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epiphiny43 -> RE: Packing For Maui (4/6/2014 7:38:52 PM)
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Light but sun protective clothing. And light but WARM carryable jackets. Haleakala can be freezing at dawn even in Summer, it is shirt sleeve weather later on the crater floor but the UV radiation from the Sun is exceptionally intense at tropic latitudes and over 7000 ft altitude. Lots of sun block, any number of 15 or above, repeat every hour, no block works once it has been absorbed to the lower layers of the skin, where it's chemical breakdown in stopping the UV releases free radicals inside the skin itself, requiring a new layer ON TOP.
Good hiking shoes, low cut won't work on Sliding Sands with it's jacks and smaller size small spatter clinker lava that will eat you if inside your shoes.
Mosquito areas also make full coverage clothes that are light enough to let breezes cool through them. West Maui near the coast is relatively mosquito free. The walking trail out of Haleakala to the Hana side (HIGHLY recommended, a day hike, you have to sleep over in the Crater unless you hurry the hike unpleasantly) goes through full rain forest as it descends to sea level.
Simple sandals or slaps are fine in the destination resorts. In real Maui, lava, coral, busted glass and many vegetation roots make serious foot protection highly recommended. I wear Crocs, I don't do serious hikes in them, I know the areas I walk.
Betadine (Povidone Iodine) swabs found at all lifeguard stands are minimal first aid to carry. 3 sizes of bandages and a small bottle of Betadine is recommended. Sterile saline flushes do better if Immediate and the damage is then completely isolated, which is doubtful traveling and almost impossible hiking. Fail to take care of any break in the skin in the subtropics is to expect an infection. They don't heal well in the climate, people can be in an emergency room seeking antibiotics in 3 or 4 days. Diabetics sooner.
Good to great light binoculars, both for the wildlife in forest, shore, mountain and out on the ocean. The stars seen from Haleakala crater or peak at night are incredible. Sunrises are exceptional at altitude, room in the Haleakala peak warming hut is usually taken before any light breaks! Due to the cold and wind many will retreat to their cars till it warms and then miss the sunrise. Whales are still active, they will be leaving for Alaska soon.
Diving mask and snorkel that fit You. Cheap supermarket stuff may fit well, it ruins a dive if your mask leaks so bad you can't see. White wet t-shirts are a #4 sunblock, entirely inadequate. They also rub off any sunblock under them while swimming. Fully opaque colored t-shirts or the 'rashguards' the tourist and surf shops over price are excellent. Loose for land, snug to tight for water. Knee length 'compression' shorts or bike shorts help with sun exposure diving, which is mostly floating at the surface. Bikinis lend to untanned areas severely burnt in less than an hour.
Waterproof camera/video is now cheap, don't miss the beauty learning to use a complicated device on location. Practice enough before you get here to enjoy the visit and still capture some images. LOOK, don't just jump out, shoot in every direction and drive off to the next check box on the map. It's a different place, spend the time to notice how different?
It's past the Equinox, you haven't experienced as strong of Sun unless you travel. Maui is south of Havana and Mexico City, just not as hot due to the moderate ocean temps. Plan early and late day events, a long lunch helps stay out of the strongest Sun. Wide hats that stay on in the often constant trade winds keep ears, necks and face somewhat protected. Baseball hats do far too little. The worst sun burns I've ever seen during all my lifeguarding years were tops of feet and back of calves. 2nd degree burns! Sandals and shorts are a lot cooler, forget your sunblock there and you can ruin the rest of your vacation. You will NOT be going out into daytime sun with a bad burn. That feels like a torch is burning your skin.
Hawaii is beautiful. The people are just people. Tempt thieves or the desperate homeless with carelessness about parking or your beach possessions and you spend irritating time talking to police who will file a report and can't do anything to actually help. Leaving things you can't afford to do without in cars ANYWHERE is silly and occasionally punished. Popular visitor parking areas are usually the worst, everyone knows a rental car when they see it.
Arrange and pay for rental cars with a credit card, you have insurance that way, and recourse to dispute questionable bills.
KEEP THE CAR KEYS IN MIND! ONLY THE KEY HOLDER EVER locks the car. The designated key person Always puts them the same place, hopefully on their person. Same on the beach, nothing you lose is as complicating as the keys. Non-secure pockets in swim gear is simply brain dead. Keys go in Secure pockets, the car fobs with electronics don't work after they go swimming!
Too many rental companies claim they have no spare key for your car and send a complicit locksmith to open the car. Often a $200 charge. Nice places send a new key out in a taxi, their charge can be close if you are on the opposite side of the island?
Try to drive the Hana Highway early or late, midday is a procession of rubberneckers, many elderly and frightened by the road's challenges. Road work is constant, expect serious delays as most of the MANY bridges are single lane. But Do drive to Hana and back, the views and experience are worth it. Seven Pools is a nice day destination, show up late and there will be no parking. Early drives in have to account for the locals driving out to jobs in central Maui, they will be in a hurry and know the road. The beauty of the Seven Pools doesn't keep thieves out! Groups of people who left their brain at home so they could enjoy a vacation attract them. People get Hurt anywhere around the water in Hawaii. If the locals aren't doing it, you shouldn't either! Maybe not even then. Be cautious, Ambulances will show up to take you away, never very soon.
If you love night life, go to Mexico or Waikiki or somewhere else that Has some. Maui is for the outdoors unless you drink fast and hard. Lahaina music clubs go to 4AM 365 a year, the bands might not be to your taste.
Expect sticker shock buying food. It's the Paradise Tax. Tahiti is even higher.
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