Why is it so popular? Could it be the good deals on things that would cost more in island shops, or the fresh Maui grown produce, like the giant avocado we picked out, or maybe it’s the possibility that out there in all that stuff is something you’ve been looking for all your life. Whatever the case, if you have part of a Saturday morning on Maui free it’s worth checking out.

The Swap Meet is held each Saturday and opens at 7 am and runs till noon. There is a 50 cent admission fee. It’s located on Pu’unene street in Kahului next to the post office.

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Makes about 4 Dozen 3 inch cookies.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients

2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
2 Sticks softened butter
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup brown sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Large eggs
1 1/2 Cups chopped macadamia nuts
2 Cups chocolate chips

Combine first 3 ingredients in small bowl

In a large bowl combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth

Add 1 egg at a time and beat well after each egg

While still beating slowly add flour mixture until combined

Stir in macadamia nuts and chocolate chips

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto parchment lined baking sheet

Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until golden brown

Cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes

Remove from baking sheet and allow to continue cooling

Enjoy

Aloha Nana

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It’s in alpha release, which means it’s new and probably has a few bugs, but we’ve been using it to find pictures of the Islands without a problem so far. Take a look and let us know what you think of it.

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Haleakala Sunset Advantages:

• Sunset is not as crowded. You’re not standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other visitors, not to mention the difficulty in finding a parking spot.
• You won’t have to roll out of bed in the middle of the night to make the trek to the top before sunrise.
• The weather is usually warmer at the summit in the evening than it is in the morning. It’s surprising how many people don’t realize how cold it can be at the top of a 10,000 mountain at 5:00 AM, even if it is in the tropics.

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do call the National Weather Service (877-5111) for Maui’s weather forecast before starting for the top.
• Don’t forget a jacket, typical temperature ranges from 32 to 65 degrees F.
• Do bring your own food, none is available in the park.
• Don’t forget to check your gas gage, there’s no fuel available in the park.
• Do arrive early so that you can enjoy other sights and sounds of the park before sunset.
• Don’t forget to bring a camera so you can carry the memories home with you.
• Do check the daily Haleakala sunrise and sunset times.

Other activities available in the park include biking, hiking, horseback riding and nature tours.

Photo credit: Carlos Pessoa

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Reservations are easy, just call them (800-533-5929) and tell them the dates you want the car and they reserve it for you. No deposits or credit card information is required.

Pick up is simple. After arriving at Kahului Airport, give them call once you have your baggage and they’ll pick you up curbside and take you to their office 5 minutes away. A credit card serves as a guarantee. They load your luggage into the car and you’re on your way. Your card is not charged until you return the vehicle.

Book early, their rentals go fast.

Word of Mouth Website 

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Specifically addressing the flight situation to Hawaii he quotes Hugh Crean, General Manager of Farecast.com as saying:

It’s even more important to buy your autumn airfares to Hawaii now, including your inter-island airfares. Following the recent bankruptcies or termination of service of the Hawaiian specialists ATA Airlines and Aloha Airlines, airfares both to and within the Hawaiian islands have soared. When fuel surcharges are included, the cost of flying roundtrip between Los Angeles and Honolulu can be as high as $900 for peak summer dates. The cost of flying from one Hawaiian island to another (like Oahu to Maui), which had gone down to as little as $39 each way, has recently soared to $74 and $84, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it inch its way upward to $119.

So, if you’re planning a fall getaway to the Islands, now is the best time to book your flights. You might start by looking at gohawaii.com/summerfun, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s page listing special offers to Hawaii. The HVCB has a $3 million program to encourage hawaii tourism by offering $200 discounts on vacation packages through these vendors.

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As an example take a look at www.vrbo.com/112536. This is a 1 bedroom ocean front condo in Maalaea. We found it a couple of years ago and have stayed there twice. The standard off-season rate on the condo is $114. Today they’re offering a special June rate of $79 per night, a 30% savings. The offer may be extended to July and August.

