Maui travel expert & Kauai specialist

Luxury Vacation Packages

I've been traveling to Maui for more than 20 years, with Kaanapali Beach as my home base on more than ten visits — most recently after the 2023 Lahaina fire. My daughter took her first beach trip there as an infant. She's now 21 and Maui is still the family vacation we keep going back to.

I've also recently explored Kauai end to end — staying in Poipu and traveling the island from Hanalei to Waimea. Between the two, I can give you a real comparison, real recommendations, and a real plan.

Where I recommend staying on Maui: 

I focus on the mid-to-upper hotel and resort tier — quality, location, and amenities without the ultra-luxury price ceiling. My strongest knowledge is the Kaanapali, Wailea, and Kapalua coasts, with familiarity across the major Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and Westin properties. For families and multigenerational groups, vacation club residences offer space and kitchen flexibility hotel rooms can't match. For travelers wanting a different Maui, I plan stays in Hana — a quieter, slower side of the island worth the drive.

What I help clients actually do on Maui: This is where 20 years of repeat visits pays off. A few of the experiences I send every Maui client toward:

The sunset ritual at Black Rock Beach (Pu'u Keka'a) — the cliff-diving ceremony at Sheraton Maui at sunset, and one of the best easy-access snorkel spots on the island.

Paia Fish Market for the best casual fresh fish meal on Maui, and Maui Poke for the best smoothie bowl and poke on the Kaanapali side.

Ho'okipa Beach for sea turtle watching almost year-round.

The Road to Hana done right — not as a day-trip rush but with an overnight in Hana, the red sand beach at Kaihalulu, and time to actually stop at the waterfalls and roadside fruit stands.

La Perouse Bay for snorkeling and the occasional dolphin pod — the most consistent wildlife site on the island and rarely crowded.

Haleakala National Park for sunrise at the summit or the bamboo forest and waterfall hike on the Hana side (Pipiwai Trail).

Whale watching season (December through April) — when humpbacks calve in the Auau Channel and you can see them breaching from the beach without booking a tour, though the tours are worth it.

On Lahaina, post-fire:

Lahaina has not been rebuilt. The rest of Maui is open and operating, but how to travel respectfully is a real and ongoing conversation on the island — and views among residents are not uniform. Some community members welcome visitors back because the local economy depends on tourism; others ask that travelers give Lahaina space. I keep current with what's open, what's closed, and what local guidance looks like at the time of your trip, so my clients can make informed choices that feel right to them.

Kauai — what I learned in 10 days:

I stayed at Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club in Poipu and used it as a base. The trip was reconnaissance for client planning as much as personal travel, and a few experiences stand out:

The Napali Coast helicopter tour — the single most worthwhile thing to do on Kauai. The coast isn't fully accessible by car, and the helicopter perspective is the only way to see it without a multi-day hike.

The Napali Coast beaches themselves, accessed by boat or by hike for the more adventurous.

The Hanakapi'ai Falls hike on the Kalalau Trail — a real workout but the reward is worth it.

Waimea Canyon and the Pu'u O Kila lookout hike — "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific" earns the comparison.

Wishing Well Shave Ice and the local coffee scene in Hanalei for the best slow mornings.

Lawai'a Fish Co. for the best poke on Kauai.

Maui vs. Kauai — my honest take:

This is the question almost every Hawaii-bound client asks. Maui has more to do, more dining variety, more reliable weather, and a wider range of resort options. It's the better choice for most first-time visitors, multigen-families, and travelers who want both beach days and active days. Kauai is the better choice for travelers who prioritize natural beauty over amenities — the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon are extraordinary, and the island feels less developed. Kauai also gets more rain, which is what keeps it so green. If you're choosing between them and want both, the right answer is often a split trip: 5-6 nights Maui, 4-5 nights Kauai.

Who Hawaii is right for:

I plan Hawaii trips most often for families, multigenerational groups, and friend groups who want a beach-and-adventure trip with real substance behind the recommendations. I'm not the right advisor for travelers who want the cheapest possible booking or who only need a flight-and-hotel package — those clients are better served by online booking sites. I am the right advisor for travelers who want the trip designed by someone who's actually been there enough times to know which beach faces which direction at sunset, which restaurant is worth the reservation, and which day to drive the Road to Hana to avoid the crowds.

If you're planning a Maui trip, a Kauai trip, or a combined Hawaii itinerary, I'd love to help you build it.