Aloha! Part 2: Maui

Amelie and friend at Wai'anapanapa State Park

The airport in Honolulu was a bit confusing--we didn't realize there were two terminals, one for mainland and international travel, and the other for inter-island hopping. It also didn't help that our airline had managed to change its name from "Mesa Air" to "go!". The important part was that we made it, and we were at Maui in thirty minutes!

Maui was definitely more relaxing than Oahu. It's less crowded, so there's no stress from the big city (relatively speaking, of course). Oddly, though, Oahu felt more like Hawai'i than Maui did. I guess it's because the rest of the world is exposed mostly to Honolulu and Waikiki.

The Grand Wailea

Things I liked in Maui:
1. The Grand Wailea Hotel. Ah, Grand Wailea. The resort was beautiful, and the pools were amazing, kinda like a water park. During peak season I wouldn't even dream of staying here; we couldn't afford it. Heck, it was low season, and it was still pricey. But it was worth it; heck, from our room, you had a view of...
2. Molokini Crater. Granted, the little fishies off Cozumel in Mexico were more colorful; but the water here was much, much, clearer. The first couple of seconds in the water was cold, but I quickly got over it. Better snorkeling than Hanauma Bay (although I have this nagging feeling I missed a lot of what Hanauma Bay had to offer).
3. Hana Highway. Instead of driving, PJ convinced me to take the tour instead. Good call. The roads were twisting, turning, and so narrow that "two lanes" is a laughable description; it's more like "1.5 lanes". I think I could take it, though. The scenery was beautiful; lots of waterfalls (although some were dry), and one part looked like a bunch of cylon (toaster) heads. I wish I caught a red car driving the road so that it'll seem even more realistic!
4. The Banyan Tree in Lahaina. It looks like it's a grove of Banyan Trees, yes? But no, it's all just one tree. Wow.

Banyan Tree at Lahaina

Things I didn't like in Maui:
1. The sugar plantation near Kahului. What an eyesore.
2. The high prices. Gas in Oahu was 3.25; Maui, 3.65. Yikes. Even the Costco had slightly higher prices, with bread going for nearly $5 for the generic Kirkland bread. Ow. Lunch and Dinner were pretty pricey as well.
3. The speed limit (25-35). Same as Oahu. Although drivers here seem more aggressive. I actually had a couple of drivers riding my tail for doing the speed limit.
4. So much stuff to do, so little time. We didn't get to surf (or at least learn to surf). We didn't get to Kayak. I didn't get to bike down Haleakala. I didn't get to go ziplining. We didn't see enough of Hana and the waterfalls. Maybe next time...

Cylons at Hana!

I'd love to come back and stay at the Grand Wailea again. The kids sure loved those pools!