Maui Vacation

Question: maui vacation? Sheraton Maui Resort Grand Wailea Resort - The Waldorf-Astoria Collection I am gettign married this september and my future wife was wanting togo to Maui for our honeymoon. Doing research of the various hotels and resorts on Maui, Those two hotels are my choice. Yeah, i know its expensive, but It's our honeymoon. I was wanting to know if any of the Yahoo'ers have been to these hotels, or even Maui and can recomend some newleyweeds a hotel choice and what to do and to expect.

Answer: Congratulations! I've stayed at both the Sheraton Maui and the Grand Wailea, as well as the Fairmont Kea Lani, the Hyatt, the Maui Prince, and a lot of other properties. Maui is my absolute favorite island...it's certainly a great honeymoon destination. For the record, let me just say my favorite has always been the Fairmont Kea Lani (OV suite), which is just down the beach walk from the Grand Wailea. It's a bit more quiet, but you still get the benefit of the full luxury resort treatment. The Grand Wailea is luxurious and a couple notches above the Sheraton. To be honest, I'm perfectly happy in either. But I feel the real distinction is the type of beach (check out Google Maps and you'll see what I mean) and the number of people. I prefer staying in Wailea over Kaanapali because it means fewer people and more upscale choices. The Sheraton Maui is on Kaanapali Beach (at Black Rock). Kaanapali is a long stretch of beach (not too long that you can't run/walk from one end to the other). All the resorts sit on the same beach, and black rock gets a lot of snorkel "traffic" from neighboring resorts and visitors. Kaanapali is also within a long walk or trolley ride to "downtown" Lahaina, where you can shop, have a nice dinner, go dancing, etc. Most scuba/fishing/snorkel tours depart from Lahaina, so it is rather convenient, if a little busy. The Grand Wailea is in the luxury resort/golf area of Wailea, about 45minutes South. Wailea is more upscale than Kaanapali. Most all Wailea Resorts (except the Prince) are connected by a beach-walk. But the beaches themselves are large coves. When people shop, they go to the Shops at Wailea which is right behind the , It's more private and you don't get the same beach traffic that happens in Kaanapali. Snorkeling's not bad right outside of the Grand Wailea, but the real amazing snorkeling is about another 15min South, just beyond Makena in a tiny little cove in Ahihi Bay. Some of the things you can expect with the Grand Wailea...they don't nickle and dime you to death with little things like cabana rentals. If I remember right, their catamaran (for snorkeling trips) and the poolside cabana's are complimentary (but first come first served). At the Sheraton, there isn't a catamaran and the poolside lounge is almost always too crowded. So yes, it is more expensive, but you get your money's worth. Hope this helps...and hope you have an incredible Maui honeymoon!

Question: Whats the best way to get around maui on vacation? My wife and I are staying at kamoale sands near Kihei, I haven't planned any activities to do yet but want to know how to get around the island. We aren't planning on car rentals for the whole week. Any advice?

Answer: You need a rental car for the whole time you are on Maui. There is no significant bus transportation, and taxis every day would cost a fortune. Without a car, all you will be able to do is sit around the pool at your condo or walk to the nearest beach. You could do those things in southern California a lot cheaper than going to Maui. If you are on Maui, you'll want to see the sights and try the restaurants and experience several different beaches and shop in Lahaina. For all those things you need a car. There are a dozen good tips on how to get the best price on a Maui rental car on the Car Rental Deals tab of http://www.mauihawaii.org/

Question: If I take a vacation to Maui, is it likely I will receive offensive comments on my race? By the way, I'm white. I've heard that alot of white people living in Hawaii are labeled as Haoles and I'm wondering if that will happen when I am vacationing there.

