What to bring to Maui?

Kiteguy · Since 26 Aug 2007 75 Posts

Im heading to Maui next week for some fun in the sun. This is my first trip there and Im wondering where the closest kite area is to Kaanapali beach? Also what kind of equiptment should I bring. Can I get by with a 9m and 11m (160lbs)? Do I need to bring my wetsuit? Will I get by with only one board size?(134 sol) or should I bring my big board as well? Will they be charging extra for my Golf deceiver bag? Where can you get the cheapest rental car? Any help is appreciated.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Oct 28, 08 1:45 pm

bring rum, a big wad of 50 dollar bills and condoms. All the rest will sort itself out.

Very Happy

scottnorby · Tue Oct 28, 08 1:56 pm

...it's way over rated.
Just got back yesterday.

If you are a beginner you will love Kanaha.
But if you have been riding in the ocean all last summer and getting spoiled by our surf and wind perfection you will get frustrated.
Surfing there is so good...Honolua Bay was amazing and over head.
DT flemings beach was a solid overhead right breaking off the reef. Really fun.

Almost all of Maui is off limits for kiting. Frustrating to see perfect waves and wind and no one kiting them.
We didn't even kite.
Was way too much of a hassle ---lots of driving---congested traffic and humid air.....and mostly flat water. Wind was 25 gusting to 40.

But again..if you are in your first year or two of kiting you will love Kanaha.

Rent a standup board and take it out to the reefs off of Lahaina.
Had a blast with my wife doing that for 3 days.

ALSO....snorkel in front of the Wailea Marriot because there are 5 sea turtles hanging out there ...and have been for weeks. They are amazing.

Bettyboarder · Tue Oct 28, 08 4:33 pm

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

bring your small kites, but you never know.. no need for a suite its warm just bring a hat, sun glasses and sun screen!!! rash guard, board shorts and lost of money its $$$.... hopefully you don't get skunked like i do every year, but hey i wont be there so it will probably be nukin!!

Bettyboarder · Tue Oct 28, 08 5:25 pm

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

boardshorts, 2 t-shirts, and a lot of money

thealohakid · Since 09 Aug 2006 58 Posts MAUI

...it's way over rated.
Just got back yesterday.

If you are a beginner you will love Kanaha.
But if you have been riding in the ocean all last summer and getting spoiled by our surf and wind perfection you will get frustrated.
Surfing there is so good...Honolua Bay was amazing and over head.
DT flemings beach was a solid overhead right breaking off the reef. Really fun.

Almost all of Maui is off limits for kiting. Frustrating to see perfect waves and wind and no one kiting them.
We didn't even kite.
Was way too much of a hassle ---lots of driving---congested traffic and humid air.....and mostly flat water. Wind was 25 gusting to 40.

This is very funny. Yes this place is way over rated! Please do not come to kite. Isn't Mexico better this time of year? You can probably get cheaper airfare there too and it's way less of a hassle. If you want the hassle....bring everything you got because November can have any combination of waves and wind. But again do not go to Maui if you want to kite! This place sucks!

Onad · Wed Oct 29, 08 5:44 am

Yah, Maui is no good for kiteboarding. What are Robby Naish and Pete Cabrinha thinking, basing their businesses on that rock way out in the Pacific Ocean… Wink

It’s all about planning when you travel to Maui folks. Sure there are some days/weeks with poor wind, but the same would be found by a Hawaiian visiting the Gorge in January… We’ve been there over five times and kited every trip (December, March, July, August)

Hey Kiteguy, sorry no one on this forum wants to help you, they seem much more inclined to “bitch.” Not sure you will see great winds in early November?? Kite size can vary for sure. You may need a 7m or even a 13m. Your 9m & 11m should work. Wouldn’t bring you big board, unless it’s a surf board and you intend on riding a lot of waves.

Check out http://www.mauicruisers.net/ for cheap car rentals. Tell the guy you’re a kiteboarder.

Good luck and have fun!! Cool

mystrygrl · Since 07 Sep 2006 95 Posts PDX/HR - What day is it?

