Welcome back, readers! In this blog post, we’ll dive into our first weekend in Hawaii, exploring the highs and lows, the unexpected surprises, and the delicious discoveries. From our arrival at Kahului airport to witnessing a breathtaking sunrise at Haleakala, this weekend was packed with adventure. So, fasten your seatbelts, and let’s journey through my Hawaiian escapade.
Arrival
Our adventure began when we touched down at Kahului airport, welcomed by a gentle, balmy breeze. Kahului airport, with its open design that takes full advantage of the trade winds, immediately set the tone for our Hawaiian experience.
Our first task upon landing was to pick up our rental car. Travel tip: If you’re renting a car and not using a Costco deal, consider opting for a different rental company. The Costco packages are exclusively through Budget, and the lines can be excruciatingly long. We spent over an hour in line before finally getting the keys to our Jeep Wrangler.
The Jeep Wrangler turned out to be a fantastic choice for navigating Maui. It offered both rugged capability and a comfortable ride, perfect for exploring the island’s diverse terrain.
With our wheels ready, we wasted no time and headed to our first meal spot, Wow-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar and Grill. Here, I discovered my newfound obsession: Loco Moco. This delectable dish consists of two scoops of rice, topped with two hamburger patties, a savory brown gravy sauce, and two fried eggs. It might not be a looker, but it’s an absolute taste sensation.
Our group also tried hamburgers, club sandwiches, and fish, all of which received a hearty thumbs-up. The only exception was the kava, an acquired taste that our waitress honestly warned us about before we ordered.
Settling into Kihei
After lunch, we made our way to our condo in Kihei. On the way, we passed several grocery stores, including Walmart, Target, Safeway, and the ever-busy Costco. Pro tip: If you need groceries, there are plenty of options along the way.
Once we arrived at the condo, jet lag hit us hard. Power naps turned into 12-hour overnight sleep marathons. Hawaii, with its five-hour time difference from Central Time, had us struggling to adapt.
Sunrise at Haleakala
Our Sunday adventure started early, with a 3 AM departure from the condo to reach the highest point on the island, Haleakala. A friendly reminder: To witness the mesmerizing sunrise at Haleakala, you must secure a reservation in advance and pay the park entrance fee. The summit of Haleakala was incredibly cold, so we bundled up in layers and braced ourselves for the experience.
The early morning chill and strong winds were all worth it when we saw the sun rise above the clouds, ushering in a new day. The drive down from the summit was equally exciting, with a moment of Jeep-powered coasting for over seven miles.
Following the sunrise, we headed to Zippy’s for breakfast. While it offered a basic breakfast menu, I opted for the meat lovers breakfast featuring spam, bacon, corned beef hash, and eggs. Though the food was decent, the prices felt a bit steep, even factoring in the Hawaii prices.
Conclusion
As we wrapped up our first weekend in Hawaii, we couldn’t help but reflect on the highs and lows of our adventure. From the long rental car line at the airport to the culinary delights of Loco Moco and the awe-inspiring sunrise at Haleakala, it was a memorable experience.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more about our Hawaiian escapades in the next post. Until then, safe travels, and happy reading!
Clint Wehrman