West Maui Adventures
Aloha friends! Happy Monday! So thrilled that you’re excited about Summer Shape Up. The check-ins are already rolling in, and I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the workouts so far. Remember that you can jump into Summer Shape Up as much as you like throughout the 4 weeks, and I hope you get some new ideas to change up your workout routine and try some new healthy recipes!
We are finally back in San Diego after a rather rough day/night of travel. It was our first red-eye with Liv, who handled it like a champion, and we’re definitely glad to be back home after all of the snafus. Instead of focusing on the travel blahs, I’m focusing on this.
What our vacation really was: 5 fun-packed days together in one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited.
Maui certainly took my breath away many times while we were there. The sunsets and surrounding were absolutely gorgeous, the people were kind and wonderful, the food was INSANE, and it had this beautiful calming energy about it. It was the perfect spot to spend a vacation together before little one joins us in the fall. 
We booked our vacation using Costco travel, and we loved the convenience of booking everything (airfare, rental car, hotel) all at once, for a great value. Meg and Kyle used it for their honeymoon, and we figured it would be perfect since we don’t usually go on vacation with set plans; instead we create of things we’d like to do and make our way through the list depending on how we’re feeling each day.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Ka’anapali, which is lined with exquisite hotels and resorts. After passing through the lobby, they have an atrium with exotic birds,
penguins
and koi fish, which the kiddos can feed daily at 9:30am. Liv LOVED this. Whenever we would pass the penguins and fish on our way to the pool, she’d say, “Aloha penguins! How’s it going in there?”
The restaurants at the Hyatt were all fantastic -we didn’t have a bad meal the entire time we were in Maui- and the best part by far was the pool and beach.
The Hyatt Regency is one of the top kid-friendly hotels in Maui, and I think it’s definitely from the pool and kids’ area. They have a huge quieter pool,
rope bridge leading to the opposite side:
and a kids’ pool with a slide, sand pit and splash pad. Needless to say, Liv went crazy for it.
Behind the pool, you can faintly see a path that goes along the hotels and resorts (I ran about 3 miles on the path, and it very conveniently takes you through a luxury outdoor shopping center haha), and beyond that is the beach. The concierge told us that all beaches in Maui are public beaches, so if you see an area where you can get to the ocean and want to set up there, go for it.
In the end, we ended up staying around the hotel because there was so much to do in that area, and we quickly found out that driving in Maui can be hit or miss. (Some of the main highways are one lane on each side, so an accident or delay can easily double your ETA.) Many of the things I had on our potential activities list were at least an hour drive away. (Liv naps at the hotel, and while she can take cat naps on the go, she’s much happier at night and can stay out later enjoying awesome dinners and evening events if she’s had a real nap, so we usually go with that during vacations.) It ended up working out perfectly, as we’d have breakfast in the morning, head to the pool and beach for a few hours,
back to the room for nap, then out and about in the evening.
One night, we went out to Front Street, which is extremely close in Lahaina, and packed with cute shops and awesome restaurants.
We also rented a kayak and a paddleboard while we were there, and went exploring for honu (green sea turtles).
The Pilot and Liv rode in the kayak, while I followed them around on the paddlboard. I’m used to SUP in the bay here at home, and in the ocean, it’s a liiitle different with the waves. I stayed on my knees until I got the feel for it, and then was fine standing as I paddled around.
We had an amazing time, and I’m hoping we’ll be able to make it back again soon as a family of 4. 🙂 I’ll definitely be sharing a recap of the restaurants we enjoyed in Maui, and the Old Lahaina luau!
If you’re planning a trip anytime soon, here are some of the things that were on our list: (those in bold are the ones we experienced; ** = recommended by many)
Alli Kula Lavender Farm **
Surfing Goat Dairy **
Mama’s fish house **
Julia’s banana bread **
Star noodle **
Maui tacos
Old Lahaina luau **
Choice health
Leoda’s pie shop **
Show at warren and annabelle’s (21+)
Ululani’s shaved ice
Drums of the Pacific Luau (this was at our hotel, so we could see bits and pieces while we walked by! It was much smaller than the one at Old Lahaina, but looked like an awesome show)
Cheze meme for breakfast
Time to get started on laundry mountain and get together a spin playlist.
