Honolulu - Maui - Honolulu 18th - 27th July 2015

 

 

BOB AND MARY'S TRAVELS

HONOLULU - MAUI - HONOLULU 18TH - 27TH JULY 2015

 

 

Arrived in Houston soon after 5am on the morning of 18th July and it was a real exercise getting through immigration, collecting bags and then going through security. Took 50 minutes to get bags and then clear customs before dropping them off again to the bag drop to go to Honolulu. The worst part was getting through the security to get into the domestic terminal!! It was all backed up due to someone noticing a cord on the floor and lanes were closed so it could be rectified - what chaos! Ended up in a lane where we had to take everything out of bags and remove shoes, but lane next to us did not have to as the man in charge was trying to move things along, but our rather officious man would not allow that to happen! Funniest thing though was that when we came up to the personal screening box it had stopped working and we walked around the side! So much for the efficiencies of the TSA!!
Finally got to lounge and had some breakfast and a rest before our flight to Honolulu.
We had a good flight and managed to get some much needed sleep. Arrived in Honolulu around 1.15pm and went to hotel. Repacked our bags so we could leave one behind while in Maui. Mary made a quick visit to Maceys and bought a new swimsuit!
Our friend Diana picked us up around 5pm and took us to her daughter Jen's house for a barbecue. We had a relaxing evening with them, including Sam, Chris, Juliette and Hannah.
On the morning of the 19th Diana and Sam picked up us and we dropped off the car before going to the airport for our flight to Maui. We flew Island Air which uses a smaller terminal and that saved queues at security. Left on earlier flight as they tend to fill up their planes rather than leave people waiting.
Beautiful weather on landing at Maui. Collected hire car and then headed out to find our accommodation. Spotted Costco on the way so did some shopping there. Were able to check in early at Maui Sunset, Kihei, which suited us. Condo on 2nd floor with good views over the grounds and out to sea with lots of kite surfers out on the water.

Set out for a drive south to Wailea and Makena. This area has lots of large mansions along with 5 and 6 star hotels with great golf courses. The beaches at Makena were busy and the waves were quite large. Extremely hot and virtually no shade.

Headed back towards Kihei and had a late lunch before buying the rest of our supplies at a local supermarket.
We unpacked and then it was time for drinks on the balcony and watching the sunset.


Dinner in and we studied the brochures for ideas for the next few days. Decision was to head up Mount Haleakala in the morning if it was reasonably clear.
Driver Di, decided we should head out early after breakfast and as we had to, to get to anywhere on our side of the island we headed back towards the airport past the sugar mill (only one still left in Hawaii) and cane fields before getting to the highway to Haleakala. Was clear when we left, but on the way up we drove into cloud, but this cleared once at the top. The road is really interesting with great views over the island as you wind your way up to the summit. The drop in temperature was very noticeable as we climbed up and the people living on the slopes would have a very pleasant climate. The change in vegetation is also noticeable from tropical, to grasslands, to forest, to scrub, to virtually nothing in the lava.

There are trails on the mountain and a camping area - all well utilised. Lots of cyclists are taken up to see the sun rise and then cycle back down - rather hazardous on the steep narrow road.
They are trying to protect the "ahinahina" plant that grows in the area. This a good example of the flower.

We eventually headed back down and had a quick look at the visitor's centre. Decided to head towards Kula and visit the Kula Botanical Gardens that are built on the slopes of the mountain. This is a family owned garden and unfortunately has become rather neglected though there were still some very interesting plants, trees and flowers with some from Hawaii, but many from South Africa and Australia.
 Found a café in Kula town for our lunch and then headed back to the condo to relax. Mary went for a swim in the pool while Bob and Diana walked along the foreshore. Then time for drinks and nibbles on the balcony watching the children play down below - all very relaxing!

Next day - 21st - we headed to Lahaina, the main town on Maui. The drive along the coast is really spectacular in parts and lovely to see the many spots to pull in with shade to camp or swim.
We did one of the historic walks around the centre of town where there were good explanatory plaques at all the sites.

Sam and Bob's new mate at the Pioneer Inn

The Pioneer Inn, was until the 1950s the only hotel in West Maui, and is one of many wonderful old wooden buildings by the harbour and along Front Street. Lahaina is an old whaling town and also has an amazing missionary history. Many of the missionary houses were built of stone where you can see bits of coral. The town has maintained the old look to its buildings which is great.


Historic Banyan Tree planted in 1873



Courthouse where Hawaiian flag lowered in 1898 and American flag raised

 

Pioneer Inn



 

We had lunch at a café built out over the water. The yacht club was next door and a children's sailing school was operating. Had a good look in some of the shops and then we drove to Kaanapali for a look around. Was very hot by this time so headed back to Kihei and had a swim. Dinner out at Sansei Japanese restaurant in Kihei where people queue to get in for the early meals! We were more sedate and booked for a later sitting.

Next morning, Wednesday, we headed out east again to Wailuku and the Iao Valley State Park. There are trails through the park and alongside the river. Great views of the rugged peaks and the lush vegetation.

Stopped off at the Hawaiian Tropical Plantation on the way back for a coffee and had a pleasant stroll through the grounds.

 

After lunch we decided to head to Paia on the road to Hana for a gelato! Paia Gelato is famous so once more we headed out through the sugar cane fields, the airport and then to Paia. This little old town is a stopping point both on the way and back from Hana and is very busy. We found a park on the main street - extremely lucky - and had a stroll and looked into a gallery or two before getting our gelatos. They have a huge range of flavours and what we all selected was very tasty. Decided to drive further down the road to look at the beaches and find somewhere that could be a little more sheltered from the wind. Stopped off at view point and watched the surfers and kite boarders. People snorkelling off the beach and several turtles resting up on the sand.


