Sealodge D9

Has anyone stayed in this unit and can give me some feedback?

Thanks!

Snorkle trip - Molokini or Lanai

We%26#39;re thinking of taking a boat snorkle trip to either Molokin or around the Lanai coast. Which one do you recommend? Which operator?

Thanks!

Snorkle trip - Molokini or Lanai

Collins-

This topic has been discussed heavily so you may want to look through some pages so you can read some older threads. We are opting for a Lanai trip instead of Molokini when we go in 2 weeks. We are going through Paragon. We chose Lanai because you actually get out onto the island versus just snorkeling at Molokini. You can still snorkel but you can also use the beach or explore a bit. We chose Paragon because they try to actually sail more than other companies (most use their motors). They are also a bit less expensive than Trilogy. Trilogy, however, has a much nicer lunch offering. You just have to decide what matters to you.

Snorkle trip - Molokini or Lanai

We (mid-20s couple) did the Trilogy Trip to Molokini in mid-August. Although I have not taken other trips in Maui, I can assure you we were VERY, VERY pleased with our Trip! I can%26#39;t imagine what could have made our Trilogy trip better!

The snorkel site at Molokini was amazing, and we also went to a second site where we were able to see/swim with HUGE sea turtles! The food was amazing, the crew was SUPER-friendly, and we DID get to sail for quite some time on the trip back to Maui (unlike some posts saying Trilogy doesn%26#39;t ';sail';).

I thought it was pricy when I was booking; however, after taking the trip, I thought it was worth every penny.

Yes, you will get several opinions on this one. We enjoy the Trilogy also. Never had a bad trip with them.....Have done the Molokini sail as well as the one to Lanai. If I had to choose one, I would pick the one to Lanai. I think you will see more fish...

Molokini is a snorkel trip from one of 50 boats. Lanai can be a boat trip or ferry to Lanai. You can get off the boat and walk to a marine reserve and tidal pools.

I would do the trip to the island of Lanai. Econimically and flexability wise I would take the Maui Expeditions $50 return. Splurge wise I would do Trilogy.

A good snorkel trip from a West maui boat then we liked Gemini

Thanks all! Sounds like I need to do additional research into Lanai.

I would like to think that I am a ';expert'; on this because we just got back from our 3rd trip to maui. My recomendations have somewhat with where you stay, give this a thought as travel time with best snorkeling is in am. Afternoon tours sometimes turn to vomit fests due to tradewinds kicking up the action. My current top choices are 1) Ocean riders-they go around Lani,the whole island. small boat with small groups,saw dolphins,turtles would do this again. 2)Triology to Lani-great staff great survice, more about boat ride than snorkeling, get to snorkel on beach at Lani. 3)Blue water rafting-small boat 3 snorkeling stops and they do go to Molokini. Great staff and they go to the south coast of Maui where others do not.

Trip report helpful bargain tips and hints !

Hello back from 2 weeks staying at Aqua Palms, booked a private room through www.vrbo.com and it was US$85 a night. Will do a hotel review after this. This is my 4th visit this time solo as my partner was working !

Flew Jetstar crew were great, young, helpful and friendly. Bought sandwiches onboard for $6 and little cans of softdrink are $2. Hot food did not look great. Due to Qantas delays couldn%26#39;t buy food in advance. You can rent a video on demand for $12. I was fortunate as had a seat next to me there and back due to off peak times. At Honolulu airport on way home last Thursday they were offering Star class seats for $400 extra (usually $1200) and some folks took them up.

All prices are US to make it easier but can you believe there was a 10c diff in exchange rate in the 2 weeks I was there !

';Reliable'; brand name shuttle booked on line before leaving Australia picked me up, even waited whilst we tried to sort out missing luggage (another story as it arrived 30 hours later!) Just me in shuttle and that was $18 return trip HOWEVER they did not pick me up despite confirming 3 days beforehand. I had to catch a cab, $33, so called them from airport and now the discussion continues as I try and get a partial refund ! They had no excuse and no apology either ! They were Reliable at start but pathetic at end DON%26#39;T USE THEM !

20 mins walk to main area of Waikiki and about 10-15 to Ala Moana (HHV opposite has enormous building works going on so noise all day but you get used to it if you happen to be in room)

If you like reading here is the BEST deal ! At the Japanese Dept store called Shirokiya there is a 2nd hand book section where there is a huge section of boks for $1 and when you return them they give you 20c ! Amazing. I got recent releases with the $28.95 Dymocks sticker on them for $1 so other Aussies had discovered it too !! Other secondhand books at various prices and heaps of Japanese ones. Apparently they do the same with DVD%26#39;s and computer games.

Foodland supermarket at Ala Moana has wide variety food so for ex. Yoplait yoghurt was $1 but in Food Pantry in Hobran lane behind AP is was $1.69 for same one. So take the backpack to Foodland and stock up ! ABC has huge bottles of water for 99c and tax and coast of bottle so $1.10 all up for 1.5 (I think )litre. Fresh pineapple for $3.29 and range of sandwiches ofr $3-$6 depending on fillings. Food Pantry had cooked salmon pieces for $6 and fresh sushi for $6.99 and you can buy the salad gear too. All handy if you are travelling solo or sick of eating out !

