Sunday, September 5, 2021

Maui 2021

 In December, my Aunt Lael texted me to say that they could extend their Alaska air friends and family discount for a few days only.  They had the code as my Uncle is on the board of Alaska.  We decided to bite the bullet and book tickets to Hawaii for the family.  At that time, the COVID vaccine was becoming available and we were hopeful that at least Sean and I could be vaccinated in time for our trip.  We debated about when to go and decided on at the end of June to give us more time to get vaccinated and then the kids wouldn't miss any school.  We were looking for tickets and found the most affordable to be Monday to Monday which was nice we could have a weekend to pack and we were flying back the day after 4th of July which was a holiday so we didn't need to use an extra vacation day.  We booked our flight and rental car (which I was so happy I did as the rates got super high).  

We then figured out our lodging situation and decided on staying at a condo as food gets very speedy in Hawaii and we figured we could at least make our breakfast and lunch this way.  We decided on a fun small condo resort called Hale Pau Hana that was right on a beautiful sunny beach in Kihei (which is considered the south side of Maui).  We liked Kihei as our friends had stayed there and it was more low key and less crowded and more centrally located.  We liked the resort as it had beautiful views of the ocean and a nice pool by the ocean.  It also got great reviews on TripAdvisor.  

Due to COVID we had to book all of our excursions way ahead of time as most were at 25-50% capacity and filled up.  We also booked our dinner reservations in March as well (we got recommendations from friends and then also our guidebooks).  We decided on doing 3 main excursions-the Triology snorkeling trip to Molikni Crater, zip lining at the base of Haleakala National Park, and the Old Lahaina Luau.  We booked dinners at 3 Brothers, Monkeypod in Whalers Village in Kaanapali, and the Hana Ranch on 4th of July in Hana town (the only open sit down restaurant).  We decided to spend our first five days in Kihei and then spend our last two nights in Hana after we drove the road to Hana.  

Armed with guidebooks along with all my research and excursions that we booked, we next had to navigate the waters of making sure that we were able to get into Hawaii when we arrived.  Hawaii had been closed off and very COVID cautious and required a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure to Hawaii (even when vaccinated) along with a Hawaii Safe travels profile set up.  Luckily there was quite a bit of social media help with navigating Hawaii's COVID requirements and we were able to get free rapid COVID tests for the entire family at Walgreens that were approved.  We had to stay up until midnight to book the tests but it was definitely worth it!  We got back up tests at another Walgreens locations for the next day in case something went awry with our tests but they came back the Friday before we left only an hour after we took them and we were all negative.  I was easily able to upload them to our Hawaii Safe travels profile easily as well and they were accepted.  This was a huge relief!

We went down to Corvallis the Saturday afternoon before we left to spend the night in Corvallis and to see CiCi and Baba and to drop Lulu and Teddy off for the week.  We had a fun time with CiCi and Baba but it was the start of 100 degree plus weather that carried on for 3 full days (through the Monday that we left for Hawaii).  In fact it was so hot that several record highs were broken (it got up to 115 degrees on the Monday that we left).  We were excited to be leaving the sweltering heat for mid to high 80s weather in Hawaii!  We headed back to Portland and got home Sunday evening.  I had done a lot of packing and laundry on Saturday but still managed to have to pack for 6 hours straight on Sunday.  It felt weird being in the house without our dogs but they adapted well to being with Cici and Baba and Pumpkin.  I finally got everything packed up and then we went to bed and I slept until about 7:30 AM and got about 6 hours of sleep (not a great way to start the trip tired!).  

Our good friend Brendan offered to drive us out to the airport in our Honda Pilot so we didn't have to park for a week at the airport.  It was so nice of him!  He didn't work Mondays so it was easy for him.  We didn't hit any traffic and I had printed off my luggage tag before we left and it was easy to check my bag in when we got to the airport.  It was good because there was quite a line to security but we made it through easily and were on time to leave for our first leg of the trip to Seattle's airport Seatac.  We couldn't find a direct flight as they all left early in the morning and were quite a bit more expensive going to Maui.  We lucked out and got a direct flight coming back to Portland.  We arrived in Seattle and were able to get our pre-clear bracelets (which meant that we didn't have to have our COVID test and health questionnaire be reviewed in Maui when we landed).  This was a huge relief for me as at least the stress of the COVID testing was behind us.  Sean got yummy sandwiches for us before we left but we regretted not having a bigger snack as we got stuck on the plane for an additional 1.5 hours as one of the stewardesses was sick and they had to find a replacement one.  It was sweltering hot in the plane and we couldn't deboard (it was 107 degrees outside in Seattle).  We finally left but were bummed to be arriving 1.5 hours later.  

