Author Topic: Maui Master Thread (Read 1392916 times)

3yummyboys · « **Reply #2140 on:** June 25, 2015, 07:35:11 AM »

Wow thanks for all the details!

Dan · « **Reply #2141 on:** June 25, 2015, 10:19:08 AM »

Why not just ask for an extra fridge in the room to save the room service hassle?

wonderlust · « **Reply #2142 on:** June 25, 2015, 10:50:13 AM »

Quote from: Dan on June 25, 2015, 10:19:08 AM

Why not just ask for an extra fridge in the room to save the room service hassle?

They actually had a very decent sized fridge in the room but it wouldn't have kept meals frozen- I kept the meals for the next day in it but not more than that

@Yehuda · « **Reply #2143 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:02:52 AM »

Thanks for putting together the TR so quickly after finishing the trip! I could learn a lesson from you

Cool way to earn the miles, seems a bit interesting how that happened, but if it works, it works. You brought up an interesting point about flying out of Hawaii on Thursday night. My goal is to leave on a flight that will get past the dateline before Shkia, although I heard the idea of taking a night flight and just making sure to be sitting at the airport before Shkia. I don't exactly understand why it's okay to go through the boarding process, but perhaps I should ask my Rabbi since it would open up a few more flight options.

Quote from: wonderlust on June 25, 2015, 10:50:13 AM

They actually had a very decent sized fridge in the room but it wouldn't have kept meals frozen- I kept the meals for the next day in it but not more than that

That's what I imagined. Dan, wouldn't you have to ask for a freezer in your room?

Dan · « **Reply #2144 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:14:53 AM »

My meals to HI have always arrived frozen. They stay frozen in the fridge for a while as well.
Anyway, what's the big deal if they defrost a bit if you'll eat in within ~4 days? Usually I'd take dinner for the day out of the fridge to defrost so that warmup would be quicker.

Also many fridges have a small freezer section.

@Yehuda · « **Reply #2145 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:34:38 AM »

Quote from: Dan on June 25, 2015, 11:14:53 AM

My meals to HI have always arrived frozen. They stay frozen in the fridge for a while as well.
Anyway, what's the big deal if they defrost a bit if you'll eat in within ~4 days? Usually I'd take dinner for the day out of the fridge to defrost so that warmup would be quicker.

Also many fridges have a small freezer section.

I agree that having food in a fridge (even defrosted) for 4 days shouldn't cause it to get spoiled. But, if I move something from my home freezer to fridge in the morning, it's defrosted that night. So, I assume all the meals will be defrosted, yet cold, after 1 day in the fridge. Does that mean you left defrosted meals outside the fridge all day till you ate them at night?

Dan · « **Reply #2146 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:38:58 AM »

When frozen meals are packed together tightly in a small fridge they don't defrost IME.

@Yehuda · « **Reply #2147 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:40:40 AM »

Quote from: Dan on June 25, 2015, 11:38:58 AM

When frozen meals are packed together tightly in a small fridge they don't defrost IME.

Interesting. Well, if they do defrost, I can just keep them in the fridge all day and just pop cold, defrosted meals into the toaster at night. Should work fine.

jj1000 · « **Reply #2148 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:40:59 AM »

Quote from: Dan on June 25, 2015, 11:38:58 AM

When frozen meals are packed together tightly in a small fridge they don't defrost IME.

I add ice int he fridge to help out too.

The Fairmont Maui wouldn't let me store meals in their freezer, and wanted to charge for a second minifridge so I filled up a cooler with ice and used it as my freezer for the week.

Dan · « **Reply #2149 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:41:14 AM »

Quote from: @Yehuda on June 25, 2015, 11:40:40 AM

Interesting. Well, if they do defrost, I can just keep them in the fridge all day and just pop cold, defrosted meals into the toaster at night. Should work fine.

Indeed. No reason to waste time with room service.

Dan · « **Reply #2150 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:41:49 AM »

Quote from: jj1000 on June 25, 2015, 11:40:59 AM

I add ice int he fridge to help out too.

The Fairmont Maui wouldn't let me store meals in their freezer, and wanted to charge for a second minifridge so I filled up a cooler with ice and used it as my freezer for the week.

Yup, did that here www.dansdeals.com/archives/66509

Marco Polo · « **Reply #2151 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:43:51 AM »

Quote from: Dan on June 25, 2015, 11:41:49 AM

Yup, did that here www.dansdeals.com/archives/66509

You guys think alike. Must run in the family.

jj1000 · « **Reply #2152 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:45:25 AM »

Quote from: Marco Polo on June 25, 2015, 11:43:51 AM

You guys think alike. Must run in the family.

I did it first

Pretty funny though we thought of it separately. Great minds...

Yehoshua · « **Reply #2153 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:09:48 PM »

Quote from: wonderlust on June 25, 2015, 03:16:07 AM

5- Maui revealed is a must! though the app I didn't find as helpful as the times you need it most were when you have no cell service.

