui Garden food trucks- all of the food was excellent and worth checking out!

Monkey Pods- really good food, great atmosphere and known for Mai Tai's definitely worth checking out.

Oao Sushi- is excellent!

Fred's Mexican Café- decent Mexican food with a cool atmosphere overlooking the water.

The Cinnamon Roll Place- had great homemade cinnamon rolls and breakfast sandwiches.

The Kihei Café- excellent breakfast

DaKine Hawaiian Shave ice- excellent!

Threes Bar and Grill- apparently, they were on diners', drive-ins and dives- we ate there, and it was terrible

 

[gqchris]

If anyone cares or needs any info on places to eat while in Maui - we are ate at these places:

Waikiki Brewing Company- food was just kind of OK.

Manoli's- A great pizza and pasta open-air place with a full bar overlooking a golf course- we ate there 2 times, the food was good, and the kids loved it.

South Maui Garden food trucks- all of the food was excellent and worth checking out!

Monkey Pods- really good food, great atmosphere and known for Mai Tai's definitely worth checking out.

Oao Sushi- is excellent!

Fred's Mexican Café- decent Mexican food with a cool atmosphere overlooking the water.

The Cinnamon Roll Place- had great homemade cinnamon rolls and breakfast sandwiches.

The Kihei Café- excellent breakfast

DaKine Hawaiian Shave ice- excellent!

Threes Bar and Grill- apparently, they were on diners', drive-ins and dives- we ate there, and it was terrible

This list is DEAD on for the spots we go and same reviews we would give.

Damn It , @Meaney77 I have been stalling and talking myself out of spending 15k again for next Spring, but your pics took me all back there again and my 3 year old has been telling me "Dad, I want to go to Hawaii again"!

Such amazing memories, love that I was able to suggest some spots. I love Wailea. If I am going on vacation, I want to be spoiled! LOL...

 

[oldman]

If you’re staying long enough, I’d definitely set a day aside and do the road to Hanna. There is an app you can download that is sort of a guided tour (don’t remember the name because my buddy is the one who downloaded it) but it kinda tells you the cool spots to stop along the way. We stopped at all sorts of cool short hiking spots to waterfalls, lagoons etc and the made it at the end to the main hike at the Jurassic park waterfall. Packed a cooler for the day and headed out. Made it back at night time. Great trip and memories. If you go, just make sure you don’t stop at all the spots. Pick and choose because you won’t be able to hit all of them in one day.

We were there last year right after the fires Aug 29th
The road to Hanna was pretty much just a drive Any more, You can't get out of your car and walk to see or do anything , The 7 pools are closed off also, too many deaths. we honeymooned 25 years ago and we were able to hike back to see all kinds of things. And swim in the ponds, But this last trip. No way.
It was a nice drive, but not what it used to be.

Ymmv.

 

[EmpirE231]

We were there last year right after the fires Aug 29th
The road to Hanna was pretty much just a drive Any more, You can't get out of your car and walk to see or do anything , The 7 pools are closed off also, too many deaths. we honeymooned 25 years ago and we were able to hike back to see all kinds of things. And swim in the ponds, But this last trip. No way.
It was a nice drive, but not what it used to be.

Ymmv.

Thats a shame. We were there in 2020 right before Covid, and we loved checking out all the spot along the road to Hanna

 

[oldman]

Thats a shame. We were there in 2020 right before Covid, and we loved checking out all the spot along the road to Hanna

Every spot you would pull off is blocked off with no parking , no trespassing signs.
We were disappointed

 

[Boat Potato]

We just did the road in June. Downloaded the Shaka app which was awesome. It's a guided tour and uses gps to track where your at for the spots of interest while playing music and giving you history. We were disappointed that we couldn't swim in The 7 pools, especially since they charge the 30.00 entry fee. Black sand beach needed pre- reservations and had a fee also, so we didn't go there. It was still a beautiful drive but definitely more crowded now days.

 

[Bigbore500r]

The groms wanted to take some Surf lessons, they were super pumped and might be part of the next Costco Surf Team!

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Looks like an awesome vacation!

 

[Meaney77]

This list is DEAD on for the spots we go and same reviews we would give.

Damn It , @Meaney77 I have been stalling and talking myself out of spending 15k again for next Spring, but your pics took me all back there again and my 3 year old has been telling me "Dad, I want to go to Hawaii again"!

Such amazing memories, love that I was able to suggest some spots. I love Wailea. If I am going on vacation, I want to be spoiled! LOL...

Your suggestions were perfect, appreciate the info!
Maui is such a great place, can't wait to try and plan another trip!