Maui Planning & Tips

Getting There and Around
Car Rental
Do you need a car on Maui? Answer: You do if you want to see anything. Maui certainly can't brag about its public transit system (although it's improving), but that's okay because their plate is way too full of bragging about their exquisite beaches. So, yes, you need a car on Maui.

Car rentals are big business on the island, and the folks there live to make you happy. Families can expect to be granted two-driver privileges, rather than the usual one, and will receive booster seats at no extra charge. Inquire about GPS units, which come in handy when you're tooling around.

Kahului Airport
1 Kahului Airport Road
Kahului, HI 96732-2395
808-872-3830
You'll find three airports on Maui, but the one most often used is the Kahului Airport. The Honolulu-to-Kahului corridor is one of the busiest air routes in all of the United States. Kapalua-West Airport, located on the west side of Maui, is served by commuter planes. Hana Airport, located on the northeast side of Maui, is served by commuter airlines and is used by residents and visitors to Hana.

Maui Public Bus Transit System
The small transit system has 12 routes that deliver you to various spots on the island. Due to luggage rules, the Maui bus doesn't work for travelers streaming in from the airports. Some fares are free, while other routes are $1 per leg of the trip. Kids younger than 2, riding on a lap, are free. Buses run once an hour.

Taxis
Yes, many clean and reliable taxi companies are found on Maui, but they aren't cheap -- especially for cross-island travel. You might, instead, want to use a taxi for a special evening when you don't want the hassle of parking.

SpeediShuttle
877-242-5777
SpeediShuttles are comfortable and clean mini-buses that stop at airports and resorts.

The Art of Smart Timing
A discussion on the weather in Maui gets complicated, but it suffices to say that Maui has many micro climates: some parts of the island get wind, others rain, and one part is Arizona-hot .

Haleakala and the Kahalawai mountains divide Maui's climate into sections. The closer to sea level you are, the warmer it is. You'll find December to February to be rainier and cooler. June through September are the hot months. Plan for highs in the 80's during the day and lows from the mid-60's to mid-70's year-round in the evenings.

Keep in mind that the region around the airport in Kahului sees it share of rain, which can be frightening to unsuspecting visitors expecting to find aloha sunshine. Check out the Maui weather at HawaiiWeatherToday.com. However, typically, when it rains on Maui, it is a very brief shower, unless you are on the East side where rain is more plentiful.

How should you pack for Maui? Well, since you'll soon be entering the land of "this is the life," grab your bathing suit, shorts, flip-flops and T-shirts. For upscale dining, an aloha dress for her and a nice shirt and khakis for him are fun, but nobody will look twice if you're in shorts. (Although in fancier restaurants, bathing suits might not be appreciated.) Temperatures can dip when the sun goes down, leaving the unaware a bit chilly. So bring along a sweater or light jacket just in case.

It's important to note that certain Maui activities, such as biking down the volcano or horseback-riding, require jeans and closed-toe shoes. Ask when you make reservations. If you plan to greet the sunrise on Haleakala, dress warmly. It gets darn cold up there, and it's no fun with chattering teeth. Steal the blanket off the bed if you did not pack warm clothes. (Just remember to take it back to the room.)

All Maui activities mean diligent sunscreen application -- for both children and parents. Pack SPF bathing suits for the kids. Hats and sun umbrellas are smart ideas, too.

Just a heads-up: sunburns in Hawaii are like nothing you've seen on the mainland. Tropical sunburns are so painful that even a mere sheet over fried legs is painful. Cool showers are painful. Even bending to sit down is painful!

Save your kids, yourself and your vacation by wearing SPF bathing suits and clothing, slathering SPF 30 + sunscreen on every two hours, wearing hats and avoiding the sun (as best you can) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The locals in Hawaii and Australia swear by the sunscreen Blue Lizard. And who are we to argue?

The quiet months (when some of the best deals can be found) on Maui are mid-March through May and all of September.

For Mom and Dad
Merriman's
1 Bay Dr., Lahaina, HI; 96761-9035; 808-669-6400
When you're ready for a special romantic evening a duex, put these suggestions into place. Head for the outdoor bar at Merriman's in Kapalua, and request a pair of seats wreathing the fire pit on the point. You'll find yourself hard-pressed to remember when you've ever -- ever -- seen a more exquisite sunset view. Order a colorful cocktail, or select a glass of wine from one of the largest wine lists on Maui. Sip. Repeat. You'll have an absolutely lovely time as you dine on pupus, overlooking the water and watching nature at her glorious best.

Warren & Annabelle's Magic Club
900 Front Street, Suite A202, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761; 808-667-6244
This one's hard to buy, featuring a magician and a ghost who plays piano. You believe you'll pass? Not so fast. Now in its tenth year, this show is one of the very best you'll ever see -- not just on Maui, but on the planet. It's a challenge to explain how phenomenal this show is, but take the raves written up on the Warren & Annabelle Web site, multiply them by ten, and then you'll have a metric for what a rollicking and entertaining evening this is for adults. Book a week or more in advance for this wildly successful performance. Last-minute reservations are probably possible, but why chance it?

Falling under the kids-aren't-the-only-ones-who-don't-listen tip: Do as the W & A brochure tells you, and bring a sweater or light jacket. Apparently, a ghost can get hot when working under the lights, so the building is kept cold.

Golfin' Maui
These Maui golf courses are simply magnificent. You have to play them to believe them.

Kapalua Resort
1000 Office Road%2C Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761; 1-800-627-8361

Wailea Golf Club
100 Wailea Golf Club Drive, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753; 808-875-7450

Kaanapali
2290 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761; 808-661-3691

Off the Radar
Hawaiian Tunes: Set your Maui radio to KPOA (93.5 FM). Be sure to listen to "morning drive," during which Maui's "Morning Goddess" (her name is Alaka'i Paleka) will make sure you are "in the know" and will keep you laughing every step of the way. She will provide you insider tips on all the local events happening on Maui, and you'll also learn a bit about the language and culture with her "Morning Mana'o" (morning thoughts) segment.

Safety First: Maui is a safe place, but stay alert, and never leave anything in your car. If you decide to put something into your trunk, don't do it at your destination, where eyes might be watching. If you swim in the surf and leave your camera on the beach, it may not be waiting for you when you return.

Maui Swap Meet:
Maui Community College; 310 W. Ka'ahumanu-Kahului, HI 96732-1617; 808-984-3500
This is an irresistible way to spend a Saturday morning. You'll find locals and visitors taking a peek at the hand-painted T-shirts, fruits, veggies and fun things to pick up at half-price to take home to friends and family. Also featured are lots of local delicacies, fine art and tropical flowers! Get there when it opens because at Noon -- on the dot -- everyone disappears.

The Maui News: This is a great read to learn about fun things happening on the island.

Travel Tips: Hawaii Visitors Bureau, GoHawaii.com