Wow, it’s hard to believe your boys will be 11 next year! I still picture them as toddlers.

I think there’s so many interesting things to learn in Hawaii for adults and kids – like marine biology (snorkeling), geology (volcanos), meteorology (the multiple climates in Hawaii), and history and Polynesian culture – to name a few.

Tips for traveling in HI with kids? Here are couple important ones:
- Use high SPF sunscreen – as you probably know, the sun is stronger in Hawaii
- Swim at lifeguarded beaches only.

Thanks for your comment and I hope you’ll come back often to enjoy a little slice of Hawaii each day and share your experiences from your trip to Maui.

Ka’anapali is definitely our favorite place to stay when we’re in Maui. He shack up at the Sheraton Maui Resort each year, and while we splurge for the super-duper ocean front rooms on the north side of Black Rock, there are still so many options along Ka’anapali Beach.

A few favorites of our own, to help others not familiar with the area.

1) There is a Safeway at the Lahaina Cannery Mall right down Hwy 30 that’s great for stocking up on supplies for a week’s stay.

2) We love walking to Whalers Village at least once a day. You have great places to eat like Hula Grill and Leilani’s, and you always have the ABC Store there for all your needs.

3) There is a beachwalk that goes from the Sheraton all the way down to the Hyatt along the beach. Its about a 30 minute gingerly walk from north to south, one way. We enjoy it as a great daily workout and a neat way to check out the other resorts and condos along the beach.

4) Nightly strolls along the beach. With so many resorts and people gathering around Ka’anapali, you’d think there would be more people strolling down the beach after dark. We routinely walk back to the Sheraton from dinner at Whalers Village and take our time through the sand. To our surprise, there really aren’t that many people to be seen. It’s like having the beach all to yourselves. The torches atop Black Rock at the Sheraton also offer for unforgettable scenery. If you enjoy watching the stars, bring a towel or beach blanket and you’re in heaven.

5) Speaking of Black Rock, the Sheraton has a nightly torch lighting and cliff diving ceremony at Black Rock, right around sunset. It’s definitely something to see at least once, and you’ll find many people gathering around the sands of Ka’anapali Beach and cocktail cruise boots lining up in the water to witness the event.

6) You have a few great choices of luaus right nearby. The Sheraton has one twice a week, you have the ever popular Drums of the Pacific down near the Hyatt, and the Royal Lahaina Luau over at the Royal Lahaina are all great choices.

7) You’re about 10 minutes from Historic Lahaina Town and while parking can be an adventure at certain times, it’s a quick drive down to a very happening Front Street for shopping, dining, and dinner cruises from the harbor.

The sunsets from West Maui are absolutely amazing (although to be fair, they’re great anywhere on the islands). No matter what you’re doing around 6:30pm, everyone stops and takes in the majestic beauty of the sun setting out on the Pacific Ocean.

In terms of it becoming a mini-Waikiki Beach, we usually head out during the off-seasons and it hasn’t been that bad. On our last trip (Sept. ’07), there seemed to be an awfully lot of weddings going on at our resort and nearby, in some cases 2-3 a day. It was somewhat fitting that we were there celebrating our anniversary, and it was nice to see so many couples choosing Maui as a place to start the rest of their lives together.

Well talk to you later.

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