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!

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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!

Here is how I would structure a five day trip to Maui!

Day 0	Arrive in Maui
Day 1	Papawai Scenic lookout Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop Ululani’s Shaved Ice Beach time Dinner at Mama’s Fishhouse
Day 2	Sunrise Haleakala Summit Hiking at Haleakala Kihei Cafe Maui Brewing Beach time
Day 3	Molokini snorkel excursion
Day 4	Road to Hana – Camp at Wai’anapanapa
Day 5	Depart

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.

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
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