Displaying items by tag: maui

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Maui, which has recently faced the challenges of the devastating Lahaina fires. Having personally traveled there last week for the Signature Owners Conference, I can confidently share that the island is ready to welcome travelers.

My visit allowed me to witness firsthand the resilience of the local community and the determination to restore their island to its former glory. I am pleased to report that all essential services are fully operational, including cell service, electricity, WIFI and staffing. The local hotels are providing exceptional services, ensuring that all travelers will have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Right now, the area around Lahaina is not accessible but by October 8th the entire island except the Lahaina area will be back open. The area of Wailea was not impacted by the fires and is where we stayed last week.
During my visit, I had the privilege of speaking with many locals who expressed their eagerness to welcome tourists back to Maui. They emphasized the importance of travelers to their economy and their livelihoods. The warmth and hospitality of the community remain as vibrant as ever, and they are excited to share their island's beauty with visitors once again.

As always, I recommend travelers to visit Maui. It is not only timely but also incredibly impactful. By choosing Maui for your next vacation, you will not only have a memorable experience but also contribute to the island's recovery and growth.

Let's do all we can to bring back to Maui the helping hand to let it heal and flourish.

I hope this firsthand experience helps assuage any future traveler’s doubts.

My best to all.
Bill

You must visit Maui if you travel to the Hawaiian Islands. There is much to see and do but you should take time to enjoy all the beauty that surrounds you. A trip to Haleakala Crater (especially at sunrise) or to Hana is only about 30 miles from Wailea but be prepared to spend almost 3 hours each way on winding roads and traveling about 20-25 miles an hour. Don’t miss Oleakapaa Falls and Paia, learn to surf, learn to hula and if you haven’t done it before, be sure to attend a luau.

Right now, vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine upon arrival, but you must go to the Safe Travels Hawaii website and fill in the forms which require your flight and vaccination info. Also, 24 hours prior to your departure you must complete the health form on the website. Most airlines are checking your QR code at the gateway and are issuing clearance bracelets so you can bypass inspection upon arrival. Kahului is a fairly big airport and if you are renting a car, be prepared to walk a bit. There is a tram to the car rental center but there didn’t appear to be any motorized vehicles or wheelchairs to assist passengers with walking challenges.

The airport is about 40 minutes from the Wailea area where we stayed. On the way to our hotel, we passed Costco and Target. We rented a car but Uber and Lyft are available. Parking at the hotel is by valet only and right now costs $65 a day. The Grand Wailea is a big, beautiful property with a number of pools and a lazy river of water winding through. The beach is in a large almost cove setting and the water most days consists of gentle, lapping waves. The rooms are all spacious and have single serve Keurigs and refrigerators. Housekeeping was completed every day and usually by noon. The hotel has many dining choices, Café Kula, Bistro Molokini and their fine dining restaurant Humuhumukunukuapua’a.

Golf is across the street. A short walk takes you to the Shops at Wailea, a very upscale shopping center with flagship stores like Gucci and Tiffany. It also includes ABC stores to buy snacks etc. plus the Island Gourmet Market for a great selection of takeout foods, wine, snacks etc.

Other hotels within walking distance are Andaz, Four Seasons, Marriott and The Fairmont. All of the hotels have restaurants for dining that are on Open Table. Best to book dinners as soon as possible especially if you want to try Mama’s Fish House considered the best on the island. But other choices are Mateo’s, Wailea Kitchen, Humble Kitchin and Longhi’s. Many of the restaurants also provide a takeout option if you’re unable to dine there.

The flora and fauna are absolutely gorgeous and graffiti is nonexistent. One of the fun moments is seeing all of the roosters roaming around freely. Maui is unique and definitely a great addition to your bucket list!