Have a lovely night and I’ll see you in the morning!
xo
Gina
*Last call for Blogiversary giveaway entries! I will post the winners in the am. xo
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The pictures are awesome! Glad you guys had fun. Last time I was in Maui was 6 yrs ago on our honeymoon. We had a great time. Hope we can take our almost 4 yr old one day in the near future;)
Isn’t the Old Lahaina luau amazing?? I thought that the show itself was so well done and beautiful. 🙂
Thanks so much for the great review! My hubby-to-be and I are honeymooning at this hotel in September, and I CAN’T WAIT!!
LEODA’S PIE/SANDWICH SHOP IS THE BEST!!!!! Oh man, there are so many awesome things to do on Maui. I have family there, so I’ve been there several times, but the last time was the first time with my husband, and it was definitely the best trip. We ate at Leoda’s twice, mostly because the first time the wind blew sand into my fries/garlic aioli sauce and I almost cried. Haleakala at sunrise is a definite MUST, and then hiking through the volcano is great as well. Pa’ia has an amazing pizza place (Maui Flatbread or something like that), and we ate at several great places in Lahaina. My uncle took us to some “off the beaten trail” snorkel spots, which were fabulous. And there’s also some great hiking on Maui. The magic show at Warren & Annabell’s is FABULOUS — they cater to military, as both my husband and I got our tickets for free, and we got front row seats We were both active duty then (I’m not anymore). That was in 2011, so I’m not sure if they still do that, but it was a nice surprise. I love the west Maui beaches. They’re SO NICE.
Oh my goodness what bathing suit do you have?? The color is gorgeous!! You look absolutely stunning, mama!
Liv’s hat with her bathing suit is just too much cuteness in one picture <3
Ugh so beautiful! What an awesome vacation. I went to Hawaii when I was 16 but I got sick and was miserable the whole time, so I’ve been begging my husband to go asap!
Glad you had such a great time! That coral dress looks so nice on you! I love any kind of island getaway and I can’t wait to take another one 🙂
The Old Lahaina Luau is the best! My husband and I went to Maui for our honeymoon last year and loved it. Also Ululani’s Shave Ice is amazing!
Wow, what a beautiful vacation! I am kind of odd and have never longed to go to Hawaii, but now I may be rethinking that. Such great pictures and that hotel looks amazing! I love having things in walking distance!
Looks awesome. I’m in Australia and am keen for summer again as i’ve put on some good muscle and in better shape. I’m looking forward to going to the beach.
I could go now but it’s really cold and nobody will be there to perve on me. haha 🙂
Ahhh I love Maui so much. These photos bring me back. Looks like you had an amazing time. The sea turtles are so cool!
What an amazing trip! I appreciate your advice about Costco travel. That’s a really good fact to know. Hawaii is one of my top places to visit in the near future! Look forward to your restaurant recaps.
Hawaii is so beautiful! I’m itching to go back! Glad you had a great time! I love the coral colored dress you have on!
So, there first time I ever tried SUP was in Honolulu, right out into the ocean. I live in Alberta so definitely no ocean and there are SUP lessons a plenty at local lakes. I think it’s pretty funny since I found the ocean SUP no big deal. Stand up and paddle, all there is to it!
Looks like a beautiful family vacay. <3
Your pictures are beautiful. So glad you guys had a great time!!
Those are fantastic pictures. Penguins! It’s definitely not everyday you see those. I can’t wait to visit this place. Hawaii is definitely on my list.
Such a great area of Maui to vacation at. We’ve stayed closer to Black Rock, but enjoyed the walk down to the Hyatt and it looks like such a fun hotel! My husband would take my then 2-year-old son out for an early morning walk along the beach because he was waking up at 5am thanks to jet lag!
What a fun trip! I LOVE Hawaii! It’s actually a state law that all beaches are public! Hawaii believes the beaches belong to all the people. 🙂
So many beautiful pictures! What a lovely family adventure. That pic of the Pilot and Liv looking out at the water/sunset is precious.
We’re planning a trip to Hawaii for 2016 (after our trip to Italy in this fall… apparently I’m copying all your fave destinations haha)!
Hey Gina! My husband and I just got married in January (yay!) and we’re thinking about Hawaii for our honeymoon. Would you recommend the Hyatt?
