Been to HAWAII?? Share.....

[MissPinkBarbie]

So here's the story...Hubby's company () is sending us to Maui for 5 days all-inclusive. We're gonna add 5 more days (out of pocket) to it and have some fun!

We're leaving skin & fur babies with MIL.

Fun part is that we also get to do "excursions"-which his company is paying for- and I'm soooo psyched!!! Helicopter ride, dinner on during a sunset Sail, canoing and snorkeling, trip to the volcano sites, etc. Okay, maybe I'm bragging a bit...

We'll be staying at the Grand Wailea Resort. Anyone heard of? Been there?

Please share your stories or anything we should know before we go..

[MyFairLacy]

You are going to have such a great time!! I've never been to Maui but heard it is beautiful. I've been to Kona, Hawaii and Kawaii and Honolulu, Oahu. I love Hawaii.

[YorkieChick1]

Hi Lea, You and Patrick are going to love the Grand Wailea!!! It is so gorgeous!! It will be like a second honeymoon for you two! You will fall in love with this resort! We used to layover at the hotel right next door so I know the area well. You will need to rent a car for Maui, there isn't any good public transportation there and if you want to drive to Kanapali or Lahaina you will need to drive since Wailea is about 30 minutes away. There is a little shopping mall near the hotel but it is very expensive, save your money now!! You should definitely try to do the Hana Road trip or go up to the volcano and bike ride back down at sunset, so pretty. Have a great time!!

[YorkieChick1]

Hi Lea, You and Patrick are going to love the Grand Wailea!!! It is so gorgeous!! It will be like a second honeymoon for you two! You will fall in love with this resort! We used to layover at the hotel right next door so I know the area well. You will need to rent a car for Maui, there isn't any good public transportation there and if you want to drive to Kanapali or Lahaina you will need to drive since Wailea is about 30 minutes away. There is a little shopping mall near the hotel but it is very expensive, save your money now!! You should definitely try to do the Hana Road trip or go up to the volcano and bike ride back down at sunset, so pretty. Have a great time!!

[nvnvgirl]

My dad lives on the Big Island (Hawaii). Don't take anything other than your favorite swimsuit and your toiletries; buy it at Walmart or the KTA stores there (or you can spend a fortune at the boutiques there too). Everything is VERY casual almost EVERYWHERE, people don't really get dressed up. If you go to the Big Island, see the volcano, Akaka Falls in Hilo, you can go on a snorkeling trip that you get to dive in two areas Here:
MORNING SNORKEL ADVENTURE Snorkel Kealakekua & Honaunau (this is a VERY fun trip and you not only get to dive in two places (Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay which are both beautiful), you get a lot of interesting facts and folklore on the way to and from.

Have stellar sushi and martinis at Sushi En Fuego on the waterfront downtown Kona ~ owned by a fellow YT's sister and bf...here's one online review:
"This one of the best restaurants we have been to in Kailua Kona. The sushi and fusion dishes are delectable, the fancy martinis are a blast (especially during happy hours when they are $7) and the view is spectacular."

Go to the Kona Brewing Co. for great beer and pizza (and music): Kona Brewing Company > Home

Check out the Kona coffee growers~ just check in the little free magazines all over and see which ones offer tours and/or tastings.

Check out the little village of Hawi north of Kona. A few good restaurants and interesting shopping.

So much to do there! And so many fun places to go and eat and shop~! If you're interested in Kona, PM me and I'll set you up, LOL. Oh..you could always visit my dad and stepmom too

[labrown]

Ugh, I'm JEALOUS! I'm sure it is going to be amazing! You better take a lot of pictures and share them with us when you get back! SAFE TRAVELS!

[missj2007]

Ohhh I want to come! lol Hawaii is soo much fun. I went there in 2004 to visit my dad. It was Pearl City Hawaii its on Oahu. I went to the aquarium and zoo in Waikiki, it is beautiful. I saw the only snake they have on the island and he is a male. I love animals so that was soooo cool to me. My dad and I went on the Waikiki strip and that was soo much fun. They have sooo many shops to go to. It is a girl's heaven. It was funny seeing the different people on the strip, like the tin man or paper mache man, the dancing penguin. The beach was fun also. One of the malls I went to was cool because you had the lower mall then you have to walk to the upper mall. The weather us just amazing I love it. I hope u have a good time there!

[sassypup]

Ooh the grand Wailea is nice...went to Maui a year ago....a must have book on what to do, see, and eat is called 'Maui Revealed'.

[MissPinkBarbie]

Originally Posted by YorkieChick1

Hi Lea, You and Patrick are going to love the Grand Wailea!!! It is so gorgeous!! It will be like a second honeymoon for you two! You will fall in love with this resort! We used to layover at the hotel right next door so I know the area well. You will need to rent a car for Maui, there isn't any good public transportation there and if you want to drive to Kanapali or Lahaina you will need to drive since Wailea is about 30 minutes away. There is a little shopping mall near the hotel but it is very expensive, save your money now!! You should definitely try to do the Hana Road trip or go up to the volcano and bike ride back down at sunset, so pretty. Have a great time!!

