Susan-M

I don't think the potential for an in-house tournament should be enough to discourage someone from checking to see if there's an available tee-time. There was no sign or mention of them when we called to book, nor when we played.

It sounds like Kahekili Hwy has improved a lot in the past few years and no longer has sections like this. When we drove it, the average speed limit was about 15 mph - but if you're averaging 40+ mph going from the airport to Kahana, then you must be moving at a good pace on that curvy stretch & not getting behind any slow moving vehicles.

I had a little chuckle over 'even to Canada' - which is a lot closer to Ohio than the other places that you mention :)

I think chances are pretty good that you can call from Hawaii to Ohio for free - but probably best to check with your phone service provider just to be sure.

We were contemplating booking a car on Maui, we are on the Ruby, for what time should we aim in the morning.

Which port on Maui - and what is your port arrival time in your itinerary?

It is an hour from Kahalui by the standard route. If you go around the "top" of Maui, it is probably 30 minutes, or a little more.

Going around the "top" of Maui - as in the dreaded Kahekili Hwy #340 - where they'd be on the cliff-side lane of all those blind curves and steep drop-offs? There's no way to do that drive in 30 minutes from Kahului ... more like an hour and a half - longer time-wise than the 'standard route' - #380 & #30.

Not sure why you would want the 1pm tee time- for the "tournament" that is played there regularly?

 

You wouldn't, and I'm not sure how you came up with that from my post:confused: The Hyundai tournament of champions is in January. I suggested that the OP look at booking a 1 p.m. tee-time for when they are there.

We've played Plantation a couple of times at 1 p.m. - one of them was in early May - no weather issues either time, and definitely worth the $100 pp savings. No guarantees with the weather though - and agree mornings are recommended, but you could have bad weather then too.

pmcglothen -I missed your itinerary when I posted above and realize now that you're not on POA. But you can still fit in a round of golf on Maui, Kauai and/or the Big Island with the port times that you have. On Maui, if Plantation is the choice, you probably wouldn't be booking a tee-time before 11 a.m. with a 9 a.m. arrival time - and even that might be cutting it close by the time you pick up a rental and drive the hour to Kapalua (from Kahului) - so the 1 p.m. tee-time isn't a bad choice.

If you are renting a car in some ports, it will open up a lot of options for golf courses. Plus, you'd be able to do some exploring before/after golfing. We've golfed at several courses each on Maui and the Island of Hawaii - but on land vacations. If you are on POA, it would be easy to fit golf in on Maui, Kauai and on the west side of the Island of Hawaii (Kona).

Kapalua Plantation (Maui) is one that is a 'dream come true' for most golfers. It's where the Hyundai Tournament is held every January. Expensive course, but they have twilight rates starting at 1 p.m. which you'd need to book several weeks in advance, and try to get the 1 p.m. tee-time (or closest to it) since it gets dark early in Hawaii.

oh my gosh that might have been you on TA as I did recently message someone.... I didn't pay any attention to the username on there and haven't logged in lately. I swear I'm not stalking you :) thank you for your advice and the information. we will be there in april and I estimate I will have 9-10 hours before the sun sets. thanks again!

LOL - 'stalking' didn't occur to me because a lot of people post on both sites. I had been noticing some posts on TA lately where people were mentioning problems with PM's - so I thought maybe you didn't receive my reply, but the infrequent visits to TA by you explains it.:)

With the amount of time that you have, I still think it's best to head directly to Kipahulu, do the hike and and see the pools, then fit a few scenic stops in on the way back.

It looks like a really awesome hike. It's somehow become the star of my Hana Hwy drive. Would you mind answering a few questions I have?

 

So I want to take the trail all the way to the Waimoku Falls. That hike seems pretty straighforward - through the bamboo forest and across the stream. I have read that you can also reach the Oheo Gulch from the trail, do you know how? Or is it better to walk the trail back and then drive to the Oheo Gulch?

 

 

My plan is to see Twin Falls, Waianapanapa State Park, Waiua Falls and Waikani Falls on the way there, and then catch other stops if there is time. How feasible do you think that plan is? And how difficult will it be to stop at places on the way back?

 

Sorry for bombarding you! I'm really excited and a little nervous :o

Just a quick question - I thought it was you who pm'd me on TA the other day with this question, and I responded - wondered if you received my pm back?

