maui

My sister in law and I (females both 47) are going to Hawaii Tue.June 13-Sun.18. We are staying at Hilton Wakkii Beach at first. Friday morn EARLY flying to Maui and driving Hana Hwy.all the way around.We only need a room that one night as we are flying back to Oahu Sat. eve/nite, but would like to spend most of the day on Sat exploring the west and south side of the Island. Of course we will have a rental car. We really just need a place to rest our heads as we will be exhausted from early flight and driving all day .Plus checking out in am but exploring the island. Our flight goes back to main land 1:00pm Sunday.We have a room across from the airport Hono for Sat nite. I have spent hours looking for a place to stay and am going around in circles !! Help !

maui

The Maui Coast Hotel may be a good bet for you. Located in South Kihei.

maui

has anyone driven to Hana and spent the night? Is it worth it and will I miss too much of the rest of Maui such as West Maui sites?

I would probably save it for another trip. It%26#39;s a long drive and great but if your only going to be there one day you might just want to explore the other parts of the island.

I%26#39;ve been going to Maui for 25 years and successfully avoided the trip to Maui until last summer. I finally gave in. :)

We took a helicopter tour that took us to Hana and then we had a ';chauffeured'; cab ride back to the airport. Personally, I wouldn%26#39;t spend the night in Hana unless I needed to withdraw from the world......

Typo is previous post. I successfuly avoided the trip to Hana for 25 years....

If you are committed to making ';the drive'; then don%26#39;t waste your time and money staying in south or west Maui just go with central. In Kahului, there are two very decent and reasonable hotels just a stone%26#39;s throw from the airport. The Maui Beach and The Maui Seaside. Of the two, I think that the Beach is nicer. Why pay for a resort that you won%26#39;t use and that is out of your way ?

I%26#39;d re-think this plan. Is there some reason you are spending so much of your short trip on Oahu? You will waste a lot of airport and car rental time ';hopping'; to Maui and back to Oahu. I%26#39;d suggest you stay on one island this trip. Will it be Oahu or Maui (or Kauai, or Big Island)? Remember, things are *slower* in Hawaii. What looks like a short distance on the map can take hours to drive when the road is two lanes and winding you are behind a farm pickup that is in no hurry. It can take four hours to get from West Maui to the airport! Most people visit Hawaii to enjoy the slower lifestyle.

I see you are from Florida. If you have seen Miami Beach, staying at the Hilton Waikiki may not seem worth the trip.

On our trip in Feb/Mar we spent one week in Kahana, 2 nights in Hana, and then a week in Kihei. I think staying in Hana is lovely. One night is probably enough. It allows you to really enjoy the last half of the trip past the Gulch. I think it%26#39;s crucial is you plan on stopping along the way to Hana and do some hikes. You%26#39;ll never make it to Oheo in time to enjoy it and then make the back half of the trip.

I really do believe the road past Hana is the most beautiful. It%26#39;s very lush until you pass Oheo. Then the back of Haleakala rises before you on your left looking much like the west maui mtns. The coast begins to stretch before you on your right. The scenery is beautiful and completely different that the rest of the island. Around mm35 (pg 112 - Maui Revealed) you%26#39;ll come to one of m,y favorite palces on the whole island. A little while cement church with the ocean in front of it and the mountains behind it. The wind blows, the waves crash, and it seems like the quietest place on earth. Absoutley beautiful. If you miss it, or get there in the dark, you%26#39;ve really missed out.

Here%26#39;s my best suggestion...

Leave early from wherever to go towards Hana and do whatever catches your fancy...hikes, waterfalls, blue pool, etc.

Arrive in Hana whenever. If you have time, go on to Oheo Gulch and play or check out the local beaches. Check in to your room. Then, sadly - dinner - where your choices are severely limited. If you must go to Hana Ranch Rest, where you will be very much ripped off, try to order a salad and the french fries. $10, and not too bad. The cheapest you can get out of there with.

The next morning, you can finish your Hana explorations - Oheo Gulch if you didn%26#39;t make it, hiking, etc. When ready, but not too late, head for the back side of the mountain. You%26#39;ll end up in the upcountry, and can stop by the winery and in Kula for and early dinner. If you time it right, you can even head up Haleakala to watch the sunset, and then catch dinner.

I think staying in Hana is well worth it. Our first trip, we did the drive through. It was really nice not to feel rushed and just enjoy the trip and the adventures along the way. FYI, we stayed at Hana Maui Vacation Rentals (you can google it). It%26#39;s about $80 and a nice, decent place to lay your head (buit ask for extra pillows). Check out is always not until 11am, which is nice if you head out to Oheo, swim or hike, and want to come back for a shower. Beautiful grounds as well.

Sorry folks - I think I was replying to some other question because this just makes no sense! Someone was asking about whether they should stay in Hana...I%26#39;ll have to find the post and paste it...

Sorry folks - I think I was replying to some other question because this just makes no sense! Someone was asking about whether they should stay in Hana...I%26#39;ll have to find the post and paste it...