Pre booked Polynesian Adventure Grayline day trip tours to Maui and Roberts tour to Kauai. Both great for about $250 each for 4.30am -8.30pm days !

Go to Cirque Hawaii tickets are $49 and I got centre of the row in the centre. Great great show ! 6.30 and 8.30 shows in Seaside Ave in the heart of Waikiki.

Buffet lunch $12.95 at Dukes at Outrigger just the best but you must book to get good table ! Then afterwards you go and sit on the verandah next door at Moana Surfrider and dream.

Lewers Sreet, The Beachwalk had some entertainment from a HULA school which was interesting and a great thoroughfare but shops are quiet. Macys had one day sale ask for visitors card (show room keycard )which is on 4th floor at Aala Moana or at any counter at the Waikiki store (Ala Moana store much much bigger and better) that gives you another 11% off and when the one day sale was on which is every 2 months there were HUGE bargains ! Make up and selected clothing were great deals ! Got a shuttle to Waikele outlets and went to other stores across the road by taking the free shuttle/trolley. Sign up beofre you go Chelsea premium outlets and pre print discount coupons spent $100 at Guess but then got 25% off. My shuttle out there cost $15 return called 5 star shuttle and it was in the weekly whats on book.

Took the narrated trolley tour that leaves from out the back of Galleria and if you do the Blue line $27.50 (longest and good sightseeing one) you go the down town Red historical downtown one for free (few back streets that are a bit ordinary though). Have to do on same day so 5 hours for $27.50 is a great deal.

$20 phone card from ABC shops gives 220 mins to a landLine back here so great deal !

Check out Coco Cove ( a lot of their souvenirs are made in Hawaii as opposed to China)

70 television stations and still nothing much on !

30 degrees everyday, don%26#39;t take any flash clothes for evening and make sure you say Aloha and Mahalo wearing your rubber slippers (thongs/flipflops !)and a frangipani or plumeria as they call them behind the appropriate ear !

If you want to ask anyting pls feel free to send a message and stay tuned for www.solofemaletraveller.com

My luggage was 29kg had another little carry on one that I checked and that was 17kg so all in all great fun !

~ ~ great time lots of friendly folks and thanks for all your help before I went and always happy to help you ~~

Trip report helpful bargain tips and hints !

Hi choc, where is Coco Cove?

Thanks for the report ... sounds like you had fun.

Trip report helpful bargain tips and hints !

There are a few Coco Cove%26#39;s got a feeling they were slowly ';copying'; ABC%26#39;s as similar gear. One in Lewers Street somewhere, well saw the sandwich board sign near Roys restaurant but not the shop and one in main drag just down from Macy%26#39;s same side before Galleria and I think one further up near Duke statue ? Yellow bags as opposed to blue / white of ABC. The one I went into had a food place with in it with coffees and another with choose your own salad toppings ! Got brightly colored material luggage tags, glasses case, pot holders and serviettes all made in Maui there.

I am over the International market place gear however still fun to see the parrots on the mens shoulders that were there in 1979 when I first went as a teenager with my family !

Hope this helps!

I first went to Hawaii back in 1981, this time with husband and two of our children.

Loved the International Market Place back then and still today. Our youngest daughter loves animals so we all had our photos taken with the parrot%26#39;s, even though our eldest daughter has an unreasonable fear of birds.

We loved the ABC Stores, they seem to have everything, it became quite a joke near the end, we knew if we wanted to find something that it would probably be found in an ABC.

Agree about joining the Chelsea Premium Outlets and not needing any flash clothes. Didn%26#39;t know about the $20 phone card wish we had known, our eldest daughter signed up to roaming on her mobile, but we were frugal about using it.

Great report, chocolatefriend! Thanks ... what are ';flash'; clothes? :-)

Hi Chocolate friend,

First of all, I want to tell you that any friend of Chocolate is a friend of mine!

Thanks for your report and your helpful frugal tips. Aloha!

What was the name of the ';Reliable'; brand name shuttle that you used?

hulagurl asked:

';What was the name of the ';Reliable'; brand name shuttle that you used?';

That IS the name, Reliable shuttle..lol. Here is their website.

http://www.reliableshuttle.com/

Great report chocolatefriend. Thanks for the tips. We%26#39;re back on the island in 9 weeks and can%26#39;t wait.

';what are ';flash'; clothes?';

Flash clothes refers to smart dressy clothes for going out.

I%26#39;ve been to Hawaii 3 times, going 4th time in 20 days, and I have never heard of Reliable.

I like Coco Cove very much. They have pretty good food there too. I like their panini sandwiches.

Hanalei Moon Beach Cottage

Has nayone stayed there recently? Can you give me the scoop? Is it worth the money?

Hanalei Moon Beach Cottage

Never stayed there, but I%26#39;ve walked past it and admired the grounds and location many times...it%26#39;s right on my favorite spot of beautiful Halalei Bay.

