On Kauai my family did Cap’n Andy’s tour of the Na Pali coast, I chose not to go. It was horribly rough & the entire boat was full of barfing people except my extended family who took full advantage of the lack of buffet lines! The story is still recounted at family gatherings.
We loved hiking down the Na Pali coast from the north end.
We were in Maui a year ago and we went to Haleakala at midday. It was awesome but freezing at noon and I did have a winter jacket on. I think we read or learned that the sunrise bike ride is a thing of the past because of several recent fatalities. Personally I thought the Road to Hana was extremely overrated. It took a long time to drive and do the return, there was almost zero places to pull over to see anything scenic, the road was in very poor condition with many of the small bridges in serious disrepair and overgrown as well. Some of the spots we were able to stop at were scenic but there are other scenic spots on the island. You have to content with tour vans, soda delivery trucks, school buses… not a relaxing drive for the driver and Hana itself did not have much to offer. I am told that if you stay in Hana and do some additional trips past Hana, that it is quite scenic and you can hike to several destinations from Hana itself.
Seven Sacred Pools, past Hana, is very nice.
There is a bamboo forest not too far from that place. It offers a short hike that ends at a waterfall.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29220-d108176-Reviews-Bamboo_Forest-Maui_Hawaii.html
My teens/twenties enjoyed visiting Twin Falls. They weren’t up for another trip to Hana as they have done that twice already. If you want to do the Road to Hana follow the audio tour so you don’t miss out on the picturesque stops. Trilogy also offers trips we have all enjoyed over the years. Paddle boarding is a big activity too.
*I just re-read the op. If you don’t have kids with go to Mama’s Fishhouse.
Windsurfing? It has been years since I went, but that used to be a thing to do in Maui. Get a big, stable board to stand on.
The canoes look like such fun.
http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/ahihi_kinau.html
Here is a link to snorkeling at the preserve I noted above.
OP checking in. Thanks for all the suggestions. in case this thread helps others, I just want to add that we’ve been very happy with Trilogy cruises, especially the one to Lanai. We do want to do the magic show this time. Does anyone have any recommendations for a whale watching experience? I’m thinking kayaking would be awesome, but would also consider a power boat. We are staying ocean front, so we are hopeful we will see whales from our balcony, but I also want to go on some kind of adventure on the water to see them.
OP here. Trip started out rough with plane being canceled after we were on it, needing to take a cab to different airport in ice storm, and husband getting sinus infection and needing to stay close to our place, but it’s looking up now. We missed road to Hana with friends, but just booked captain Steve’s Lanai trip, and doing a different whale watching trip tomorrow. We hope to make it to Haleakala, but so far I haven’t convinced dh to go for sunset. “Our” beach got hit hard by a recent storm, but we have seen lots of whale activity from balcony. Surf is very rough now. I just bought fins for snorkeling before we came, and may not even use them. Maybe surf on Kauai will be different. We haven’t decided yet if we are going to do Warren and Annabelles. I have heard it’s great, but it’s close to an hour drive for us. May need to spend a day up in Lahaina and end with that.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
On Kauai, no one has mentioned tubing in the canals of the old sugar plantation. Very interesting! You tube through long tunnels built by Chinese laborers. There is a break for a quick lunch. Enjoy the wild chickens.
If you like sushi, Sansei Sushi on Maui is delicous. We’re fans.
Speaking of sushi…maybe someone can settle a dispute around here. Is it pronounced ahi poke or ahi “pokey”?
Its pokey llike hokey-pokey. No long O and silent e.
That’s what I thought! Thx @HImom
Yum. 
Now, are the the kitties posting in #35 or the owner? 
I’m sure the kitties would not mind a taste The owner is very fond of Hawaiian fish
We enjoy it too,but try not to overindulge due to mercury concerns, etc.
I know! Sigh… Going to the Big Island in a few weeks!