<p>Westin just finished building a property in Princeville. If you are OK with a new, luxurious condo that does not have a sandy beach right next to it, you can use your Starwood points at the Westin Princeville (you can get a 2-bedroom suite). It is a gorgeous property (we plan on staying there next time we are in Kauai).</p>
<p>[Princeville</a> Kauai Ocean Resorts | The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas | Luxury Vacation Home Rentals in Kauai](<a href=“http://www.westinprinceville.com/]Princeville”>http://www.westinprinceville.com/)</p>
<p>Thanks, all for the advice. It is very helpful indeed.</p>
<p>I am being pushed by husband and travel agent to stay on Maui for the majority of the vacation. Hiking is a big part of what my teen boys want to do, and I want to be sure the hiking will be great on Maui. I have looked at the gohawaii.com website, which has a ton of information, but does anyone know first hand if the hiking on Maui is good? We won’t do any overnight hiking, and nothing horribly strenuous (husband has back problems), but we do want a challenge and I want to see the spectacular views (waterfalls, lush green, mountain views, etc.) that I expect of a Hawaiian vacation. If the hiking is good, I think I can be happy with what Maui has to offer.</p>
<p>The whole family voted to stay in Honolulu for 2 nights. We’ll have part of the day we fly in to explore the island, one whole day to see Pearl Harbor and some of the other things you have all recommended, and then we’ll fly out early the next day. That part sounds just right to me.</p>
<p>I may need a return trip to get to Kauai, it sounds perfectly serene and lovely.</p>
<p>Also, the travel agent has recommended the “Aston Kaanapali Shores” condo resort. Any personal experience? Tripadvisor.com had somewhat mixed reviews. Most were favorable. Most spoke about the rough waters at the beach in front of the complex (one reviewer even had her 20 yo boyfriend taken out by a riptide in front of the hotel snorkeling, and they never recovered his body - YIKES!!!). Are guests normally notified of any riptides in the area?</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>“…we do want a challenge and I want to see the spectacular views (waterfalls, lush green, mountain views, etc.) that I expect of a Hawaiian vacation”</p>
<p>Take the road to Hana, go past Hana all the way to the entrance to the national park, and hike down to O’heo Gulch (spectacular views of the waterfalls and ocean), [Oheo</a> Gulch - Pools at Oheo - Seven Sacred Pools, Maui](<a href=“http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/sites_to_see/OheoGulch.htm]Oheo”>http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/sites_to_see/OheoGulch.htm) </p>
<p>then go back up and hike up the mountain (about 2 miles) through the forest and bamboo jungle to an amazing waterfall!</p>
<p>En route to Hana there is a lava tube cave you can hike through - bring flashlights:</p>
<p>[Hana</a> Lava Tube - Home](<a href=“http://www.mauicave.com/]Hana”>http://www.mauicave.com/)</p>
<p>Of course, there is plenty of hiking at the Haleakala National Park, not just through the volcano crater (be prepared: hiking at such high altitudes is a pretty sternous activity).</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the hotel recommended by your travel agent… Check the map on Expedia - the hotel is not exactly located in Kaanapali, it is located north of Kaanapali North (about 2.5-3 miles to the Whalers Village, the center of Kaanapali, as I can estimate it from the map). I can see why people complain about the beach there - it is the area where we saw lots of windsurfers in February, and the shore has lots of sharp coral - good for snorkeling, not so great for swimming. Pay a few bucks more and stay in Kaanapali South or at the Westin Vacation Villas - you will not regret it. There are no formal notifications or warnings of riptides - they can happen at any time. Most HI beaches do not have lifeguards, and there are signs posted about swimming at your own risk. Be cautious and be aware of your surroundings, and you will have fun. 
Enjoy your vacation!</p>
<p>I don’t like kaanapoli. I prefer the area where Four Seasons is at (I think that’s the south shore). The kaanapoli area is very commercial, one hotel after another. Teens may like it, but you could get that at South Beach too. For me to travel all the way to HI I would want something different.</p>
<p>We did the seven sacred pools hike in Hana…amazing. (be sure to secure your car keys…one party we encountered lost them in one of the wet crossings!). One thing to consider about Hana though, it’s a LONG and windy drive from other parts of the island. Took us almost 2 hours. So we stayed overnight…rented an old sugar plantation house. Other than the screaming fighting cats at night, it was fun :)</p>
<p>We also did a hike that started on a black beach…really nice. It was on the way to Hana. </p>
<p>There’s LOTS of nice hiking in Maui…just pick up a book. </p>
<p>We did the bicycles down the volcano…a blast. I think teenagers would like it…you go REAL fast (up to 30- 35 mph on curves!).</p>
<p>We stayed at the Renaissance/Marriott Resort on Maui. Great oceanfront walkway that goes on for a few miles. I did a run every morning. And it has a nice beach. Great place.</p>
<p>The Four Seasons and the Renaissance/Marriott Resort are in Wailea, Maui. Wailea is marginally more centrally located for hiking than Kaanapali. Kihei is the town just next to Wailea that also has tons of reasonably priced vacation condos, and a lovely community beach. As someone else mentioned, if you are going to hike and spend time at the seven sacred pools, spending a night in Hana is not a bad idea.</p>