Kat’s Trip Report: Daily Updates

Question

First trip to Hawaii! We are a couple in our 40s with a 9 year old daughter renting a condo in Kihei. We started our trip in Waikiki (loved it) and will end our trip in Oahu at Aulani by Disney.

Sunday:

We flew over to Maui on Hawaiian Airlines from the Honolulu airport. It really is a fast flight. Felt like we got up in the air, drank a free juice, and began our decent. We picked up our rental car at the airport- a jeep (my husband insisted!) My daughter and I will admit we were excited about the cool jeep once we saw it! We were idiots though who didn’t know how to roll down the windows (hint: it’s in the center console) so we looked like real dorks paying the guy as we left the parking lot by opening the door a crack to hand him the cash. Not a smooth start. But we figured it out and carried on.

We drove to our condo in Kihei and unpacked. My daughter LOVES to organize and she took her time putting clothes in drawers, toiletries in bathroom drawers, and hats on hooks. Finding a perfect place for everyhing. Once she felt we were sufficiently put away we walked over to Coconuts for dinner. I had fish tacos and a glass of rosé. It was good! My daughter had Mac and cheese. On our way over there we stopped at the beach and saw the people sitting lined up to watch the sunset. We watched for a moment ourselves and my daughter snapped a poloroid. Then onto Coconuts. When we left Coconuts in the dark of night, we were treated to the psychedelic sight of a parade of crazy glowing neon bikes featuring aliens and lots of lights being ridden by mostly older folks (amazing) who threw shakas and dramatic looks at my daughter as we watched them approvingly with grins on our faces. We headed back to the Airbnb to get ready for bed. We were asleep by 9pm.

Monday: our first full day in Maui! We woke up, got ready, and walked over Cinnamon Roll Place. We lined up, admired the chickens and roosters in the parking lot (they obligingly strutted for my daughter to take their poloroid picture) we brought cinnamon rolls and coffee (Hawaiian lattes!) and a loaf of banana bread. I also popped into Boss Frog’s Snorkel Shop while my family waited in line for cinnamon rolls but the service there wasn’t that great this morning for me, although I was the only customer in the store- I felt like I was bothering the person working there by coming in- so I left thinking I might come back later or might try a different shop. We went back to the condo to eat the cinnamon rolls and drink our coffee on our lanai. Then a wee bit of downtime as my daughter discovered the kids channels on tv here and my husband did a little work on his laptop while I stared out at the beautiful ocean on the lanai after doing a little bit of laundry. Then, off we walked again to try Auntie Snorkel and see if that was a better vibe for us. It was! The guys working there had a great energy and were so helpful and got us what we needed and brought it out for us- three rental life jackets, a few stickers for my daughter, a tube of sunscreen, and some water shoes for my daughter.) Back home again to change into swimsuits and grab our beach gear- hauled it to Kam 2. At this time it was after 10:15am and there was some surf. We had fun for a while- my daughter loved the waves, I mostly watched her and my my husband from the shore taking in the beautiful view. A wave pushed my daughter down hard and she did not like that- she’s a sensitive kid and it’s her first time ever swimming in the ocean! So she was ready to head back. She did have fun for the first good while though. Need to get her out earlier next time when the waves are more gentle. Kam2 was lifeguarded, but the way, so it’s no longer “closed” since the flooding. We returned home, changed, re-sunscreened and out we walked again to 808 deli. I got a chicken salad sandwich, Maui style potato chips and a strawberry orange juice. It was great! Next we drove to Safeway and stocked up on groceries. Back to the condo again to put everything away, shower, and let everyone have some downtime. My daughter and husband watched tv while I sat on the lanai looking at the view and reading. Then we headed to South Maui Gardens for dinner and really enjoyed that. Listened to some live music and enjoyed food from the food trucks, my husband and daughter played life-sized chess. One of the food truck owner gave my daughter a sticker of a surfing rooster. Stickers are a big deal to a 9 year old she was thrilled. We stayed until dark fell and watched it light up around us. Now back at the condo to get ready for bed.

I’m pretty wiped- probably from all of the walking back and forth today and being on my feet - but also because I woke up at 4:30am this morning and never quite fell back asleep! I know I’ll sleep better tonight! I got my exercise for sure. Now that we have groceries and coffee here we won’t have to do so much back and forth and can relax a little bit more.

Ps: I’m the one who asked about the vog the other day, and fortunately, it has not been perceptible to us so far. We are grateful for that! And so grateful to be in Maui! The temperature has been so perfect since we got to Hawaii- so far not too hot not too cool just perfect. We run the AC lightly at night just to help us sleep. During the day we can get away with just letting the breeze through.

Answer

Welcome to your first trip to Hawaii! It sounds like your first couple of days in Maui have been a mix of adventure, relaxation, and family bonding, with your 9-year-old daughter having a particularly fun time exploring and enjoying the small joys of the trip.

Sunday highlights included:

Flying from Honolulu to Maui on Hawaiian Airlines—quick, comfortable, and with complimentary beverages.
Picking up a Jeep rental and the humorous moment of figuring out the window controls.
Settling into your condo in Kihei, with your daughter enthusiastically organizing her space.
Exploring local dining with dinner at Coconuts (fish tacos for you, mac and cheese for your daughter) and enjoying a brief sunset at the beach.
Experiencing the unique spectacle of glowing neon bikes in the evening, which made for a memorable and fun family moment.

Monday, your first full day in Maui, featured a mix of food, shopping, and beach time:

Breakfast at Cinnamon Roll Place with pastries, banana bread, and coffee while observing the local chickens—an adorable activity for your daughter with polaroid photos.
A visit to snorkel shops: Boss Frog’s had less engaging service, but Auntie Snorkel offered helpful staff, life jackets, sunscreen, and water shoes for your daughter.
Beach time at Kam 2, enjoying waves, while monitoring your daughter’s comfort as she encountered bigger surf for the first time. This reinforced the idea to pick calmer conditions for her in the future.
Lunch at 808 Deli with Maui-style sandwiches and juices.
Grocery shopping at Safeway for a well-stocked condo and easier meal prep for the rest of the trip.
Dinner at South Maui Gardens with food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities like life-sized chess. Your daughter got a sticker from a food truck vendor, which added a small but significant delight.

Additional observations and notes:

The weather has been ideal—pleasant temperatures without being too hot or cool, light use of AC at night, and enjoying breezes during the day.
No significant vog has been noticeable in Kihei, making outdoor activities enjoyable and safe for your family.
Walking and exploring on foot have provided both exercise and opportunities for discovering local gems, though it’s clear keeping groceries stocked reduces the need for back-and-forth trips.
Overall, combining sightseeing, beach time, and local dining experiences has created a well-rounded first two days, balancing energy for your daughter with relaxation and personal enjoyment for you and your husband.

Suggestions for the next days based on your current experiences:

Plan beach visits when waves are gentle for your daughter’s comfort, particularly at Kam 2 or other lifeguarded beaches nearby.
Take advantage of lanai time at the condo for downtime and ocean views, which also helps balance active and rest periods.
Continue exploring local eateries and food trucks for casual meals, which are family-friendly and provide a taste of Maui culture.
Consider shorter walks or renting bikes for exploring nearby areas to mix up the routine while minimizing fatigue for your daughter and yourselves.
Keep sunscreen, hats, and water shoes handy, especially for spontaneous beach visits or snorkeling activities.

Overall, your trip is off to a delightful start, combining family bonding, discovery, and a comfortable pace that allows your daughter to enjoy Maui in her own fun-filled way.

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