Low Cost Maui :

Thanks to you all for the great info in response to

my post early today about where to stay, hike and snorkel

on '; Low Budget '; mode.

We%26#39;ve narrowed the island to MAUI , but I still know very little about it . ( Yes , I%26#39;ve got homework to do ).

Now we%26#39;re interested in weather patterns in mid - December....

...... anyone care to forcast ?

Is there a dry and a wet side?

Do winter storms stir up the water all over, all the time?

All info appreciated.

Rick

Low Cost Maui :

Maui Revealed is the easiest-to-use guidebook, but Frommers has more hotel/condo reviews.

East Maui has a 10,000 foot volcano and the West Maui mountains are pretty big, too. So rainfall varies wildly, depending on where you are. The ';south Maui'; resorts (Kihei etc) would be dry.

In December, big surf from the Aleutians is likely on the island%26#39;s north shore. You might want to visit Honolua Bay to watch the activity (binoculars a good idea).

Hana is wet.

I%26#39;m doing a quick, cheap visit in October and plan to spend two or three nights in Hana, and otherwise use one of the two inexpensive hotels in Kahului. Best rates seem to be at Hotwire. People at my employer%26#39;s Honolulu Office normally use the Maui Seaside because it%26#39;s easier to drive to conservation lands (such as Haleakala National Park) from Kahului than from Kihei. Since I live in a resort town, I just don%26#39;t need to visit any resorts.

Low Cost Maui :

Check out this link from former TA posts on Maui weather patterns and what to expect in December ..

tripadvisor.com/…8277461

As you research, ask what you want to experience? Favorite activities? You will begin to narrow your search as to what part of the island will be best for your lodging / home base.

Leeward side is drier; south Maui near Kihei is reclaimed desert; windward side of Hakeakala and towards Nahiku / Hana will be wetter. Also wetter up in west Maui mountains and sometimes those rains can come down the slopes into Lahaina / Ka%26#39;anapali areas.

Winter storms, as with all storm systems, generally approach the island from one direction ... usually the north and that is why big time surfer dudes come to north shore on Maui during this season. But surf can be totally calm for south or west Maui on same day at the same time.

Maui is a relatively small island; easy to go from one section / area to another and experience completely different climate and weather.

Here is another recent TA link with some good info and some great links for researching ...

tripadvisor.com/…321406

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