Maybe we will do a sunset. I think it must be a computer glitch that showed tickets available for 9/29 as it appears they release tickets two days ahead. How cold is it for a sunset?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: StorminNormin,

Kula Lodge in upcountry is a nice restaurant. Not on the level of Mama’s but a great view, the food is good, and there’s a store across the parking lot with lots of cool stuff.

Just an FYI: I am in Maui visiting my grand kids. It is just short of a vaccine passport that has been implemented here. Some restaurants, condo rentals, and car rentals require either a covid test or proof of vaccination. Either the test or the vax is required to get on the island. Make sure and fill out the Hawaii safe travels form!

Required For Travel To Hawaii

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:

That Mamas Fish House is booked through November. I will have to see if it is something she would want to do or not. It is pricey, but I am sure it is good.

TBH I wasn't impressed by the experience at Mama's Fish house. The food was excellent but everything is overpriced because it's a huge tourist trap. Also, expect to see tons of wannabe instagramers taking pictures of everything so they can brag to their online friends how great their life is. When I'm paying $60+ dollars a plate I expect the other guests to act like they've been in a place like that before.

Hale'akala was well worth the time and effort and as others have said bring warm clothing.

The Road to Hana is a gorgeous drive and one of the best meals we had was at a roadside BBQ up on a hill overlooking the ocean. It was so good we drove the road a few days later just to eat there again but it was empty so YMMV.

I loved the rainbow eucalyptus trees. They are quite vivid especially when it rains. There's plenty to see along the road to Hana.

There are lots of great suggestions already in this thread so I don't have much to offer other than go snorkeling and look at the sea turtles. My mother can't swim but they had a mini canoe/surfboard with a viewing window and I was able to bring her around.

As for the Luau I forget which one we went to (Feast at Lele perhaps?) and they book up quickly so we went to the one we could get tickets to. The service and performance was good but the food was preselected and served in courses. If I had the option I'd book the Luau that lets you get as much of the you like vs. liking some stuff and not caring for the rest.

Maui is a trip I'll never forget. Oh and be sure to get some roadside fruits and vegetables and bring a few pineapples home. I'll never forget declaring the pineapples on my carry on and when I opened my bag for inspection everyone within 15 feet stopped what they were doing and starting looking around for the source of that magical scent. Once you've had fruit on Maui it's hard to find any fruit that compares back home on the mainland.


ETA: here's the BBQ place on the road to Hana. It's right before the Garden of Edem Arboretum and it's NOT the smoke shack on the map.

https://www.google.com/maps/@2...3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Get your car reservation done pronto and we're experiencing a surge in the virus at the moment. So be vaccinated before coming here for your own safety. Still tons of tourists here!

Lots to enjoy but be safe. I recently went to Alaska (King Salmon fishing!), and its way, way, different up there, hardly anyone wearing masks (as it not required), here you'll need to be wearing masks all the time, just letting you know. Had my car reservation with AVIS like 2 months in advance but one day got call saying ...sorry no cars are available , we were expecting like 3K cars but got nothing so we have to cancel your reservation. Thanks god I found one on TURO so it worked out for me. Most Covid-19 cases are on Oahu, so just be aware. Like the rest of the country 90+% of the cases are the unvaccinated.


https://www.khon2.com/

https://www.khon2.com/coronavi...nsider-social-plans/

https://www.khon2.com/coronavi...ema-for-more-nurses/

We are going the same time as you. Rental cars may very well be non-existent by now.

When the state shut down last year, a lot of the rental cars went back to the mainland.

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
Just an FYI: I am in Maui visiting my grand kids. It is just short of a vaccine passport that has been implemented here. Some restaurants, condo rentals, and car rentals require either a covid test or proof of vaccination. Either the test or the vax is required to get on the island. Make sure and fill out the Hawaii safe travels form!