All ready to fly!

Flying out of PDX


Made it to Sea-tac!

We got our Safe travels wrist bands

The kids did well on the long plane ride and read their books, did some fun activity books that CiCi had bought them, and watched their iPads (they had downloaded stuff on them).  I read my book, played some Mario Golf (we got the new game the Friday before we left), and watched a few House Hunters.  We finally arrived in Maui at 7:00 PM (10:00 PM Oregon time) and were able to get our luggage quickly and get our rental car fairly quickly.  We were debating between our car rental reservation for a Jeep Wrangler and the Full size car we had also reserved.  We ended up deciding to go with the Full Size car as we were worried about luggage being exposed on the Road to Hana when we were making stops along the way.  We ended up with a newer Chevy Malibu that was much bigger than I remembered during my Enterprise days.  It fit all of us and our luggage just fine and because I reserved it in late December the rate was 4 times less than it was now (there as a rental car shortage due to COVID and rental car agencies selling their fleet due to lack of travel during COVID).  There was a Costco right by the airport that was open to 8:30 PM and we stocked up muffins, bread, eggs, bacon, alcohol, and other various foods to get us through our week in Maui with the hopes of not having to eat out for breakfast or for lunch.  We were super tired in Costco but preserved!  Then we drove the quick 15 minute car ride to our condo in Kihei.  We arrived in Kihei and the views were amazing from our balcony.  We quickly unpacked and then went to bed.  We were super tired with the time change and had a fun snorkeling excursion at 8:00 AM the next morning.

Doing our travel puzzles on the airplane 

Leaving 100+ degree weather in Portland to go to beautiful mid 80s weather

Flying above Hawaii

Maui beaches at sunset 

We all were up by around 6:30 (which was pretty good with the time change).  We got dressed and ready for our snorkeling excursion.  It took a bit longer to get there than we thought it would and it was a bit hard to find parking but we made it to the boat.  We got on the boat and got our snorkeling gear.  We were lucky and got one of the last outdoor tables that were available.  Then we were off to Molokini Crater.  We got coffee, juice and yummy Mama Coon's fresh cinnamon rolls on the way out to the Crater.  We were all starving as it felt like lunch time and they tasted so good.  After about an hour we made it to the Crater and we got a tutorial on how to snorkel.  The kids and I chose to have the Chillaxer waist float that let us swim well but kept us afloat.  We jumped off the boat and went into the ocean.  I was worried that the kids would be freaked out as it was so deep but both of them really enjoyed snorkeling and had no fears.  We immediately saw tons of fish.  The water was so clear out by the reef and we saw so many amazing fish.  Brandon and I went snorkeling together and Sean and Olivia went off.  We got to snorkel for about an hour and then we went back to the boat for a rest and to go to the next snorkeling spot.  

We woke up to this paradise 

Beautiful morning views from our condo


All dressed and ready to go on our sailboat snorkeling trip

It was so much fun being on a boat 


Enjoying breakfast-we were starving

Approaching the Molokini Crater







All ready to snorkel 

Family shot on board of the Triology




Snorkeling fun


Fishes were everywhere 


Snorkeling fun

Snorkeling fun 



Sean did a great job taking photos of the fishes with our underwater camera






Exploring the sea life together








Olivia liked exploring the sea


So much fun snorkeling




We were going to go a place where there were Sea turtles called Turtle Town but the water is often murky in the summer so it was not good visibility so we went to another spot on the Crater instead that was a bit deeper and had a blast snorkeling there.  This time Olivia and I went snorkeling together and Brandon and Sean went off.  Sean had our waterproof camera and took photos under water which was fun.  After about another 45 minutes of snorkeling we went back on the boat and we were starving even though it was only around 11:30 AM because of all the swimming and then being jet lagged.  We got served some yummy Mai Tai cocktails and had an awesome BBQ chicken lunch.  The boat team then got the sails out.  The captain then allowed the kids to drive the boat which was so much fun.  We had a relaxing sail back to the Marina and got there by 1:00 PM.  I got some really cute photos taken on the excursion by their photographer to remember our fun trip.  It was an awesome way to start our trip!