My husband and I were there in February and loved every minute. We would highly suggest it!
What a fun trip and great pics! Liv is SO ADORABLE and looks like she had an amazing time!
My husband and I spent 10 days in Hawaii in February. When we were in Maui, we also stayed at the Hyatt. I thought that’s where you were from your pictures! We loved it as well. It was so hard to leave, truly a magical place! Mama’s Fish house was one of our favorite dinners. I’m so happy you were able to go! While we were there it was Whale season. We would be sitting at the pool and could see the whales in the Ocean. it was AMAZING! great pictures!! Glad you enjoyed it.
Looks like an amazing trip! one of these days I would love to venture out to Hawaii!
Looks like so much fun! Where did you get your white dress with the blue flowers? It looked so pretty on you!
Your trip sounds fabulous! Hawaii is a place I’ve always wanted to get to but it’s a bit of a journey for East coasters like myself. Maybe someday! Looks like you had a perfect blend of relaxing and adventure which is just my style, too! Glad you got to have a little vacation as a family of 3 before baby comes!
Those pictures are so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us! It looks so fun! 🙂
I can’t wait to go to Hawaii, I’ve never been!
Looks like such a beautiful and relaxing vacation 🙂
Travelling red-eye home from Hawaii is one of my biggest regrets – terrible!! But it looks like you had an amazing time…nothing like photos to remind you it wasn’t so bad!!
xx Jill
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I just loved your pictures! What a fun trip! 🙂
wow! looks amazing!!
WOW everything looks amazing!!! I plan on taking a Hawaii trip sometime in the next year or so!
I absolutely love Maui. I am really hoping that I can get back there in the next few years. I love that you were able to SUP in the ocean! So impressive!! Hope you have a great day!
I LOVE Maui and seeing your pics makes me want to hop on a plane today!! Ululani’s = the BEST shave ice!! And I think Mama’s Fish House actually lives up to the hype – sometimes those places can be overrated, but I really enjoyed it 🙂 I’ve stayed at that Hyatt too – perfect locale, great running path and so close to Lahaina! Glad you guys had such a wonderful family trip <3
It looks like you had perfect weather! My husband and I went here three years ago on our honeymoon (but we stayed at the Westin) and it’s a vacation that I’ll never forget. I wish flights were cheaper (and that it were closer) from Indiana, because I know we’d go back more often! We’ll probably go again when we’re retired, ha.
That is awesome that you went paddleboarding while pregnant! You rock 🙂
Have you thought about writing a post on traveling (i.e. flying) with a toddler? I love reading those types of posts to get good ideas! My son isn’t even 1 yet but he is getting more mobile and curious!
no, i haven’t! i could definitely post some tips 🙂
Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list! Looks like you guys had an amazing time! I’m always scoping out family friendly vacations and this looks perfect. I never knew Costco had travel booking either!
Maui is my family’s favorite place to vacation, so I’m fortunate to have been there several times. It’s one of my favorite places on Earth! Mama’s Fish House and Roy’s are two of our fave restaurants, but the food everywhere is pretty awesome! I’m glad you had such a wonderful time! My parents just got back from Maui too and I’m living vicariously through all of you! Those beach pictures are INSANE!
We stayed at the same hotel when we were in Maui! We loved it as well. I’d highly recommend it again! Glad you had a great time and sorry about the travel woes! At least it’s better to have poor travel but a great vacation than vice versa 😉
amen to that!
Sounds perfect for having travelled with Liv!! Ah this makes me want to go so much more now!!
hawaii is the best. i used to have a job where i would spend about a week a month in hawaii. i never got tired of traveling there — absolutely gorgeous.
Looks like you were surrounded by some beautiful scenery!
I am so sorry to hear about your rough day of travel, you don’t have the best luck flying do you?
i have the worst flying luck
Maui is so beautiful! I went there for a wedding in 2006, the wedding was on the beach and reception was at the Hyatt-gorgeous place, scenery, and amazing food!
I remember Front Street, great places to check out and awesome spots for food too. We went exploring one day around the island driving to different hikes and waterfalls. I don’t remember the name of that voyage but it was gorgeous.
Glad you got to experience this wonderful place!