[Lewis]

My fiancé and I are planning our honeymoon in Maui. We will be staying at Bruce's accessible condo on Maalaea. I am a C5 quadriplegic and use a power wheelchair. We will be there for two weeks and don't plan on renting a van. So far, I think we can do everything via the accessible bus system, occasional taxi (kind of expensive), and tours. Very excited!

Any tips or suggestions.

[juls]

I haven't got any tips..sorry..but would love to know how your holiday went, when you get back. My partner & I have been thinking about doing the exact same thing for a few years now but haven't got around to it yet

[Lewis]

juls, on Jun 29 2010, 07:58 AM, said:

I haven't got any tips..sorry..but would love to know how your holiday went, when you get back. My partner & I have been thinking about doing the exact same thing for a few years now but haven't got around to it yet

Yes, I will definitely follow up since much of the info seems to be out of date. Hopefully someone has some tips before we go at the end of August.

[JimG]

Lewis, on 30 June 2010 - 01:05 AM, said:

juls, on Jun 29 2010, 07:58 AM, said:

I haven't got any tips..sorry..but would love to know how your holiday went, when you get back. My partner & I have been thinking about doing the exact same thing for a few years now but haven't got around to it yet

Yes, I will definitely follow up since much of the info seems to be out of date. Hopefully someone has some tips before we go at the end of August.

Maui is a frequent destination for us, but I didn't think the bus system was all that good to really see the island.

You're sort of right in the middle of the island in-between Kahului, Lahaina and Keihe/Wailea and need to go to either place for much activity as there isn't much to do in Maalea.


Most of our favorites are in the Lahaina area since we always stay up in Kaanapali.

One of our favorite evening activities is Warren and Annabelle's.

You won't see much advertised on it as they sell out each evening mostly by word of mouth.

http://www.warrenandannabelles.com/

Here's a list of youtube videos to see the show. It's hysterical.

http://www.youtube.c...+annabelle&aq=f

You might also enjoy Ulelena in Lahaina:

http://www.mauitheatre.com/

Not every restaurant, etc. in Lahaina is accessible as it's an old whaling town, so you'll want to do some advanced planning for eating, restrooms, etc.

[Lewis]

Thank you Jim for your advice.

[pgbill]

As mentioned by another poster, Maalaea is away from most of the action of Lahaina and Kihei. The bus is getting better but the timing is not as frequent as could be. Staying in Kaanapali, Lahaina, Honokowai, Kahana, or Napili would be more convenient. Most of Lahaina's first floor restaurants are accesssible. Local west side bus is more frequent.

[bruceofmaui]

Hi Everyone My name is Bruce Bernhardt and I am the owner of the accessible condo that Mark is renting for his honeymoon www.mauiaccessiblecondo.com . Transportion for disabled on Maui is difficult if you do not rent a vehicle and while the bus system on Maui has greatly improved with all 12 bus routes now being wheelchair accessible, it definately has limitations as Mark is finding out. The buses stop running early on Maui something like 9 p.m. so availability of nightlife is realistically only within walking distance. While areas of Maui like Kaanapali and Lahaina have more options, Maalaea which I admit is quiet has top end restaurants like Buzz's Wharf, Waterfront restaurant and Maui Ocean Center restaurant. Beach Bums is the local bar that has live music and great BBQ. A Mexican restaurant is also available in the area but we usually just use the bbq's out front of complex. Maalaea's central location is also beneficial since Mark is taking the accessible tours of Haleakala and of Hana through Polynesian tours and hopping the bus to Kihei and Wailea. Staying in Maalaea will cut approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour transport each way off these adventure if you stay up Kaanapali way. Also as my wife Amy says where else on Maui can you find an accessible condo with roll in shower on Maui? much less being oceanfront and less then 100 feet from the ocean, and costing $155 per night. Where do you PGBill and JimG stay while on Maui? and PGBill are you from Prince George?

[JimG]

bruceofmaui, on 15 July 2010 - 04:16 AM, said:

Where do you PGBill and JimG stay while on Maui?

We usually stay up in Kaanapali.

If we have the kids, we rent a condo at The Whaler, or El Dorado....if it's just the two of us we stay at the Sheraton, etc., but I wasn't nearly as disabled the last couple of times we've been to Maui, so a shower chair was all I really needed.

I have to agree and reaffirm with you that for many disabled people like Lewis, a roll-in shower and fully adapted condo is a necessity and thank you for offering that.

I hope you didn't feel put off thinking I was complaining about your condo specifically, but like even you commented.....getting around by bus isn't going to be easy from Maalea, he should really consider a rental van, etc.

I love Maalea.....(one of the best shave ice places is right there in the shopping village), and we frequently stop at the Circle K for gas, sodas, etc. as we're passing through the valley, taken snorkel trips from the harbor there, etc.

pgbill, on 15 July 2010 - 02:43 AM, said:

As mentioned by another poster, Maalaea is away from most of the action of Lahaina and Kihei. The bus is getting better but the timing is not as frequent as could be. Staying in Kaanapali, Lahaina, Honokowai, Kahana, or Napili would be more convenient. Most of Lahaina's first floor restaurants are accesssible. Local west side bus is more frequent.

Yes, but their bathrooms aren't.

I'm thinking Kimo's in particular......especially if you have a large electric chair, so that would be the first thing I'd check out before making a reservation/dining.

