Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the responses. Thought I would share my "findings" for others who would want to travel to Maui.
Film photography is pretty much non-existent on Maui. All of the camera shops cater to tourists, divers and wedding photographers - pretty much a digital demographic. Ritz, which has a couple locations around the island, carries 35 mm negative film, but that's it. So, my word to anyone going to Maui is bring your own film.
Now there are several places to photograph, I found.
Sunrise from Haleakala was interesting. To me though the sights on the way up or way down were much more interesting. I stopped frequently, which I wouldn't recommend you do, as the road was narrow and winding with many, many blind spots. And the fog. Oh the fog.
On the way to / from Haleakala, there are many interesting local roads with local 'street' pics. Local roads 378, 377, 390, 365 come to mind. Interesting towns (Makawao at 390 and 365), native (tin) houses (shacks), Hanzawa general store/gas station on 365 near Kaupakulua, lavish gardens of some home (along 378). Anyway, many stops if one drives around the interior. Rent a driver would be my only change if I had to do it again. Can't be the driver and the look out, with frequent stops, on single lane winding roads with on coming traffic and local tailgaters.
Start at Lahaina and drive along route 30/340 towards Kahului. Drive CLOCKWISE around the island - from Lahaina to Kahului. Trust me that it's better to hug the mountain than it is to hug the 1000 ft cliff on a single lane road with two way traffic. Here you will get multiple opportunities at gorgeous, spectacular, amazing vistas.
I didn't have time to get to Paia on the eastern shore, but I did get as far south as La Perousse Bay. Basically, start at Kihei by taking the South Kihei Road which changes along the way to several local road names until you get to the South Makena Stables. This several miles and there several stops along the way. Now you can continue your drive along the unpaved local road or you walk/hike or go on horseback. I went on horseback to the bay.
For those of you that SCUBA dive or snorkel, I highly recommend taking an excursion to Molokini Crater. Just amazing. If you love sea turtles, this is the place to go. Lots of them.
OK, now to some really important stuff - where to eat? Here's some places where I ate.
- The Plantation House is where the wedding dinner reception was held - very fine, elegant dining with a great view and good food - http://www.theplantationhouse.com/
- Along the South Makena Road there is a funky artsy cooking stand with a really interesting character who (wo)man's the place; remember you're paying for the ambiance not the quantity of food
- Longhi's in Lahaina was recommended to me by an acquaintance - pass on this place - http://longhis.com/
- Old Lahaina Luau can't be missed, but remember, again, the $100 per person or so is for the entertainment not the quality of food (there is quantity however and the drinks were free); the take out place next door (same management) is pretty good for late nite munchies - http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/
- For local (native) food, we ate at Da Kitchen in Kahului on the way back to the airport; be prepared to eat A LOT as serving sizes are for like 4 people; also it's not very healthy (lots of fried, lard greasy, salty food), but is so good - http://www.da-kitchen.com/
- Mama's Fish House is a just go and eat there recommendation; not much more to say on this and the food is pretty decent too - http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/
- Thanks to ER for the rec on the Haile Maile General Store, which is really a catering operation and eatery; pretty good food in the middle of nowhere
- Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Restaurant (just because of the name) which is in Wailea and has an interesting ambiance of grass huts located in a lagoon - http://www.grandwailea.com/dining/humu.aspx
- Hula Grill on Ka'anapali Beach had good local but upscale food - http://www.hulagrill.com/
- Gazebo Restaurant in Napili for breakfast was recommended by the concierge; a good recommendation
- Stella Blues in Kihei is OK for lunch - http://www.stellablues.com/
- Sensei in Kapalua is to die for Japanese sushi - Dead Link Removed
Well, that's all I can remember. Have fun if any APUGers head out there.
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One more thing is to get a local map titled: The Ready Mapbook of Maui County from Odyssey Publishing - online from
Dead Link Removed (yes, they sell leis) or Borders Bookstores
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Regards, Art.
