Going to Maui this month, need advice

[Judykay Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Judykay]

We're going to Maui the end of January. To elevate some of the expense, we plan on taking some staples along. I've tried to find what food items are restricted from the Mainland but all I've found out is plants, soil (why would I want to take that?) live animals, etc. What about fresh meat? Canned meat, boxed cereal, some boxed convenience foods, cheese? I realize most fresh fruits and vegetables would be restricted, what about other food products?

We usually take along some foodstuffs when we travel and the only items I've had confiscated was a mango and an opened package of cheese. Since we can have 2 suitcases, we pack one with lightweight food and clothing in the other. Surprising how much money one can save doing this even if it is a bit unusual.
does anyone know of a site I can go to to check? I haven't been able to find information on any of the official Hawaii sites.

[shopgirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shopgirl]

With a Costco right outside the airport that carries the best steaks I have ever had on a BBQ grill, I would never consider taking meat along. I cook differently when we travel, buying items to cook that do not need spices that would waste if I bought an entire bottle. Between steaks, baked potatoes and salad, then some sandwich stuff, fruit and cereal/milk, we have meals for a week, but we eat out several times for dinner.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I agree with Cindy. We go to a regular grocery store as we cannot buy in bulk. I don't know about other Islands but Maui has a food bank for the homeless and our timeshare recommends bringing left-over items to the front desk that they will put in a fridge or freezer and it gets distributed by them or picked up.

No need to have all that extra luggage and worry. In the past, we would offer it to a neighbor or leave it in the condo for the cleaning crew to throw out or take home. The same for washing powder, etc.

[Judykay Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Judykay]

taking food from mainland to Maui

We're going to Maui tne end of Septembter. To allay costs, we always take some of or own food staples. Does anyone know what prohibited items might be? I was thinking in terms of canned/fresh meat, prepared convenience foods (boxed), cheese, canned vegetables, cereal in addition to the staples such as sugar/flour, cooking oil. etc.
I've been unable to find an official Hawaii site that lists anything other than live plants, soil, live animals, and such.

Does anyone know of such a site where I could get the needed information?

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

What they posted there is not allowed and the rest is except for meat or sausage, I believe. I would call them up unless someone knows here and can tell you.

[Judykay Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Judykay]

Maui/food restrictions

[I finally found it! Regarding bringing some of your own food items into Hawaii (Maui). Fresh fruits and vegetables are restricted. fresh packaged meat intended for personal consumption is allowed. This is information from the Dept. of Ag.(l-808-837-8413.) Other restricted items are live plants, animals, soil.

Thanks for all those who responded to my post.

[Judykay Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Judykay]

Hiking on Maui?

We have a bunch of friends going withus to Maui end of the month. Some are avid hikers. We've checked the companies that offer the hikes and they sound fabulous but are expensive. Does anyone know of hikes we could take without going with a guide? They'd like to get back into the rainforest and waterfalls.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

For hiking I would look some where near the road to Hana. You might also find hiking by the volcano Mt Halakuo Forget the spelling just ask for the house of the rising sun.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Maui Revealed

Buy the book "Maui Revealed" and read it before you go. You can buy it anywhere in Maui or on the Internet. It has so much information.

If you like snorkeling too, buy "Snorkel Maui and Lana'i" - Guide to the Underwater World of Hawai'i" by Judy and Mel Malinowski. It will show you every little beach and cove on these islands and how to get there. It also describes what fish or marine life you may expect but it is in black and white only. There may be better guides out there today but this is what we have. We always take it with us.

[Judykay Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Judykay]

Maui Luau's?

Here I am again..we'll be in Maui the end of the month. We want to do a Luau. I've read so much conflicting advice I'm getting confused. Everyone says the Old Lahaina Luau is the best, also very $ for the number of people we're taking. I've made tentative reservations for the Kaanapali Beach Luau then I read it's not so good. Would we be wasteing our money and come away regreting we didn't spend more for the OLL?
Is is possible to get discount tickets once we're there? I've got the Kaanapali Beach Luau for $50 pp, kids free. The cheapest I can find for OLL is $80 pp, that counts up fast when it's for 6 people.

Any ideas? Please??

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

We have a bunch of friends going withus to Maui end of the month. Some are avid hikers. We've checked the companies that offer the hikes and they sound fabulous but are expensive. Does anyone know of hikes we could take without going with a guide? They'd like to get back into the rainforest and waterfalls.

Maui revealed will give you good hikes with nice payoffs at the end, especially along the road to Hana. There is also a fun (short but rocky) hike to the blowhole north of Kapalua. You can also hike into the Haleakala crater without a guide; just beware it is easier going down than coming back.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Here I am again..we'll be in Maui the end of the month. We want to do a Luau. I've read so much conflicting advice I'm getting confused. Everyone says the Old Lahaina Luau is the best, also very $ for the number of people we're taking. I've made tentative reservations for the Kaanapali Beach Luau then I read it's not so good. Would we be wasteing our money and come away regreting we didn't spend more for the OLL?
Is is possible to get discount tickets once we're there? I've got the Kaanapali Beach Luau for $50 pp, kids free. The cheapest I can find for OLL is $80 pp, that counts up fast when it's for 6 people.

Any ideas? Please??

I do not think your going to get reservations for the Old Lahaina Luau. That one gets booked up 6 months to a year out. I had done the Marriott one which was OK back then. Not sure if it is still the same.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

The Marriott Luau has changed the show and seems to be more like the Old Lahaina Luau is today and just as good. This is what the concessionaire told us where we were staying. We didn't go so I don't know for sure. She offered a good discount too. If she can, then others can too at her timeshare resort or on the front street of Lahaina, for instance. They always have discount tickets there. We liked the Old Lahaina Luau as the setting was perfect too. I have some pictures here.

If I were Judykay, I would call the Old Lahaina Luaui and see if there is a cancellation if she would rather go there. That's what they told us to do and we got in.