NOTE - This blog post was initially published in 2019, prior to the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina. Lahaina is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and unfortunately most of the town was destroyed from the fires. Even months later, the town is still rebuilding. If you are able, please considering donating to support this wonderful community at https://www.mauinuistrong.info/resource-categories/donate-money
Just over a month ago, I returned home from the longest, most eventful trip of my life. I was very delirious (chalk it up to being majorly jet-lagged), but conscious of the fact I made countless memories in one of the most beautiful areas of this planet. My fiancé Tyler and I spent 10 days in Hawaii--4 days on the island of Oahu and 6 days on the island of Maui. This was our first ever trip just the two of us and it was so much fun! While we visited many of the state's beautiful beaches, we also hiked, snorkeled, surfed, and ate a ton of food to balance out the calories we burned. Whether you're a family member or friend interested in learning what we did on our trip or you are thinking of planning a trip to the Aloha State yourself, I have plenty of details about our stay! If you're not the type of person that likes to read paragraphs of information or if you have a short attention span (like me), not to worry! I have pictures with brief captions as well if you are more of the visual person. While a trip to Hawaii is one that takes careful planning, it is so worth it.
Day 1
Departing St. Louis --> Arriving in Honolulu
Tyler and I caught the early flight from St. Louis to Phoenix, and then from Phoenix to Honolulu. On our flight from Phoenix to Honolulu our aircraft was an Airbus. I had never rode on an airplane that big before, and it was enormous! When we finally landed and got to our hotel, it was already dark outside. However, that didn't stop us from going out and seeing the sights! We ate dinner at a local joint called Surf N Turf Tacos and then explored the Ala Moana Center.
Some of the Christmas lights in the Ala Moana Center
Our dinner at Surf N Turf Tacos!
Day 2
Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head (yes, it was a busy day)
On our first official day in Honolulu, we got up bright and early to catch the bus to Pearl Harbor. Pro-tip: Oahu has an outstanding public transportation system that takes passengers all over the island. An all-day bus pass for both of us was $11. $11 sure beat whatever ungodly amount we would have paid for a cab driver or Uber. Once we reached Pearl Harbor, we were ushered into a theater and watched a video on the history prior to the attack and then were boated around the USS Arizona Memorial. Unfortunately,we were unable to walk inside the Arizona because of renovations, but we were still able to see it on the outside. There was no cost for the short film or to view the USS Arizona, but there were other attractions that you could visit for additional charges.
After our visit to Pearl Harbor, we took the bus back to Waikiki and caught lunch at a restaurant called Duke's. After that, we hung out on the beach for a couple hours. Since we already had the bus passes, we made the decision to hike Diamond Head that evening. When we arrived at the gate entrance, we found out that the last hike was supposed to take place at 4:30 and it was already 5. Fortunately, the attendant let us through as long as we promised to be back down before 6:15. I had previously Googled how long it would take to climb up, and it was 30 minutes for a person in "good shape"...whatever that meant! Tyler set the pace (unfortunately for me) and I struggled to keep up. To put this in perspective, he is 6'5" and I am 5'5" and my legs are not at all as long as his. Despite me needing to take several breaks, we made it up to the top in 20 minutes! Even though I was out of breath and sweaty, I was awed by the beauty and view. We were tired when we got back, but that did not stop us from going out to eat at a popular Japanese restaurant called Sansei to try sushi. While I wasn't a fan of sushi, I absolutely loved their shrimp dynamite! Needles to say, by the end of the day we both crashed--I had logged 20,000 steps on my Fitbit!
Some of the views from Diamond Head
Cheers to trying new things! Or retrying old things...
Day 3
Beach Day
On this particular day, we dedicated almost all our hours to spending time at the beach. Whenever you are in Hawaii it is a must to take some time for yourself and relax. You may feel pressured to try and fit as many activities in a day as possible, but that can lead to feeling burned out and can prevent you from fully enjoying yourself. We started our day getting coffee at this very cute coffee shop, Olive and Oliver. I had weirdly stalked them on Instagram from the moment I found out we were going on this trip and was thrilled when we finally got to stop there. After that, we went to Duke's (again) but this time for their breakfast buffet. We spent the rest of our day on the beach and surprisingly only managed to get slightly burned. That night, we ate at Maui Brewing Company and it was delicious! The food and drinks were very good and I would recommend them to anyone that might be visiting the island.