Both the Pipiwai Trail and the trail to Oheo Gulch start at the parking lot at the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park - about 10 miles past Hana. You'll need to pay the park entrance fee there, but if you've been to, or are going to the summit of Haleakala on another trip (I think within a week) your ticket is good for both. Hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls and back the same way (it's an in/out hike of about 2 miles each way - so you have to come back the same way.) When you get back to the parking area, you'll see the trail to the Oheo Gulch pools - it's a very short trail.

Here's a link to google maps where you can see the Kipahulu parking lot, Oheo Gulch and Pipiwai Trail.

Also, a link to info on the Kipahulu area of HNP.

What time are you starting your drive on the RTH and what month? Just trying to figure out how much time you have to do this? (you'll want to be back in Kahului by sunset - and it's early in Hawaii). You'll need about 2.5 hours for the drive each way (so 5 hours in total just for driving), about 2.5 hours at Kipahulu for the hike and viewing the pools (more time if you plan to swim in the pools - if they are open for swimming when you go) - plus time for your other stops. I'd opt to go straight to Kipahulu and do your other stops on the way back.

There's no food or beverages (other than expensive bottled water) at Kipahulu visitor center, so be sure to pack some food/drinks.

totally off topic but i think i noticed your name on a thread about driving to hana and hiking the pipiwai trail. have you done that?

Yes - it's a great hike!

thanks for the "kyle" search function tip!

You're welcome. I'm not sure if it's new or I hadn't noticed it before, but I just discovered it the other day when I was looking at a review page - it's a great feature in the review section!

I found the website (it's very much in need of an editor to fix the spelling mistakes). Perhaps it's a new company - he mentions that he started working with Ken and Marylou 2 years ago.

Here's a link to Tripadvisor reviews for Marylou's tours. Using the search function for "Kyle" it sorted out the reviews where he is mentioned.

Spring (April/May) is a nice time to go - but rain is always possible - it's what makes the tropical vegetation in Hawaii so beautiful.:) However, there are dry and wet sides to each island, so unless it's an island wide weather system, you can usually find a sunny area. September and October are nice too - but if heat is an issue for you, I'd choose spring instead.

The whales are there in large numbers during January/February - they start to thin out in March and are gone by late April/early May.

Jzad - I think you might be on the cruise that starts when the OP's ends in Honolulu.

I'm not sure how long the customs and tendering will take, but usually private excursions allow flexibility if there's a delay - unless you are part of a tour that is taking other people who are already on Maui, and the tour operator has to stick to those times. If so, I think it would be optimistic to commit to an 8:45 tour - you might be lucky and make it, but maybe not.

Instead of the private tour or ship's tour, have you considered renting a car for the day and exploring on your own (if you're comfortable driving on the right?)

Agree with the suggestions above - except that the summit of Haleakala is at 10,000 ft. - and that could be a factor for the 85 yr. old (actually it can be a factor for anyone) - here's some detailed info from the park website: http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/safety.htm

I like Iao Valley for a short visit on a clear day - mornings are usually best, before the clouds move in. If you choose to skip Haleakala and go to Lahaina - suggest driving further (past Kapalua) as it's a very scenic drive that I'm sure everyone in your group would enjoy. You could drive as far as Nakalele blowhole - but be sure to return the way you came - i.e. you don't want to do the drive back on #340 to Kahului. Here's the route. Even if you go a short ways past Kapalua and not all the way to the blowhole, you'll be rewarded with great scenery.

Waimea Canyon is spectacular - so that would be my first choice too. Plus a stop in Poipu if anyone wants to swim.

Hilo - VNP, unless the volcanic gasses are likely to be a problem for anyone. http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/safety.htm

I would rent a car in Kailua Kona (you can get one right across from the pier at the Dollar agency in the King Kamehameha Marriott (book ahead). A drive up to the S. Kohala coast would be nice - and a stop at a beach. Lunch at the Beach Tree at the Four Seasons would be a highlight. Much more enjoyable than a day of wandering the town IMO.

Enjoy.:)

Welcome to Cruise Critic:)

Private tours are frequently discussed here - suggest scrolling through several pages of threads and read the ones that sound of interest - you'll get a lot of great information.

You might also want to consider renting cars in some ports - it's a very economical way to explore, and fun, as long as you have some plans worked out before getting there.

A guarantee of getting back to the ship on time isn't as critical in Hawaii as it is in Europe (although I'm sure that private tour operators make this a priority) - should you inadvertently miss the ship, the next island is only a half hour flight away (plus the $ to get there.)

