Maui in Feb. - Any advice on accomodations / launches?

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

I'm taking the family to Maui in February for a little sunshine therapy. I've always stayed in Paia, but they've now cracked down on private rentals. Anyone know of a good place to stay without breaking the bank for me, the wife, and two small kids?

What is the story on launches in Maui now? Kite beach and Kihei? I've heard of people doing downwinders from somewhere near Mama's. Any other spots? Only after 11:30AM or something like that, right?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

They can fill you in on all details and also deal with seasonal rentals. There are some good deals if you get up in the Pukalani area. Check the Maui Times Classifieds and Craigs list for Ohana's opportunities.
Cheeers

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Kenja
I have spent about half of the last 4 months in Maui, traveling back and forth to go kite.
The rentals are coming back now, the county stopped the gestapo like crack down on the small B & B, and vacation rental owners. This is likely due to the fact that elections are coming up.
As far as housing and rentals go I found a great resource for AFFORDABLE rentals close to kite spots. The link is :

http://islandstylevacations.com/

Ph # 808-264-2302

They answer the phone with a real person and they have taken excellent care of me on my recent trips. Their web site does not have their full inventory of places yet. They get all your details over the phone or on the web inquiry form first. She will call you back in a day or two with a few options for your budget. I know they can also arrange rental cars with car seats, and cribs for the little ones, since they did this for a buddy of mine who is going next week. The girls name is Lindsay and she has lived on north shore of Maui her entire life. Tell her I sent you.
She knows where kiters want to be, with close proximity to the beach and Paia town. Rentals near Paia are closest to water. Haiku area is a little up the hill however you get a bigger place for your money often with nicer views if you dont mind a short drive to the beach. Pukalani and Makawo are both a little far in my opinion if you want to be at beach each day.
They have some small studios for real budget minded, and some larger two bedroom houses that are very close to the beach without breaking the bank.
As far as kite launches go they are all open after 11:00 AM like you said. The preferred ones are Kanaha Beach Park or Naish beach. The Eastern most spot is called Naish beach I think. Then its Pro-beach, followed by school beach which is where all the kite schools have their trucks and equipment for lessons. Most friendly spot for experienced kiters is Naish beach near lifeguard tower. There is a bit of a wind shadow on the inside if the wind is east, but its not bad after you get out.

Here is a good link with directions and explanations of what to do at each beach :

http://www.actionsportsmaui.com/beaches.html#NORTH_SHORE_BEACHES

I have kited in Kihei a few times also. It is nice and it blows over there some days when it is not blowing on the north shore (Paiai side). So its worth checking the wind reports, its especially good there on Kona or South winds. Waiehu also has a place called sand piles which I hear is nice but I never kited there.
The spot near Mamas is called lanes and it is west of Ho'okipa. It is an advanced kiter spot ONLY. You can see locals kiting there on most windy days, b/c of nice swell and good wind. However the launch at this place is not fun. You must usually self launch b/c no one there, then walk out over a shallow reef with large holes in it wearing your thickest booties. Reef is covered with sea urchins. The landing not that fun either. Here is a picture of Buck one of the locals trying to get out at Lanes so you have an idea .
Aloha and Have a great trip !

Sol-flyer · Thu Jan 14, 10 8:12 am

here's a related post you may find interesting...
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2362223&p=634463

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

Thanks for the great advice! I'll start following up on all the leads.

drtaamc · Since 24 Jul 2008 120 Posts Stoked

Aloha Kenja,

MasViento gave you the good scoop for the North Shore. If your primary interest is wave riding in Feb. The North Shore is the place. However, when I go to Maui anymore I stay in Kihei at a place called Kauhale Makai. It's a condo complex at the North end of Kihei with a huge lawn that goes right down to the beach. The wind in Kihei is good when the wind is typical NE trades or when there's a little more North in it. In the summer it blows 30 almost every day. The last time I stayed there in June I kited 20 out of 21 days. And late spring and early summer brings South swell that breaks on the reefs out front. Nothing special, but fun. Winter time is usually flat water/gorge type riding.

You rig on the lawn, Launch and walk 30 yards to the water. No wind shadow and wide open sailing. The reef off shore is shallow at low tide, so if you're riding with big fins on a surfboard scope it out at low tide to see where the channels are. The public windsurfing/kitesurfing launch is just a few hundred yards South of Kauhale Makai at the Maui Sunset.

The thing I like about Kauhale Makai is it's centrally located. You can walk out your door and kite if you want. Your 15 minutes from Kanaha, 5 minutes from Wailea, 20 minutes from Lahaina etc... It's closer to Kanaha then Haiku (which is a beautiful area, but far from everywhere except for Hookipa, Jaws and Hana). It's also almost always sunnier then anywhere else. Disclaimer, I have no financial interest in anything in Kihei or Maui for that matter. Just been going there for a long time first as a windsurfer/surfer and now as a kitesurfer.

Oh yeah and it's about as inexpensive for ocean front as your gonna get.

Check out rentals at VRBO.com for good prices.

Good luck and have fun,

Aloha,