For future [[Travel]] reference, these are notes from [[Wifey]] and I's honeymoon in September 2021. ## General Tips - **Rental Car**: A must-have to fully enjoy Maui. We got a Jeep which helped in Hana, but it’s not required. - **GyPSy Guide App**: Great audio tour guide that works offline. Offers driving directions and fun facts better than GPS. --- ## Food ### Breakfast **Açaí Bowls** were our go-to. Most spots had multiple vegetarian options. - **Cute Café in Lahaina** Great for a morning walk. **Pro tip**: Park at the Post Office Plaza nearby—free and easier than street parking. [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/4kS6szbSSlb) - **Outdoor Mall Spot** We liked the food here even more than the Lahaina spot. **Parking tip**: Validate your ticket for free parking. [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/pTMXemkSSlb) --- ### Lunch / Dinner - **Near the Airport** First place we went. Great food, though we had a slightly negative experience with check-in staff. [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/DfQkibBSSlb) - **Zero Waste Burrito Spot** Loved this place—wish we had time to go again. Burritos were wrapped in leaves. [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/uwYQ4puSSlb) - **Vegan Food Truck** One location near Safeway in Lahaina, another near the airport. Food was good (vegan tacos), but staff wasn’t the friendliest. [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/xXfhytHSSlb) --- ### Dessert - **Great Ice Cream** [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/NOMffPTSSlb) - **Shaved Ice (MUST try)** A Hawaiian classic. We got it with ice cream inside. Multiple locations around the island. [Yelp link](https://yelp.to/sq1EN2YSSlb) > I left Yelp reviews for most of the links above if you want more details. --- ## Haleakalā - We went for **sunset** instead of sunrise. - **Drive**: Windy, but fully paved and safe if you go slow. - **Timing**: Driving up during the day helped us feel more comfortable driving down at night. - **Cold**: It gets *very* cold at the summit—bring winter clothes. - **Sunset**: Beautiful, but the **stargazing afterward** was even more breathtaking. - **Bathrooms**: One stop on the way up, another at the summit visitor center. - **Snacks**: Definitely bring some. - **Reservations**: Required for **sunrise**, but not for **sunset**. --- ## Road to Hana - **Completely different experience** from the west side of Maui. - We stayed a couple nights at **Hana Maui Resort** (used hotel points). Only real hotel in Hana. - Doing it in one day? **Plan your stops carefully**—you won’t have time for everything. ### Must-Do Stops - **Wainapanapa Black Sand Beach** Requires reservation in advance. 100% worth it. - **Pipiwai Trail + Sacred Pools** A 4-mile round trip hike through a bamboo forest leading to a waterfall. Not difficult, but a solid workout if you’re not used to hiking. ### Tips - Many stops involve hiking. Bring good shoes and clothes you’re okay getting dirty. - Road has one-lane bridges and fast-driving locals. Drive slow, enjoy the view. - Expect random rain—adds to the beauty. - **Food**: - **Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread** – delicious and eggless. - **My Titas Cafe** – macadamia nut latte (go early). - Hana has very limited food options. Food trucks open/close unpredictably. - Bring snacks! The hotel was pricey but saved us multiple times, especially for breakfast.