MOC Side Trip Suggestions

[VictorB]

Our second trip to MOC and wanted to get suggestions for side trips. We have a car so very flexible and no kids

 

[Fasttr]

I’ve used these on various islands including Maui.

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[ljmiii]

Our second trip to MOC and wanted to get suggestions for side trips....

Side trips like 'day trips' or side trips like 'places to stay before or after MOC'?

If the former, the road along the top of West Maui features the Nakalele Lighthouse and Blowhole (and banana bread). However, I wouldn't recommend going down all the way into Kahului. South and around takes you around to a bunch of interesting destinations in Maalaea. We're fond of the (nature) boardwalk and wildlife refuge but there is also a golf and sports park, aquarium, beach, etc. Further South are the beaches, restaurants, and shopping of Wailea-Makena. And there's always Haleakala.

If the latter, staying in Hana is amazing (and means you don't have to fight the tour mini-buses on the road to Hana).

 

[VictorB]

Thanks - appreciate the suggestions. MOC will be the second week of travel so "side trips" meant while we are there. Did the "Maui Downhill" 26 years ago. My body could not do that now but we will think about the Haleakala sunset tour.

 

[pspercy]

Drive past the blowhole to Wailuku, not for those who dislike heights or narrow roads.

 

[JohnB]

Take the ferry to Lanai and spend a day. We just walk over to the beach and enjoy the beach and immediate area. You can also rent a car on arrival and explore the island.

 

[ljmiii]

Take the ferry to Lanai and spend a day....

I second the suggestion to go to Lanai. The ferry service is frequent and relatively inexpensive - for details see http://go-lanai.com/

There aren't a lot of tourist destinations on Lanai but there are some interesting ones. The small town of Lanai City (basically a tree filled square surrounded by cafes and shops), the cat sanctuary, some beaches and docks, and the two Four Seasons resorts. If you want to rent a car there is a Dollar agency that picks you up from the dock (Manele Small Boat Harbor) and takes you back to the ferry after you return the car. As I recall you need to reserve the pickup, rental, and dropoff on the phone.

 

[ljmiii]

Also, if you are interested in such things Maui has the best public Luau on the islands. The best two actually. Old Lahaini Luau is Hawaiian only and The Feast at Lele presents dance, music, and food from across Polynesia. We prefer Lele...others prefer Old Lahaini.

If you are interested in snorkeling the waters off Molokini can't be beat. But almost as good and a lot easier from MOC are the catamarans that sail off of Kaanapali Beach (we've very much enjoyed Trilogy).

 

[VictorB]

Wow, all great suggestions. Thanks!

 

[aland0524]

I was also going to suggest the ferry to and from Lanai. If you're there during whale season, there will be dolphins, flying fish and whales that will accompany your ferry! Really neat.

You may also want to consider going to Molokai. You can also hike (downhill) to take the plane back to Maui if you're up to it.

Snorkel Molokini. Or go on one of Capt. Steve's whale/snorkel tours that is longer than the usual 2 hours. Again, during whale season, it's a great way to get up close and personal to whales and dolphins since the smaller rafts can maneuver much better than the larger catamarans.

Lastly, and based on what you said - you may not be physically up to it - hike a part of the Keoneheehee or Sliding Sands Trail. It starts at the Haleakala Visitor Center's parking lot but is a beautiful hike. It can be demanding on "older bodies and legs" especially on the way back up (the hike down is easy-peasy!)... there is a significant elevation change. Its a long trail but you can decide how far down to go (since you'll have to find a way back up) and when you want to turn back. We've gone down a few miles maybe and then started back. Packed a light lunch and brought along walking sticks and plenty of water. Plan on spending most of an afternoon doing this. Warning: We are in our 60s but one time, my daughter - who is relatively fit - got some type of altitude sickness and while she eventually made it back, we had to stop a lot to allow her to recover. It should be on the bucket list of everybody who has hit Social Security collecting age! (A much easier hike is the Dragon's Teeth by Kapalua...also very scenic but nothing beats telling friends back home that you hiked down a volcano crater! Assuming of course that you survive...

One other idea and this involves more like a "mini road trip". This year, we decided to check out all the interesting "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" in Maui from food-trucks to holes-in-the-wall that Guy Feiri has on his website. What a revelation and outstanding finds! Go to the website and there are names by City/State.

 

[Dean]

Also, if you are interested in such things Maui has the best public Luau on the islands. The best two actually. Old Lahaini Luau is Hawaiian only and The Feast at Lele presents dance, music, and food from across Polynesia. We prefer Lele...others prefer Old Lahaini.

If you are interested in snorkeling the waters off Molokini can't be beat. But almost as good and a lot easier from MOC are the catamarans that sail off of Kaanapali Beach (we've very much enjoyed Trilogy).

I know that's the rap but we didn't enjoy the OLL. The food was great but the show was not to our liking. We did 2 the last trip and we both much preferred Chief's on Oahu over OLL. The food was much better at OLL by far but overall we much preferred Chief's.