My favorite burger on the whole trip from Maui Brewing Company!
Day 4
Honolulu--> Arriving in Maui
On our final morning in Honolulu, we visited Kona Coffee for a quick breakfast (another coffee shop--are you seeing a theme here?). After checking out of our hotel, we caught a cab to the airport. From the Honolulu airport, we flew into the city of Kahului. We immediately noticed the difference between Maui and Oahu as soon as we landed. Oahu--more specifically Honolulu--is much more commercial than the island of Maui. There were more people on Oahu--more citizens, more tourists, just more people in general. While it was beautiful there, it did not compare to Maui. When we arrived in Maui, we had some time to kill before we checked into our Airbnb so we got food from a local food truck called 808 Plates--it was good! I also got to fulfill one of my favorite hobbies--visiting Target. I am only partially joking, because I actually think visiting Target locations in other geographic areas is super interesting. Once we got a few groceries, we made our way to the Airbnb and stopped at a few lookout points along the way. We checked into our cozy Airbnb and then settled in and unpacked. Protip: If you are a recent college graduate or are looking to save money, I highly suggest using Airbnb as an option for lodging. Most of the time, the guesthouses or rooms have been reviewed by previous guests on the app and it is easier to stay within budget. Plus, you make connections with locals and they can give you extra tips! Most of the time these folks are more personable then resort employees would be. That night, we ate dinner at a newer restaurant called Surfside Woodfire Pizza. This was probably one of my favorite spots we ate at on the whole trip (at least in the top three). After this, we headed back to the Airbnb and went straight to bed--we had a big day ahead.
Sunset on Front Street--Downtown Lahaina
Day 5
Surfing Lessons & Old Lahaina Luau
The very next morning we prepared for our next excursion--surfing. This was an activity I booked through Airbnb based on some really good reviews. We arrived 30 minutes early and met with our surf instructor. They provided us with everything we would need--a surfboard, surf shoes, and a rash guard. We spent around 15-20 minutes doing some safety training and then we went out on the water. I went in with the expectation that I wasn't going to stand up until the very end and was pleasantly surprised. On only my second try, I stood up and rode the wave out all the way
into the shore. The waves were rougher than normal which made it way more fun! Tyler and I both stood up several more times and by the end of the lesson I was beat. Our surf lessons were private--just Tyler and I and the instructor. Initially I thought the lessons would be with more people, but either I purchased private lessons or there weren't as many people surfing that day. For anyone that ever wants to surf in Maui, I would highly recommend Hang Loose Surf Club in the town of Lahaina! This was probably one of my favorite activities on our entire trip. Protip: Don't eat a full breakfast before going surfing. I only had a granola bar before and was glad I did. You will be doing a ton of moving around and any large amount of food in your stomach probably won't settle well. After our surf lessons, we went to a restaurant called Cool Cats based on a recommendation from our surf instructor. At this point, we had worked up a pretty good appetite so we were ready for lunch. Cool Cats was a '50s style diner known for its burgers and shakes--we had both! After our lunch, we had some time to kill so we decided to check out some of the local produce. We went to a nearby supermarket to get a closer look. We sampled (and later bought) some pineapple salsa and were floored by the size of their avocados! We also bought some apple bananas, a fruit native to Hawaii. After this, we checked out another local fruit stand and bought some pineapple and starfruit. With not much time before the Old Lahaina Luau, we went home and cleaned up.
After doing some extensive research on TripAdvisor a couple months prior, I determined that the Old Lahaina Luau was one of the best on the island. Protip: If you are going to Hawaii, a luau is just a must. You don't have to attend one if you visit the island more than once, but it is one of those events that is rooted in deep cultural history. The Luau is all you can eat and all you can drink. I feel like no matter what, I am never good at taking advantage of buffet-style food, but I tried my best. In addition to the food, there are obviously dancers that perform and take you through the history of Polynesian culture.