Resting after our first snorkeling excursion

Snorkeling fun






Beautiful trip to Molokini 
















Snorkeling fun
Yummy lunch on board 

Yummy lunch


Selfie on the Triology ship


Steering the ship


Steering the ship was fun

After we got back to our room the kids were super excited to explore our pool and go swimming.  They immediately got in their swimsuits and went down to the ocean.  They had a lot of fun swimming and playing in the waves and then going into the pool.  The pool was smaller but heated and was not very crowded.  Our beach was awesome because there were few people and there was not a super strong current and super high waves.  After swimming we got ready for dinner as we had a early happy hour dinner reservation at Three's Bar and Grill.  We had a very good dinner of sushi, pork nachos, and kalua pork quesadilla which Brandon, Sean, and I split.  They had an amazing Mai Tai as well.  We were all pretty tired at dinner (Olivia was almost falling asleep due to the time change and staying up so late last night).  We got a yummy snow cone on the way back and made it back home in time to watch the gorgeous sunset.  The kids also got to do some night swimming before the pool closed and then we played some Exploding Kittens before bed.  We went to bed pretty early at around 9:00 PM due to still being jet lagged. 

Matching swimsuits 


Matching pineapple dresses 



Dinner time!


Three's Bar and Grill happy hour was amazing


First of many snow-cones

Maui sunsets

Sunsets outside our condo





Selfie sunset

Night swimming at the condo



I planned Wednesday to be a beach day with nothing really planned except we had a dinner reservation up at Whaler's Village near Lahaina at Monkeypod at 6:00 PM who we heard from multiple people had awesome food.  We rented two boogie boards and spent the morning boogie boarding near our house.  We ate lunch and then headed to Maluaka Beach which was only about 10 minutes south of where we were staying.  The waves were a bit stronger there and the kids had a blast boogie boarding although they did get a bit scrapped up.  I got to sit by my beach umbrella and read my book for a while which was relaxing.   The traffic was awful up to Monkeypod and we were about 15 minutes late but luckily they didn't give our table away (they were booked up through October with their reservations and were very popular).  I had the most amazing Mai Tai of the entire trip there with fresh whipped pineapple.  Sean and I shared a kalua pork pizza and fish tacos which were amazing.  Afterwards, we stopped and got ice cream recommended by Brendan at Banyan Treats in Lahaina-their ice cream did not disappoint!  The Banyan tree was super cool too nearby.  



Boogie boarding fun


I had fun exploring around our condo

Fun boogie boarding




Boogie boarding fun



Ready for some more boogie boarding

Our fun little spot




Reading and watching the kids boogie boarding

Beautiful flowers 


Cute old church near our beach

Monkeypod restaurant did not disappoint 

Yummy food

The most amazing Mai Tai's

Daddy and Liv selfie

2nd beautiful sunset

Brandon and I snuck off to watch the sunset near our restaurant 

Brandan recommended the Banyan Treats ice-cream and it did not disappoint 

Old Banyan tree nearby in Lahaina 

On Thursday we decided to go to Haleakala Crater and booked a fun Zipline tour through Skyline Hawaii-Haleakala in the early afternoon on our way up to the crater.  We all got up pretty early around 7:00 AM and ate breakfast and headed down to the pool and the beach near our house for a quick morning swim.  We ate lunch and then headed up to the start of the crater in the town of Kula for our zip line tour.  Olivia was barely old enough (she had to be 8 and she was just a few days away so we lied that she was 8) and barely weighed enough (they weighed her on site).  The Zipline tour included 5 ziplines, a short hike, and a suspension bridge.  We started off with a short hike to our first Zipline and the kids did great and loved it.  The guides were funny and the views at the base of the crater and of the surrounding farmlands.  The zip lines were really fun and not super steep (although there was one almost straight drop which scared me haha!).  The kids loved them all and did great zip lining.  It was a very fun experience.

