What are romantic things to do in Maui?

What are some great places to go and things to see in both Maui and the Big Island?

• My husband and I are going on vacation for a week in March (4 nights in Maui, and 3 nights on the Big island). We are renting a car for the whole trip and I was wondering what are some things we just cannot miss. Where are some good places to shop, good scenic places, places to eat. Basically anything you would recommend that would be great!! Thanks.

• Answer:

  Aloha! I am more familiar with Hawai'i Island as I live here but will try to be fair... ;) I would rent a jeep rather than a car as many things are easier to access with 4WD; not necessary just preferable though I realize it does limit luggage. One thing I first suggest is that you get the books "Maui Revealed" and "Hawaii- the Big Island Revealed" by Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman; they are the ultimate guide series to the islands. You should be able to find them at Amazon.com or Half.com. You can get them here at Costco or Wal-Mart or Longs Drug but really should 'em have BEFORE you come, to plan dream and drool over! OK here goes - On Maui - 1) Road to Hana and be sure to stop @ Ohe'o gulch and visit the 7 sacred pools. Go with a full tank of gas. Be aware that not all rental companies want you taking their vehicles on this road...read your contract. (To me it's more nauseatingly winding than rough, remember to watch the road and not the scenery, we want folks to come back, not leave in a body bag!) 2) Bike ride down from the top of Haleakala (unless they have discontinued it, there was talk of doing so, due to a recent accident?) 3) Maui Ocean Center (in Lahaina) 4) Old Lahaina Luau - best in the state. Period. 5) Tour a sugar or pineapple plantation 6) 'Iao Needle and there is a nearby cultural center whose name escapes me at the moment... 7) Whale watching tour on a Pacific Whale Foundation research boat On Hawai'i Island - 1) Snorkel at Kahalu'u beach park - turtle sightings guaranteed! 2) Drop into Waipio Valley (4WD) 3) Go to the top of Mauna Kea, tallest mountain on earth if you count the part below sea level (also 4WD) - there's observatories up there; some open to the public 4) Visit Parker Ranch - largest privately owned cattle ranch in the world 5) Visit the black sand and green sand beaches 6) Just north of green sand, near south point, you can jump off the cliffs or into the "toilet bowl" - there's a ladder to climb back up. Something everybody's GOT to do at least once. Water is deep and there's not much currrent here; good thing or we'd all end up in Australia. 7) Hilo side - hike to Akaka Falls 8) Manta Ray night dive (scuba or snorkel; scuba is best) 9) Tour a coffee, mac nut, or orchid farm 10) Visit the city of refuge (Pu'uohonua o Honaunau) this is a national park area as are Kilauea and Haleakala so get a park pass that allows entrance to all 3. 11) Just north of City of Refuge is two-step beach; also excellent snorkeling 12) Kealakekua Bay - dolphins, excellent snorkeling, Captain Cook Monument; a kayak tour is a great way to visit this area. http://www.oceansafariskayaks.com/index.... 13) Visit our live volcano, Kiluaea, at Volcanoes National Park - When visiting the flow, best to go shortly before sunset. Wear hiking boots or sneakers, take a flashlight, and bottled water. It is a 60-90 minute hike over the flows from where you park (mostly pahoehoe - think LARGE cowpies - but still uneven footing) I have seen visitors starting out as I was leaving (just getting back to pavement, at 10-11 pm) wearing flip-flops and carrying slumbering children; somehow I doubt they made it to the viewing area...) It really is a must-see, so don't set yourself up for failure! For grinds - try Kona Brew Pub in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island; or Killer Tacos - it's a little hard to find, in old industrial area, down Kaiwi and left at the first street; between a transmission shop and a laundromat, looks like a hole in the wall but the longboard burritos made with pulled pork are ono. For souveneirs on the BI, there's a great Farmer's Market just south of the library, on Ali'i Drive in Kailua-Kona. Free hula show Friday nights at the shopping center in Keauhou, though they do pass the gourd. Maui has a great swap meet on Saturdays. ABC stores are everywhere here - think it stands for All Blocks Covered - great for calendars, chocolate covered mac nuts, ti plants you can grow back home, etc.