Melanie, did I hear you say that you were stopping in Los Angeles on your way to Hawaii?
Let me echo pluto’s suggestion of a very large carry-on with airholes drilled in it. Please make sure the carry-on has room for two (I’d like to take my fiancee with me.)
I would be more than willing to treat you to a beer (non-imported) once in Hawaii.
Granted it is a completely different island, but I spent my honeymoon in Kauai last year. Waimeia (probably misspelled, I just don’t feel like looking it up) is pretty dang cool. There is also some neat mountain hiking on the northern end of the island (about 15 miles past Hanalei Bay).
You can feel free to call me Mr. Tied for 26th place on the favorite poster’s list.
For a minute there I thought I was going to get to know Arnold a lot better than I want to. I don’t want to go to Hawaii that bad!
A few years ago my wife’s uncle moved to Hawaii (the big island) and we were welcome to visit anytime so all we had to do was scrape up the airfare.
Our visits tended to go like this: Day 1 - go to the beach. Day 2 - go to the beach. Day 3 - go to the beach. Day 4 - see the volcano and, if we get back in time, go to the beach. Day 5 - etc., etc.
IMO, it was a pretty successful schedule (and easy to remember). Have fun Mel!
p.s. Now her uncle lives in Sequim. Now we can visit Sequim anytime we like. Now are visits go like this: Drive to Sequim. Talk to Uncle Ray. Drive home. 
Ahem… our visits.
Damn homonyms.
You’re lucky to be going to such an amazing place! If your dive trip does not already have a set destination, I recommend the dive sites around Lanai (very short boat trip from Maui). Two goods ones are the “Cathedrals”. They are two underwater caverns and are very fun to explore. The dive sites around the Molokini crater are great also. At this time of year, you might get to see a whale or two. I went to Hawaii in October, and really regreted having to leave just when the whales were expected to arrive.
Hey, Mel, see my old thread on helmet-diving in GQ before you make any dive plans!
[sigh] I still remember the happy days of plashing through the sunny Hawaiian surf in my rubberized suit, breastplate, and 20-pound lead soles…
Uke
Manhattan, well…let me check with my husband…maybe I can work something out ;)!
Hell, if he’ll fetch drinks and do the laundry, he can go, too!
And Uke, does every thread have to involve kinky sex talk?
I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids!
Mel, I want you Chin and Dano to round up every hood on the island.
I’d advise you to visit Jack Lord, but he was cremated. His brilliant mind and his impeccable coiffe inspired me to be the handsome genius that I am today.
Although Charles Lindbergh is buried in Maui. Very impressive cemetary and gravesite. Check it out
Have fun, and buy me a perverted island trinket.
I’m not perky.
This summer I went to the Big Island in Hawaii and I took an airplane around the island - it had some really spectacular veiws but thats beside the point. Around November or so, my dad pointed out an article in the NY Times about a plane that had crashed, killing everyone on board. It was the same tour, and the same airline, which likely only owned one plane. In other words, If I had gone to Hawaii a couple of months later, I wouldn’t have been here providing company for yall. Yall should be thankful.
Mel, I’m happy to inform you that I’ll be accompanying you to Hawaii. I’ll fill you in on my itinerary as soon as those lotto numbers come up. Looking forward to the trip :).
Just imagine how the frogs feel!
Damn! One letter out.
Stop telling God what to do.
Ok. Minx, Seale, Wiggum, Wally - I’ll definetly let you know if I really get laid by a) a greasy torch b) a greasy torch juggler or c) a cute surfer. Cross your fingers for C (or maybe B).
Manny, EvilGhandi, thanks for the bike trip. I would love to do it, I hope it’s not defunct.
Arnold, his finacee and Pluto? Oh, brother. Why don’t you guys quick get jobs at AOL Time Warner and you can go, too? Why do you think Time Magazine costs $3.50 a pop?
Omni, if you’re going to be there, I’ll bring a bikini: red or black?
I’ll find out exactly where I’ll be diving, Seadiver and let you know.
Thanks to all for the suggestions! I’ll compose a new thread when I get back and maybe post some photos.
Alph, oh, definitely a perverted trinket for you. I’m just surprised you didn’t tell me to have “sax on the beach”.
Formerly unknown as “Melanie”
Hey Sax - just got back from Maui Wednesday evening… (and now I’m sitting at a desk in the City of Berkeley - can you say “Life just isn’t fair”?).
Here’s the straight dope: The bike ride down Haleakala is WAY expensive (averages between $80-115) and if there’s any rain or clouds around, they’ll be on Haleakala. My bro and his wife and son did the sunrise bike ride, and at 10,000 ft. at 4 a.m., it’s about 40 degrees up there. They were wet, cold, and miserable. Also, my sis-in-law got stuck riding behind some scared dork-woman who rode her brakes the whole way down, eventually causing sis-in-law to try to pass. Big mistake. She ended up with a bit of road rash and four stitches in her elbow. So, my impression of the bike ride is, “Nah.”