Wow, I'm even more excited now that I've got some insider info!

The activities we already reserved are:
-Helicopter ride over waterfalls and volcanos
-trip to the "Tea factor" for tea and brunch
-horseback riding down the beach (I love horses!)
-kayaking & Snorkeling (I dont swim so i'm just gonna tag along and watch DH do it )

[MissPinkBarbie]

Originally Posted by YorkieChick1

Hi Lea, You and Patrick are going to love the Grand Wailea!!! It is so gorgeous!! It will be like a second honeymoon for you two! You will fall in love with this resort! We used to layover at the hotel right next door so I know the area well. You will need to rent a car for Maui, there isn't any good public transportation there and if you want to drive to Kanapali or Lahaina you will need to drive since Wailea is about 30 minutes away. There is a little shopping mall near the hotel but it is very expensive, save your money now!! You should definitely try to do the Hana Road trip or go up to the volcano and bike ride back down at sunset, so pretty. Have a great time!!

The "bike ride" sounds really good to DH. I know he really wanted to do that so we'll arrange that when we get there.

[MissPinkBarbie]

Originally Posted by nvnvgirl

My dad lives on the Big Island (Hawaii). Don't take anything other than your favorite swimsuit and your toiletries; buy it at Walmart or the KTA stores there (or you can spend a fortune at the boutiques there too). Everything is VERY casual almost EVERYWHERE, people don't really get dressed up. If you go to the Big Island, see the volcano, Akaka Falls in Hilo, you can go on a snorkeling trip that you get to dive in two areas Here:
MORNING SNORKEL ADVENTURE Snorkel Kealakekua & Honaunau (this is a VERY fun trip and you not only get to dive in two places (Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay which are both beautiful), you get a lot of interesting facts and folklore on the way to and from.

Have stellar sushi and martinis at Sushi En Fuego on the waterfront downtown Kona ~ owned by a fellow YT's sister and bf...here's one online review:
"This one of the best restaurants we have been to in Kailua Kona. The sushi and fusion dishes are delectable, the fancy martinis are a blast (especially during happy hours when they are $7) and the view is spectacular."

Go to the Kona Brewing Co. for great beer and pizza (and music): Kona Brewing Company > Home

Check out the Kona coffee growers~ just check in the little free magazines all over and see which ones offer tours and/or tastings.

Check out the little village of Hawi north of Kona. A few good restaurants and interesting shopping.

So much to do there! And so many fun places to go and eat and shop~! If you're interested in Kona, PM me and I'll set you up, LOL. Oh..you could always visit my dad and stepmom too

This sounds fun! Where is Kona exactly? How far is it from the Grand Wailea?

The sushi & martini place sounds amazing. Two of my favorite things in the world!

[MissPinkBarbie]

btw, we're leaving this coming friday (July 18th)...for 10 days.

[LuvMySissy]

You guys are gonna love Maui!!!! Are you extending for another 5 days there or going to another Island? Maui is my favorite, followed by the "big" Island of Hawaii.

I prefer the other side of Maui (between Kaanapali and Kaapalua) since it is so close to LaHaina and we go there every day when we're in Maui. But, you are really close to a little town called "Paia" that is really awesome. Kind-of hippy, but way cool and a short street of boutiques that aren't too pricey. There is an awesome beach over on the North side where the locals surf that is awesome to see at sunset. Baldwin beach is also really nice. If you like to hike, the Iao Valley is also a great place to visit. The road to Hana is a must!!! Stop at the gas station just past Paia to purchase the tour CD - it will tell you mile markers to stop at and what to look for, otherwise you miss a lot. Unless you are going during whale season (late December to end of March), don't bother taking a whale watch tour. If you want to see the spinner dolphins, do once of the excursions to Lanai. The ones in the Zodiac boats are cool.

There is really no need to do a snorkeling trip. On the side of the island you will be on, there are plenty of little coves that offer great snorkeling right off the shore, particularly if you continue heading South once the paved road ends.

Feel free to PM me for any other details. I've been to Maui 9 times, twice to Hawaii, once to Kauaii and Ohahu.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by MissPinkBarbie

This sounds fun! Where is Kona exactly? How far is it from the Grand Wailea?

The sushi & martini place sounds amazing. Two of my favorite things in the world!

Kona is on the Big Island (my 2nd favorite place)!!!!

[JuicyGirl]

Originally Posted by MissPinkBarbie

So here's the story...Hubby's company () is sending us to Maui for 5 days all-inclusive. We're gonna add 5 more days (out of pocket) to it and have some fun!

We're leaving skin & fur babies with MIL.

Fun part is that we also get to do "excursions"-which his company is paying for- and I'm soooo psyched!!! Helicopter ride, dinner on during a sunset Sail, canoing and snorkeling, trip to the volcano sites, etc. Okay, maybe I'm bragging a bit...

We'll be staying at the Grand Wailea Resort. Anyone heard of? Been there?

Please share your stories or anything we should know before we go..

I stayed at the Grand Wailea Resort and it was awesome! So beautiful!
Also, if you're a shopaholic.... Maui is going to be the place for you... Very high end.