aero99
DVC Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2001
Had a fabulous trip to Hawaii. We visited Maui for 5 nights, Waikiki for 2 nights then Aulani for 6 nights. Each stay will be a different posts in case you want to skip ahead. We were a group of 6: 2 grandparents, 2 parents and a 4 and 8 year old.
Maui: Rented through VRBO a 1 bedroom w/den condo at Honua Kai. (it was called Konea 240 I believe). Fit 6 great, had a small ocean view, but mainly island.
Only issue was sharing 1 bathroom. However very affordable and excellent facility. LOVED having Duke's right there and they came around the pools to get your daytime order too! Did Halekala Sunrise on our own (make sure you make reservations on recreation.gov site). It was wonderful experience but it can be even colder then you think! We had coats, hats and gloves, but it was basically sleeting so you pants and hats were just absorbing cold water. Luckily the clouds rolled out for a short bit and we got a wonderful view.
Had a great breakfast at Kula Lodge on the way down. We also used the Gypsy Tour Maui App the entire time we were on Maui. Great guide and only $10 on the itunes store.
Next day we had one of the best experiences of our trip: private snorkel lessons from the Maui Ocean project http://www.theoceanproject.net/The_Ocean_Project/Ocean_Project.html (please note this is another group with a similar name that run a boat- this is not on a boat). This a fabulous group that picks out the best beach based on the conditions and your comfort level. We snorkeled at baby beach and for my kids it was the best. I can not say enough good things about this group. Even my mom (who has hesitate about snorkeling) list this as one of the best activities of the trip.
My parents went that night to Old Lahaina Luau and really enjoyed it. I made sure to reserve them tables and chairs (versus sitting on a mat). We went to Duke's and definitely enjoyed out dinner and the view.
The next day we drove 1/2 of the road to Hana. For those who get car sick, make sure you pack you medicine of choice. We used MotionEaze (recommended by an excursion we booked). That really did help a lot. We packed a picnic lunch but also stopped at Auntys Sandy for banana bread (oh so yummy). Saw some beautiful sites but we all had enough by the time we reached the 1/2 way mark. WORD OF CAUTION: if you decide to stop and swim in any of the areas on the road, investigate before you jump! We saw a man being evacuated out after jumping 15 feet into a SHALLOW, rocky area.
That night, was date night and my husband and I went to Mama's Fish house. Very nice but VERY expensive. Honestly, I think AmaAma at Aulani's was better and definitely cheaper.
The next day we finished our tour of the island (mainly the upper west side) and ended with a late lunch in Lahaina. Highly recommend Koa's Seaside Grill but skip the fish tacos (only thing on that we didn't think was excellent).
Maui: Rented through VRBO a 1 bedroom w/den condo at Honua Kai. (it was called Konea 240 I believe). Fit 6 great, had a small ocean view, but mainly island.
Only issue was sharing 1 bathroom. However very affordable and excellent facility. LOVED having Duke's right there and they came around the pools to get your daytime order too! Did Halekala Sunrise on our own (make sure you make reservations on recreation.gov site). It was wonderful experience but it can be even colder then you think! We had coats, hats and gloves, but it was basically sleeting so you pants and hats were just absorbing cold water. Luckily the clouds rolled out for a short bit and we got a wonderful view.
Had a great breakfast at Kula Lodge on the way down. We also used the Gypsy Tour Maui App the entire time we were on Maui. Great guide and only $10 on the itunes store.
Next day we had one of the best experiences of our trip: private snorkel lessons from the Maui Ocean project http://www.theoceanproject.net/The_Ocean_Project/Ocean_Project.html (please note this is another group with a similar name that run a boat- this is not on a boat). This a fabulous group that picks out the best beach based on the conditions and your comfort level. We snorkeled at baby beach and for my kids it was the best. I can not say enough good things about this group. Even my mom (who has hesitate about snorkeling) list this as one of the best activities of the trip.
My parents went that night to Old Lahaina Luau and really enjoyed it. I made sure to reserve them tables and chairs (versus sitting on a mat). We went to Duke's and definitely enjoyed out dinner and the view.
The next day we drove 1/2 of the road to Hana. For those who get car sick, make sure you pack you medicine of choice. We used MotionEaze (recommended by an excursion we booked). That really did help a lot. We packed a picnic lunch but also stopped at Auntys Sandy for banana bread (oh so yummy). Saw some beautiful sites but we all had enough by the time we reached the 1/2 way mark. WORD OF CAUTION: if you decide to stop and swim in any of the areas on the road, investigate before you jump! We saw a man being evacuated out after jumping 15 feet into a SHALLOW, rocky area.
That night, was date night and my husband and I went to Mama's Fish house. Very nice but VERY expensive. Honestly, I think AmaAma at Aulani's was better and definitely cheaper.
The next day we finished our tour of the island (mainly the upper west side) and ended with a late lunch in Lahaina. Highly recommend Koa's Seaside Grill but skip the fish tacos (only thing on that we didn't think was excellent).
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