Read About Maui, Hawaii

In January 2011, Jen and I went to the island of Maui in Hawaii. It was Jen’s first time to the island. I had been there several times, starting back in the mid-1980’s.

The plan was to give Jen a chance to see all areas of the island in eight days and seven nights. First a couple nights in the Lahaina / Kaanapali Coast area (tourism maximus). Then a couple nights on the northeast shore, with the drive to Hana thrown in. Then a couple nights in Wailea on the southwest coast (tourism most expensivus). Finally, a night in Upcountry Maui, with a trip to the summit of Haleakala thrown in.

For Jen’s photos of Maui and other places, go to the Refractory Road Flickr site and Jennifer Robin Photography. The links are on the right.

Driving Through Upcountry Maui

Driving Through Upcountry Maui

We drove south through Maui’s Upcountry area, along Highway 37 through Kula, Pulehu, Keokea, and Ulupalakua.  Highway 37 eventually becomes Highway 31, and it was just past this point that we stopped and turned around, after taking in the view of La Perouse Bay, Molokini Crater, and the island of Kahoolawe. Upcountry Maui is a beautiful place; characterized by pastures, […]

Haleakala Crater, Maui

Haleakala Crater, Maui

Today, Jen and I headed up to Haleakala Crater. The road is heavily switchbacked as it climbs to the 10,300 foot summit.  We ascended through nice pasturelands, through a cloud layer at 5,000 feet, and into bare ground at the summit.  Here, it was clear and sunny, somewhat windy, and very chilly (Jen had on three layers, including the hood […]

The Road to Hana

The Road to Hana

Today, we drove to Hana. From where we are saying, the Huelo Point Lookout, it is 34 miles. This translates to about an hour and a half of sheer driving. Throw in stops for photos and such, and it translates into three or more hours. The road to Hana is not as daunting as it was when I first drove […]

Travels on the Northwest Shore

Travels on the Northwest Shore

We drove from Kaanapali along the northwest coast of Maui today.  This is the route from Kaanapali north and then east on Highways 30 and 340; through the towns of Kapalua, Honokahua, and Kahakuloa; eventually reaching Kahului. The views are pretty good. We saw a fair number of humpback whale pods from the various scenic pullouts. We drove the whole […]

Some Kaanapali Beaches

We went to DT Fleming beach park. Obviously solid boogie boarding here (wish we had brought the boards). Also went to Black Rock in front of the Sheraton on Kaanapali Beach. The waves were a bit big today, but this is a staple for snorkeling and shallow diving (been diving here a couple times in past years).

Arrived in Maui

We finally made it to Maui, on a Hawaiian Airlines flight that was on time (now, there’s a novelty). Picked up our rental car at Thrifty. Nice folks, although we could have done without the timeshare pitch (endure this sales thing and get $100 off the car rental). Drove to the Kaanapali coast, just north of Lahaina. Checked in at […]

Go! is a No-Go

So, over four hours with delays in our Go! Mokulele flight. First a delay to 1pm, that became 1:30, which became 2:00, which became 3:30; at which point we had had enough. So I pulled our bag and we went to Hawaiian Airlines and bought tickets from them. Go! says the problem was a single plane with mechanical problems. This […]

Off to Maui…?

Well, Go! Mokulele airlines is jacked up today. Delayed flights. Cancelled flights. We drew the cancelled flight straw. Waiting to get word on when an how we are getting to Maui.