 Headed back past Paia and stopped at Baldwin Beach and found a safe swimming area that we could come to on another day. Another day of exploring and we were ready for drinks and a relaxing evening.
On Thursday morning the decision was to head out to Wailuku again and drive as far as we could on the coast road that leads round to the west coast and Kapalua. The road was mostly inland for sometime after Wailuku and once we hit the coast it became very windy and narrow. Spectacular views over the ocean with wonderful colours in the sea.


 Eventually we decided to turn back as it became an unauthorised road and felt we didn't need to have issues with the rental contract! We were surprised to find so many homes in this area with the access etc.
Negotiated our way around the airport area and headed to Paia to get a picnic lunch before heading to Baldwin Beach and a much needed swim. We had great seafood tacos and wraps from the food truck parked on the edge of town as was the only place we could find to park!
Off to the beach and we spent time relaxing and enjoying the water.
Time once more to head back to Kihei and the Maui Sunset. Another relaxing night in at the condo.




 Friday saw us heading back towards Haleakala and travelled south onto the Kula Highway around the base of the mountain. We were driving as far as we felt was suitable on the road that eventually leads right round to Hana. The road became narrow and windy in parts and we travelled through lush farm land, lava fields and forest. Stopped at Ulupalakua for a break and browsed through their quaint general store. Maui's one and only winery is here, but we didn't sample the wines! The views across the fields and to Wailea and Makena were great.
 

  We went near to the main lava flows before turning back. There were very few points where you could pull over and take in the views of the mountain and the ocean. Were surprised how far the school bus went on this route as there didn't seem to be much civilisation (found from the air the next day that more people lived in this area with long access roads)

On our way back we took minor roads and drove amongst the cane fields and finally found an area that was being harvested - all mechanical.
Went out for dinner at Kono's on the Green at the Elleair Golf Course. Sat outside overlooking the course and enjoyed the sunset. A lovely setting and an enjoyable meal.
We left our big adventure for our last full day on Maui. So that Diana could enjoy the views and not have to concentrate on driving we decided to do a helicopter ride to Hana with Blue Hawaiian and then be driven back in a comfy van. Reported to the heliport at 11.15am for our safety video and eventually allocated our seating in the helicopter. Diana and Mary in front with the pilot and Sam and Bob in the back.




vineyards

We were to head up to the Haleakala Crater and then on round the south to Hana. Unfortunately, the weather closed in after we set off and could not get to the crater, but our pilot suggested we spend the time near the coast, around the slopes and viewing the waterfalls. All agreed and we had some amazing views before it was time to land at the Hana airfield.

 

 

 

 We were met at the airfield by our van driver Gary. An extremely large man who'd been doing these tourist drives for 13 years. The rest of the day was spent travelling in a very comfortably, air conditioned vehicle back to the heliport. Headed towards Hana town and the first stop was at Waianapanapa State Park. Had time to stroll around and look at the views over the rocky coast line and beach while our picnic lunch was being set up. Enjoyed wraps, muffins and fruit. Time for a walk down to the black sand beach and caves before getting back into the van.

 Drove around the town past the hotel, shops, and then it was time to head along the Hana Highway with its 56 one-lane bridges and 617 hairpin bends and enjoy the panoramic views of the countryside and the ocean. The commentary was interesting and informative at, but we did get rather tired of the names of actors and other well known people being mentioned who had homes on the coast or had visited.

our van in layby

 We stopped at one of the waterfalls for our swim - difficult access over rocks and rather cool water, but Mary did manage a very refreshing swim. Where we stopped was one of the few pull over areas on the road and with so much traffic everyone follows along in procession. If you are self driving you obviously do not get many opportunities to view the scenery due to the concentration required.
 We travelled on and had our next stop at the village of Keanae. Below are a series of photos from the rest of the journey.

Finally back to the heliport having had an amazing helicopter ride (though a little disappointing that we missed out on flying over the crater) and seeing the sights of the Hana Highway. All very tired so picked up some food to supplement our left overs for our last night and had a quiet night in. Enjoyed our last sunset in Maui.
Sunday dawned beautiful once more and it was time to pack and head to the airport for our flight to Honolulu. Once more Island Air put us on an earlier flight and we had lovely views of the north and west side of Maui as we flew out. Diana had booked a hire car so once we'd collected that we headed to Waikiki where they dropped us off at the Holiday Inn Beachcomber. Spent time repacking and relaxing before heading out for an early dinner at Wolgang's Steakhouse. What an experience - we were the only Europeans dining - all Asians in family groups or wedding parties! Had very good food but the meals were enormous and impossible to clean up our plates.
Our last day of our trip and unable to get a late check out this time, so Diana and Sam picked us up and we went out for the day around some of their favourite spots.

Koko Point



Blowhole

Drove on to Kailua enjoying the views and seeing places they had been to with the family. Intention was to have lunch at Kailua, but with major traffic jams we headed to the mountains and through the tunnel back to Honolulu. The day was very hot and we were glad to be in the confines of an air conditioned car. Sam suggested a café , but after finding it closed we headed out east and found a little place out over a lagoon with lovely breezes. From here we went to Chris and Jen's home and rested up before it was time to shower, change and head to the airport for our flight to Auckland.

We have really enjoyed our time in Hawaii and especially on Maui with Diana and Sam.