Getting ready for Hawaii - Need advice

gocolts wrote in post #16591618
Hmm....not sure I'd take a stroller on that trial. I've done the trail many times, including this past November. The bamboo forest is very cool, but the mud, rocks, and width of the trail will be an issue. I've seen 2-3 year olds on the trail, but they've been in a hiking backpack that's made for kids to ride in. I have one made by Deuter for my daughter. There are some drop-offs, but like you said, if you respect the trail, which is well marked with some fences etc., you'll be fine.

But- you could walk down to the 7 Sacred Pools with a stroller, at least most of the way. That's a 10 minute walk that a lot of people do.

One thing to for sure do is continue driving past that area as opposed to turning around and going back through Hana. Very cool views that not a lot of people see. The road gets hairy for a few miles, but it's worth it. These pictures were taken back in this area. I like cool road pictures...

Cool, thanks for the input. Ya, I have a backpack for my littlest one. Reading a maui guide right now that also recommends going all the way around, so I will have to put the mini van to the test. LOL.

Hardcore wrote in post #16591772
Cool, thanks for the input. Ya, I have a backpack for my littlest one. Reading a maui guide right now that also recommends going all the way around, so I will have to put the mini van to the test. LOL.

I wish someone told me the places to go before I went.. would have saved me a bit of confusion.

The wailea kihei area has very nice restaurants... small town feel in kihei.
You can park at the nice mall next to the wailea marriott and just walk over to the beach/hotel for nice shots or a bite at the marriott... no reason to pay for parking

You can do the haleakala tour, which is a massive mountain that you can drive up or take the tour (30+ miles) .. it's very scary and I never made it.. the mountain goes up 10k feet and at 6k feet you hit the state park. After that, they lack any guard rails, so any wrong move will be the end of you... i went to 9k, almost sh*t in my pants and turned around
The only pics I had day, were my wife and I fighting

The road to hana tour is very fun.. even if you get squeemish, you can do the first two stops, which takes you through an awesome waterfall tour (its at the stop where you can find a bus that sells smoothies/banana bread)

Before the road to hanna, you can check out the hippy town of pia and honolulu bay (where all the pro surfers, surf)

The lao valley state park is really cool too.. easy walk and nice views.

With all the marriott points I have, I want to go back this year with the gear, but my wife wants to go on a cruise (sigh)

da kitchen in kihei for cheap eats, big portions and tasty. i didn't have my 5d when i went a few years ago but did have my 70-200 which got some usage on a whale watching cruise.

eddie3dfx wrote in post #16592341
You can do the haleakala tour, which is a massive mountain that you can drive up or take the tour (30+ miles) .. it's very scary and I never made it.. the mountain goes up 10k feet and at 6k feet you hit the state park. After that, they lack any guard rails, so any wrong move will be the end of you... i went to 9k, almost sh*t in my pants and turned around
The only pics I had day, were my wife and I fighting

Don't let this scare you away from driving to the top of Mount Haleakala. The drive is not that bad -- we've done it twice. The views from the top are well worth the trip. You will want a wide angle lens there to get the entire volcano crater in frame.

Thanks for the tips all.

cliffs notes:

pack wife,
take anti-fear medication for the drive
get rain coat & cover for backpack
keep all gear with you - might need a pack mule
enjoy the vacation
Take one set of warm clothes for the morning sunrise shots
Don't fight with wife and if it happens, take pictures to share...

eddie3dfx wrote in post #16592341
I wish someone told me the places to go before I went.. would have saved me a bit of confusion.

The wailea kihei area has very nice restaurants... small town feel in kihei.
You can park at the nice mall next to the wailea marriott and just walk over to the beach/hotel for nice shots or a bite at the marriott... no reason to pay for parking

You can do the haleakala tour, which is a massive mountain that you can drive up or take the tour (30+ miles) .. it's very scary and I never made it.. the mountain goes up 10k feet and at 6k feet you hit the state park. After that, they lack any guard rails, so any wrong move will be the end of you... i went to 9k, almost sh*t in my pants and turned around
The only pics I had day, were my wife and I fighting

The road to hana tour is very fun.. even if you get squeemish, you can do the first two stops, which takes you through an awesome waterfall tour (its at the stop where you can find a bus that sells smoothies/banana bread)

Before the road to hanna, you can check out the hippy town of pia and honolulu bay (where all the pro surfers, surf)

The lao valley state park is really cool too.. easy walk and nice views.

With all the marriott points I have, I want to go back this year with the gear, but my wife wants to go on a cruise (sigh)

Funny you mention Marriott points! I travel some for work so I always have a bunch as well, part of the way we've been able to justify spending 2 weeks in Maui every year.

And yes, drive up Haleakala to the top, it's not that bad, and have your camera at the ready for random cool views on the way up/down.

OP what would you like to see, we can give you tips on locations if you need some. Since you will be on Maui Haleakala sunrise would be a nice photo op and hiking.

I'm running up to the Makapuu lighthouse this weekend for whale watching.

kipliq wrote in post #16594043
OP what would you like to see, we can give you tips on locations if you need some. Since you will be on Maui Haleakala sunrise would be a nice photo op and hiking.

I'm running up to the Makapuu lighthouse this weekend for whale watching.

I'm looking for great scenery shots, water falls, or interesting landscapes. Will probably do the whale watch but I know what I'm looking for there. I will attend a sunrise, and I'm sure will catch many of sunsets.

woodzy wrote in post #16593458
Thanks for the tips all.

cliffs notes:

pack wife,
take anti-fear medication for the drive
get rain coat & cover for backpack
keep all gear with you - might need a pack mule
enjoy the vacation
Take one set of warm clothes for the morning sunrise shots
Don't fight with wife and if it happens, take pictures to share...

This. nothing can ruin your vacation more than not having proper clothing.

I read most of this thread and one thing comes to mind. If you are married, then you are probably going to be doing some shopping, fine dining, or some other things that you don't necessarily want to drag a big camera along. I think a good pocket camera is essential on these kind of trips.

On the island of Maui I recommend these outings. If you are in decent shape, the bicycle ride down from the top of Haleakala is a fun adventure, but the trip to the top begins at about 3am depending upon time of year. You're done by noon but you'll need a nap.

Finally a snorkeling trip to Honalua Bay which is a short ride from Kapalua would be on my list. You can access the reefs from a tour dive boat or just drive to the beach and swim out. The reef is excellent, but the beach is not much, and is not good for lounging in the sand.

whuband wrote in post #16627021
If you are in decent shape, the bicycle ride down from the top of Haleakala is a fun adventure, but the trip to the top begins at about 3am depending upon time of year. You're done by noon but you'll need a nap.

if you're in decent shape, ride up