Day 6
Punakea Palms Coconut Farm
The following day, we ate breakfast at a cute restaurant called Down the Hatch. This restaurant was another
recommendation from the guys out at Hang Loose Surf Club, who told us it was the best breakfast in Lahaina. They were definitely right! After breakfast, Tyler and I headed to Punakea Palms Coconut Farm and received a tour. We learned all about the anatomy of a coconut and how long it takes them to grow, develop, and mature. We were able to sample a couple different coconuts at different life cycles and made coconut milk!
The Coconut Farm was recommended on TripAdvisor and it did not disappoint. Following our tour, we went back to our Airbnb and changed into swimsuit gear. We went to visit Ka'anapali Beach a few miles away. Unfortunately the waves were too high for me to do much swimming, however that did not stop us from enjoying ourselves and soaking up the sun. Later that night, we visited a popular local spot, Kohola Brewery. I read about the brewery on another blog, saying it was a must-try if you were visiting the island. I had the brewery's delicious pineapple cider and we got food from a nearby food truck called Ono Tacos. Afterwards, we went and got gelato on Lahaina's historic Front Street and headed back.
Punakea Palms Coconut Milk!
While I may not have been able to swim much on Ka'anapali Beach, I snapped some great shots!
Day 7
Whale Watching & Leaving for Paia
We spent our last morning in Lahaina doing a sunrise whale watching tour with Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel. It was an absolutely stunning view and we caught some really cool whale sightings. One of our major deciding factors on taking this trip was to see the whales. Whale season in Maui typically goes from December-May, and peak season
is in February. Seeing a whale breach for the very first time is incredible. Seeing a whale on video or in a movie is completely different than seeing one in person. If you are ever in Maui during whale season, this activity is a must!
After our whale watch, we went to Down the Hatch for breakfast (again!) and got different breakfast items this time. At this point, we were on a pretty tight schedule since we wanted to check out of our Airbnb on time. Before we left Lahaina, I convinced Tyler to drop me off at the Maui Pineapple Store on Front Street so I could check it out. I had been eyeing it the whole time we were there, and could not leave Lahaina without going there.
After leaving Lahaina, we headed to our next stop on Maui--Paia. On our way there we took... an extended drive. Since we had some time to burn before we checked into our next Airbnb, we made the decision to go and see some of the scenic parts of Maui. We made a stop at the Nakalele Blowhole, which was recommended on a couple different websites we saw. After we saw this, we should have turned around if we had known better. Protip: If you are not a skilled driver, DO NOT drive Route 340 in Maui. You will give yourself a heart attack. The road is full of blind turns, no guardrails, and is practically one lane until you get close to Kahului. When we finally got checked in at our place in Paia, we immediately went to go get food. We went to Paia Fish Market and I got the dinner special with Mahi Mahi. I was so hungry when I ate, that I forgot to take a photo of my food! We waited in line for a long time before we were able to order, but as with most of the food we had so far it was well worth the wait.
Our delicious Down the Hatch breakfast
Day 8
Snorkeling at Molokini & Turtle Town
On this day we got up bright and early to go snorkeling. We were very tired from the day before, but thankfully I got to sleep in the car on the way to the harbor! I am very glad that Tyler was our driver for the trip because there were several instances where I fell asleep while he drove. When we got to the harbor, we signed our safety waivers and then made our way to the boat. They fed us breakfast when we first got on, which was very convenient. Our very first spot we stopped was the island of Molokini. The water was so clear and blue, but boy was it cold! We spotted many
schools of brightly colored fish and I saw a purple starfish. Just as I was starting to get comfortable with the water temperature, it was time to get back on the boat. After we got back on, we headed for Turtle Town. The water at Turtle Town was even colder than at Molokini, and looking for sea turtles was work! The very first one I saw was one that Tyler spotted. It was sleeping under a rock and was really hard to see. I didn't see another for a long time after that, but when I did there were several people gathered around. It was swimming pretty quickly the opposite direction and I took as many moments as I could to get a good look at it. Not too long after, Tyler called me over. The sea turtle that was sleeping before? He had woke up. It was the absolute cutest thing ever. He was still groggy from his nap and kept popping his head back up out of the water to get air. As he started to gradually swim away, Tyler and I gave him his space. Before we left, I saw one more sea turtle, just as we were getting called back onto the boat.