As far as being worth the money, I guess it%26#39;s all relative. But $1600 a week seems like a value to me...you will probably pay that much to stay in a 1BR condo in a very crowded complex like Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville! No comparison between the two IMHO.

coupons for Hula Grill or Leilani's?

Anyone know of any online coupons? Are there any in the tourist books in the airport? Going for lunch first day, so trying to get organized. Thanks-

coupons for Hula Grill or Leilani's?

Unlike Cabo or Cancun-i%26#39;ve never seen coupons for either place or any restraunt in Hawaii-2 for 1 for some Luaus maybee but any specific eatery

coupons for Hula Grill or Leilani's?

I believe that Leilani%26#39;s still has a coupon for their famous Hula Pie, free with some sort of other food purchase. Leilani%26#39;s is the best!!

where would one find the free hula pie w/ purchase coupon? It%26#39;s not on their webpage

Years ago, I saw a coupon for an ice cream sandwich thing (not Hula Pie) at Leilani%26#39;s outside seating. But, honestly, both restaurants are extremely popular (for good reason!) and don%26#39;t need to entice people in with coupons. I would be very surprised if you found any special offers.

As for their advertising ... well, people wear their T-shirts everyday ... all over the world. (My DH included.) Off topic - but sometimes I think the reason so many visitors eat a Cheeseburger (in Paradise) is because of the popularity of their T-shirts. Their food is yucky!

BLBL said:

';Their food is yucky';

Yeah but the view is great from the ocean side second floor.

I sure wouldn%26#39;t spend time searching for a coupon for either of these restaurants.

When you pick up your luggage at the airport, you%26#39;ll see tons (literally) of coupon books. Look in those. My bet is - you won%26#39;t find anything. These restaurants have a sweet location in Whaler%26#39;s Village - right on the beach. Excellent quality, variety and service. And I forget -- a very loyal clientele!

%26gt;%26gt;the reason so many visitors eat a Cheeseburger (in Paradise) is because of the popularity of their T-shirts. Their food is yucky!%26lt;%26lt;

Yup. And Jimmy Buffet%26#39;s song about the place didn%26#39;t hurt them any either!

But you%26#39;ll be hard pressed to find any discount coupons. Because of their stellar locations, (not to mention discussion forums like this), places like Leilani%26#39;s and the Hula Grill routinely have 30-60 minute wait times for a table. With that kind of demand, the management has no need to offer discounts.

Actually, we had a coupon for Leilani%26#39;s in our ResortQuest coupon book that we got upon checking in. So if by any chance you are staying at a ResortQuest property, you should get the same coupon book. I don%26#39;t recall what it was for, we didn%26#39;t end up using it as we mostly ate in our condo. It must not have been for anything that great or we would have made more of a point to use it.

Hmmmmmm...I thought the burger at Cheeseburegers was very good. However, despite the wonderful view, the seating situation is terrible.

Enjoy Hula. They have very good entertainment from 3-5 and again later on. Man I love that place.

I too have seen a coupon for the hula pie with a meal purchase but that was years ago and came from our concierge at the condo we were renting. They also gave us a coupon for free parking at Whalers Village. Have never seen other coupons for either place.

fishing maui

Any tips on shore fishing on NW Maui would be appreciated. Won%26#39;t be bringing my gear so eqpt. rental info would be of great help too. I may also go with a daytrip on a charter boat, so a solid recommendation would be great. Mahalo.

fishing maui

Want to fish in Hawaii but not pay 200.00 to go out on a deep sea charter, go to the local store, we went to Long%26#39;s Drug in Kihei payed 20.00 for a pole which we left at hotel, and hooks and weights. Hooks for ';small'; fish. ie.. 5+ lbs should be no larger than thumb fingernail, bread works great for bait, take some from whereever you eat meals, I would also buy a small net, and bring somethin to remove hooks from mouths with teeth. We ended up renting a kayak and fished 40 yds from shore tried to stay away from snorkelers. I kind of felt bad for catching the same fish people were snorkeling for. We got about 5 fish in an hour due to drifting away from good spots and staying away from snorkelers. it was a good time and didn%26#39;t cost much, we went out in the early am for best luck,calmer waters and less snorkelers. Good Luck

nail polish

kayaking

My DH and FIL want to go kayaking while we are in Maui. Can anyone make and good suggestions of what company to go with? I was thinking of possibly going with them and was curious how hard is it to kayak in the ocean as I have only done it bays and never in the ocean. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

thanks

also we are staying in the lahaina area if that helps

kayaking

Years ago I rented kayaks with my family from one of the places in Lahania. We were staying in a ground floor condo, and were able to pull them off the water right to our room. It was lots of fun and very easy.

kayaking

I wish we could rent kayaks, but we are staying on a 4th floor condo I believe and I dont think it would work. :(

Contact this guy...

http://users.maui.net/~kayaking/

We went w/him several years ago (I think he takes a maximum of 5 or 6, it was just hubby and me, in our case). The water is incredible!

My reply to you is what are you looking to do and what do you want to see, snorkling or just sightseeing? try south shore kayaking tours or maui kayaks both offer great tours and great sights.