I don't know what app you downloaded, but the Maui Revealed app is all stored on your phone, no internet connection required. That's kind of the point of the app, as many areas don't in fact have cell service.

Marco Polo · « **Reply #2154 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:11:13 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on June 25, 2015, 12:09:48 PM

I don't know what app you downloaded, but the Maui Revealed app is all stored on your phone, no internet connection required. That's kind of the point of the app, as many areas don't in fact have cell service.

I'm not 100% sure since my wife was in control of it, but i think it tracks you and shows spots near you. With no service, you kind of need to be extra aware.

jj1000 · « **Reply #2155 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:13:32 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on June 25, 2015, 12:09:48 PM

I don't know what app you downloaded, but the Maui Revealed app is all stored on your phone, no internet connection required. That's kind of the point of the app, as many areas don't in fact have cell service.

The GPS feature works like any phone gps need service for it to work.

Something Fishy · « **Reply #2156 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:27:46 PM »

Quote from: jj1000 on June 25, 2015, 12:13:32 PM

The GPS feature works like any phone gps need service for it to work.

-1.

GPS is service independent. Anywhere on the planet that isn't right by the poles will have a good GPS signal.

yakovwogi · « **Reply #2157 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:28:14 PM »

Quote from: jj1000 on June 25, 2015, 12:13:32 PM

The GPS feature works like any phone gps need service for it to work.

I'm pretty sure that depends on the phone.
iPhones don't need to have actual active cell service for the gps to work.
Not sure about android.

Yehoshua · « **Reply #2158 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:29:24 PM »

Quote from: Something Fishy on June 25, 2015, 12:27:46 PM

-1.

GPS is service independent. Anywhere on the planet that isn't right by the poles will have a good GPS signal.

+1

Quote from: yakovwogi on June 25, 2015, 12:28:14 PM

I'm pretty sure that depends on the phone.
iPhones don't need to have actual active cell service for the gps to work.
Not sure about android.

Android doesn't need internet for GPS to work.

Something Fishy · « **Reply #2159 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:32:15 PM »

Quote from: yakovwogi on June 25, 2015, 12:28:14 PM

I'm pretty sure that depends on the phone.
iPhones don't need to have actual active cell service for the gps to work.
Not sure about android.

What you're thinking of is the fact that a device without a cellular chip will often not have GPS at all (for example an iPod touch). This is not because GPS needs a cellular connection, but rather that both cellular and GPS radios tend to be built on the same chip.

But any device with a GPS receiver will work regardless of cell phone service.

Name	Area	More Info	Comments
____________________________________________________________________________________________________	_____________________________________________________	__________________________________________________________	____________________________________________________________________________
Hyatt Regency	West side (Lahaina)	Website	Hyatt Category 5. The Hyatt advertises having Kosher food. In the past, these meals came from Oahu Kosher (Chabad in Honolulu). However, in Dec 2016 they claimed the meals were prepared by the Chabad of Maui, while in actuality they were prepared by a reform temple (story explained at the bottom of this post), which is still true as of Feb 2017.
Andaz	South side (Wailea)	Website	Hyatt category 8. A favorite among DDFers, although award space isn't easy to come by.
Grand Wailea	South side (Wailea)	Website	Hilton - 80k-95k depending on season. Reminiscent of the GHK in Kauai with sprawling grounds and more pools than you count, located on the beautiful Wailea Beach.
Sheraton	West side (Lahaina)	Website	SPG category 6.
Westin	West side (Lahaina)	Website	SPG category 6.
Fairmont	South side (Wailea)	Website	All suite hotel.
Destination By Hyatt Residence - Polo Club	South side (Wailea)	Website	Condos with full kitchen, Ocean front views. The Polo Club has the closest beach access of any property in Wailea - it's no longer legal to build so close to the shore. The beach is known for good snorkeling. Unlike all the other beaches, access from land is completely restricted to Polo club guests. While technically it is a public beach, access is only available from the sea... so it's a de facto private beach perpetually empty and exclusive.