Hi. You will have fun in Maui. Kanaha area (near the airport) is the spot where folks usually kite -- Kite beach, Naish beach are in that area -- great spot during the "usual" trade winds. It is kind of far from Kaanapali where you will be staying (about 40 minutes)... but hey... here in the NW we hop in the car and drive further than that on any given day to chase wind. You might want to check in with Dave and Suzi at Action Sports (www.actionsportsmaui.com) for more info -- they are super helpful about conditions, gear options, etc.

Yes, there is a possibility of no/light wind periods during this time of year, but bring your gear, and keep an eye on the sensors. Even during a "no wind" period last Jan, we still managed to get at least short sessions in on most days. But since it is your first trip... there's tons to do, wind or no wind... some really good snorkeling spots right near Kaanapali... plus lots of other options.

We have never been charged for golf bag in our 9+ times over, but now that most airlines are charging extra fees for each suitcase ...so, I'd plan on being charged for any kind of larger luggage.

Have a blast and post pics to make us jealous!

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

Stop by Maui dive shop and rent snorkel gear for your stay. They will give you a dive guide to all the good spots. You won't regret it. Kona winds are good for Kihei and probably some spots near Kaanapali. For the trades hit Kite beach. Stop by the Flatbread Pizza Co in Paia, killer with good beer selection. Snorkel in the morning, kite in the afternoon then cocktails on the lanai. Nice Cool

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Oct 29, 08 8:24 am

I guess I'll chime in. My only suggestion would be that if you get sick of all the tourists, mega hotels and $15 hamburgers, take a day or two and stay in Hana. nice and quiet and really beautiful. It was our favorite place when my wife and I went a couple years ago. I think this place has a 3-day minimum but I can tell you, this place is so awesome!! Nicely decorated home, off the grid, and sitting on a moutain overlooking the ocean with a huge waterfall about 200 yards from the house when it rains.

http://www.hanasheaven.com/indexpicturepage.htm

http://www.hanasheaven.com/

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Ditto on MystryGrl's and Onad's posts.
Bring 12m 9m 7m. I've used all three sizes in the winter.
Bring a 1.5mil neoprene top but that's about all.
If you do it right you don't have to spend big either.
Use airline miles and stay at a place with a kitchen for example Action Sports. Dave and Suzi are the best! Thumb's Up

Never been skunked on a trip yet and have seen some decent waves too.
Maui's the best brah. Have fun Kiteguy.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Oct 29, 08 10:19 am

One other thing that I can't believe other people didn't bring up, you better rent the North shore movie lest you look like some surfer from arizona.

Link

thealohakid · Since 09 Aug 2006 58 Posts MAUI

That floaty twin fin would be pretty sick with a kite.

Check you later!

I can't believe Laird didn't become mainstream Hollywood after this one!

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

I was there in Sept.

I guess I must be a beginner because I had lots of fun kiting in Kanaha Rolling Eyes

There are other spots with better wave exposure but their launches looked a bit dicey, and also seemed full of non-kiting water users (pole boarders and surfers). Going to Kanaha seemed the most mellow play, and fun thigh slapper waves rolled in there so it was nice.

Lots of hyper skilled kiters in Kanaha -- guys riding strapless and making it look good.

If you ask me, an Oregonian going to Maui for a short trip should focus 90% on non-kiting and kite just to break it up. There is so much cool nature going down there that you just can't get here. I dove or snorkled every day and saw amazing wildlife (turtles, sharks, octupus, sharks eating an octupus Shocked

). I kited a couple times and it was nice.

I'd bring maybe 7, 9, 12 for kites. Anything bigger and the wind is so light you'd have more fun snorkleing.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

I think Hawaii's main windy season is something like April-Sep. You can get wind the rest of the year, but less consistently. Problem is that their season overlaps with ours so people are always going there in the off season and complaining that there wasn't reliable wind. You can always wait to see the forecast for the week and try book a cheap last minute flight. Then you can probably score a nice week of kiting even in the winter.