Just got back... mini-trip report

We just spent a week in S. Kihei in a private residence on Kam 1 beach.

Beaches:

The first couple days we stayed close to home. Lots of people on either end of Kam 1, but not in the middle (which is where we were). Light surf, even in the wind and not really enough surf to boogie-board. Great snorkeling on either end of the beach! Lot%26#39;s of fish, eels and even a turtle just off Charley Young Beach! On day 3 we spent the afternoon at Makena Beach Park where the winds were breezy but tolerable. The water was a gorgeous turquois blue. Good breaking waves near shore for excellent boogie boarding. We had no interest in venturing over to ';Little Beach';. If you have to spend a full day here, stake out a place in the shade under the trees. But make sure you wear sandals due to tree thorns and the occasional bottle cap.

Food:

Moose McG%26#39;s (Kihei): decent bar food, slow service.

Fred%26#39;s Mexican: OK Mexican food. When they say ';spicey'; they mean it! Margarita%26#39;s are average. Service a bit slow, but acceptable.

Cafe O%26#39;Lei: Great food, great atmosphere, but a bit pricey. Macadamia crusted checken breast was wonderful! Dinner for four ran about $98 (without alcohol).

Da Kitchen Express: Great take-out at a fair price, but servings were not as large as years past.

PJ%26#39;s Chicago Pizza in Lahaina: (I think that%26#39;s the name). GREAT deep-dish pizza. Their 6'; lunch pizza (mine was Italian suasage %26amp; pepperoni) w/ salad was only $11.

Peggy Sue%26#39;s: OK, it%26#39;s not real great food, but for some old-fashioned 50%26#39;s diner fun, this palce is just fine. Burgers, salads and sandwiches.

Pita Paradise: GREAT pita sandwiches! Order at the counter and then sit in the covered patio.

Marine Life:

Still lots of whales, dolphins and turtles visible off shore. We even watched a few whale full breaches a mile or so off shore. VERY impressive. We could also hear the whale songs while snorkeling.

Weather: In S. Kihei we had sunny mornings and partly cloudy afternoons every day. Highs were low 80%26#39;s and the lows were upper 60%26#39;s. It was rather windy in the afternoons. On a couple days, the wind made staying on the beach intolerable. We had one afternoon of all clouds and a brief shower, but not enough to ever wet the pavement.

Shopping: Sorry... but none of us are real ';shoppers';. We bought groceries at Foodland in Kihei and some cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Co. in Lahaina, and thats it.

Overall Observations: The down economy is also affecting Maui. There were fewer crowds, lighter traffic and no waits at restaurants (except on Friday night). We also noticed fewer boats on the daily trek out to Molokini. We would normally see dozens of boats every morning in the parade to get there before the winds kicked in. Not so this year.

One negative aspect: S. Kihei Rd. seems to be turning into a ';cruising strip'; for the local teens after 6:00pm. On two occasions, a passing car yelled ';show your t*%s'; to my teenage daughter. Not cool.... If I only had a spike strip and a baseball bat....

Still.... a great trip with lots of sun, surf, and fun. I can%26#39;t wait to go back.

Just got back... mini-trip report

mm,

Thanks for the trip report. We are heading to Maui in three weeks and I was wondering how the crowds were. I also appreciate the restaurant reports.

Try to take comments about your daughter as a compliment! I know that would be hard to do. It sounds like overall a good trip so start your planning for the next one!!!

Just got back... mini-trip report

I would never take that as a compliment, either directed to my daughters or myself. That is disgusting and pathetic and objectifies women. A compliment is, ';You seem very smart/clever/kind/witty/funny/talented/beautiful to me';. What losers.

Hi,

Great to the point report. When were you there? We leave on Friday and I%26#39;d really like to see a whale:)

Thanks for taking the time to write your trip report - nice job!

It sounds like a good trip and I have to agree with your restaurant comments. Dinner for four for under a hundred is not bad. Next time I head to Da Kitchen I intend to ask for extra mac salad and less rice though.

Hmmmmm - sorry that your daughter got the %26#39;wolf pack%26#39; responses - we had some issues in December with teen on scooters cruising through the condo properties - just passing through fast enough to keep the security guy moving and not slow enough to catch them. Although I honestly have no idea if they were local or visitors.

Thanks for pointing out the need for shoes in Makena area. Those Keawe thorns can do a number on bare feet (or thinly clad bottoms).

mahalo

to Jade Victoria: We were there 4-11 to 4-18. From what the locals told us, the whales finish their migration in late April / early May so there is still a good chance you will see some whales. The best time is in the mornings when the seas are calmer. They rarely come real close to shore so bring some binoculars. The ones we saw were about 1/2 mile to a mile off shore. Even at that distance, it was still really cool!

You can also take a whale-watching trip. On previous trips we used Pacific Whale Foundation in Maalena, but there are a number of companies that offer tours. I think it was about $30 each for a 2-3 hour whale/turtle trip. Do the morning trips as afternoon winds tend to kick up the seas a bit.

MauiIllinois

Your comment was disgusting.

My point was to consider the source and go on. No need to bury me over it!!!!

How beautiful. I have never heard whale song in person! I hope I get to some day.

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed your report. Wow on the whale songs.

';Try to take comments about your daughter as a compliment! ';

Seriously?