| Getting Around | Packing, Activities & Gear | Precautions | Vacation Rentals | Budget Travel |
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Reserve a flight to Maui at the best possible price. Shop all of the Internet travel sites (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Sidestep, and others) as well as the Web sites of airlines themselves that are trying to be very competitive and continuously offer special promotions depending on the season, traffic, competition and other factors.
Internet travel company sites will list fares for many, but not all of the airlines, that fly to Maui non-stop, one-stop or more from the East and West coasts of the U.S. Use the Internet (not the telephone which can be time-consuming and frustrating) to shop for the best deals from airlines:
What’s a good air fare?
Round-trip airfares Los Angeles to Maui - $389; NYC, Boston, Cleveland, other destinations to Maui $648.
What’s a good weekly car rental rate?
Economy $136, Compact $157, Midsize $179 and Full-size $189.
Kapalua Airport (JHM)
Aloha Air flies DeHavilland Dash 8 turboprops from Honolulu to Kapalua Airport in 30 minutes for about $170 roundtrip. Starting at 7:30am, the flights leave about every two hours and return at 2-hour intervals. Aloha also flies to Kapalua Airport via Honolulu from Kailua-Kona on the Big Island and Lihu’e on Kauai. The Kapalua Airport is only 1-3 miles from Ka’anapali Resort hotels and condos and 15 miles from the Kapalua Resort.
Fly Hawaiian Air’s frequent flights via Honolulu from Kahului to Lana’i City or take a twin-engine plane operated by Island Air (http://www.islandair.com/wp/index2.shtml) or Pacific Wings (http://www.pacificwings.com/) to Lana’i City. Rent a 4WD from Dollar Rent-A-Car at Lana’i City Service (800-588-7808 or 565-7227) or Lana’i EcoAdventure Centre (565-7737) if you plan to explore the island.
Moloka’i by Plane and Car Rental
Moloka’i has two airports, the main airport, Moloka’i Airport (MKK), in Ho’olehua, six miles from the town of Kaunakakai, and a small one on Kalaupapa Peninsula specifically for flights from Honolulu or Kahului to tour Kalaupapa or from MKK airport (Moloka’i-Lana’i Air Shuttle, 567-6115 or 800-882-8811). Other airlines flying into and out of MKK include: Aloha Island Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Pacific Wings and Paragon Air that also flies into Kalaupapa Airport from Kahului (see http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/paragon_air_molo.html) and Aloha Island Air (800-652-6541/from the mainland - 800-323-3345) and 484-2222 (from Oahu).
Pacific Wings flies between Lihue and Princeville, Kauai, Honolulu, Lana’i City, Kahului and Kapalua, MKK and Kalaupapa (Moloka’i), Hana and Kamuela, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island. Book online at http://www.pacificwings.com/instant%20reservations.htm or call 873-0877 or 888-575-4546 toll-free from the U.S. mainland).
Car Rentals
Check the Internet sites of car rental companies and Internet travel companies (especially Travelocity and Orbitz) for their latest deals for Kahului, Kapalua and MKK airports. All major companies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty) rent regular and 4WD cars. Alamo usually has the best rates among car rental companies. Reserve cars in advance to be sure that you can get a car at Kahului Airport when you land.
When driving anywhere around Maui be sure to pack ice, water and non-perishable snacks just in case an accident on the highway (not yours, of course) leaves you waiting for hours. On Hwy. 30 between Ma’alaea and Lahaina and on the Hana Highway, infrequent serious accidents have been known to stall traffic for a half-day. When driving north of Kapalua around the Northwest coast make sure that the most trusted and cool-headed driver in your party is behind the wheel. The road before and past the village of Kahakuloa is quite tricky and treacherous. Be extra attentive, don’t pass and avoid driving after dark on the Road to Hana and the road to Kahakuloa.
Plan your Perfect Days so that you don’t have to drive for at least several hours after you drink.