DMcGrew wrote:We stayed at the Sheraton in Kaanapali. Loved that area. So many places to eat in nearby Lahaina too. We went to the Makena area on our last day there and didn't really find it as nice as the Kaanapali area. We just drove through though.. so I'm sure thats not a fair assessment.
Okay, so you were right at Black Rock; I know the area somewhat. The first time I went (back in 2000) I stayed at the Westin, which is like two or three properties south. (Company trip, no way I could afford that place on my own dime) I went to the Whaler's Village one day and hit the McDonald's for a Big Mac value meal and it was like $8 or something stupid like that..... island living, baby...! Woot!
Did you guys get to go out to Molokini Crater? The day we went the surf was up and it was really choppy; we dropped anchor on our snorkel boat and got wet, only for the divemaster to call time on us after about five minutes as the waves were just too big. But those five minutes.... oh my god........ water visibility of well over 100 feet, sea life galore, fishes, eels, it was amazing. And I don't like using that word very much. It's the only area that's a national park below the water, on land and in the air. And for good reason. The place is insane.
If you guys ever get to go back again, give the south part of the island another try. It's a completely different vibe, yet equally nice in its touristy appointments. Wailea and Kihei are great, and I'll always have fond memories of Makena as friends of ours got married there (the reason for my second trip to the island in 2006). I find the south part of the island to be much more laid back and relaxing than Ka'anapali..... which is not meant as a slag off on the northern resort areas, just more of an observational thing. Ka'anapali and Lahaina are great, too, just different.
I don't know why, but one of the things that makes me laugh about Maui is there's a Costco way out by Kahalui Airport. For some reason, I think this is silly.
JeffDFD wrote:Does anyone who has gone care to share the what you can expect price wise for an average trip (aka not having to do the most luxurious and expensive things, but not staying for 2 nights and living in a tent on the beach).
About three miles north of Ka'anapali (where McGrew - and I - stayed, separately) is an area called Kahana. We stayed there the second time I visited Maui and I have to say it was pretty heavy in the bang-for-the-buck department. The Royal Outrigger has rooms for ~$150/night during early summer, which - compared to the rest of the island - is pretty crazy cheap. The Westin (where I first stayed) is about $330/night for the same June dates and, as I said, the two places are all of three miles apart (give or take). The only real downside to Kahana is the beach area is practically non-existent. It goes from pool deck to beach to neck-deep ocean water in like 40 feet; it's a pretty steep grade. Even Ka'anapali is kind of steep, but nothing like that.
Anyway, there's so much to see and do away from the hotel that the amenities provided by the resort are (to me) almost a non-factor. Is it clean? Can I see the ocean from my room? Will it cost less than the soul my first born child? Then I'm in.
Maui's great.
SolidSnake wrote:What about a van down by the ocean?
Thrice divorced?
Greatest compliment I can receive is when somebody makes one of my photos their desktop background. 
