Places to see in Maui ----- We have a car :-) (Kihei: rental car, rental)

[Thinking-man]

Hi,
so, we're in the process of booking our hotel/car for our trip in mid november to MAUI

Question 1: can you name a few of the MUST see places in maui?
Question 2: must we have a car to take advantage of everything Maui has to offer?

[whynot?]

1) Humpback whales (at that time of year), snorkeling (wherever), West Maui sunset, Makena and the lava fields, Upcountry farms (and Haleakala, but not necessarily for sunrise), windsurfers and kitesurfers at Ho'okipa, some (but not necessarily all) of the road to Hana, and -- if you are shoppers at all -- the Saturday Swap Meet at Maui Community College.

2) For most people, and for most of the list above, you *must* have a rental car and/or be willing to pay for guided tours. I am a city person at heart, and I am always evaluating how accessible certain areas *are* without a car. Depending upon how one vacations, there are options in Wailea and Ka'anapali (and maybe Kihei) that might be okay with tours and public transportation, but one would have to really piece that together carefully, not to mention the not-inconsequential costs of getting from OGG to the hotel. As much as I hate to admit it, I think a car is almost essential for a stay of more than three days, especially if one really wants to go home feeling they have "seen" Maui.

Just MHO. Best of luck.

[Thinking-man]

Originally Posted by whynot?

1) Humpback whales (at that time of year), snorkeling (wherever), West Maui sunset, Makena and the lava fields, Upcountry farms (and Haleakala, but not necessarily for sunrise), windsurfers and kitesurfers at Ho'okipa, some (but not necessarily all) of the road to Hana, and -- if you are shoppers at all -- the Saturday Swap Meet at Maui Community College.

2) For most people, and for most of the list above, you *must* have a rental car and/or be willing to pay for guided tours. I am a city person at heart, and I am always evaluating how accessible certain areas *are* without a car. Depending upon how one vacations, there are options in Wailea and Ka'anapali (and maybe Kihei) that might be okay with tours and public transportation, but one would have to really piece that together carefully, not to mention the not-inconsequential costs of getting from OGG to the hotel. As much as I hate to admit it, I think a car is almost essential for a stay of more than three days, especially if one really wants to go home feeling they have "seen" Maui.

Just MHO. Best of luck.

Fantastic response.
Thank you very much; i will be sure to hit all of those locations you mentioned.

Cheers!

[winkosmosis]

Lahaina town

[ley34]

Big beach for sure, little beach next door if you want to avoid the tan lines! Road to Hana, have your own car so you can explore at your own pace, you can swim in freshwater caves at wainapanapa black sand beach and cliff dive at oheo gulch(try some coconut candy and homeade ice cream). Haleakala crater is amazing, it takes some work getting up there but that's part of the fun. You will get some great pics. Kaanapali beach is beautiful and the sunset there is amazing. Those are just a few things we enjoyed in Maui, but really that just scratches the surface. There is so much beauty and so much to do it won't disapoint! Have fun!