April 2020
Rough Draft: Maui, Hawaii
While it was not on our radar for 2020 travels, when we were invited to a friend’s destination wedding, we could not think of a better reason to make it out to Hawaii! As I learned more about the island of Maui, the more excited I got that we had this opportunity to visit.
Today was supposed to be our first day in Maui. And this thing happened called COVID-19. We already had to cancel our trip to Vietnam that was scheduled for March 2020 – our big two week trip of the year. And it ended up being the absolute right decision given the spread and progression of the virus. That being said, I at least was hopeful that our domestic trips later in the year could be saved. No so my friends! The US had every advantage to get ahead of the spread yet here we are, escalating quicker than China. Ok, rant is over. When we got this message from the airline, we knew it was game over.
Fortunately we got an airline credit – not ideal but better than losing all the money. Still waiting to hear back from Airbnb about getting a full refund, and our car rental through Turo was fully refunded. I feel so bad for the couple that had to cancel their wedding – I cannot imagine!
Since I have the leg work of an extra long weekend planned, I can at least share with you for whenever regular travel plans can resume. This itinerary is easy to extend by visiting some of the other Hawaiian islands (*Aulani*) or even California as well, which we may do since all the travel plans for 2020 have been wiped clean until further notice. Who knows, we may just continue flying onto New Zealand and stay for awhile… Anyway, enjoy daydreaming with me!
Thank you to my brother for photos of Maui!
| Activity | Food | ||
| Day 1 | Morning | Flight to Maui | |
| Afternoon | Pick up Car
Drive to Paia |
Mama’s Fishhouse | |
| Evening | Check into Airbnb
Explore Kihei Papawai Scenic lookout |
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Ululani’s Shaved Ice |
|
| Day 2 | Morning | Sunrise Haleakala Summit
Nap on a beach |
Kihei Cafe |
| Afternoon | Maui Brewing | ||
| Evening |
Wedding! |
||
| Day 3 | Morning | Molokini snorkel excursion | |
| Afternoon | |||
| Evening | Beaches | ||
| Day 4 | Morning | Road to Hana (See below!) | |
| Afternoon | |||
| Evening | Camp at Wai’anapanapa | ||
| Day 5 | Morning | ||
| Afternoon | |||
| Evening | Flight Home | ||
I had the following beaches tagged for the various beach times throughout the trip:
Kaanapali Beach
Kamaole Beach Park
Keawakapu Beach
Makena Beach
Palauea beach
And no trip to Maui would be complete without the journey of the Road to Hana! There is so much to do that I was determined to spend two days of the trip dedicated to a leisurely exploration of everything the Road to Hana has to offer.
Road to Hana Itinerary
Day 1
Paia
Ho’okipa Beach
Twin Falls
Food Stop: Huelo Look Out
Rainbow Eucalyptus trees
Waikamoi Waterfalls
Food Stop: Ka Haku Smoke Shack
Garden of Eden Arboretum
Honomanu Bay
Food Stop: Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
Keanae Pennisula Lookout
Food Stop: Half Way to Hana
Upper Waikani Falls
Food Stop: Nahiku Market Place
Waiʻānapanapa Campground
End of Day 1
Day 2
Hana
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
Food Stop: Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill
Waioka Pond
Wailua Falls
Kipahulu
Pipiwai Trail
Waimoku Falls
Kuloa Point Trail
‘Phe’o Gulch
Drive Back to Airport
If you have been to Maui, let me know what I missed and what your favorites are!
Don’t forget to check out all DESKRIB itineraries here!