Name	Area	Comments
______________________________________________________________	____________________________________________________	_________________________________________________________________________________
Black Sand Beach	Waiʻānapanapa State Park	One of the highlights of any Maui trip is black sand beach in Waiʻānapanapa State Park. A bonus feature there is snorkeling at the black sand beach. The waters are exceptionally clear, allowing you to observe a vibrant array of marine life, we saw lobsters, coral, schools of tropical fish, and even an eel. The waters just behind where the waves begin to break are around 10ft deep and super calm. It's important to note that a reservation is required to access this beach, so planning ahead is crucial. https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/waianapanapa
Beach 2	Area 2	Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Beach 3	Area 3	Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Name	Area	Comments
______________________________________________________________	____________________________________________________	_________________________________________________________________________________
Sliding Sands	Haleakala	An amazing hike into the crater from the upper visitors center. Quite challenging due to the constant downhill on a loose cinder trail. Amazing views unlike anything on the island, and no shade. The entire trail takes all day, but most people take it only partway in. Go as far as you like and remember that the way back is a constant uphill and will take twice as long. Bring lots of water.
Pipiwai Trail	Hana	One of the nicest trail on Maui. A bit past Hana, just before the Seven Sacred Pools. The hike goes through the jungle, past banyan trees and a 200-foot waterfall, and through a bamboo forest (this is the highlight for most people). The trail ends at the amazing 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Give this hike a couple of hours.
Lava Field	South Maui	At the end of the road, past the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. This is an amazing and relatively difficult hike. You will be walking on sharp, loose lava rocks the entire time, but the views are smashing and the terrain interesting. Great views of a particularly wild stretch of ocean, interesting pools (not swimmable), and ends in a glorious (and generally empty) beach if you brave it till the end. Do the loop - hug the coast on the way out, and take the Kings Highway back. See Maui Revealed for all the details.
Makamakaole Stream: 13 Crossings	North East Maui	The name undersells this gorgeous hike by a lot. This hike has close to 20 or more crossings (each way). The crossings are pretty well orchestrated such that a teen or adult can cross dry, with no issues at all. toddlers will need a helping hand (my 3yr old did this entire hike with just some hand holding) and 7-8yr olds will likely manage the entire hike with no help at all. Crossing the beautiful lightly gushing stream is refreshing and mesmerizing. The hike includes a incredible bamboo forest, and has 2 waterfalls. To the left is the main one - which is easy to get to. You are rewarded with the ability to dip into the cool water and it's deep enough to get completely immersed (5-6ft at the deepest point it seemed) and stand under the waterfall for some great pictures and memories. The hike has a lot of rocks, and is a "technical" hike - but not hard at all. Highly recommended as one of the best hikes in Maui. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/maui/makamakaole-stream-13-crossings

Activity	Comments
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________	_________________________________________________________________________________
Helicopter tours	A few companies offer this; Blue Hawaiian is generally considered to be the best. There are different routes to choose from - keep in mind that the ones going to Haleakala don't actually go into the crater. This is not as recommended on Maui as it is on other islands, since the entire island is pretty much easily accessible so you won't go anywhere remote or extremely amazing.
Road to Hana	Absolute must-do. Don't get scared off by misinformation and go all the way around - in a way the backside is even more spectacular that the more popular first half. You do NOT need a special car or 4WD; any regular car could do it happily. Best way to do the road is to spend the night in Hana, as that will leave the most time to explore the thousand different things along the road. If you're only going for the day, make sure to be on the road EARLY (7-7:30 the latest).
Haleakala Sunrise	A spectacular event that is not to be missed. You will wake up at the witching hour, it will be freezing cold, and it will be absolutely worth it. Be there at least 45 minutes before the listed sunrise - the earlier the better; they close the upper parking lot when it fills up and you'll have to park at the lower visitor center lot. Dress warmly and bring lots of jackets and blankets. Take the trail to Pakaoao (White Hill) and you'll have the sunrise to yourself (mostly, at least). Tip: for younger kids it may be more worthwhile to go for sunset and avoid disturbing their sleeping schedule.
'Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)	Also known as the Seven Sacred Pools, this is in the Hana side of Haleakala National Park. Save your receipt from sunrise; it's valid for three days and will get you in to the pools too. Short hike from the parking lot to the pools, and it's absolutely stunning. Will be absolutely PACKED from around 1PM and on (but still worth it). If you're staying in Hana go early in the morning and it'll be mostly empty.
Snorkling Molokini crater	Countless boat companies will take you out to Molokini. It has the best underwater visibility in the state, sometimes over 100 feet. Somewhat overrated and over-touristed, but generally considered to be worth it.
Whale watching	The waters surrounding Maui are the stage for some of the best whale watching in the world. Each winter (December through May), thousands of koholā (humpback whales) travel to Hawaiʻi from colder waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. If you are going during this season, grab a pair of binoculars or book a trip to go whale watching. It will blow your mind. Whales jumping 20-30ft into the air falling back in the water with a powerful splash. National geographic moments experienced in real life. If your kids like marine life, this will be unforgettable. People recommend the nonprofit: https://www.pacificwhale.org/ However if you're slightly more adventurous, and want more of a thrill, go for one of the speedboats. They go a lot closer, and the lower boat level next to the vast whales creates an experience hard to imagine. The key is - check the ocean with your own two eyes before you book. If you're seeing tons of spouts, breaches, fins and tails - you're going to have a really good time on the boat - up close. If you don't see activity... it probably won't be great.
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Author Topic: Maui Master Thread (Read 1392916 times)