Maui from LA and what to do?

[PLANT]

Hi all,

Whats do I need to know about getting there from LA in May 2014.
Which airline do you recommend?
Where to stay?
What actually to do once there?

Cove what makes it worthwhile?

 

[PLANT]

Anyone please

 

[robd]

Hi all,

Whats do I need to know about getting there from LA in May 2014.
Which airline do you recommend?
Where to stay?
What actually to do once there?

Cove what makes it worthwhile?

Which FF program are you with or doesn't that matter on the is occasion?

 

[Meggsy]

Hi all,

Whats do I need to know about getting there from LA in May 2014.
Which airline do you recommend?
Where to stay?
What actually to do once there?

Cove what makes it worthwhile?

Most of the major US airlines fly direct to Kahului from LAX although in the past when I have looked it has often been cheaper to connect through Honolulu. In my experience Hawaiian Airlines would be the best option for aircraft type and frequency but YMMV.
There are multiple options to stay and really comes down to budget. There are some good budget options at Kihei on the beachfront and you are reasonably central to most things. A little further south is Wailea-Makena which is very nice, more modern and more expensive. Some great restaurants, golf courses and shopping in this area. The main resort area is on the western side of the island at Kaanapali and Kapalua which has accommodation to suit most budgets and some very nice beaches, though they get quite crowded in busy times. You can also fly into Kapalua airport but this will be on a dash 8 or similar aircraft.
There is lots to do on Maui, particularly if you have a vehicle. The drive to Hana is quite nice with many great natural attractions on the way. A drive up Haleakala is a must on a nice day.
If diving is your thing then there are many charter boats that head out to Molokini for day trips (highly recommended), wandering the streets and markets of Laihana town is a nice way to spend a day. A friend just returned from Maui and he did a mountain bike descent from the top of Haleakala and raved about it. There are also heaps of options for day sails, fishing charters, etc.
Last time there we stayed in the Marriot at Wailea. Hired a car on arrival at Kahului and self drove the whole trip. It is a very easy place to self drive and navigate.
Enjoy Maui. I certainly do.

 

[PLANT]

So should I fly to Honolulu and then hop islands to Maui then Big Island then LA?
How long on each island?
Is better to book flights after ITA search online or thru travel agent?

 

[Meggsy]

So should I fly to Honolulu and then hop islands to Maui then Big Island then LA?
How long on each island?
Is better to book flights after ITA search online or thru travel agent?

Flying to Honolulu then Island hopping will definitely be more flexible due to frequency but if you also want to do the Big Island and if you have no reason to be in Honolulu, then I would probably fly LAX to Kona (KOA), then fly from Hilo (ITO) to Kahului (OGG), followed by OGG to LAX. Just did a quick multi city search using HNL as an entry point and it worked out a little more expensive than that suggested above (about US$300 more)
How long on each island is a bit hard to answer but if it's your first time I would suggest at least 4-5 days on each.
Certainly have a look on ITA but all of these are available on line.

 

[PLANT]

Hi Meggsy,

So from the above don't go to Honolulu but have to get a flight via it, to get to KOA straight up?
So 2hrs lay over in Honolulu before off to KOA?
5 days on both MAUI and Big island?
Then back to LA from Big Island?

What do recommend for Cheap (I need a bed/shower and WIFI) accommodation on both?
Car hire on both recommendation? Link or place...what do you tick on form CDW insurance...have hired in LA before via Alamo and National.
Finally do you have a suggested itinerary on both islands...if you were doing both for the first time...clockwise or counter clockwise?
Can see whole island in a day or split in to sections?

I basically go and explore places I visit more than sit and read a book and pass the time.

 

[Meggsy]

Hi Meggsy,

So from the above don't go to Honolulu but have to get a flight via it, to get to KOA straight up?
So 2hrs lay over in Honolulu before off to KOA?
5 days on both MAUI and Big island?
Then back to LA from Big Island?

What do recommend for Cheap (I need a bed/shower and WIFI) accommodation on both?
Car hire on both recommendation? Link or place...what do you tick on form CDW insurance...have hired in LA before via Alamo and National.
Finally do you have a suggested itinerary on both islands...if you were doing both for the first time...clockwise or counter clockwise?
Can see whole island in a day or split in to sections?

I basically go and explore places I visit more than sit and read a book and pass the time.