Answer: No, you are on vacation. I doubt you will feel any labeling in a derogatory manner. They may call you Haole meaning that white person there. It is suppose to mean "auslander". For instance, you ask for directions to a local guy. "Hey, I don't know, but I will ask that guy." He asks a local guy near you. The other guy asks who wants to know the answer. The guy who you asked the question says, "oh, the haole chick over there." So is this . . . I have Haole friends in Kailua who are honored to be haole. You many not always be special if you get called a haole one way or the other. It is definitely not like calling a black person a "ni*g*** word". Enjoy your vacation . . . Now if you do stupid stuff, somebody may be mad at you no matter where you are in the world and may call you something in a derogatory manner. You are on vacation. It is not like you living there. There are a lot of Haoles on maui anyway. Blend in.

Question: Looking for restaurant recommendations on Maui for Christmas vacation.? We are staying in Wailea area over Christmas vacation and due to busy season, I am looking to make reservations now for restaurants. Do you have any recommendations for really nice restaurants with good variety of food. We like to splurge so it doesn't matter how expensive it is (which we know Hawaii is pretty expensive any way). We will have a car so we can drive to any place on Maui. Thanks.

Answer: Take me with you and I'll help you look when we get there!

Question: when is the best time to vacation in Maui, Hawaii? What is the best hotel for the money-it is our honeymoon? What essentials should you bring that you wouldn't want to buy in Hawaii? Any good restaurants in Maui as it relates to seafood? Are there Botanical Gardens to visit in Mauii?

Answer: In the Winter.

Question: Maui rental vacation home recommendation? Greetings, we are planning to have a family reunion in Maui. We all have never been there before and would like to get recommendations on a rental property with 4 or 5 bedrooms. Suggestions on location within the island, reasonable rates, etc are greatly appreciated. We are planning to stay between 7 and 10 days. Thanks!

Answer: You can try Whalers Realty, in Kaanapalli, as they rent out vacation homes, which are big and will accommodate all of you. I know they have a few in Lahaina, on the ocean, but if you want to pay the big bucks, Airport beach has 2 huge homes that are rented out, but I am not sure if whalers carry those homes. Type in Whalers Realty, Kaanapalli resort, and you will get plenty of information, or try vacation rental homes, Maui, on the net, and that should provide plenty of information. Aloha.

Question: I'm going to be in Maui for vacation soon and I want to learn to surf, where should I go? I have never surfed before if you have any tips at all I would be grateful!

Answer: Take lessons at Cove Beach in Kihea. It's just north of Wailea and South of Lahaina. It has very gentle rolling waves and the water is waist/chest deep for about 200 yards out so you could even walk your board when you get tired. There's a few surf shops right there that give lessons.

Question: how can i get started on planning a wedding/vacation in maui? i'd like to have a 7 day vaction out there plus get married. has anyone ever done it before? how do you get started planning everything out from where to stay, picking out a wedding dress, flight accomodations, having the ceremony etc... hmmmm.. there is just so much to think about.

