wanted: travel advice for Hawaii

[ohmom]

thanks for the great ideas everyone...daughters grown, educated, married...now it's time (not to mention $$$) for us!

my husband would leave tomorrow, but as I teach, our travels are limited to summer

still open to more suggestions...we sail some and really love the water so if anyone has any ideas for fun on the water, let me know

 

[BeachbumAggie]

We honeymooned in Maui and stayed in Kanapali at a reasonably priced hotel that was really cool and throw back Hawaiian style, Kanapali Beach Hotel. My folks went the year before and stayed in Wailea-more upscale and pricey but soooo lovely. Kanapali is a bit more central and has many hotel options and a large stretch of beach.

We enjoyed dinner at Kapalua, do a sunset dinner at the clubhouse of the golfcourse for a great view!

We loved Hula Grill's ribs and fish and pork loin. We quickly learned the Hawaiians know how to cook a pig which surprised us as we really expected mostly seafood.

Had a great and beautiful lunch poolside at the Grand Wailea-amazing burgers and Maui onion rings-$50 for two, most expensiver burger meal we've eaten but worth the price!

On the way to Hana stop in Charlies in Paia for fabulous macadamia nut pancakes as big as a steering wheel. You can pick up boxed lunches to go a couple of doors down to take on the road to Hana, it's a long drive and there really aren't restaurants as it's remote and the road is freakishly narrow in places but such a lovely drive-be sure and pay the little extra fee to rent a convertible.

We toured a pineapple plantation, we packed a couple of picnics and drove the island with the top down and stopped at whatever beach looked good for a picnic and swim. We should have done the Old Lahaina Luau but didn't plan ahead for it-it's on our list for the next trip.

We considered a return trip this fall but decided to wait until we could go for 2 weeks and return to Maui and also see Honolulu and Kaui for a few days as well. It's a hella long flight so we'd like to make the most of it!!