We ate lunch on our way back to the harbor and I snapped a few photos along the way. When we got back to the Airbnb we cleaned up and got ready for some late lunch/early dinner reservations at Mama's Fish House. While it is very pricey, I highly recommend going there if you can swing it. This was the most expensive meal we ate on our entire trip and we knew it was going to be. Tyler had their bouillabaisse and I had their signature stuffed fish with crab meat. It was sooo unbelievably good! We each got desert--Tyler a chocolate cheesecake and me a pineapple upside down cake. After we paid our bill, we took a few minutes to enjoy the gorgeous view! When we got back, we prepared to turn in as the next day was going to be our busiest yet.
Day 9
Mt. Haleakala Sunrise and the Road to Hana
On this particular day, I was extremely nervous. All of the previous travel blogs that I had read told me not to do the very exact thing we were about to do--see the sunrise at Mt. Haleakala and drive the Road to Hana on the same day. After much debating the night before, Tyler and I decided to keep our plans the same, as we knew this was our last full day on the island of Maui. We woke up at 4:00 am that morning and Tyler drove, while I slept (thanks dear!). Even with the government shutdown, there was still a park ranger waiting at the gate to let us in the park. Because of the shutdown though, we did not have to pay the $20 fee to enter since the visitor center and facilities were closed. By the time we got all the way up the mountain, it was only 5:30 am. We still had an hour and a half until sunrise. We slept a little longer in the car and then got out and walked up the stairs. There was some light that was starting to peak through the clouds but still no signs of sun just yet. Throughout our time in Hawaii, we were completely spoiled by the weather. Being used to 80 degrees at this point, we were freezing on top of Mt. Haleakala. As we stayed bundled up in our beach towels, I saw the first peak of the sun and shouted "there it is!" After that everyone started clapping and cheering. I had never truly watched a sunrise before and it is crazy to see how fast the sun actually rises. We only stayed for a few minutes after the sunrise before we headed back down the mountain. After all, we had the Road to Hana to drive!
Of course we had enough time to grab breakfast at another cute coffee shop at the bottom of the mountain in the town of Makawao. Since Tyler and I stuck out like a sore thumb as out-of-towners, one of the locals asked us where we were visiting from and that sparked a whole conversation. Pro-tip: Talk with your cab drivers, servers, and all the locals you can. They will give you so much advice and plus it is so much fun to meet new people!
After our stop at the coffee shop, we made our way for the Road to Hana. Pro-tip: It is impossible to stop everywhere on your way to Hana. Carefully prioritize what you want to do beforehand. Below are all the stops we made on our way. Surprisingly, we managed to fit everything we wanted to in one day! In the end, it worked out.
Stop #1 - Twin Falls - MM 2
Stop #2 - Huelo Lookout - MM 4.5
Stop #3 - Waikomoi Ridge Trail and Overlook - MM 9 - NEVER AGAIN
On our venture to Hana, this was the only place we wished we HADN'T stopped. It was extremely muddy, and by the time we got back to the trail our shoes were destroyed. We did get this cute shot though!
Stop #4 - Keane Peninsula - MM 17
Stop #5 - Halfway to Hana Snack Shop - MM 17.3
Stopping to get banana bread is a must!
Stop #6 - Wailua Lookout - MM 18
Stop #7 - Upper Waikana Falls - MM 19
Stop #8 - Pua'a Ka'a Park Waterfall - MM 22.5
Stop #9 - Wainapanapa Black Sand Beach - MM 32.2
Stop #10 - Red Sand Beach - MM 34
Day 10
Back to Oahu
Our last day in Maui was bittersweet. We went back to Baby Beach and watched the waves for awhile before we headed to the airport.