VRBO cautions:

• The quality of the accommodations can vary considerably. Read the descriptions carefully and ask for references.
• Comments posted from previous renters must be approved by the owner. They’re always positive.
• Always pay with a credit card. If something goes wrong at least you can get your money back.

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Here are our recommendations.

Since the bike tours do not start at the summit anymore, is this still an activity worth doing?

We believe it is. Where else can you get on a bike at 6500′ above sea level and ride all the way to the ocean with almost no peddling? Throw in the sunrise van tour and it’s truly a one of a kind Maui experience.

Is this activity safe?

According to the Park Service the average accident rate between 2003 and 2006 was about 1 per thousand riders. Most accidents result in some type of injury. But the accident rate varies considerably by company. To quote the Park Services report, “Bike It Maui and Cruiser Phil’s have very low accident rates…,” both less than half the average of all the companies.

Is biking down Haleakala for me?

First of all this is not a trip for beginning bike riders, you need to be an experienced rider. Most companies have a maximum weight restriction of around 265 pounds and age restrictions. You must also be in good health and not pregnant. (see each company for their specific restrictions) Having said this take a look at this video and see if it looks like something you want to do.

Which type of tour should I choose?

Assuming this is your first trip down the mountain, we suggest the escorted sunrise tour. Escorted because there’s one more pair of eyes looking out for your safety and riding in a group makes you more visible to drivers. And sunrise because you’ll be sorry later if you don’t.

Which company should I use?

We’re going to suggest Cruiser Phil’s or Bike it Maui because of their proven safety record. We also like the fact that their tours go to Pa’ia, there’s just something about coasting all the way to the ocean that appeals to us. Of course opinions are going to vary here so feel free to leave a comment with your company recommendation.

And lastly, when is the best time to take the tour?

If you’re coming from North America schedule the trip for the first day or two you’re on Maui. You’ll still be adjusting to the time difference and it will be easier to get up early.

Have you been on a Haleakala bike tour before? Why not leave a comment and tell us about your experience?

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Like the other Maui bicycle companies, Cruiser Phil’s was forced by the Park Service’s ban on commercial bike tours within Haleakala National Park to make changes in the tours it offers. What were those changes?

Also, a National Park Service report issued in March identified Cruiser Phil’s as one of the safest tour companies operating in the park. How are they able to do this?

Phil was good enough to take a few minutes and talk with us about how his business has changed since the ban and how he’s working to make his tours even safer.

MOG: How long have you been involved in the Haleakala bike tour business?

Cruiser Phil: I have been in the bicycle tour industry almost from the beginning, about 24 years. I have owned my own bicycle tour company for 10 years.

MOG: What adjustments have you made in your tours since the Park Service banned bike tours within the Park?

Cruiser Phil: Since the National Park Service banned bike tours within the National Park we have tightened up on our restrictions as to who is eligible to participate in our bike tour. Some of the changes include raising our minimum age from 12 years old to 15 years old and also capping it off at 65 years old, raising the height requirement from 4′ 11″ to 5″, lowering the maximum weight from 280 lbs. to 275 lbs. and in addition to reading and filling out an acknowledgment of risk form participants must also read and fill out a medical release form.

MOG: The NPS report says that “Cruiser Phil’s (has) very low accident rates,” how have you been able to achieve this?

Cruiser Phil: By being a hands on owner along with my many years of experience as a guide and thousands of trips down Haleakala, allows me to work closely with my employees and address issues as soon as they arise. Having the experience and knowledge of what it takes to run a safe tour along with input from my employees all contributes to making Cruiser Phil’s safety record one of the best. I also try to meet and greet our groups daily to ensure customer satisfaction.

MOG: Are you still able to take visitors to the top to see the sunrise?

Cruiser Phil: Yes, we are able to take visitors to the top to see the sunrise. We now leave our trailers outside of the National Park and give our guests a van tour of the National Park. We stage our bicycles at the 6500′ elevation, just outside of the National Park, and ride down to the town of Paia.

