Are you planning your first trip to Hawaii and want some helpful Hawaii travel tips? Find out things no one tells you about planning a trip to Maui!
This post about planning a trip to Maui was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a Maui vacation with kids can get overwhelming fast.
You’re trying to figure out which beach, which resort, which activities won’t make everyone miserable.
And there’s so much conflicting advice online.
After 40+ trips to Hawaii and years working as a Hawaii travel expert helping families plan these trips, I’ve figured out what actually matters and what’s just noise.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my first Maui trip.
Check Costco Before You Book Anything Else
I know, I know. Costco for a Hawaii vacation sounds weird. But stick with me.
I’ve found some ridiculous deals through Costco Travel for Maui.
Package deals that include waived resort fees, breakfast credits, room upgrades, and car rentals that somehow make the math work way better than booking everything separately.
The thing is, Costco isn’t always cheaper. Sometimes it is, sometimes it’s not.
You have to actually compare the package price against what you’d pay booking the hotel, flights, and car rental on your own.
But it’s worth the 15 minutes to check because when Costco beats the competition, it beats it by a lot.
For rental cars specifically, I use Discount Hawaii Car Rental every single time.
They compare rates from all the major companies and consistently come in cheaper than anywhere else I’ve found.
You Can Day Trip to Maui (But Should You?)
This is going to sound crazy, but you can actually visit Maui on a day trip from another island.
Inter-island flights are quick and pretty affordable. Catch the first flight out, last flight back, and you can cram in a decent Maui experience.
I break down all the logistics in my Hawaii island hopping post.
That said, Maui deserves more than one day. Way more. But if you’re stuck on Oahu or the Big Island and really want a taste of Maui, it’s possible.
The Road to Hana Takes Longer Than You Think
The Road to Hana is not a quick drive. Block off your entire day for this.
Yeah, the banana bread lives up to the hype. The waterfalls are stunning. But what surprised me most was the Hana Lava Tube.
We grabbed flashlights and explored inside, and my kids went nuts for it. It felt like we got the Big Island lava tube experience without island hopping.
And Bruddah Hutts’ ribs in Hana town? I’m still thinking about those ribs.
You need to book parking at Waianapanapa State Park (the black sand beach) ahead of time. Reservations open 30 days out, and the good time slots disappear fast. Book it here.
I cover all the best kid-friendly stops on the Road to Hana in another post, and I go way deeper in my Road to Hana podcast episode.
If you’re feeling stressed about planning this drive, my free 7-day Maui planning email course breaks everything down step by step.
Or skip the driving stress completely and book a guided tour where someone else handles the hairpin turns.
Haleakala Sunrise Is Cold But Worth It
Watching sunrise at Haleakala is one of those things everyone says you have to do. And they’re right, but let me tell you what nobody mentions.
It’s FREEZING. Like legitimately freezing at 10,000 feet before the sun comes up. I wore three layers and was still cold.
The kids complained about the 2am wake-up call from West Maui. And the altitude made us all feel a bit off.
But when the sun started rising above the clouds, everyone just stopped talking. It’s one of those moments where you’re not taking photos or thinking about breakfast. You’re just standing there taking it in.
You need a reservation to enter the park between 3am and 7am. These go on sale 60 days out at exactly 7am Hawaii time and sell out instantly.
Set an alarm and be ready to book the second they drop on Recreation.gov.
If you miss the reservation or don’t want to drive in pitch darkness, book a guided sunrise tour.
The guides know where to take you, you don’t have to stress about falling asleep at the wheel, and most tours throw in breakfast.
I cover everything you need to know in my Haleakala podcast episode.
Oh, and bring your National Parks pass if you have one. It works in Hawaii and saves you the entrance fee.
Where You Stay Actually Matters More Than You’d Think
The whole Kaanapali versus Wailea debate comes down to what bugs you more: long drives or high prices.
Kaanapali (West Maui) has beautiful resorts and great beaches. But it’s 45 minutes from the airport, and if you’re doing the Road to Hana or Haleakala, you’re looking at really long drives every time you leave the resort.
Kihei and Wailea (South Maui) are way more central. Shorter drives to pretty much everywhere. Kihei especially has solid condo rentals at better prices than the resort zones.
