Maui Master Thread

[ushdadude]

We enjoyed the exotic fruit tasting tour at Ono Farms in Hana.  Bring your own knife and ask them to use that. 

https://www.onofarms.com/

Also visit Red Sand Pocket Beach in Hana. It's in my 2018 TR.

when i went in jan 2020, they didn't do tours anymore but they had a stand down the block from the hotel with tastings.

[Joel]

United has suspended the direct flight from EWR   Looks like till July 1st. for now
@Dan Can you get a comment from United why they did it?

[JudahMcB]

United has suspended the direct flight from EWR   Looks like till July 1st. for now
@Dan Can you get a comment from United why they did it?

https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-route-suspensions-june-2022/

[Triple Canopy]

Finishing trip in Maui. We found the Marriott (Wailea Beach) to be very dated - the rooms desperately need an update. Hyatt regency was great and much better vibes.

[mechayamom]

Just returned from a trip to Maui May 8-16.  Will be writing up a Trip Report.  Last time I wrote one was quite some time and added pictures via Flickr.  I see that has changed some.  Anybody care to update me a link to how to upload?

Will be putting out details of itinerary.  Posting from an active Bubby and Zaydie point of view

Briefly:
Flights
Turkish Airlines 15000 miles RT economy that's a story in itself.
EWR-DEN-OGG   (2 1/2 hr layover)
Return
OGG-SFO-EWR    (50 minute layover)

Paid upgrade economy plus one leg of each route.  DH very sweetly asked if they could move us up to a closer row.  Got economy plus and exit rows for the legs we didn't pay for.

Luggage:
Did not automatically get the free MileagePlus bags.  Had to do at the airport.  In EWR took a long time but got it done.
In OGG lady was really nice and did it right away.

Hotel:
Marriott Residence Inn in Wailea.  301,000 points 8 nights.  Points actually went down after the devaluation for a period of time so canceled original 340,000 one and rebooked.
We found it suited our needs nicely.  Nice location.  Fine pool.  Not a resort facility but we needed the kitchen facilities more and they provide many kosher items on their breakfast menu.  Dated rooms.  We got upgraded to a 1 BR instead of the studio.
By the way Chabad moved to Wailea and it is 1.5 miles away from this hotel.  We were the first shabbos at their new place.
Gotta say that was probably one of my highlights.  Rabbi Mendy, Reb Mushky and their children were lovely.
While there weren't enough people for a minyan it was great to daven and meet new people.  They even put together a nice little kiddush even though it was their first week in that house.
Gorgeous house, view of the beach.

Car Rental:
Costco with Avis.  Booked and cancelled over 20 times.  Originally it was 1200 for a mid size SVU (like Rogue).  At one point it went down to 425 and thats what we ended with.
We got a Kia Sorrento which had 4WD and it drove great.  Not as high clearance as a Jeep but gave us more comfort to drive the West Maui loop and back roads to Hana.

Weather:
The prior week had severe storms from Kona that literally took out a section of the road between Kaupo and Kipahulu.
We were told by the local facebook group (Road to Hana) the roads were closed.  They were for a few days until they closed off the broken section and made a slight detour.  When you got out of Oheo Gulch there was a road sign saying local traffic only and must have 4WD.

Over the top West Maui
Way scarier than Road to Hana.  After this, RTH was a joke.  Beautiful scenery but one way very narrow sections with blind blind curves.  DH drove this one. 
RTH over 2 days stayed  Hana Maui resort
Took this slow.  Left Paia at 11:30.  Basically this was awesome very few people on the road. Stopped in Mana foods looking for Kosher Gluten free items.  Jackpot.  They even have a large selection of Katz gluten free cakes and Udi breads and other brands.  I brought all my stuff from home cuz couldnt take a chance.  We let slower cars pass so we could soak in the scenery.  Had no issues getting into any pullouts or the tiny ones on the one way bridges.  Got lots of shots of different waterfalls, beautiful coastline views, not many fruit stands open.  Many of the waterfalls detailed in the Revealed book and some of the other items are no longer open to public.  Sliding sands horseback riding no longer available.  Blue Pool no longer.
Seems many people have complained about locals driving recklessly and fast because they do not like tourists hogging their roads.  BH we did not have any of that experience.  We let people pass and were looking out ahead of the one lane bridges so we had clearance.
Booked reservations to the Black Sand Beach and that was beautiful.  Did about a mile of the hike of the coastal trails until DH had enough. Gorgeous vistas, blowholes, mix of lava rock, greenery and wild ocean.  Nice lava tube.
It did not rain AT ALL during the RTH.  So lucky
Drove to Hana Bay and saw what seemed like a sign for the Red Sand Pocket Beach but the trail looked sandy without good footing and I know I ignored the signs saying danger keep out.  So I took a picture from a distance of what I think it was.