Watching the kids swim from our balcony

Our lawn in front of our condo

Beautiful beach views from our condo 

Beautiful Kula countryside 

First ziplien-the kids loved it

zip lining - I did great

Made it down to the zip line 

Start of the Haleakala crater 

Family time at Halekala Crater 




She loved zip lining every second 


Such beautiful views of the Kula countryside 


So much fun zip lining 




These two had a blast

Suspension bridge 

Beautiful countryside 

Family shot zip lining 



We loved the views around the countryside 

After zip lining it was around 3:30 PM and we headed up to the top of the crater.  I drove at the beginning and did fine but as we got higher and higher, I got nervous and started driving super slow.  We were following our car tour Shaka guide to the Crater and there was a recommended stop to see some stunning views of the crater so I had Sean finish the last 20 minute drive to the Crater.  When we got up to the Carter, the elevate was over 10,000 ft.  I was nervous being so high up but took some deep breaths and was able to enjoy the breathtaking views.  We thought about staying for the sunset and were only an hour away but were pretty hungry (and the kids were tired) and it was an hour or so back to Kihei so we decided to head back.  We still saw some amazing views and the views were so clear above.  We got back and had an amazing food truck dinner of Tai food and the best snow cone of the trip at Gus the Bus.

Beautiful views of Haleakala crater



On top of the world 







The beautiful clouds 





Beautiful crater




Selfie with Daddy




Beautiful Haleakala Crater














Fun day at the Haleakala Crater


Cows on the way down

Gus the Bus snow-cones!

Best snow-cone ever!


Friday was our last day in Kihei as we were traveling to Hana on Saturday.  We also had our Luau at Old Lahaina Luau that night.  We rented snorkel gear pretty early at Snorkel Bob's and decided to go to nearby Ulua Beach in Wailea which was only about 10 minutes south of where were were staying.  I dropped the kids and Sean off with their snorkel gear and then spent unfortunately nearly an hour trying to get a parking spot but finally was able to get one.  Brandon and I spent a fun time snorkeling around a nearby reef that had quite a few bright fish.  My highlight of the day though was after the parking fiasco I took a small walk along the Wailea oceanfront path and encountered a colony of turtles (which was one of the reasons why we chose this beach) and sat and watched them for 30 minutes.  I was able to get a hold of Sean who was able to bring the kids by to see this large turtle I found who they promptly named Sheldon.  It was so much fun seeing one so far up close!








Hanging out with turtles



Sheldon the turtle




Family shot with Sheldon




After our trip to the beach, we came home and ate lunch.  Then the kids and I went souvenir shopping-we found their friends flower hair ties and shark friendship bracelets. Olivia got flip flops and Brandon got a fun water ball. Olivia also got earrings and everyone in the family got Maui shirts (or sweatshirts).  We then got ready for the Luau and got dressed in our matching Hawaiian attire I had gotten the entire family. The drive to the luau was no where near as bad as the one earlier in the week to Monkeypod and we arrived early even.  We were greeted with fresh flower leis and a yummy drink.  There was five courses with the first one being a stater course of karo and sweet potato chips and kale hummus.  Olivia really liked the hummus and the chips of the first course.  Then there was a salad course with a bread basket.  The plates were nicely proportioned so we did not get stuffed which was nice.  The third course was the traditional Hawaiian course-roasted pork, pork wrapped in taro leaf, poke ahi tuna, lomiloni salmon, Haupia and Kulolo (traditional pudding), and Pa'i'ai - steamed and mashed taro.  We all tried the traditional Hawaiian course and liked the pork dishes the best.  The main course was 5 small portions of grilled beef steak, mai mai fish, island style chicken, stir fry veggies, and sweet potato mash.  We got served the final dish-the Dessert course at the start of the dancing of the Luau where we learned the history of the Island of Maui.  The Dessert course was super yummy and included cheesecake and toffee, pineapple upside down cake, ice-cream and tea and coffee.  We also got unlimited alcoholic drinks as well.  The dancing and interpretation of Maui and Hawaiian history was captivating and both kids enjoyed it (although Olivia still jet lagged fell asleep towards the end of it).  It was a very enjoyable experience.  We got home at 10:00 PM, tired, and immediately fell asleep.  We had to get ready to check out of our condo in Kihei and to do the Road to Hana. 