When we landed in Honolulu, first we went to go pick up our rental vehicle. We had made the decision that for our last day on the island, we would rent a car and drive up to the North Shore. When we went to go pick up the car, I hung back while Tyler went to the counter. I could tell that it was taking longer than it should have, and was trying to rack my brain why. When Tyler came back up to me, he informed me that he had booked the car for the wrong day--the next day to be exact, a.k.a the day we were leaving. Luckily, we were still able to get in a vehicle and we were actually upgraded! We got to drive an Acura TLX which was super sweet. As we left the parking lot, the attendant gave us a list of Oahu's top five restaurants, lookout points, attractions, and beaches. On the list for one of the top five restaurants was the Rainbow Drive-In. Even though it was a bit of a trek, we decided to make the drive. If you are looking to have a cheap dinner that is still really good while visiting Hawaii, this is the place to go. While they are known for their plate lunches, Tyler and I had burgers and chili fries (still very tasty). For our very last stop of the evening, we went to Nu'uana Pali Lookout for a mere five minutes. Because neither of us wanted to pay for parking (plus it was getting dark) we sprinted to the lookout, snapped a couple photos, and ran back to the car.
Nu'uana Pali Lookout was a stunning view!
Day 11
Making the Most of Our Last Day
On our very last day, we got up at 7:30 am, packed, and left our Airbnb. There were a couple different places we wanted to try for breakfast that morning and so we did. There was this cool cafe called Arvo that I really wanted to try, so we stopped there first. Initially the plan was just to go there and get coffee, but as I walked up to the window I saw someone's Nutella toast that they had ordered. Now that I had already seen it, I had to try it. After that, we made our way to Leonard's Bakery and ordered a 6-pack of their famous malsadas. If you have never had a malsada, it is basically dough that is fried and coated in cinnamon and sugar and filled with some kind of cream. While I am sure there are a billion grams of fat and calories in just one, I did not care at the time!
On our way up to the North Shore, we jammed out to music with our windows down and let it sink in that this was our last road trip in Hawaii. We were both sad, but knew we needed to enjoy the time we had remaining. When we got to the North Shore. We took about an hour to watch some of the surfers ride the waves. They were definitely all pros! There were many people at the beach and warning signs were posted everywhere telling people not to go in the water because the waves were so high. It was relaxing just to watch the waves come crashing in and see the surfers try to ride into shore.
We drove around a little more before we turned around and got our final meal on the island--at Pupukea Grill Food Truck. After that we headed back to Enterprise to turn our car in.
Before we turned our car in, we made the decision to stop at a local McDonald's and change clothes. First, Tyler went in while I watched our car and belongings. When he came back, I went in to change. Because I felt guilty for using their bathroom, I decided to buy a drink. I went up to the counter and ordered a large sweet tea. In response the worker said "I'm so sorry ma'am, but we don't carry that over here." He immediately saw the look on my face and then quickly replied with "I have had it before though and it is very good!" Much to my dismay, I ordered a large Coke and went on my way. Even though we were heading back home and it was cold there, this was my silver lining!
As our plane took off down the runway, the sun was setting across the island. I was sad that it was our last day, but it was time for us to leave. I missed my friends and family and was definitely running low on money! Even though our time in Hawaii was fleeting, we gained so many valuable moments that I know I will remember forever.
If you have made it to the very end here, thank you so much for reading. If you are planning a trip to Hawaii in the future, please reach out and let me know if you have any questions. I am more than happy to help!
Below I have included some additional tips:
1. Start your days early! During our time in Hawaii (especially on Oahu) I felt like most people began their daily activities at around 10 am. The earlier you can beat the crowds, the better!
2. Plan your day around 1-2 bigger activities. If you spend your whole day trying to cram four or five different things in, you won't enjoy your stay. Accept and come to terms with the fact that you won't be able to do everything and spend your time enjoying what you can do.
3. Carefully research your trip, BUT at the end of the day don't take what other people online say too seriously. Do your own thing and make it work for you! I ended up freaking myself out on the day we did Mt. Haleakala and the Road to Hana and it ended up working just fine. Enjoy your stay!
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