Be sure to join your roll call to see what others on your cruise will be doing in port - some of them might be looking for others to join them in small group tours. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2225188

>>>>>What island are you writing about? <<<<

 

All four where the Ruby stops, Honolulu. Kauai, Hilo and Maui....

Maui has two ports - Kahului and Lahaina, on opposite sides of the island.

Suggest booking through Discount Hawaii Car Rental - http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/cruiseshipreservation.shtml

They are a broker for the major agencies in Hawaii (Avis, Budget, Alamo, etc.) - and are often recommended here. The location code and shuttle arrangements are listed for each port - just click on the port that you'll be at to see the relevant info. Then click on the 'brand' and it will take you to the rental agency's page, with the discount code included.

p.s. I just looked up the Ruby itinerary and I see that it's Lahaina on Maui. With an April cruise, I think the price will come down below $60-70 - if you book a cancellable reservation, you can rebook as prices drop closer to your cruise date.

Hi Karli - I hope you enjoy your day with Warren!

The bike shop mentioned is less than a mile from the pier, so you could walk to it - the route mentioned would be 6 miles south on one road, back on the same road - along the coast. I think there are bike lanes - but you can get a street view from google maps to check it out if you want.

Kailua Kona is currently in the category of 'moderate risk' for Dengue infection - so an alternative plan could be to get a rental car and drive north to the S. Kohala coast (beach area).

Enjoy!:)

If you've only flown over the volcano, then i would suggest driving to Volcanoes National Park and spend the day exploring there.

If that's not of interest - Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens is fantastic (it's on very scenic Onomea Bay - only a 15 minute drive from Hilo - and rather than a formal garden, it's more of a walk through a rain forest, with fascinating vegetation). Another 15 minutes beyond that is Akaka Falls, which is also a highlight.

Lovely photos of the 4 of you at the Feast at Lele!

It sounds like a busy two days on Maui! Looking forward to hearing about your Road to Hana day. :)

THANK YOU for mentioning Harper ... today we called them and booked a 4WD in Hilo (driving up Mauna Kea!!) and a car in Kona (sold out on other car hire websites!!).

 

Two happy campers here :D:D

Hopefully you've done some research about the road to the summit, potential for altitude sickness, and know to check very carefully when you pick up the vehicle from Harper's for existing damage. I've read reports from others who say that Harper's check the underside of the vehicle for damage when you return it (due to the condition of the road to the summit.) There are reviews on Yelp for them.

http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/visiting-mauna-kea/visiting-the-summit.html

Looks like a fabulous trip - and you've really made the most of the sightseeing opportunities in Hawaii! Your photos of Hawaii are a nice reminder of the places that we've spent time at during our land trips there over the past several years. We loved the Kauai Blue Hawaiian EcoStar tour as well ... and everything/everywhere else in Hawaii!

We were on Radiance in 2003 - nice reminders of it as well, but a very different looking ship now than then.

Thanks for sharing.:)

Agree about not driving to S. Maui (and rental car logistics) with only half a day. Sunset is early on Maui, which will reduce your beach/sightseeing time - so keeping the rental past about 7 doesn't give you the option of doing more sightseeing. The rental car locations are about a 4 mile shuttle or taxi ride from the pier.

However, I'd consider dropping the Whale Watch excursion (if your Lahaina day is on your Solstice cruise) - most of the whales have headed north by the end of April, and usually just some stragglers remaining. Plus, you'll have spent so much time on the water (5 sea days leading up to Lahaina?), you might not be that anxious to get off a cruise ship and head back out on the water (if it was during the height of whale season, then it would seem more worthwhile.) Instead, you could rent a car for the whole day and see some of the highlights in W. and/or S. Maui, with a beach stop or two.

With a rental for the day, you'd even have time to drive up to Haleakala summit to view the crater in the morning, and include time in S. or W. Maui in the afternoon.

Everyone rode their brakes (specialized for these downhill rides) going down! There was no choice -

 

I agree - you'd be out of control if you didn't. But an avid rider might not appreciate a group ride at a pace set by the leader to accommodate riders of all levels - and my point in that post was that he might prefer a ride that involved more actual biking.

He might like the challenge of biking up Haleakala, which we usually see some very fit people doing whenever we've driven to Haleakala summit.

I am myself not all that keen on going downhill on a bike (due to all the reasons you list), but my partner is a very good biker (riding daily) and would love to do something like that for sure.

As long as he's ok with 'braking down' instead of 'riding down':)