Now snorkling (or diving, in your case) was GREAT! We took the morning Molokini Crater cruise on the Frogman and it was terrific (my first time snorkling)! I suppose all the tour boats that go out there are outfitted similarly - they feed you a light breakfast and a sandwichy lunch (one boat has a BBQ going, but I’m sure they’re more expensive) and cocktails after all the diving is over. You go to Molokini Crater for an hour or so, then they head over to Turtle Town for another hour or so. We saw whales and turtles, in addition to fish (but I understand that the snorkling at Hanauma Bay on Oahu is better for fish-watching), and all in all I had a SUPER day. I really recommend taking these snorkling/diving tours. I think they run in the $30-$50 range (my bro paid for mine as a late Xmas gift).
I also recommend taking the road to Hana, but give yourself LOTS of time and GO SLOW on that road (it’s only wide enough for one car most of the way and there are a LOT of blind curves). And if you find Lindbergh’s grave would you PLEASE tell me where it was?! (Almost nothing on the road is marked, so be sure to bring a good map!)
If you’re into cultural historical entertainment type stuff, there’s an exceptional show in Lahaina called Ulalena - kind of a modern interpretation of ancient Hawaiian life/lore/myth. You can get a dinner/show combo deal - we had a terrific meal at Ruth’s Chris before the show (total cost per person, about $60). I can’t talk about this show enough! It was beautiful and amazing and kind of emotional (it’s put on by the Cirque de Soliel (sp?) people, but it’s not an “ooh! ahhh!” amazing contortions kind of show, so don’t expect that…)
Oh yeah, we hit the swap meet too, in Kahului(Sunday I think it was) and found some decent bargains on local crafts and tourist stuff. The town of Paia (near Kahului) was VERY cool - lots of neat antique and artsy/craftsy shops (apparently Paia is where all the “former-hippie” types congregate… You MUST see the Koa wood sculptures and furniture at the Craft Guild store in Paia - STUNNING!
We stayed in Kahana (just north of Lahaina) and it was QUITE windy there, and we had several days of drizzly weather. Just remember, if the weather’s not happening on the windward side, head to the leeward side of the island and everything’s beautiful!
Have a great time! Aloha!
StoryTyler
“Not everybody does it, but everybody should.”
I Spy Ty.
I just found out where I’ll be going for the various activities I signed up for! Here goes:
Nature Hike
Venture into the lush West Maui Mountains with The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Eco Tours. Led by experienced guides,you’ll spend an adventurous day hiking through native vegetation and along breathtaking coastal regions and ridgelines. Learn of Hawaii’s unique geography, geology and island history. Enjoy a swim in one of Maui’s dramatic waterfall pools. Plenty of great photo opportunities. Exclusive 3-5 mile hike.
Scuba Dive
(Certified)
You will be treated this morning to a two tank dive. Your two tank charter will venture off to Molokini Crater. This crescent shaped land mass called Molokini is actually the rim of an extinct volcano. Today Molokini is a thriving reef packed with an extraordinary array of life. On the crater’s sheltered inner side, there are several excellent sites which you will enjoy. The deeper portions of the inner reefs offer awesome scenery and possible encounters with some of the reef’s larger inhabitants. The backside of Molokini is one of Hawaii’s most thrilling blue water dives, where it’s possible to see just about anything from sharks and Manta Rays to Humpback Whales and Whale Sharks. You will definitely not be disappointed!
I leave in 10 days - can’t wait. AGGGGGGRRR
Formerly unknown as “Melanie”
Cool! The Molokini dive rocks! The outside of the crater features one of the top-rated wall dives in the U.S. Of course, the reefs on the inside of the crater are amazing, too. You are going to have so much fun!
If I may suggest one more thing, do treat yourself to a “tropical itch”, the ultimate tropical cocktail- yummm!
Actually, Saxface is already known far and wide as a tropical … Oh, wait. That’s a different word entirely.
Yea, try the drink.
Livin’ on Tums, vitamin E and Rogaine
Diver, I will try the drink! In fact, why should I stop at one?
What’s the word, Manny? I’m baffled.
(And if it’s Tropical Bitch, then you are so right.)
Oh, Manny, they are now offering this (see below)! This trip is going to be so much physical activity, ugh.
Volcano Bike Ride
How would you like to bike 21 exhilarating miles downhill with only 400 yards of pedaling? This is the ultimate experience of Maui! After a briefing by your guide, you’ll be outfitted with a comfortable, custom-built mountain bicycle equipped with oversize brakes, a safety helmet and a wind breaker. Starting at the 10,000 foot elevation you’ll wind your way through some of the most picturesque countryside Maui has to offer. Glide down the winding road, through rocky wastelands, and into endless fertile pasture lands at the 4,000 foot elevation. Your van will meet you for a relaxed trip back to the hotel.
Damn!
Formerly unknown as “Melanie”
“How would you like to bike 21 exhilarating miles downhill with only 400 yards of pedaling?”
No, thanks—how would you like a good poke in the beezer?
Not you, Sax, whoever would try to make me get on that bike. Have a great time—you’re gonna miss my Feb. 2 TV show, though! I’ll loan ya the tape . . .