By Gary Walther
When people think of Hawaii, they are usually thinking of Maui. After all, it’s almost picture perfect “Maui no ka ‘oi,” as the locals say: Maui is the tops. The island is composed of a volcanic doublet, two volcanoes, Kahalawi and Haleakala, whose lava flows have made them seem continuous and giving the island a pleasing camel-back profile. It has miles of perfect beaches on the west coast—calm ones down in Wailea, windy ones up in Kapalua. And there’s the Road to Hana, a two-lane highway that serpentines down the southeast coast to that town, 42 miles, 54 bridges, hundreds of hairpin turns.
You can experience which Maui you like this year, thanks to fares discovered on Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines. The lowest fares are on Hawaiian from the West Coast; higher fares are offered by Delta and Alaska Airlines from the Midwest and East Coast.
The Premium Fare Deal
Hawaiian Airlines: Valid Saturday to Wednesday outbound and Monday to Thursday return. Travel to Hawaii: Feb. 19 to March 6, April 23 to May 8, Aug. 31 to Sept. 24, Oct. 27 to Nov. 16, or Dec. 3 to Dec. 11. From Hawaii: April 29 to May 8, June 8 to June 12, Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, Oct. 28 to Nov. 10, Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, or Dec. 12 to Dec. 16. Delta: To Hawaii: now to March 18, April 2 to June 6, Aug. 12 to Nov. 19, Nov. 28 to Dec. 14. From Hawaii: now to March 21, April 9 to June 13, Aug. 19 to Nov. 28, Dec. 4 to Dec. 25; and reservations are not permitted until 90 days before departure.
Sample Discounted First Class Fares to Maui
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Premium Flights Using Miles
For the best free First Class mileage availability for non-stop service to Maui (connections can be booked from other U.S. cities at the same mileage cost) see chart below.
Free First Class Mileage Availability to Maui
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Where to Stay
Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton each have a property on the island. The former is on the beach in Wailea, the latter up the west coast at Kapalua, wilder and windier than Wailea. The Grand Wailea is big, from the Botero sculptures and the room count (780), to the name of one of the five restaurants: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. The Fairmont Kea Lani is the under-the-radar savvy choice—an all-suite resort (great for families) on the beach in Wailea.
On the far southeast corner of the island—and light years from Wailea—is Travaasa Hana (formerly the Hotel Hana Maui). The Sea Ranch Cottages have orchestra seats on the Pacific Ocean.