6 days in Maui

[letsgobobby]

Hello,

We are 3 generations staying at HGVC in Kihei in October. In the past we’ve stayed in Kaanapali or Napili so I don’t know this area. My family is from Maui actually but I have not been back in 15 years. We almost always go to Oahu now.

We like food, a lot. A mix of hole in the wall saimin (Sam Sato), guri guri and shave ice, poke, and a couple splurges would be great.

We are skipping the road to Hana. I last did it as a child. I don’t remember it but I don’t want to spend 12 hours in the car.

We are thinking of going to Haleakala for sunset. There are summit sunrise reservations available for our dates busunset seems more relaxed.

Some of us are interested in plants. Which gardens, plants, arboretums, or parks are most interesting?

Best beaches for my teenagers to do some moderate boogie boarding and body surfing?

We are all prone to seasickness so unfortunately I think we’re going to skip any snorkel/boat tours. However if snorkeling from shore near Black Rock is worthwhile maybe we’ll give that a shot.

We want to check out Makena Beach.

We will check out our old family home and the town of Wailuku and Baldwin High School in Wailuku. Are are there other old neighborhoods/remnants of historic Maui to see?

Thanks for all your tips and suggestions.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

If you're going to Baldwin, take an adventure out the West Loop and see Kahakuloa. I ran a couple laps of a big loop around Baldwin in Jan 2020. BHS not many blocks from the highway that goes out to the West Loop. There was a botanical garden between BHS & the highway. It was extremely misty the morning I was there, so I didn't slow down to study the botany.

 

[Luanne]

One of our favorite places to eat in Kihei is Nalu's. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Very informal. It's in the Azeka Market Place. We eat there multiple times each stay.

Our favorites for a very nice dinner are Gather (formerly Gannon's) and the Humble Kitchin' Market at the Marriott Wailea. We also like the Happy Hour at Gather.

Our favorite beach is Maluaka, which is kind of hard to find if you don't know it's there. It's in front of what used to be the Maui Prince.

 

[letsgobobby]

If you're going to Baldwin, take an adventure out the West Loop and see Kahakuloa. I ran a couple laps of a big loop around Baldwin in Jan 2020. BHS not many blocks from the highway that goes out to the West Loop. There was a botanical garden between BHS & the highway. It was extremely misty the morning I was there, so I didn't slow down to study the botany.

as a runner is the run from Kihei to Makena beach safe? looks like 11 miles one way, and a great place to finish. we can get a ride back.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Absolutely, last time I was there. I've run from Wailea to La Perrouse R/T & from Wailea to far end of Kihei R/T.
The part between Kihei and Wailea may have fast traffic, esp if it is more built up than when I last did it, ... the HGVC resort for instance.
The part between Wailea and Makena had very little traffic. There are (were) only large homes out there, so little traffic. And, you can run the ocean walk thru Wailea, unless you hate having to dodge people and depending on time of day. and if you're a "we", maybe you want to avoid people. I always used the ocean walk. Back when, running in that direction, you could take a right into the Marriott driveway as soon as you get to Wailea, and cut thru the Marriott to the ocean walk.
Then at the end of Wailea (Gr Wailea) you go into a parking lot. Stay right out of the lot instead of going back out to the main road and you avoid any traffic for a while longer by going thru that neighborhood.
Makena not a big attraction for traffic. Big Beach not a big attraction for traffic, though maybe more locals on weekends. Kihei could be the issue. I'm not sure what they have done with sidewalks & such in recent years.

just stay close to the ocean and google map it a bit for dead-ends. It gets hillier past Wailea, but iirc staying close to the ocean thru that neighborhood also reduces a couple of hills.
there are a couple fo sort of "secret coves" on the way to La Perrouse, though I cant remember which side of Makena they are on. "secret cove" Maui Makena google might find them. Worth a stop if you find them

 

[SmithOp]

Here are a couple of places close by for your interest in plants, we have visited both.

Kula Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii

Kula Botanical Garden, Upcountry Maui, Hawaii

www.kulabotanicalgarden.com

Home - Ali'i Kula Lavender

www.aliikulalavender.com

There is also a winery close.

Home | MauiWine - Ulupalakua Vineyards

Our unique operation is steeped in the rich culture of Ulupalakua Ranch and the island of Maui, and there’s something new to discover every time your visit.

mauiwine.com

 

[artringwald]

My favorite breakfast is the Kihei Cinnamon Roll Place. In the morning, there's usually a line going out the door. I'd bring the buns back and we'd enjoy them with coffee on the lanai.

 

[easyrider]

If you decide to snorkel there are a couple of fantastic spots in the area. Ahihi Cove is an easy place to snorkel with some really cool looking fish. You would park in the nature preserve parking lot and walk back to the cove. The boundary for fishing is far enough south that the fish are fairly good sized in the cove because it's in the nature preserve.

If you drive past the 1st parking lot nearest Ahihi Cove you will run into the Dumps parking lot ( there is a Hawaiian name for this place like Manokala). The area south of the beach is called the Dumps and has decent swells for surfing. The beach area has restroom, picnic area, decent snorkeling and shade trees.

Bill

Ahihi Kinau "The Dumps:" Some of The Best Snorkeling in Maui

Ahihi Kinau's "The Dumps" was eerie but awesome - the best snorkeling in Maui we've had so far. We had the place to ourselves, and saw more fish than we'd ever seen before. Directions, pictures...

www.paradise-found-in-maui.com

 

[letsgobobby]

we made reservations for Lineage, 1111 Nikkei, and Humble Kitchen. Japengo also looked good. Didn't realize Mama's in Paia had to reserve so far in advance so it is booked while we are in town.

 

[Luanne]

we made reservations for Lineage, 1111 Nikkei, and Humble Kitchen. Japengo also looked good. Didn't realize Mama's in Paia had to reserve so far in advance so it is booked while we are in town.

For some reason Lineage, which does get good reviews, has never appealed to us. Do like Humble Kitchin' though. And Gather (formerly Gannon's). We went to Mama's quite a few times years ago. Haven't gone in years. Prices kept going up, quality stayed the same. Also we don't like driving cross island after dinner. The setting is gorgeous though.