I’m hoping some of you will have some “hidden” Maui adventures/places off the beaten path to recommend - I will be there for 11 glorious days soon with my best friend (with my D popping in for some of that) - we’ve got Hana and snorkeling covered (we bring our own equipment); we’ll be trying SUP and D has a surfing lesson on tap - we are planning a journey to the organic vodka farm, the winery and the lavender farm; and hoping to make it to see the sun rise atop Haleakala. We will be going to the street fair in Wailuku as well as the “swap meet/farmer’s market”. And of course Friday night gallery troll along Front Street in Lahaina - what else? We aren’t really “tourist” item type people. We have always enjoyed things that are off the beaten path. We have a car. What are your “don’t miss” recommendations?
I don’t know where you are staying but my suggestions are more food related (in no particular order); Stillwell’s Bakery, 808 Grindz Cafe (fantastic pancakes! in a strip mall, be prepared to wait), Mama’s Fish House (make reservations a few days in advance, if possible), Da Kitchen in Kahului (casual, local place), and Ululani’s Shave Ice (loved it w the macadamia nut ice cream).
“and hoping to make it to see the sun rise atop Haleakala.”
This is by no means a guarantee even in the summer. 
Bring lightweight down jackets.
Where are you staying? I can recommend places to eat in the Kihei area. Captain Steves boat tours as good, as are Blue Water Rafts. TRilogy trip to Lanaia (sp?) was awesome, but expensive. (We went many years ago - I hear they are more restrictive now).
There may be some old threads on a similar topic.
Staying in a condo in Ma’alea Bay, right on the water.
@BunsenBurner - right about the sunrise! My last time there (12 years ago) I got up and was out by 4 am, to bike down Haleakala - no sun, but lots of mist and colder than expected. The ride down was probably the most scary and exciting thing I’ve ever done (next to parenting!).
No biking this time!
And yes to pancakes @88jm19
If you have any interest in Hawaiian music and slack key guitar there is an incredible gathering of world masters who play in Napili, organized by George Kahumoku Jr. Dates and times can be found on his website. A true local music experience.
Go to Monkey Pod. My favorite Maui restaurant.
We did the sunrise the right way - camped in the Haleakala park just at the tree line (free campground! yay!), so did not have to wake up at 2 am and wait in line to get into the park (or pay big bucks to a tour company to take you there). The sunrise was a bust - huge stormy clouds moved in just seconds before the sun was about to peek above the mountains… However, camping made the whole adventure unforgettable.
Unfortunately, that campground has been closed as of a week ago - dangerous trees or something like that.
@BunsenBurner - that’s a bummer - my D and I would have gone to camp for one night. We would both love that.
We had a lot of fun on an inland zipline near Haleakala: http://www.zipline.com/haleakala
@b1ggreenca - we’ve done ziplining many times, and decided against it this trip. Thanks for the suggestion though - we did explore the idea.
Hiking in the Haleakala crater is so much fun, but it is also a very strenuous exercise. Hiking uphill at 10,000 ft above sea level is challenging. If you have 2 cars, you can eliminate the walking uphill part by parking one car at the bottom of the volcano crater trail and driving the other to the trailhead up the mountain and then hiking all the way down.
We were there last week, and the silver sword plants were blooming like crazy. They are amazing species - bloom only once in their lifetime and then die. They can live up to 50 years.
We did a snorkeling trip to Molokini, which was a highlight of our trip, even though it was an afternoon trip. I think morning is much better.
@mom2and - we’re booked with Pacific Whale Foundation for a (sunrise) Molokini snorkel! So jazzed for that!
@BunsenBurner we’re mapping some Haleakala hikes now.
Are you guys certified to do scuba diving? There are night dives offered by several companies near the Black Rock… I heard those are fun.
S2 and DIL enjoyed horseback riding one day. Thompson Ranch is up around Haleakala and gets good reviews.
Make sure you leave some time to laze around too.
@youcee there will be 5 days after my D heads back home for the r&r - D wants to get as much in as she can.
@BunsenBurner - not certified - D will be in Nov - but not yet!
@Singersmom07 - no horses this time, we have our big expenditures mapped, now looking for those inexpensive hidden treasures!
Well, cheap fun is visiting the jail in Lahaina. I do not remember what it is called exactly and their hours can be
strange. The a walk around and a happy hour at sunset.
^ Was that voluntarily?