I put together a whole list of my favorite family-friendly Maui resorts with actual details on what makes each one work for different families. Or just browse hotels on Expedia to compare.
If you’re stuck on this decision, this is exactly the kind of thing I help people figure out in my Hawaii travel consultations.
Sometimes you just need someone who actually knows these places to talk through your specific situation.
What’s Actually Open in Lahaina (2026 Update)
Let me be straight with you about Lahaina because there’s a lot of confusion.
After the August 2023 fires, most of historic Lahaina is still closed. Front Street, Banyan Tree Park, the core downtown area—all still off-limits while rebuilding happens. This will take years.
But here’s what IS open:
Everything north of Lahaina (Kaanapali, Napili, Kapalua) is fully open. These areas were never touched by the fire.
Old Lahaina Luau is operating. It’s north of the burn zone right on the water, and it’s still one of the best authentic luau experiences on Maui.
Some restaurants near the Cannery Mall area have reopened. Mala Ocean Tavern, Aloha Mixed Plate, Star Noodle. They’re welcoming people back.
Lahaina Harbor started limited operations in December 2025. Some whale watching tours and boat trips are running from there now.
The best way to help? Visit. Spend money at local businesses. Be respectful. Don’t ask servers or hotel staff about the fires. Just assume everyone was affected somehow.
Whale Watching Is Everything People Say It Is
If you’re coming between December and May, whale watching is not optional.
Humpback whales show up in Maui’s waters every winter, and you can see them from shore in a lot of places.
But getting out on a boat puts you close enough to really get how massive and graceful these animals are.
Book a whale watching tour early in your trip in case weather cancels your first try. Morning tours usually have calmer water, which matters if anyone in your crew gets seasick.
Picking a Luau When You Actually Know What You’re Looking At
Here’s the thing about luaus. I’ve danced hula for over 20 years, so I notice things most people don’t. Not all luaus are the same, and some are way better than others.
For first-timers, Old Lahaina Luau is the one to beat. It reopened in 2024 after the fires and it’s 100% focused on Hawaiian tradition.
No cheesy Polynesian mashups, just authentic Hawaiian storytelling, great food, and ocean views. Book this one early because it sells out.
If you want something more upscale and intimate, the Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz in Wailea is gorgeous.
Smaller crowd, table service instead of a buffet, and the sunset over Mokapu Beach is unreal. It’s pricier but worth it for a special occasion.
I break down all my favorite Maui luaus for families with pros and cons of each.
Bring Your Own Car Seat
Rental companies charge a stupid amount for car seats, and the quality is hit or miss.
Most airlines let you check car seats for free at the airport. Bring your own. You’ll save money and actually know your kids are in seats that fit them properly.
Download the Shaka Guide app before you leave. It’s like having a tour guide in your car.
The GPS tracks where you are and tells you about what you’re seeing as you drive. My kids actually paid attention to it, which is saying something.
A Few More Things That Matter
Get reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii banned the chemicals that damage coral reefs, so stores won’t even sell the bad stuff. Bring your own or buy it there at Hawaii prices.
Pack layers. You’ll go from 80-degree beaches to 40-degree summit temps in the same day. The weather shifts crazy fast as you drive upcountry.
Book your activities before you arrive. Don’t wait until you land to book luaus, Haleakala sunrise, boat tours, or other Maui adventures. Peak season sells out weeks ahead.
Here’s What To Do With All This
Planning Maui doesn’t have to be complicated. But it does need some advance work or you’ll end up scrambling.
If you want someone to just tell you exactly what to do for your specific family situation, that’s what I do in my Hawaii travel consultations.
We’ll get on a call, I’ll ask about your family, and I’ll build you a plan that actually works.
Or if you’d rather DIY it, grab my Maui Travel Guide for Families. Everything in one place—sample itineraries, maps, all my recommendations.
And listen to my podcast episode on planning a Maui trip. I answer the questions I get asked most.
Maui is amazing with kids. You just need to know what to skip, what to prioritize, and how to make it all work without losing your mind. Now you know what I wish someone had told me from the start.
Related Posts:
- Awesome Things to Do in Kihei, Maui
- Christmas on Maui
- Incredible Maui Boat Tours Worth Booking
- Best Maui Adventures to Book Before Your Trip
