Hi! We’re taking a family trip with the in-laws in a couple of weeks and I’m looking for a little advice. We’re staying on Maui exclusively, but I’d really like to get over to see and walk around Kilauea.

I was wondering what’s the best (and most cost efficient) way to see the volcano? I’ve done some looking online, and most of what I’ve seen (helicopter tours) is going to cost several hundred dollars a person, so I was wondering if there’s a less expensive way to get over to see the volcano?

We’re dealing with a travel agent, but her advice was “just wait until you get there and ask your hotel” and I’m not comfortable with the wait and see approach. I appreciate any advice anyone has!
Thanks! [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Jen

03.5 5AT Sedan
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like most resort areas, there are booths where they sell same day tours that are cheaper than the retail rates
they do this to fill empty seats at that last minute just like they do the shows in vegas
you may not get to go on the day you want, but just keep going back

another idea is if anyone is a member of AAA, AARP, or even AmEx cardholders, + other civic, professional, or military organizations they sometimes have discounts available

interisland flights are very expensive- just under a hundred bucks per person EACH WAY, and then you would need to rent a car and get to the volcano or catch a tour bus, so this method may not be much cheaper than the helocopter

in addition, a lot of the time the lava flow is not visible from hikeable areas
it is right now, i believe

good luck and have a great trip

aloha

steve

PM or email me if you want other sightseeing/dining tips
i help visiting people out all the time on the boxster board

 

Thanks for the info, I was afraid of that. [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Right now, we’re planning on doing the bike ride down from Haleakala, we’re attending a luau, we’re driving the road to Hana and either scuba diving or snorkeling. Is there anything else that you’d recommend?

03.5 5AT Sedan
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send me an email
macsak@hawaii.rr.com
and i'll send you copies of emails i have sent in the past to members of the boxster board

aloha

steve

 

The best way to see it to me is to get up close. When I last went to the big island (a couple of years ago). We hiked in and got right upto a lava flow. It was about a 20 minute walk, not too far maybe 1/2 to 1 mile. We could actually stand on a recent flow that was cooled at the surface but still flowing undrerground maybe 6 feet under. In the cracks you could see the glowing lava slowly moving under ground. Some people were throwing in sticks and they would instanly burst into flames. Just a word of advice, take a lot of bottled water and some thick soled shoes, damn the ground was hot, felt like my feet was melting.

 

For the golfers there are the Kapalua & Wailea golf courses. There are others, but for the money these courses (54 holes each) are almost always in good condition.

For the kids there is the Maui Ocean Center (right by Maalaea Harbor) and the Sugar Cane Train. They might still be running the whale watching, but it's not the right season and people might end up feeding their just eaten lunch to the fishes.

You might want to look into sport fishing as well. All these activities are located on the leeward (western) coast of Maui.

One word of caution, there are a lot bad drivers on Maui. I worked on Maui from May 2001 through October 2003 and used to witness a near accident at least once a week. The tourists are in an unfamiliar place and are often looking at the scenery or maps. The locals are trying to get around the tourists and sometimes do some pretty nutty things. Don't let me get you down on Maui, it's a great island, just be a bit more cautious when you are driving (and biking) on Maui.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate it! We’re leaving tomorrow AM and I’m really looking forward to it! Needless to say, I’m having severe motivational issues at work right now! [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

03.5 5AT Sedan
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Just wanted to say thanks again for all the advice! We had a great time in Maui, we didn’t get to do everything we wanted to (like Kilauea), but we had a wonderful time, so I have no complaints! The weather was great, everyone was very friendly, I can’t wait to visit again. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

03.5 5AT Sedan
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Glad you had fun.........I'm having severe motivaltional issues at work too.