I’m with the Wailea/S. Maui folks over Kaanapali/Kapalua. It’s just so much easier to get to other parts of Maui from S Maui and you don’t go past Lahaina (& traffic). Plus it’s fire season so if there’s a fire you’re stuck out there. All that said, for your kind of trip I’d rent a house on the beach so you can REALLY have some privacy, have easy access to paddle boards and other water toys and have the space to enjoy time with your family. And do some day trips - Haleakala, 1 day to drive around W Maui w stops at Kaanapali, Honolua Bay, Nakalele and also do some hikes, 13 crossings that ends at a swimmable waterfall, Waihee Ridge, part of the Kings trail from Makena. But I’d also skip the drive to Hana, unless you can stay overnight. If you do some of these other activities you’ll see similar thins but without an entire day in the car. Enjoy!

Pod seats in first on United, you can pick up that aircraft at ORD or DEN or IAH. Dallas has a nonstop to Honolulu with the pod seats. That leaves one time a week you can connect on Hawaiian Airlines to Maui that is a 35 minute flight. Stay in a condo with five people, it will be nice to have a kitchen. Do you surf lessons, ride ATVs, do zip line, snorkel and explore the island.

Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island is the best. I’d do the big island over Maui. I’d stay 2-3 nights at the volcano, then a week at the Four Seasons.

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to Hawaii. Overpriced and over hyped.

This can be said for most trendy vacation spots. We think Hawaii, especially Maui, is well worth it.

We actually prefer to stay in the Kaanapali area. We love the beaches and proximity to other areas to explore. Wailea is gorgeous but we find Kaanapali to be a bit more laid back.

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to Hawaii. Overpriced and over hyped.

I mean, Hawaii is these things, but go at least once.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to those who gave me the info about the "nicer" 1st class seats - that is what I want in the red eye back!
Yes, this August. We are idiots and do everything last minute.

We are planning a trip to HNL leaving this Friday. Decided last night. You can get into any of the restaurants listed if you go right at 5 pm.

You are not idiots. This forum is full of type A planners with the year out travel calendars. Enjoy life! Take a flight today! Go for it! If your work life allows it…. Be spontaneous!

Stay in Wailea. I think teens would have fun there. Either Four Seasons or Grand Wailea.

I wouldn't recommend the Road to Hana. It's long, windy (3+ hours one way) and no food or services along the way. If you plan ahead and bring food/drinks, etc you might be OK but even in Hana, there's not a lot.

Beautiful? Yes.

My husband nicknamed it the Road to Divorce after our round trip. There was a random banana bread stand about 3/4 of the way there and he was so hungry I think he bought everything she had left.

Anonymous wrote:We liked the Montage.

We booked a semi-private small plane to take us to the big island to see the volcanos since the kids wanted to see them. There is a small airport up near Kapalua. It was a little windy though so be warned. Lahaina is still in shambles.

I love the Montage. But I think teens would be bored. It is super nice to walk over to Merriman’s.