Required For Travel To Hawaii

Thanks for the info. I just booked the flight and rental and saw this. I will bring my vaccination card and my mom will need to get the test within 3 days of flight. We will fill out the Hawaii Safe Travel. Crazy times…..show me your papers! Silly thing is that even if you are vaccinated you can still get it and either have symptoms or not.

quote:

Originally posted by BigCity:
We are going the same time as you. Rental cars may very well be non-existent by now.

When the state shut down last year, a lot of the rental cars went back to the mainland.

Rental cars were very limited and expensive. I went with Dollar Car Rental and it was $1,200 for the week for a COMPACT. I prefer Enterprise since I have a lots of points with them, but they were not available and Hertz was most expensive of course.

When I do the trip to Hana I plan to eat at the Huli Huli Chicken Shack. Gordon Ramsey ate there. Anyone been there?

I want to say thank you so far to everyone who has given advice. I really appreciate it and keep it coming. I am the kind of person who makes a daily itinerary with exactly where we will go and what we will do so this will really help. I am so glad we don’t have to stay in a hotel as everything seems expensive.

I just want to make sure to give my mom a wonderful experience to always remember.

Buy some banana bread (preferably with macadamia nuts) at one of the shops along the road to Hana

The sunsets are not cold as the sunrise, BUT if you are at the top of Haleakala you will need jackets and long pants any time of day.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Buy some banana bread (preferably with macadamia nuts) at one of the shops along the road to Hana

I will get the Banana Bread from Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread as that was another stop Gordon Ramsey made.

Holy cow! That is insane of what level of information you have to give Hawaii just to enter their state. This Hawaii Safe Travel is just stupid!

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:
When I do the trip to Hana I plan to eat at the Huli Huli Chicken Shack. Gordon Ramsey ate there. Anyone been there?

Haven't been to the shack, but Huli-Huli chicken right off the grill is just delicious...so ono!! These days you don't see it so much in restaurants, mostly you see it for school/club fund raisers, and some road side operations so get it while you can.

Probably served with white rice...get used to it, it is Hawaii after all. Oh yeah, if its billed as "Huli-Huli" Chicken they have to use the original sauce by the manufacturer as its trademarked, if its not they have to call it "BBQ" Chicken or use some other generic name. So be sure to try the real stuff, not a knock off although they can be pretty good but nothing quite like the real McCoy.

Yup sign says "Huli- Huli", plate looks good, typical local style plate lunch (rice and mac salad). Let us know how it tasted!

https://www.flashpackingameric...i-chicken-koki-maui/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rpm2010,

quote:

Originally posted by MRBTX:
Kula Lodge in upcountry is a nice restaurant. Not on the level of Mama’s but a great view, the food is good, and there’s a store across the parking lot with lots of cool stuff.

Nice fireplace and great view but the food isn’t the greatest and they mostly rely on tourists who heard about it from folks who went back when it was better vs locals. Kula Bistro has much better food. I suggest comparing their menus on YELP and reading reviews there and on Trip Advisor. It’s also BYOB so you can bring good wine, and there’s a general store across the street with beer and wine if you forgot to bring any. I go to the Bistro a lot and not because I enjoy the long drive from Kihei, but because it’s worth the drive.

pa'ia fish market on the way to hana has excellent food!

charley's across the street at the light, same side, you might see willie nelson eating or singing a few songs!

quote:

Originally posted by airbubba:
pa'ia fish market on the way to hana has excellent food!

charley's across the street at the light, same side, you might see willie nelson eating or singing a few songs!

Sadly, Charley’s will not be reopening.

https://www.mauinews.com/news/...loon-doors-for-good/

quote:

Originally posted by P210:

quote:

Originally posted by airbubba:
pa'ia fish market on the way to hana has excellent food!

charley's across the street at the light, same side, you might see willie nelson eating or singing a few songs!

Sadly, Charley’s will not be reopening.

https://www.mauinews.com/news/...loon-doors-for-good/

that's too bad, a fun place with decent food!!

i left in '09 after 11 years upcountry!

If you have a hard time finding a car at the big 3 rental agencies try this place. They have good quality cars and offer shuttles to and from the airport. Kihei is 15-20 minutes from the airport FYI.