MOG: Why is this experience still worth doing?

Cruiser Phil: This is an experience worth doing because of the cultural significance of Haleakala to the Hawaiian culture and the amazing panoramic views. Visitors feel the mana and the majesty when they get to the top of Haleakala. Riding a bicycle downhill for 28 miles is a unique way to see Maui with breath taking views and it’s eco-friendly.

Thank you Cruiser Phil. For more information see Cruiser Phil’s Volcano Riders website.

Tomorrow our series of articles concludes as we offer our recommendations in Part 5 of “Haleakala Bike Tours.”

Photo Credit: Cruiser Phil’s

Post from: Maui Online Guide

There are eight tour companies in business today. We took a close look at each of their websites. Here’s list of who they are and a synopsis of what they offer:

Self-Paced Tours

Haleakala Bike Co.- Offers three self guided Haleakala bike tours. Optionally includes hotel or cruise ship pickup, otherwise meet at their store in Haiku. Sunrise or morning van tour of national park, then self-paced bike tour from the 6500′ to Haiku. Express tour does not go to summit.

Maui Sunriders - Offers three self guided Haleakala bike tours. Clients meet at their store in Pa’ia. Sunrise or morning van tour of park, then self-paced bike tour from the 6500′ to Pa’ia. Express tour does not go to summit. Riders must return to Pa’ia by 4:30 pm. Also provide daily and weekly bike rental.

Aloha Bike Tours - Offers 3 self-guided bike tours down Haleakala. No hotel or cruise ship pickup is available. Riders meet in Pa’ia and will be transported from there up Haleakala. Tours are offered at sunrise, later in the morning and an express tour that doesn’t go all the way to the top.

Escorted Tours

Cruiser Phil’s Volcano Riders - Two Escorted Haleakala tours, and one self-guided ride. Tours Include hotel pickup and drop off, guided van tour of the summit of Haleakala with bike ride beginning outside of the National Park at the 6,500 foot elevation ending in Paia Town.

Maui Mountain Riders - Escorted and self-paced Haleakala bike tours from 6500′ to Pa’ia. Hotel pickup included in the escorted tours. Escorted tours include van trip to summit then start just outside the park and go to Kula then to Pa’ia, 28 miles. Self-paced tour starts at the 6500′ level and ends in Pa’ia by 3 pm.

Maui Mountain Cruisers - Two escorted bike tours down Haleakala. Hotel pickup, sunrise at the crater (van transportation to top) or midday trip to summit, bike tour from park entrance to Pa’ia or to Makawao then van to wine tasting. Continental breakfast and lunch stop at restaurant where rider can purchase food.

Bike It Maui - Guided sunrise bicycle tours down Haleakala. Hotel or cruise ship pickup, sunrise at top of Haleakala (van transportation to top), bike tour from park entrance to Pa’ia. As an added treat they throw in a full breakfast at Charley’s in Pa’ia after the tour for a great end to the morning.

Maui Downhill - Escorted Haleakala Bike Safaris from just outside the Park entrance to Kula. Offers 7 different tour packages: Your choice of hotel pickup or not, leaving before sunrise or later in the day, and whether to go all the way to the top of the mountain or only to the 6500′ elevation (just outside the park entrance)

For a more complete listing of each companies tours and links to their websites please see the “bike tours” category of our sister publication, MauiDir.Com (and please pardon us, it’s under construction, but this sections’s complete)

Reading the tour descriptions of each company can be a bit mind numbing. The table below lists each company’s basic offerings along with the online price for each if you book directly with them:

Please note that Cruiser Phil’s and Maui Mountain Riders are listed twice since they offer both escorted and self-paced tours.

Tomorrow we’ll introduce you to one of bike tour operators. Join us as we interview “Cruiser Phil” in Part 4 of our article

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