All dressed for our luau 


Hawaiian festive


Selfie at the luau 

Beautiful setting at the luau 

Appetizers
Yummy first course 

Beautiful sunset


Yummy traditional Hawaiian food

Yummy drinks

Yummy main course

Awesome dessert course


Luau dancing

On Saturday we slept in as late as we could until 8:00 AM and then immediately began packing up our condo.  It was actually quite harder to pack than I had thought!  We had stuff everywhere and in our rental car.  We decided not to hurry to Hana as it was going to be rainy there and we heard that if you don't leave super early in the morning it is better to leave a bit later in the mid to early afternoon.  The kids went swimming at the pool while we packed up and in the ocean.  Then we checked out at 11:00 AM and were off.  We drove up to the town of Paia which was 30 minutes away and did some souvenir shopping and then went and got sandwiches for the road and gas.  We made it the 10 minutes past Paia in North Maui where there were famous surf beaches and then finally were on the twisty and windy Road to Hana!  

Last swim

Road to Hana 

Beginning of the Road to Hana

I had downloaded the Shaka guide on the Road to Hana before we left which was good as there was no cell service on a lot of the road to Hana.  The guide also told us the best spots to stop and what to look out for.  We stopped briefly to look at the Twin waterfalls but the parking was full and our guide told us to keep going.  Our first stop was a paid trip to the private Garden of Eden Arboretum which was a 26-acre private arboretum that opened its doors about 20 years ago and had a super interesting array of exotic plants from tropical rainforests throughout the world. They had the keopuka rock which was featured in the opening scene of Jurassic Park.  We had to pay to get into the Arboretum but they had wild peacock that liked to follow cars and peck at themselves in the reflection of the car (as they dumbly thought that it was another peacock!).  There were amazing lush trees everywhere and it rained quite hard when we were there but was very lush.  We went through a fun bamboo alley, saw tropical flowers and the Keopuka rock.  There was breathtaking views of the ocean and of Puuhokamoa falls.  There was also very awesome overview views of the road to Hana from afar.  Some of my best photos I got of the trip was from this arboretum and it was so fun to take photos there.  We had a blast hiking around the arboretum and climbing trees.  I loved seeing all the different colors on all the plants.  We saw a 100 year old Mango tree, lots of bamboo trees, and the amazing rainbow eucalyptus tree!  

Peacocks


Beautiful Hawaiian flowers



The Garden of Eden



Bamboo forest 


Sacred pond filmed in Jurassic Park


This pond was at the start of Jurassic Park






Puuhokamoa falls


First waterfall in the windy Road to Hana 




Beautiful Puuhokamoa falls








Beautiful view of Road to Hana






walking through the bamboo forest 




Curvy Road to Hana



100 year old Mango tree









Climbing trees












Rainbow eucalyptus tree







Mango tree!


My favorite part Rainbow Eucalyptus tree



After the arboretum we continued the windy and often one lane road to the Keanae peninsula which lead us to the old village of Keanae where we were able to see some awesome ocean views of the blue ocean ripping through jagged young lava rock.  We enjoyed getting out to stretch our legs and walk along the volcanic rock and watch the waves crash.  We kept on our way and made it to Halfway to Hana at 4:22 PM just in time before the Halfway to Hana stand closed and we got some amazing fresh pineapple and banana bread to snack on on our way.  We saw the Waikani Falls (3 bears falls) and then stopped at this amazing little lava tube cave hidden on the side of the Road to Hana.  The kids loved exploring the cave.  We saw several more waterfalls on the way but it was past 5:00 PM and we were getting eager to get to Hana so we could get some dinner at the food carts (before they closed) and to check into our condo so we didn't stop off any where else.  We found a yummy food cart still open called Poke Bob's and all they had was Poke bowls but they were amazing.  We stopped off at the super old historic Hasegawa General store which was the only store in Hana and got Olivia some Mac and cheese for dinner and some beer for Sean and I.  Then we checked into our condo at Hana Kai Maui which had breathtaking views of the Hana Bay. We loved our condo there as it was quiet and rustic looking but had a super comfortable bed.  We explored the hotel grounds and went down to the Bay and then played some Exploding Kittens before bed.  

Keanae peninsula


Keanae peninsula














Secret cave

Secret cave








Beach outside our condo


Exploding kittens!

