re: Going to Maui and Kauai - Any tips or recommendations appreciated...

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Also - any tips for that long arse flight there (9.5 hrs) appreciated too

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Made this flight 2 times to Hawaii make sure you get up and walk around the plane every couple of hours. Especially after the first 2 or 3 hours of the flight. The flights both times were miserable ( no first class for myself and the wife NO Oter baller) but Hawaii is amazing and worth every bit of the misery.

driving around oahu specifically around Honululu was some of the most stressful driving of my life

Maui:

Did Road to Hana (pools at Ohe’o were off limits for swimming), Haleakala sunrise (cold as a mfer), snorkeling at Molokini crater, Old Lahaina Luau, walked Paia and Front St.

Favorite eats: Mama’s Fishhouse (best sashimi of my life), Humuhumunukunukuapua'a at Grand Wailea (really nice at sunset), Monkeypod, South Maui Fish Co. (the poke bowl, holy shite).

There’s a legit cinnamon roll place in Kihei just across the road from the beach in a strip mall.
On road to Hana, hold off on banana bread until you get to Halfway to Hana. Don’t remember the name of the stop but where the vendors and shops are, the fish and chips at the converted RV were solid.

Outside of the obvious sites, there’s an awesome lookout on the way to Paia where you can watch surfers and grab a bite to eat at a food truck. Duck under the railing and walk down to the water; there’s a little memorial spot for lost surfers.

This is one long arse flight 7 hours in and 3 to go..

but will be there soon

ETA . the island vibe is real!

Mamas Fish House for sure. I did the road to Hana. The scenery and views to Hana are great. However if you or anyone with you gets car sick they will be miserable. Once was plenty for me.

I drove my wife and another couple. It became very stressful and tedious. If I had to do any of it again I would drive about 5 miles in, turn around and go back to watch the surfers near Paia

Like someone mentioned earlier, if you decide to do the 4 mile roundtrip portion of the Kalaupapa Trail to the beach, it is described as "strenuous and tricky".

You need to have good stamina, balance, and, of course, good shoes/boots. They will get stained from the red dirt/clay.

I was in good shape, but wore some open toe Merrell hiking sandals and nearly busted my butt several times. The first 1/2 mile is literally like doing an uneven, muddy, slippery stair climber. I thought about turning around.

I ended up doing the additional 4 miles to the water falls. That section had a few spots that were tricky also.

Said I would never do the hike again, but within a few months, I think I've changed my mind. Headed back to Hawaii in Mar '23, and may do Kauai and the hike. If I do, I will definitely have better shoes.

1st Sunrise in Kaapa