[bruceofmaui]

Hi Jim
I appreciate all your input and I hope I didn't come across as to defensive. I have owned the condo in Maalaea since '91 and Maalaea is what Maalaea is but it is hard to argue when the ocean is right there in your front yard and only 100 feet from your front door. Also I like it being quiet so I can choose to go out into public not have to. Kaanapali is beautiful with the boardwalk and access to other resorts but is much pricier and lots more people. I agree Lahaina bathroom accessibility is awkward, When I do Lahaina we usually park in the Lahaina Center and I use their accessible public bathroom instead of the restaurants. As for riding the bus, Maalaea is actually a major bus hub with buses leaving for West Maui (Lahaina and Kaanapali), Wailuku/Kahului and to South Maui (Kihei and Wailea) Mainly I love other disabled folk talking about accessibility on Maui in support of Lewis's honeymoon. Aloha Bruce

This post has been edited by bruceofmaui: 19 July 2010 - 09:24 PM

[JimG]

bruceofmaui, on 19 July 2010 - 09:04 PM, said:

Hi Jim
I appreciate all your input and I hope I didn't come across as to defensive. I have owned the condo in Maalaea since '91 and Maalaea is what Maalaea is but it is hard to argue when the ocean is right there in your front yard and only 100 feet from your front door. Also I like it being quiet so I can choose to go out into public not have to. Kaanapali is beautiful with the boardwalk and access to other resorts but is much pricier and lots more people. I agree Lahaina bathroom accessibility is awkward, When I do Lahaina we usually park in the Lahaina Center and I use their accessible public bathroom instead of the restaurants. As for riding the bus, Maalaea is actually a major bus hub with buses leaving for West Maui (Lahaina and Kaanapali), Wailuku/Kahului and to South Maui (Kihei and Wailea) Mainly I love other disabled folk talking about accessibility on Maui in support of Lewis's honeymoon. Aloha Bruce

Wanted to mention that you can also park at the Foodland grocery store at night (for $5) and there's an accessible bathroom in the back of the center past the theater, that's close to Front St.


As an aside.....I also want to say thank you for what you're doing on Maui with regards to helping those with disabilities enjoy the island.

My wife and I have recently started working with city officials and businesses in our town (Park City UT) to make it more accessible for those of us who live here, and those that come to visit the area, from near and far.

It's just in the beginning stages, but we're already getting the city to see our town through different eyes, and they're willing to commit time and resources to the idea, that hopefully will grow into a destination resort for the disabled as well as the athletes who come here.

[bruceofmaui]

Are those bathrooms through the Ulaena Threatre lobby or accessed from outside? Also since you know Maui can I get your opinion on a google map project I am working on hopefully this link works http://maps.google.c...1e760b6e69&z=10 Google maps is very powerful tool and might be an interesting way to catelogue and share your own knowledge of access in Park City to city official and tech savvy businesses. Aloha Bruce

[JimG]

bruceofmaui, on 22 July 2010 - 08:04 PM, said:

Are those bathrooms through the Ulaena Threatre lobby or accessed from outside?

The ones I'm talking about are actually on the outside behind the theater, around the corner.....over by the Kentucky Fried Chicken/Chinese food place.

My wife curled her nose when I just told her about this thread, b/c the bathrooms aren't exactly pristine.

But they are big/ADA compliant.

Thanks for the google link....it looks great.

Check out this link to Whistler Canada:

http://whistlerforth...d.com/index.htm

My wife found it last night and we were blown away.

The director to our local adaptive sports center just got back from Whistler last week and was telling me how much money the city is spending to attract disabled travelers.

I could only dream of being able to doing half of this in Park City.

This post has been edited by JimG: 23 July 2010 - 02:36 AM

[xiamenmom]

One popular place NOT to go to is Maui Fish House. We tried to park there and the valets had parked non-handicapped cars there and refused to move them, saying they could valet our car as well. Because of the amount of time it take my boyfriend to transfer, he doesn't feel comfortable doing it right in front, holding up the others in line to get out and have their cars valet parked. They offered to let him park in a spot behind the restaurant, which was not accessible, and were going to drive him to the front in a golf cart. Hello - how would he have climbed into it, and how would his chair have made it the front? Wrote a lett of complaint and never got any response or apology from them.
There were other ups and downs of our visit in May, but this one was the worst.

[JimG]

xiamenmom, on 31 August 2010 - 05:10 AM, said:

One popular place NOT to go to is Mamma's Fish House. We tried to park there and the valets had parked non-handicapped cars there and refused to move them, saying they could valet our car as well. Because of the amount of time it take my boyfriend to transfer, he doesn't feel comfortable doing it right in front, holding up the others in line to get out and have their cars valet parked. They offered to let him park in a spot behind the restaurant, which was not accessible, and were going to drive him to the front in a golf cart. Hello - how would he have climbed into it, and how would his chair have made it the front? Wrote a lett of complaint and never got any response or apology from them.
There were other ups and downs of our visit in May, but this one was the worst.

Fixed that for you.

Also.....their bathrooms are nowhere near accessible, or usable for anyone in a chair.

The last time we ate there, I was on crutches and had a difficult time.

My wife's a little sad, b/c the next trip to Maui.....we won't be going to Mamma's.

She's sad, b/c they have the best fish sandwich for lunch according to her, but there's no way for me to get in/out of there easily.

[tyvin]

Only read a couple post (Hawaii bores me) anyway; The Bus - call and see if your wheelchair is within size limitations to access the public bus. I have a manual wheelchair and cannot access the bus because on Oahu the bus area only allow up to and not over 36" from front to back of wheelchair. So I ride what is called a Handi-Van which is in most states. It's a county program that is for elderly and disabled people who cannot access the public bus due to limitations (whatever they are).

I know we pick up tourist all the time. I don't know if they're from other islands or are military or whatever but it's worth looking into.

This program is only on Oahu county but call the Maui County because they do have a van service for the elderly and disabled that is similiar; I just don't know the name. Ask about a visitor assist for yourself and a PCA (wife).

This post has been edited by tyvin: 09 September 2010 - 02:15 AM