Vacationing in Maui - ideas?

[akwifeandmomma]

Next month. It will be our second trip to Maui, we went the same time last year. We're looking forward to doing some off-the-beaten-path, less touristy things - skipping the pineapple train (oy! those seats are HARD), probably not going to do any luaus or go to the aquarium unless it's rainy...

I thought I'd ask the mamas here if you can think of anything interesting and fun for a family of five? Great beaches? Play areas? We liked Baby Beach in Lahaina a LOT... Our kids are almost 7, 4, and 2. We love to drive and the littles are fairly happy passengers, so we're fine with driving pretty much anywhere on the island. We'll be staying in the Lahaina/Kaanapali area, fwiw.

We're planning a trip up to the Lavender farm/Kula, and I fell in love with Paia (sp) so we plan to spend at least a day or two there. We'll go to Kihei and I really like the shops at Wailea so I'm sure we'll go there, too...

Anyway. Any thoughts you have would be welcomed!

[kuhlmom]

Subbing... I'm interested in finding out the same thing! I'm going to be vacationing in Maui next month also with my family of 5 (kids 7, 5, 3) and would love to hear about some family friendly, not too touristy things do to/places to go.

[Maluhia]

FYI I think we only have a few MDC Maui Mamas, hope they log on before your trip

[MangoMommy]

We just got back from Maui late Thursday night. We've been before, so we had already done Road to Hana and hiked the waterfalls, did a drive around the west part of the island, went to Iao' Needle, etc.

This time we just hung out at the beach by our hotel and only went to Lahaina to walk around once. We stayed in Wailea so we just went to the beach there. We ate quite a bit in Kihei, at Maui Tacos, Shaka Pizza, Sansai sushi and Fred's.

There is a lavender farm and winery on the volcano, plus the volcano itself.

I'd suggest Maui Revealed as a good tour book with lots of off the beaten path type fun stuff!! (hikes,etc)

[MangoMommy]

Wanted to add there are some petroglyphs you can hike/walk to, we passed where they were on the way to Lahaina (from the airport, not from Ka'anapali direction) but we didn't stop. Kids might like that.

[RavenDB]

maui ocean center is fabulous for kidos! its nice and ac'd too, when you need a break from the hot hot heat of the sun. kalama park is nice too ( in kihei)