Answer: My husband (fiance at the time) went to Maui in December of 2006. To look at potential wedding area's. We visited Lahiana. We stayed in Ka'anapali, where all the hotels are. We stayed at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado, which is a cute nice resort. Next door to the right was the Royal Lahaina Resort, where we went for our luau and interviewed our now, wedding planner (we got married in Vegas at last moment notice in feb before he left for Iraq, however, we are still doing a renewl vow for 1 year anniv there in feb of 08). Here is her website. http://2hawaiiweddings.com/index.htm her name is Theresa Tuipelehake. Her email is Theresatui@aol.com and phone is: (808)661-5583 I started to send monthly payments so by the end of this year, I don't owe a thing. She doesn't mind how it is paid but it needs to be paid in full by the day of the wedding. so I sent $100 here, $200 there, $50 here and there. So, it is great on that! So far, she is great. Pretty much I got the luxury package, but I am able to make it "my own". Whatever I don't want, I don't have to have it and I can change things around easily. All I have to do is tell her and she makes it happen. (ex: I don't want a solo guitarist, but a harpist which comes in other packages. I also bringin my own topper and will place it on too and have wedding cake at the luau) I only focus on other activities my family and my husband/I will be doing and leave the stress up to her. It is wonderful. She also will set up our luau for us too following after our sunset wedding/pictures. We are going to wait til about october (also when my husband gets home). to get our tickets for flight/hotel. They are staying at the two bedroom suite at the Eldorado, which is close to $300, but splitting that with 4 adults won't be bad at all and my husband and I are thinking, not sure, staying at the hyatt (which is expensive, since Feb is their peak. Room we want is $800 a night, which we visited 3/4 of all hotels to get rates!) I think I got still some fliers and I can email you information from what I found if you want to. (Just message me). You can contact AAA insurance or pleasant holidays and also get the booklet that shows all hotels on each Island, accomindations and talk to travel agency to see what they can work up for you. Have an estimated list of what you expect. Example: Guest list? How many would be attending. Possible group discounts. Ages of those on guest list. How much you and your husband willing to spent. Maui is not a cheap island. I would strongly recommend to have spending money put up. We went with pleasant holidays (and extra books if you have Pobox I can send you some info). We got $50 free money in hilo haiti money (it is a store and got some gifts for family with that). I recommend the Hard Rock Cafe and Bubba Gumps in down town Lahiana. Great food. I recommend to take the whale watching and snorkling, which takes you out to the crater. Whale watching is in high seaon right now, normally from December to Mid march/april. The last tour before us bragged about swimming with the turtles. They take you out in a nice boat, feed you with free beer or soda/tea/water. Last about 2 hours. Fly out dates estimated. (we left on a wed and came home on a monday on United Airways. Recommended, not just from myself but other people giving me advice, don't fly hawiann if you don't want a lot of families and kids, which majority fly hawiann). United (flew out of LAX) plays a game that we write the time, in hawaiian standard form, of what the time will be mid way and get a gift certificate if win). Kinda fun. I do recommend you buy your dress, get it fitted and then a month before you go, fit it again. Then try to maintaine what you eat and all that. As far as traveling with wedding dress (as I am going to do the same thing here soon). Contact the airline as each airline has certain ways they do things and things allowed. I know united is pretty good about allowing it to come on board (with prior notice) and can be hanged up in the back. I strongly recommend a wedding coordinator as she/he can set up our license date as well. Bring birth certificate, ID and SSN. No blood test is required and bring money. I think the cost was like $55. It is easy to look up as I could be off by a few dollars. Let's see, I wrote alot. But if you need more information, even if you didn't pick me for best answer, as that I don't respond for just to get. you can still email me and all that. I emailed her tonight as my husband and I talked while he got to call home and would like to have our vows said in hawaiian as gives more of the hawaiian home feeling. so, it is good to start now on certain things (don't over load yourself. be patient and don't try to do everything at once!) and so you have time to do it all. Once it comes, we had a year and half to do all of it, which gave us a lot of change here and there, plan more, find things and know exactly what we wanted.

Question: What are the best condos to rent on Maui for a vacation w/ young kids...4 and 2? We would prefer Wailea area and to be on or VERY close to the beach. If you've stayed in places and loved them, please let me know the unit numbers.

Answer: i would suggest the Kapalua Villas up near Lahaina. They rent out very large Villas for reasonable rates. Great for a family. The area and the nearby beaches cant be beat....

Question: Niagara?Maui? Summer vacation ideas!? My family and I are planning a summer vacation for 7 days. My mom wants to go to Niagara falls/canada and my brother and I want to go to Maui. Lol and my dad doesn't care..budget is not really a huge problem, so it'd be nice to hear your opinions on both the places and what to see in each place.

Answer: Never been to Maui. But i grew up near Niagara Falls and it is beautiful. I've been there probably 100 times (not exaggerating) and i never cease to be awed by the might of the rapids and the thunder of the falls. you can go down into the gorge and take the Maid of the Mist boat trip...they give you a poncho and go right up to the falls (not INTO the falls, just close enough to get soaked). the Canadian side is SO much more beautiful than the American side. There's a nice park and shopping on both sides of the border. you can walk across the Rainbow bridge (but you may need a passport now?). I love it there.