Overnight in Hana Maui Resort
Booked on Hyatt 25000 points.  These were going for over 700 a night.  Dated room we had garden one did not get upgraded I think the place was booked solid.  Good enough.  Very large room  Bedroom with a living area, kitchen bar area with a mini fridge.  We asked for a microwave and they provided.  Tub, shower...etc.  A nice lanai to sit on.
The grounds are really pretty and very laid back.  No restaurant on site, no place to get coffee except the mini espresso maker in the room.
The infinity pool was great. Had a nice swim after watching sunrise over the water.  Not a soul there.  They have an exercise room, tennis courts, a spa but we were there so short.  There was NO AC in the room.  You had to open the windows to get air, there were 2 ceiling fans.  It was comfortable.  No TV knew about that one.
Checkout is 11 asked for late they said 12 only.  We just checked out early the next morning and headed to PipiWai Trail.

Pipiwai Trail
One of the highlights of our trip.  Great trail.  Conditions were great except for some slippery rocks toward the end of the hike by the big waterfall.  You get to see two waterfalls, bridges, a bamboo forest,  wooden platforms to walk on, a creek and just really nice.  2 miles each way.  Took us 3 hours to hike it.  There are alot of steps along the way.

Oheo Gulch
I either missed something here or it is extremely overgrown.  There is a 1/2 mile trail going the other direction from Pipiwai Trail.  Took that and saw the bottom part of the waterfall and some really smashing rough waters.  But as I walked up the path, it is fenced off and so overgrown I could not get pictures.  Did I miss something here and go in a different entrance?

Oh by the way, we got the senior lifetime pass for $80.  Used it for this and Haleakala.  That way wasn't tied into doing Haleakala within 3 days of Hana if it didnt work out.


Back Road from Hana.
I had no issues with RTH either front or back end.    I know it has been said you don't need a 4WD and can drive this road on a Mustang.  I hear ya, but from a Bubby perspective and with the roads in disrepair from the storms we felt more comfortable with a 4WD with higher clearance so as not to take the bottom off the car.
Remember trying to do Polihale on Kauai with a Mustang and DH quit after all the moon craters and we never made it through.  Also Mahalepu at the southern end of Kauai so pitted we ended up just walking the whole trail.
You just have to do what is comfortable for yourself.

Saw waterfalls, drove to the Laulima Farm Stand interesting place.  No garbage, but she has a compost bin .  No Splenda but she has organic sugar.  Found many local places didnt carry any artificial sweeteners.

Huialoha Church
This one needs 4WD. Even then I thought we were toast.  Revealed book says great view of tortured lava rocks with water twisting around.  Also said it had bathrooms .  Chain is locked but no worries go and open it.   So we did and drove down.
First part not so bad until you hit the moon crater potholes.  Got to the end..Had to turn around in place.  Got to see the lava rocks.  By the way after all that the bathrooms were locked .

Drove the rest of the back road.  Unimproved part had also many blind turns.  These are really blind.  You can't see around the bend to see what is coming up the road.  One lane roads.  We were pretty lucky and didnt have to back down the road.

Great scenery...cows, wind turbines, rough seas, view of Haleakala. 
Will continue after shabbos

[nirc]

Look forward to reading the rest of your TR.

Please compare against Kauai and TBI, as you've been there before.

[mechayamom]

Posted a very Lengthy TR in the Trip report section.
not sure how to link it to the master thread TR section.

Lots of pictures.  hope it is not too much spam.
Enjoy.

[S123]

What’s generally considered the best hotel option?

[Joel]

What’s generally considered the best hotel option?

Andaz Maui without kids
Waldorf with kids

[TripsPls]

Does anyone know where the Chabad of Maui is located? I don't see an address on their site. Want to look for a place to stay walkable to Chabad...

[cgr]

Does anyone know where the Chabad of Maui is located? I don't see an address on their site. Want to look for a place to stay walkable to Chabad...

I think the new location is in Maui Meadows.

[nirc]

Does anyone know where the Chabad of Maui is located? I don't see an address on their site. Want to look for a place to stay walkable to Chabad...

It may be 3031 Mapu Place, Maui Meadows --- but call for more information.

You will likely have to call multiple times until you get an answer, as they are the least responsive of all HI Chabad houses.

But why the desire to have a place within walking distance of them? They don't have minyanim unless it's Yeshiva Week or other busy time (not counting Holidays).

[Dan]

It may be 3031 Mapu Place, Maui Meadows --- but call for more information.

You will likely have to call multiple times until you get an answer, as they are the least responsive of all HI Chabad houses.

But why the desire to have a place within walking distance of them? They don't have minyanim unless it's Yeshiva Week or other busy time (not counting Holidays).

There's always the mushroom https://www.kosheronmaui.com/hospitality

[TripsPls]

Thx for the info.  I thought maybe in the summer they would have minyanim, but as you mentioned it's hard to reach them.

It may be 3031 Mapu Place, Maui Meadows --- but call for more information.

You will likely have to call multiple times until you get an answer, as they are the least responsive of all HI Chabad houses.

But why the desire to have a place within walking distance of them? They don't have minyanim unless it's Yeshiva Week or other busy time (not counting Holidays).

[TripsPls]

Looking for recommendations for best Marriot in Maui (book with points) for a Thursday - Sunday.
Looking for a nice hotel experience + SPA and location for travel is not important as we will be staying in the hotel.
Traveling with children:)
Thanks!

[flaggie]

Just booked 3 nights in Andaz Maui for 40k per night. Anybody have some ideas to get upgraded to ocean front room? email addresses of manger?