Hana, Maui

Synonymous with serenity, Hana is a tiny jewel of the Pacific nestled on the north shore of Maui at the end of a scenic but forbidding highway, your own Bali Hai, where the pace slows to a near standstill alongside black sand beaches.

Stay at - Hotel Hana Maui/Sea Ranch Cottages

Go shopping - most available shopping is at the resort, little in town

Eat at - Ka'uiki at Hotel Hana Maui
Paniolo Lounge at Hotel Hana Maui
Hana Ranch Restaurant, Town Center, part of Hotel Hana Maui
Mama's Fish House, Paia, if you are flying in or out of Kahului (short drive from Kahului Airport)

Take side trips to - Road to Hana
Paia
Hana Bay
Black sand beaches
Ohe'o Gulch
Wai'anapanapa State Park
Lindbergh's Grave, Kipahilu

Be sure to visit - the black sand beaches in the area, and attend a resort luau if you can

Best time of year to go - February and March, during prime humpback whale season

Best things to buy - Hawaiiana, art, woodcarving, clothing, local food

Best indulgence - sitting out on the lanai in a private hot tub at a Sea Ranch Cottage overlooking the ocean, under moonlight, after a day at the spa

Fly into - Hana Airport (HNM) or Kahului (OGG). Kahului is the main airport on Maui, with regular service to the US Mainland, Honolulu, and the other islands, and is a 57 mile scenic, but challenging, drive from Hana. The Hana Airport is much smaller, and has flights from Kahului and Honolulu. I recommend flying directly into Hana unless you have someone taking you into Hana, or have driven the road previously and are familiar with it. It will take several hours to drive from Kahului to Hana, so don't be fooled by the distance.

Transportation - Hotel Hana Maui has courtesy transportation to and from Hana Airport, which can occasionally be arranged for other locations near the resort. Courtesy pickups at Hana Airport by the resort transportation must be prearranged. If you are renting a car, you must pick it up at Kahului Airport. Off-site resort activites generally include resort-provided transportation. Private air charters can be arranged to the neighbor islands. The town itself is very small and quite walkable.

Kauai

Bali Hai, South Pacific, the quintessential pot of gold at the end of the island rainbow, the oldest, wettest, greenest, and arguably most beautiful of all the Hawaiian islands.


Stay at - Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club at Nawiliwili

Go shopping - north shore, south shore and Lihue
Be sure to shop at Kilohana Plantation for some great arts and crafts

Eat at - Gaylord's at Kilohana
Duane's Ono Char Burger
Duke's Canoe Club

Take side trips to - Oahu
Maui

Be sure to visit - Kilauea Lighthouse
Ke'e Beach
Poipu

Kauai Museum in Lihue
Hanalei
Princeville

Best time of year to go - February and March

Best things to buy - Ni'ihau shells and shell leis, art, Hawaiiana

Best indulgence - A helicopter ride over Mount Waialeale and along the Napali Coast. I recommend Jack Harter.

Fly into - Lihue (LIH)

Transportation - Rent a car at Lihue Airport. Kauai has one road which runs from the north shore to the south, with very few traffic lights in between, lots of covered bridges, and plenty of scenery. A car is the only way you'll get around, as public transportation is essentially non-existent.

Lahaina

Once a whaling village, now a charming tourist destination on the west side of Maui below Ka'anapali Beach, Lahaina retains much of its historic walkable charm, day and night, with waterfront views of both Lanai and Molokai.



Stay at - The Plantation Inn, Lahaina

Go shopping - downtown Lahaina, Cannery Mall, Whaler's Village in Kaanapali, and in Wailea

Eat at - Longhi's (have a steamed artichoke and a glass of white wine midafternoon and people-watch)
Pacific'O's
Gerard's at the Plantation Inn
Mama's Fish House, Paia
Thai Chef (get the Thai toast and Thai iced coffee)
Aloha Mixed Plate (best sunset with the least expensive view)
The Feast at Lele (best luau on the island, done by the people who do Old Lahaina Luau and Pacific'O's)

Don't miss - U'lalena at Maui Myth and Magic Theater
Warren and Annabelles
Be sure to take a whalewatching excursion out of either Lahaina Harbour or Ma'alea
Bicycle down Haleakala

Take side trips to - Haleakala (bicycle down if you can, mid-morning)
Hana
Paia
Kapalua
Wailea
Kihei

Be sure to visit - Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alea

Best time of year to go - February and March, when the humpback whales are giving birth

Best things to buy - Hawaiiana, art, clothing, local food and food products, local music

Best indulgence - The Feast at Lele
Get your hair cut by Pascal Fournier at Le Salon

Fly into - Kahului (OGG) and rent a car, unless you're willing to fly into the West Maui Airport at Kapalua

Transportation - Rent a car, preferably a convertible. Downtown Lahaina is very walkable. Most tour companies provide their own transportation for activities.

Honolulu

Stay at - Westin Moana Surfrider

Go shopping - on Kalakaua Avenue, the International Marketplace and at the Ala Moana Mall

Eat at - Duke's Canoe Club (casual breakfast buffet with Diamond Head views on Waikiki)
The Hanohano room (elegant dinners and drinks overlooking Diamond Head and Waikiki)
La Mer
The Golden Dragon

Take side trips to - the neighboring islands of Kauai, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, Molokai or Lanai

Be sure to visit - The Bishop Museum
The Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbour
The Polynesian Cultural Center

Best time of year to go - February through June.

Best things to buy - Hawaiian arts and crafts, jewelry, Niihau shells, local souvenirs, designer clothing

Best indulgence - Walking barefoot on Waikiki while the sun rises over Diamond Head

Fly into - Honolulu (HNL)

Transportation - Taxi, limousine or shuttle to the hotel, then take taxis or the Wiki Wiki bus as necessary. Take interisland flights to neighbor islands.