First Trip to Hawaii!

My wife and I are making our first trip to Hawaii this November (1st week). We%26#39;ll be in Maui for the entire trip and wanted to run a possible itinerary past the experts on this forum. any responses would be appreciated.

Day 1-2

Start with the Road to Hana and spend 2 nights someplace in Hana

Things to do

- Wai%26#39;anapanapa State Park

- Halakeala National Park

- Kayak Tour

- just kick back :)

Day 3

drive from hana to Halakeala Crater for the sunset spend night in Kula,

Day 4

up early and back to the crater for the sunrise

drive to west Maui

Day 5

Molokini Snorkel cruise

Day 6

Surf or Dive (will be another first!)

Day 7

Kickback :)

Day 8

back to reality

I%26#39;ve booked my flight and car rental, havent really picked places in Hana and Lahaina to stay yet.

I%26#39;m looking to the knowledgeable experts on this forum for a sanity check, plus tips on must do activities that I may have overlooked.

First Trip to Hawaii!

Sounds like your doing an awful lot !! I would only suggest building a bit more ';kicking back'; time into your schedual. The first time we went it was go, go, go, everyday...my only regret was that we did not spend more time relaxing and snorkeling (which was my first love)...the next time we planned NOTHING and took each day as it struck us! If we felt adventurous, we headed out to find some fun, if we didn%26#39;t we took long walks on the beach and just sat back and watched the tide roll in. I have to admit, trip #2 was my favorite!

Have fun!

First Trip to Hawaii!

What time you arrive may dictate whether Hana Hwy is good idea for your first day? Since you plan to stay in Hana, a later AM start is a good thing; may miss most of earlier AM tourist rush is you go around 10:30 or 11. But if you arrive in late afternoon after a long flight, do not attempt the Hana Hwy drive. Save it for early the next day. Not only will you be hitting opposing traffic of all the day trippers and tour vans/buses coming back to other side, you will be tired. Should be fresh and rested for that trek.

Be sure to stop just past MM 16 at Kae%26#39;nea Peninsula; turn left toward ocean; go past ball park. Rest for a bit; enjoy the waves.

At Wai%26#39;anapanapa State Park, check out the cave loop trail, the black sand beach and the bluff trail that goes by the cemetary; great shaded picnic area; wonderful in early AM BEFORE tour buses arrive and AFTER 3 or 4 when day trippers leave.

Also include a late afternoon or evening on Koki beach, good kick back spot; and you may want to check out Hamoa since it is consistently such a highly rated spot.

Make a whole day heading ~10 miles past Hana to Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park; save your stub for when you pay ranger at park entrance. If you choose to go up to Haleakala summit later in the trip, you can get in free; good for 7 days. Head out early so you have the park, and esp. the Pipiwai trail to yourself; enjoy the pools a bit later in the day after the hike.

We have lots of options and info for Hana lodging - let us know if you want our expertise. If you want ocean view or within hearing distance of the waves, concentrate on Hana Bay choices. Places on the slopes - mountain side- although wonderful, and most choices before or after Hana Town are not close to shoreline; might have only distant views of ocean.

We love east Maui and usually spend the bulk of our time there; have treked there a lot over last 13 visits.

Good that you have only a rough itinerary planned... plenty of time to add things to the list or enjoy what you are doing a little more.

Ideas? Look at the column to the left and you will see a tan box with green, brown and black lettering... check out the goLists.

My go list is: tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i5994-Must_Do_s…

Finally, remember to use your sunscreen, stop and enjoy as many sunsets as you can, bring a camera to take pictures and make as many memories as you can.

Enjoy your visit!

aloha world2go :)

And I%26#39;m happy for your first trip to Hawaii :)

Your itin looks good ~ although I would only go up to Haleakala once. It%26#39;s a long winding road. But it%26#39;s your trip, not mine :) Just thought I%26#39;d toss that out.

Are you staying in Kula for the remainder of your trip? Oh wait, you%26#39;re looking into staying in Lahaina too. I%26#39;d get busy on those reservations.

One of my favorite places is Kahakuloa Valley on the North Maui side. I love the drive over the top of Maui. It%26#39;s beautiful in a different way than Hana is beautiful. A great beach is Big Beach in south Maui.

Have fun exploring and kicking back ! and seriously, I%26#39;d get cracking on making your lodging reservations :)

jc