Anonymous wrote:If you are renting a car, you really do not need a tour to do the sunrise tour and you will have more flexibility if you do it on your own. If you like hiking at all, I highly recommend hiking down for a bit after sunrise, something you would not have time to do if you do a tour.

Agree with this, just make sure you get a reservation and drive up. Take your time to come back down (there are viewing points or places to hike) and plan for a nice breakfast afterward.

If you are renting a car, you really do not need a tour to do the sunrise tour and you will have more flexibility if you do it on your own. If you like hiking at all, I highly recommend hiking down for a bit after sunrise, something you would not have time to do if you do a tour.

Paia Fish Market has amazing fish tacos and sandwiches. Very causal

OP again. Just want to thank everyone who has shared their experiences and recommendations. They’ve been so incredibly helpful as I’ve nailed down our tentative agenda.

Sharing where we’ve landed on our planning—for 6 days/5nts, based in Kapalua—in case it’s helpful to anyone else who comes across this thread. Our resort has plenty of beach/snorkeling/other activities, so I’ve intentionally excluded those from the list below.

Dinners: Merrimans, Banyan Tree, Monkeypod Kapalua, Lineage

Excursions/Activities: Haleakala Sunrise w/ Valley Isle tour company; Trilogy Sunset Sail in Kaanapali; Old Lahaina Luau

Sunset Drinks: Alaloa Lounge, The Birdcage

Lunch: Mamas Fish House (building in time to explore Paia shops and beach)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So appreciative of all of the tips. We will definitely look at Haleakala sunrise instead of the Road to Hana. Helpful to hear the positive feedback on Merrimans + the mixed reviews on Morimotos, along with the other great recs. Thank you!

Sunrise works best if you do it on your first morning because you will already be up at 3am due to jet lag.

Just be sure to make a reservation for sunrise. NPS won’t let you in without one. https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Road to Hana was the worst experience of my life because I got sick over and over again, and there was no escaping it. If things like rides at Disney that go round and round make you nauseous, def skip!!

The ocean vodka farm and the goat farm next door are worth it. Keihe caffe and the beaches near there are fun.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So appreciative of all of the tips. We will definitely look at Haleakala sunrise instead of the Road to Hana. Helpful to hear the positive feedback on Merrimans + the mixed reviews on Morimotos, along with the other great recs. Thank you!

Sunrise works best if you do it on your first morning because you will already be up at 3am due to jet lag.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So appreciative of all of the tips. We will definitely look at Haleakala sunrise instead of the Road to Hana. Helpful to hear the positive feedback on Merrimans + the mixed reviews on Morimotos, along with the other great recs. Thank you!

I think it is worth it to do both. There are also tours if you want to see it but not do the physical driving

+ Mama’s for lunch; also Monkeypod great. Didn’t make it to Lineage when we were there just before the fire, but saw that recommended and heard it’s very good.

More casual, but the shaved ice at Vintage shaved ice is awesome. And if you happen to get groceries at Foodland, their poke is actually SO good and fresh.

I also loved Haleakala! Honestly, just go exploring. We drive all over Maui. It’s a paradise. Just hop in your car and go. Lots of cute towns and outposts. Make sure to eat malasadas, and watch the sea turtles at Ho'okipa - they’re the things that look like rocks on the sand.

OP here. So appreciative of all of the tips. We will definitely look at Haleakala sunrise instead of the Road to Hana. Helpful to hear the positive feedback on Merrimans + the mixed reviews on Morimotos, along with the other great recs. Thank you!

Lineage in Wailea is great (and takes reservations)

+1 for Trilogy snorkeling (we paid extra for snuba, which was worth it to us)

Mama’s is amazing and definitely worth it. I’ve only done lunch there and it’s always been phenomenal.

Merriman's is amazing. Reservations are released 60 days out at 6am HST and you will want to get on the day they are released if you are trying to get a sunset time.

We also enjoyed the Pour House in Kapalua. You'll also want to make a reservation.

Monkey Pod (owned by Merriman's) is also great - more casual.

We enjoyed our trip with Trilogy over to Lanai for snorkeling. I'm not sure where they go out of now (used to be Lahaina). But the snorkeling there is fantastic and they take you to a gorgeous beach.

Enjoy!!