Maui
March 18, 3:49 p.m. HST
Aloha to our friends and family,
We wanted to reach out and express to you all, first and foremost, how important you are to us and how grateful we are that you have come along with us for this ride. We recognize what a unique situation we are all in and we want you to know that the safety and well-being of our guests, as well as the vendors working our event, are at the top of our minds. We wanted to provide an update on the current state of affairs as they pertain to our wedding.
First of all, please note that developments are obviously happening quickly, and we are doing our best to make tough decisions in real time. We have arrived on Maui safe and sound and are looking forward to beginning to celebrate this amazing occasion as best as we possibly can. We are working closely with our event planners, as well as the vendors, to ensure that steps are being taken to provide the safest situation possible.
We have attached a statement from Moana Belle Events (our amazing event planners) giving you more insight into the policies and procedures that they are putting forth within their own business in preparation for our event.
Furthermore, in light of our collective obligations to them and one another, if you do decide to come, please monitor your health (including your temperature) in the days and hours leading up to the wedding. Please also practice other preventative measures at all times (before, during, and after the wedding), including constant hand washing, use of sanitizers, social distancing where possible, etc. If you are sick and untested or are at high risk from COVID-19, please stay home.
Given some of the guidelines set out by government leaders and agencies, we will unfortunately be striking most of the items from our original agenda - so as not to make anyone feel obligated to attend.
With all of that said, please know that we fully understand and support anyone's decision not to attend the wedding. We love you very much and are sorry about the timing of all of this. Moreover, know that we are here for you in the coming weeks and months, which are sure to be very difficult for everyone.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
With love,
--Josh & Jeff
West Maui
We will start our marriage getaway on Maui's sunny northwest coast. Once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty and the capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom, West Maui is now home to spectacular resorts, shopping, restaurants, a wealth of activities and some of the most amazing sunsets in the world.
The Honoapiilani Highway takes you from one resort to the next. Traveling north from Maalaea, your first stop is the historic whaling town of Lahaina. Rustic buildings recall its days as Hawaii’s busiest port, while shops on Front Street and whale watching make it a favorite port for cruise ships.
A few minutes north is Kaanapali, where we'll eat at Slappy Cake's before hiking Waihe'e Ridge Trail. On this side of the island, resorts melt into one another, eventually leading to Kapalua--known for golf and private getaways. The tone is quieter there, with understated elegance.
Central Maui
Most visitors start in Central Maui, arriving at Kahului Airport (OGG). This is also home for much of the island’s population.
The top attraction is Iao Valley State Park, with fog-shrouded forests, lush valleys and burbling streams. You can take an easy hike on a paved trail to view one of Maui’s most iconic landmarks, the 1,200-foot Iao Needle.
Join us in Paia at Mama's Fish House on Wednesday night! On our first vacation to the island, we had the best meal of our lives at Mama's! We loved it so much that we bought a painting from a charming Paia gallery titled, "The Road to Mama's," which. is, of course, a play off of, "The Road to Hana."
South Maui
You’ll find the sunniest, driest area of Maui on the peaceful southwest coast. Blessed with miles of sandy beach and clear views of Lanai, Molokini, and Kahoolawe, South Maui is for lazy days and romantic nights. Explore the underwater aquarium in whale-friendly Maalaea Bay. Golf in Wailea. Shop and dine in some of Maui’s finest restaurants and resorts.
Upcountry Maui
Golden beaches give way to rolling hills and misty mountains as you ascend into Upcountry Maui, which is on the higher elevations surrounding Haleakala. Since early times, Hawaiians have farmed the volcanic soil of Upcountry fields, growing taro and sweet potato. Today, you can take farm tours, visit a goat dairy, or even sip Maui-made wines and spirits in the rustic outposts of Kula and Makawao.
Further east, Haleakala presides over the "Valley Isle," with epic sunrises and landscapes that feel like the moon. It’s a dramatic departure from the coconut palms of Kaanapali and Kapalua, but a day trip to Upcountry will bring you closer to Maui’s heartland.
Before heading to Hana for the wedding, consider joining us for a beautiful sunrise atop Haleakala on Thursday morning.
East Maui
When you imagine paradise, it probably looks a lot like the island’s epic east side: cascading waterfall pools hidden in lush rainforests, roadside pineapple stands, hairpin turns around plunging sea cliffs, and more.
The Hana Highway begins in Kahului and snakes along the island’s northern coast for more than 50 miles The drive can take anywhere from two to four hours, as it's littered with narrow one-lane bridges, hairpin turns, and incredible views through flourishing rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools, and dramatic seascapes. The raw beauty will blow you away.
