We are a family of 3; mom (K, me) dad (J) and the kid (R, barely a kid at 17). We are Hawaii junkies. I think we have been to the islands about 20 times and this will be our 6th on Maui. Molokai will be a new one for us.
We are splitting the trip in 3 parts. First 7 days in North Kihei, 3 days on Molokai, and 4 days in Honokawai.
We got here on Hawaiian Airlines (via AA miles) from San Jose. I hadn't flown with them in a while and it was quite nice. Big fat plane, free food, and Aloha spirit was a great start to our trip! J found some friends from his ukulele class and they ended sitting right by him. It's funny how we often run into people also going to the islands.
The first thing I always do when I get off the plane is to scoop up a pile of brochures and magazines. The guys humor me! Then off to get a car. I'm a chronic rental car price checker. It's fun to get a better deal even if it's only 5 bucks. Costco is my go to provider. I try other outlets but Costco always beats it with the free second driver (a must for us).
Alamo had NO line! I had checked in online but it wouldn't allow me to be added. Tried to get it done with a call but no go. Whatever (I've picked that up from the kid.) We got our papers and went to find a mid size car of our liking. They only had one so we were about to get it when we realized it was somebody's car! So we got upgraded to a red Hyundai Sonata. It had great AC which is what I needed at the time!
As we drive along it's fun to see what's changed since my last trip. New buildings as to be expected but things don't change so much really. I like the familiarity. Maui is starting is sink in.
On the way to the condo we stopped at the Kihei Farmers Market for some fruit and pineapple salsa and chips. Then from Sugar Beach Bakery a couple of small pies. Finally to the condo.
Our home for the week is Village by the Sea (aka Kauhale Makai). VRBO 205009 2 bed, 2 bath, ocean front, good wifi. Fancy it ain't but it's clean, and comfy. I especially like the price.
I'd rather spend on other things. Being in North Kihei is a first for us but I like the quiet and easy access to the rest of the island. The AC felt good.
I'd rather spend on other things. Being in North Kihei is a first for us but I like the quiet and easy access to the rest of the island. The AC felt good.
We ate a bit - not too much so we can have dinner closer to local time. Helps with jet lag.
Everyone got on their iPads/Laptop (hey, we're techies). I finally rounded up the guys demanding them to get me to a beach! It was 1ish with a the trades in full blow so I wasn't expecting a great snorkel.
We went to Ulua and it was doable. It was a light chop and not the clearest water but I managed to find a couple of my Humuhumunukunukuapa'a friends along with some other fish. There were a ton of goat fish hanging out in one area that I'm guessing were chilling
from the waves. We didn't stay too long since it was the first day and who wants to be tourist red! Especially because I forgot to bring my rashie....J has an extra I can use next time.
At this point the condo AC wasn't so nice anymore so we let the trades do their thing. It was wonderful! I hit up Foodland for some basics but after that I was ready to crash but that won't help with jet lag. So I sat down with my brochures and magazines pulling out a few
coupons. Love those Hilo Hattie mugs!
Ok, it's dinner time at last. We went to one of our faves, Pita Paradise. We went to the one at Kalama Village. The food was great (lamb kabobs for me, fish kabobs for J and butterfish pita for R). The best was Wailua Wheat beer. For some reason Kona Brewing isn't selling it in the mainland this year. Arrggghhhh! The flies were almost as annoying as that.
We walked around the little shops. There were quite a few empties but still plenty worth to go again without the guys. We stopped in at 808 and got a shirt for the kid and one for me (2nd one was $10).
We'll have to come back to Pita Paradise for the ice cream baklava later because we had some pies to eat back at the condo. Coconut cream and Lilikoi. Most excellent. A good way to end our first day. Almost forgot to look at the sunset but there were a lot of clouds on the horizon.
Til next time! Kim
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