 

[PamMo]

Whenever we go to Hana, we love the 3.4 mile Pipwai Trail - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/maui/pipiwai-trail?u=i We don't care so much about the falls, but walking through the bamboo forest is magical, especially when there's a breeze that makes the bamboo talk. We also enjoy walking the Kapalua Coastal Trail - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/maui/kapalua-coastal-trail We start and end at Merriman's.

And we totally agree with Fasttr's recommendation of the Shaka Guide app for the islands!

 

[ljmiii]

I know that's the rep but we didn't enjoy the OLL....We did 2 the last trip and we both much preferred Chief's on Oahu over OLL.

Interesting. We've never done OLL since we love the Feast at Lele but it's good to know that someone else didn't like it.

And the only Luau we've done on the West coast of O'ahu was Germaine's. We'll give Chief's a try the next time we stay in Ko Olina.

 

[Dean]

Interesting. We've never done OLL since we love the Feast at Lele but it's good to know that someone else didn't like it.

And the only Luau we've done on the West coast of O'ahu was Germaine's. We'll give Chief's a try the next time we stay in Ko Olina.

Your experience may differ, certainly the usually opinion is what you wrote. We've done PCC a number of times plus Germaine's & Chief's on Oahu. On Maui we've done Sheraton, OLL & Royal Lahaina. On Kauai we've done Hyatt & Lilohana Plantation. We expected to really like OLL but we both agree we didn't overall but it was definitely the best Luau food we'd had. Chief's was the same crew as the one at Ko Olina but MUCH cheaper. Free Kids under 5, 25% discount AND an upgrade; that was a big difference for a party of 15. The food was sub par but the setting and show were great. We also saw some things there that showed us they were very genuine that I won't get into here and made us happy we'd supported them with our choices.

 

[JIMinNC]

Your experience may differ, certainly the usually opinion is what you wrote. We've done PCC a number of times plus Germaine's & Chief's on Oahu. On Maui we've done Sheraton, OLL & Royal Lahaina. On Kauai we've done Hyatt & Lilohana Plantation. We expected to really like OLL but we both agree we didn't overall but it was definitely the best Luau food we'd had. Chief's was the same crew as the one at Ko Olina but MUCH cheaper. Free Kids under 5, 25% discount AND an upgrade; that was a big difference for a party of 15. The food was sub par but the setting and show were great. We also saw some things there that showed us they were very genuine that I won't get into here and made us happy we'd supported them with our choices.

The food and the setting is what makes Old Lahaina Luau the best in our opinion. As you say, best luau food ever. That's why we go every trip to Maui. The show is a little lower key than many other luaus - i.e. no fire dancers and no bringing people on stage to embarrass them trying to hula - because OLL is designed as a traditional Hawaiian luau and the narration tells the story of the Hawaiian islands in lore and real history. Fire dancing has a Samoan origin, and OLL has never included it, so if you are looking for a more typical luau show over the food, then there are probably better choices than OLL as you suggest.

 

[Dean]

The food and the setting is what makes Old Lahaina Luau the best in our opinion. As you say, best luau food ever. That's why we go every trip to Maui. The show is a little lower key than many other luaus - i.e. no fire dancers and no bringing people on stage to embarrass them trying to hula - because OLL is designed as a traditional Hawaiian luau and the narration tells the story of the Hawaiian islands in lore and real history. Fire dancing has a Samoan origin, and OLL has never included it, so if you are looking for a more typical luau show over the food, then there are probably better choices than OLL as you suggest.

We've lived in the islands and been to a number as I noted so it wasn't the lack of fire dancers per se but if I had to sum it up I think it was the lack of energy. We were completely aware of what wasn't included. Previously we hadn't chose it simply due to cost but since this was a group, there was a savings so we decided to give it a try assuming we would like it.

 

[VictorB]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We did Fia Fia some time ago and the price (posted currently at $107 minimum), we think we can enjoy a pretty phenomenal meal at the resort for that price. Las time, we ate outside at Longhi's outside, we could see most of the show and did just that.

 

[JIMinNC]

We've lived in the islands and been to a number as I noted so it wasn't the lack of fire dancers per se but if I had to sum it up I think it was the lack of energy. We were completely aware of what wasn't included. Previously we hadn't chose it simply due to cost but since this was a group, there was a savings so we decided to give it a try assuming we would like it.

Yeah, the show at OLL is certainly a bit lower key than many others we've been to. For example, instead of inviting attendees on stage to embarrass themselves trying to hula, they invite couples to slow dance during one musical number in an area near the stage. We actually like that about OLL. Very classy, with great luau food. Their banana bread is awesome.

 

[NboroGirl]

One thing we did that was really awesome was rappel down a couple of waterfalls via RappelMaui.com. I'm not an athletic person and I've never rappelled before. They teach you the basics and help you through it. You do have to be able to do a short uphill hike to get you back to the starting point at the end. It will be a lasting memory.