Stop at some of the roadside stands along the way, including a jungle version of a strip-mall in Nahiku (aka “the middle of nowhere”). When we first made this journey, we purchased fruit, small gifts, delicious barbecue sauce, and Hana honey!
After you’ve navigated the 600+ turns and 50+ bridges, you’ll enter Hana—the place where we will marry. It is a charming town where time seems an abstract concept and aloha is a way of life.
Join us the day of our our wedding as we explore the uninhabited and rugged road past Hana.
Flights to Maui
You can fly into Maui directly at Kahului Airport (OGG). Alternatively, you can fly through Oahu (Honolulu - HNL). Economy flights usually range from $540 to $920, and prices vary widely in advance. The best deals are usually for flying in/out Tuesday and Wednesday.
To avoid overpaying, we suggest setting up a flight tracker on Google Flights and booking when the indicator shows that prices are closer to the $540 range. We will also try to let you know of any fare sales that we learn about.
For convenience, here are some links to track roundtrip flights from Minneapolis (MSP):
MSP <> OGG (Mar 18-23) (Wed-Mon)
MSP <> OGG (Mar 17-24) (Tue-Tue)
MSP <> OGG (Mar 17-28) (Tue-Sat)
MSP <> OGG (Mar 16-30) (Mon-Mon)
Some sample itineraries that include Honolulu (Oahu):
MSP > HNL > OGG > MSP (Mar 11 > 17 > 23) (Wed > Tue > Mon)
Flights to/from Hana
We strongly recommend that you at least drive to or from Hana. It is one of the most beautiful drives you'll ever experience.
However, there are many people who recommend flying either in or out of Hana. It offers some incredible views, including the stunning view pictured here of a waterfall and Keopuka, the small island famous for its appearance in Jurassic Park.
One-way tickets are just $34.89 if you buy on the web in advance, and you can also do one-way car rentals to/from Hana, subject to availability. Review the link below and go to Mokulele Airlines to book flights. Contact Kim (See below- Your Travel Agent) for more information regarding car rentals.
Drive Times from OGG
Maui is a small island, and it doesn't take long to get around. Here are some drive times from the airport:
Haleakala: 2 hours
Hana: 2 hours, 45 minutes (but expect longer with scenic stops along the way)
Iao Valley: 30 minutes
Kaanapali: 50 minutes
Kapalua: 1 hour
Kihei: 30 minutes
Lahaina: 50 minutes
Wailea: 40 minutes
Wailuku: 15 minutes
Travaasa Experiential Resort
Phone: 855.868.7282
Address: 5031 Hana Hwy, Hana, HI 96713
Our wedding and related events will be at Travaasa Hāna on 3/20, 3/21, and 3/22. Located in the tiny town of Hana on the eastern tip of Maui, Travaasa will immerse you in the real Hawaii.
Monkeypod Kitchen
Whaler’s Village location:
Phone: 808.878.6763
Adress: L/1, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761
Monkeypod Kitchen has two Maui locations: one in Kihei and one in Whaler's Village in Kaanapali. They also have one at the Ko 'Olina resort on Oahu.
The environment is sophisticated but relaxed. The food is great and we love their cocktails. They also feature live music from talented local musicians.
We will stop by for cocktails during our time on the island. View our schedule and feel free to join us!
Slappy Cakes
Phone: 808.419.6600 | Address: 3350 Lower Honoapiilani Rd #701, Lahaina, HI 96761 (West Maui)
Slappy Cakes is the kind of place where you come to play with food but end up enjoying a serious gastro adventure. The restaurant mixes ready-to-order pancake batter that you cook right at your table!
They have Panasonic griddles mounted in the middle of the tables - a special griddle made in Japan just for Slappy Cakes.
Jeff and I found this gem on our first trip to Maui and really enjoyed toppings like the coconut peanut butter and the Portuguese sausage.
View our schedule and feel free to join us for breakfast!
Mama's Fish House
Phone: 808.579.8488 | Address: 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779 (Central Maui)
In Maui, "Mama's" is synonymous with fine dining—where simply mentioning the restaurant's name is enough to make your dinner date swoon.
Truly a world-renowned experience in a class of its own, Mama's serves fish so fresh the menu shows the name of the fisherman who caught it that morning.
When we first visited Maui, we enjoyed Mama's so much that we later bought a painting in a Paia art gallery called, "The Road to Mama's." It was hands-down the best meal we've ever had.
Please consider joining us for dinner on Wednesday night at this world-class restaurant.