You can fly direct from LAX to KOA but the flights are limited. I suggest you look at connecting through HNL as it may be more suitable time wise. There are many options flying LAX-HNL and virtually hourly flights from there out to the other islands. Just check the schedules as the direct flights may suit you better and you can remove HNL altogether if you have no reason or desire to go there.
5 days on each island would be great. I don't have any recommendations for the accommodation you suggested but expedia, trip advisor etc should fill you in from that perspective. Personal choice only but I would stay in the Kihei area on Maui if you have a rental car as it is fairly central to most things to do/see. You could drive both islands in a single day but you will be pushed to do so and wont see much if you do. I would probably do something like stay at Kona for the first couple of nights and explore the west coast, drive to Hilo via the south coast and check out the volcanoes on the way. A couple of nights in Hilo doing the east coast and then either head back to Kona via the north coast or fly from Hilo to Maui.
Maui is actually qood to treat like 2 seperate islands and navigate around both on seperate days. If staying centrally on the island you can do the Hana highway along the N/E coast and travel clockwise along the south and back. Then on another day do a trip out to Lahaina, Kaanapali along the west coast and come back through the N/W coast into Kahului.
There are plenty of car rental options, however I find the most hassle free way is to use a consolidator that has fully inclusive rates. I always use a company called carrental8 and have never had any issues both in Hawaii and the mainland USA. I believe a car is essential on both islands if you want to get out and explore.

 

[PLANT]

Thanks for the update meggsy
I'm thinking this could be my last trip to the States and wondering if I should check out Honolulu?
I was just planning to go to Omaha and then to Hawaii big Island and Maui as suggested by Cove....is Honolulu worth visiting?
I have a week up my sleeve and have not booked anything yet...trying to work out LAX return flight date....should I go to Honolulu before LAX for a few days?
Is this too much time in Miami...thinking hire car to Keys and North of Miami?

But now I'm thinking of checking out Miami before going to Hawaii as per this:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-questions/home-la-omaha-miami-big-58651.html

Hi all,

Looking at following dates and times at places for FIRST time:

29th April- 5th May Home to LAX to Omaha

5th May - 10th May Miami

10th May - 14th May Big Island

14th May - 18th May Maui

18th May LAX

19th Home

After Omaha.....Do you think I have given myself enough time in each place as single traveller?

 

[Meggsy]

Honolulu is a place you either really like or totally dislike. Forunately, I am in the first category and I always spend a few days there when in Hawaii. Not specifically for Honolulu or Waikiki but I just like Oahu as a whole. If you have never been there I would recommend you go. There is a lot of history to see and I enjoy getting away up to Haleiwa and the north coast and exploring some of the old surfing towns. It is a very easy day trip to drive around the island.
Can't help with Miami question sorry as I have only ever transited the city, never stayed there.

 

[PLANT]

Would you see Honolulu at the start of Hawaii trip or the end?

 

[Meggsy]

Would you see Honolulu at the start of Hawaii trip or the end?

I would base that entirely on suitability of flights and what works best with your plans. I stop there at the start of my trips as it gives me a chance to get over the flight from Australia before I head out to the other islands.

 

[PLANT]

Well I can either go there from LA or before returning to LA?
So would it be better to make it last before returning to LA ie. Big Island, Maui and then Honolulu....or fly back to LA after Maui?

 

[Meggsy]

Well I can either go there from LA or before returning to LA?
So would it be better to make it last before returning to LA ie. Big Island, Maui and then Honolulu....or fly back to LA after Maui?

If you choose to fly OGG-LAX direct you will only have 1 option which is a late afternoon flight with HA and gets into LAX shortly before midnight. Flying HNL-LAX you will have multiple options all day. I would fly to HNL to start the trip and maximise my time there and fly home direct from OGG. By doing it this way you can get an early flight to HNL and not lose too much daylight on your first day, then get a short early flight over to the big island as suits.

 

[PLANT]

Only issue is that as per itinerary I was planning on coming from Miami(not booked) so Miami--->Las Vegas---->Honolulu in a day......
I do realise that OGG-LAX arrives just before midnight which would mean a sleep over there b4 LAX to Australia.
Thinking to leave HNL to last stop then can get an earlier flight to LAX and then flight home out of LAX that night?
How many night in HNL 3 or 4?????

29th April- 5th May Home to LAX to Omaha

5th May - 10th May Miami

10th May - 14th May Big Island

14th May - 18th May Maui

18th May - 22nd??? HNL

22nd LAX- Home to Australia

 

[Meggsy]

If time and budget allows then I would stay 4 nights in Honolulu. Yes the option of an earlier flight to LAX for a same day connection back to Australia makes sense.