How many people love Maui, and what about it?

[TalkToMeForAdvice Member Find all posts View Profile Close TalkToMeForAdvice]

Maui is the most powerful exchangers in Interval International's system for Marriott.

I was wondering how many of you have actually been to Maui and how many of you have enjoyed it, and what did you enjoy about it?

Also, if Maui isn't your cup of tea, feel free to discuss a vacation that you really enjoyed in Hawaii.

- Galal

PS. As a sub note, should I start using smileys? Everyone uses them, and I never got into the swing of it

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

Maui

My own personal reason for liking Maui is it seems the most diverse of all the islands. You can relax, or party, hike, swim, volcanos to explore, another words, it seems to be the best of all worlds.
Bart

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

Silversword plants and the road to Hana

I was on Maui briefly about five years ago.

I liked the Silversword plants on top of Haleakala, and hiking on the Sliding Sands trail, and driving to Hana, exploring some sites and enjoying some sights along the way, and eating some of the banana bread from the Halfway to Hana roadside stand. I saw a mongoose too.

If you hike on Haleakala, bring plenty of water! The distances are deceiving. It is easy to walk several miles downhill but going back up the sand is more challenging.

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

No better sunsets in the world, in my opinion We just plain like the island and go back every two or three years. Also, the golfing is great.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Kauai was our Favorite out of the 4 islands when we visited 2 years ago.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Maui is my favorite island anywhere.

I love the peacefulness of the whales in the winter. The Friday night artist showings in Lahaina. Diving in the Cathedrals. The Manta Rays at Molokini. Not having to carry my own tanks. The eerie song of the whale. Haleakala at sunrise. Hiking what feels like the moon in the crater. The road to Hana. The bamboo forest at 7 pools. Hasegawa's general store (well, what's left of it anyway). Upcountry Maui and breakfast at the Kula Lodge. Olowalu shrimp at Chez Paul's. Cheeseburger in paradise. Timeshare presentations. Maui Onions and onion rings. Maui potato chips. The one bedroom suite at the Hyatt Maui. Kona coffee in the morning on my balcony watching the whales. The pools at the Grand Wailea.

[coatrack Member Find all posts View Profile Close coatrack]

I just returned from Maui.....stayed in Kihei...sunniest place on the island.
I loved heading south beyond Wailea and driving through the lava flow from 1790....it is unbelievable. I snorkeled for my first time and could not believe how clear the water was.... the whales were the best part I think...saw a mom and baby breach at the same time....awesome...AND....Cheesburger in Paradise!

[EvelynK72 Member Find all posts View Profile Close EvelynK72]

Maui is windy

I like Maui but every time we go it seems so windy - much more so than the other islands. And we have gone at various times of the year - December, March, and several summer months. Every time, the wind is whipping and there are whitecaps on the water. I don't think I have ever seen the water as calm as all the pictures show. One March, the winds were going at 60 miles per hour and even blew over a panel truck, stopping traffic for hours!

What has your experience been?

Evelyn

[TalkToMeForAdvice Member Find all posts View Profile Close TalkToMeForAdvice]

To tell you the truth, the road to hana is quite nice except for the fact that it's quite a difficult road to cross. But the water is absolutely amazing except for some of the coral involved, but nothing aqua shoes can't handle. But yes, Maui's Ka'anapali beach front is absolutely wonderful. Kauai trumps in natural beauty though of course.

[jmatias Member Find all posts View Profile Close jmatias]

Maui is probably our favorite Island...and we live on Oahu!

It has the right mixture of country feel and city conveniences.

For us, Maui is most beautiful around March...watching the whales from your balcony or from the beach....it is just beautiful.

Evelyn, as for the winds....yes it does get windy at times but it isn't that way always. We only had strong winds 1 out of our last 5 trips.

[CaliDave Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close CaliDave]

Maui is my favortie Island.. so much to do as others have stated.
I like the relaxing aspects of Kauai, but you can only relax for so long.

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

We like all the Islands for different reasons and even Molokai too. We haven't been to Lanai yet and it isn't on our list except for a snorkeling tour. We will be heading back again less than a month from now!

[hope54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hope54]

Lucky you, Emmy. I am having island withdrawl.

What I love:

Kam III beach in Kihei. Watching the local families set up elaborate party fare for their week-end fun times at the beach park. Walking the sea wall edging Wailea. Grandma's Coffee House at Keokaia - they have the best coffee beans hand picked from their own bushes and outstanding baked goods. Driving to Hana on the back road; stopping at the winery to see the magnificant landscaping with so much history to it all. Going to farmer markets where the farmers speak with such pride of their products and give cooking ideas so I walk away with a week's worth of healthy eating. Swimming after dark on the beach - until a local fisherman warned us of the sharks that lurk the shores of the islands and night time is their eating time and we are fair game!

Hope