Waihe'e Ridge Trail
Located in the West Maui Mountains, also known as Mauna Kahalawai, the 5-mile round-trip trail ascends 1,500 ft. through a lush forest of kukui, guava, ohia, and ferns.
Birdwatchers will also want to keep an eye out for the apapane, Hawaii amakihi, and maybe even an iiwi. Although they are very rare in West Maui, they have been spotted along the Waihe'e Trail.
As you make your way up towards the clouds, you'll notice the views of the sea and sky will soon seemingly meld into one. This hike is known as one of the most scenic treks on Maui- a reputation that is much deserved.
We fell in love with this hike and intend to do it again. Check out our schedule and feel free to join us! You'll see that we are timing it so as to arrive at the peak before 11AM, which is usually when the clouds roll in.
Haleakala
Towering over Maui and visible from just about any point on the island is a dormant volcano called Haleakala Crater. It's a force of nature in every sense. 10,023 feet above sea level, it provides a stunning range of views.
Many wake up early to drive to the top of Haleakala and watch a spectacular sunrise. As the sun peeks over the horizon, an ever-changing swirl of color and light dance across the sea of clouds—a sight described by Mark Twain as, “the most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed.”
We saw it on our first trip to the island, and we invite you to join us again before we head to Hana.
The sunrise is only one of the many reasons to pay Haleakala National Park a visit, though. Spanning more than 30,000 acres of public land, the stunning landscapes range from Mars-like red deserts and rock gardens near the summit to lush waterfalls and streams in the park’s coastal Kipahulu section, near Hana.
There are numerous hiking trails that offer solitude and scenic vistas, while guided hikes and horseback rides provide an expert's insight in addition to the natural beauty. Interestingly, there are more endangered species there than any other park in the National Park Service.
Hamoa Beach
Located off Haneo’o Road just past Hana proper is the world-famous Hamoa Beach. The beach is something of a hybrid between the serene beaches found on the island’s leeward side and a slice of Hana’s radical wildness.
A perfect place for a dip in the water, a nap, or a picnic lunch, Hamoa’s position inside a breached volcanic crater adds to its gorgeousness and drama.
Travaasa guests: snorkel gear is provided at no extra charge by the resort.
Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls
The Kipahulu area of Haleakala National Park boasts plenty of hiking trails that weave through forests of bamboo, past roaring cascades to the green heart of the island.
Please feel free to join us as we hike the Pipiwai Trail, one of the island’s best trails, which leads to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. This three- to five-hour hike is muddy, so don’t forget your hiking shoes!
Zipline!
Perched high above the Kapalua Resort, over 2 miles of ziplines whisk you across the gulches on the West Maui Mountains. Side by side ziplines, a high ropes course, “giant swing”, and the state’s largest suspension bridge are all part of this exhilarating activity.
Whale Watching Trips
Don't skip out on this amazing opportunity to go whale watching off the coast of Maui during whale season!
Snorkeling at Ahihi Kinau Marine Reserve
This small reserve on Maui's southwest coast covers lava flows and surrounding sea beds. Fishing is forbidden, and the site is full of fish. Its rich, colourful coral beds, visited by hundreds of tang swimming through the crystal-clear waters, make it one of the finest snorkeling spots in Maui.
Surfing Lessons
Learn how to stand up straight and proper surfing techniques with world-class surfer Zack Howard. From beginner to advance levels, private surf lessons feature customized packages.
Golf at Kapalua (Plantation)
Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii / 7,411 yards, 73 par
We don't golf, but a Golf Digest described this course as:
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw developed their bounce-and-roll design philosophy on this property, which had been a series of windswept pineapple fields slanting down the side of a volcano, sloping dramatically towards the ocean.
"If you could describe a golf course as "eccentric," this might be the best description of Kapalua's Plantation course. Elevation changes create the opportunity for heroic shots and scoring opportunities in the form of drivable moderate length par 4 s and reachable long par 5s. And the views provide a commanding vantage point to plan your attack on the hole. If the golfer can embrace the challenge, formulate a strategy, and execute well planned shots, the round becomes more about shot selection and execution than quirkiness."
808.572.6995
kim@islandstyletravel.net
We know all of the travel research can be overwhelming, especially if you haven't been to the island before. And although we are willing to help you ourselves, we are also thrilled to offer you the services of an expert resource.
Meet Kim Jenkins at Island Style Travel! Kim is our group travel agent and comes highly recommended. Her services are complimentary and she can help you with airfare, cars/jeeps, accommodations, activities, multi-island trips, and partial packages that can offer a great value.