Our last full day in Maui was Sunday July 4th!  It didn't feel like the 4th of July as many of the people in Hana were against Maui and Hawaii being part of the United States and had upside Hawaiian flags on their properties.  We made a good breakfast and then headed out to finish the Road to Hana.  Our first stop at 11:00 AM was the Wailua Falls which was a spectacular 80 foot waterfall that had amazing views from the bridge of the road.  There was also a fun trail to the base of the waterfall that the kids loved exploring.  





Beautiful Wailua Falls






Wailua Falls

We then continued onward to the Haleakala National Park at Kipahulu.  We were able to get in again with Brandon's 4th grade pass we used earlier.  In the Haleakala National Park at Kipahulu it was the same National park we saw the crater at earlier on our trip but was the other side of the crater that was expanded to include the Oheo Gulch (7 sacred pools) and the Pipiwai hiking trail.  We started off on the short 1 mile hike to the Oheo Gulch which was pretty muddy and dry.  They did not allow tourists to go down to the beach or swim in the sacred pools due to COVID concerns much to Brandon's sadness.  We did see some amazing views of the shoreline as we hiked around and the black sand beach below.  


Oheo Gulch






Views along the Oheo Gulch



Beautiful coastal view





After hiking to the Oheo Gulch, we headed back to hike the Pipiwai trail.  The trail was a steep 4 mile hike to 2 waterfalls. We negotiated with the kids and ended up hiking 2.5 miles to 1 of the 2 waterfalls as the kids were getting tired and it was quite muddy and slippery up to the 2nd waterfall and it was getting late and we had a 3:00 PM reservation at the Waianapanapa State park (Black sand beach).  The hike along the trail was very peaceful with lots of foliage and a huge Banyan tree.  The view of the waterfall was very pretty and then headed back down the trail.  The kids were starving and we found a food truck outside Hana where we split a burger and a chicken burger and some yummy ice-cream.  

















Then we headed back to our condo to get in our swimsuits for the Waianapanapa State park reservation we had made a week earlier.  They were trying to limit the amount of people at the state park at a time with two window blocks you could be at the park with your reservation.  We got to the park but did not wear appropriate shoes (we all should have worn our Natives as the beach was quite rocky and pebbly).  Brandon enjoyed the beach but Olivia hated it as it had quite an undertow.  The beach did have some amazing views and had a cool cave that you could watch the ocean come crashing into.  We left the State park a little earlier than our reservation slot and was going to go to a gentler beach but then decided we didn't have much time before our 6:30 PM dinner reservation at Hana Ranch so headed back to the condo to rest before dinner.  We had a yummy last dinner in Maui where Brandon, Sean, and I shared a flat iron steak salad, fresh fish sandwich, and Kalbi ribs and Olivia had a hamburger.  We saw some fireworks from afar.  It was a fun way to end our trip to Maui and celebrate the 4th of July! 





Water cave!





Waianapanapa State park 


Waianapanapa State park 

Yummy dinner on the 4th of July 

Patriotic girl

The next morning we packed up quickly as we had heard that the Maui airport was going to be super packed and to expect delays going through security.  We were told to be at the airport 3 hours early.  We checked out of condo and left the town of Hana by 9:45 AM.  We still had our Shaka guide to listen to on the way back but it was bit nerve wracking as we did not have any cell service for a long time and it was hard to tell when we would arrive at the airport.  We were able to get gas and Sean was able to drop us off at the airport before returning the rental car at 12:00 PM (within the recommended time frame).  It was a good thing we go there early as it took us nearly 2 hours to get through the security line and we had about 45 minutes before we had to board our plane.  We were able to do a bit more souvenir shopping and get lunch before boarding our plane.  Our flight left on time and it actually went way quicker than the flight out.  We arrive in Portland by 11:30 PM and had to take a taxi cab home (as Uber and Lyft rates were crazy high at $140!).  We made it home by 12:45 PM and I got a second wind and promptly unpacked everything and started a load of laundry and didn't get to bed until 3:00 AM!  The next day was Olivia's actual 8th birthday and I wanted to get everything unpacked and ready as I could so we could celebrate her birthday.  It was a fun and exhausting way to end our trip!

Busy Maui airport



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