Wedding Blog
Mr. J and I are off to Hawaii tomorrow for our honeymoon! Initially, I was against a beach vacation. I’m very much a city girl at heart and I wanted a honeymoon of urban exploration. Think Paris, London, Rome! But now I’m *so* glad Mr. J convinced me to go to Hawaii because I’m completely exhausted. Since our wedding in LA and second reception in Detroit, I’ve moved into a new apartment, gone back to work after being away for two weeks, and attended two out-of-state weddings. I need a beach towel, tropical drink, and mindless book stat!
When we return, I’ll be ready to start blogging all about our incredible wedding day. I will miss all of you, but see you in a couple weeks!
Any last minute Maui and Kauai tips for us? 
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Mrs. J - this is by the far experience we had in Maui - You have to go check out the Haleakala Crater and sunrise! We woke up at 2:30 am to make the drive up the mountain to see this magnificent view. It’s breathtaking and once in a lifetime. It’s a must!
Check it out - http://www.ekahi.com/sunrise.htm
Be warned, it’s freezing - meaning Northface, beanie, fleece, gloves, socks, the works. Trust me, we learned the hard way while everyone else was well prepared.
Hana Road …. LONG drive to make it around the mountain (think 5 hours and roads that rental cars dont cover for insurance), just try picking a few remote waterfalls towards the beginning of hana road to check out!
btw - some people join tours where they pick you up, drive you up to the crater and then make the amazing trip down by bike. Check it out!
Hawaii is BEAUTIFUL… and since you’ll be in Kaua’i, you really have to try Scotty’s BBQ in Kapa’a. Funny enough, i first had it for a very intimate wedding luncheon/reception 
http://www.scottysbbq.com/index.htm
you’re making me crave some!
I just watched a “best of hawaii” tv show two nights ago (we’re going to maui in Sept for our hm) and they recommended the Blue Hawaiin Helicopter Tour over maui as the best helicopter tour on the entire island (or any other island). It had me pretty darn convinced! Also, definitely do a Old Lahaina Luau…this show (and many people I’ve talked to)’s pick for best authentic Luau on the Islands. Have oh so much fun!!
Have a wonderful honeymoon in the sun! Can’t wait to read about all the wedding details when you get back
Maui is AMAZING! If possible, do the road to Hana, and then spend the night there, and then do the “7 Sacred Pools” the next day, and take a leisurely drive back. It’s a LONG day otherwise! And that road is TOUGH in the dark. Buy the book “Maui Revealed” — it is ESSENTIAL! I heard they weren’t doing them anymore, but even if you haven’t been on a bike in 10 years (like me), if they’re allowing them, you MUST take a bike ride down Haleakala. It was maybe one of the best experiences of my life. There’s a “Mixed Plate” luncheon place in Lahaina called “Aloha Mixed Plate” right next to the Old Lahaina Luau…AMAZING view, adorable patio, awesome food, and, rarely found on Maui, relatively cheap!!!! Also good and cheap are the burritos at Maui Taco. Hmm…what else? Oh, the little town of Paia is ADORABLE! Willie Nelson has a bar there You’ll have a great time!!! Maui is AMAZING!
I have a very long email that I just sent a friend about Maui - if you want I can send it to you.
Yes!! we just got back from our hawaii (kauai & maui) honeymoon and i LOVE Kauai!! The north part of the island is so lush and the canyon is amazing. You MUST take a helicopter tour! Its honestly the most unbelievably beautiful place and most of it can’t be seen any other way (all the guidebooks say this is the best island for a helicopter tour). It is $$ but sooo worth it. Also the tour book Kauai Revealed is great.
Other thoughts:
ATV tours- pretty sights, but very family friendly (so not that much fun) and very dirty. I would have skipped.
Waimea Canyon - amazing, drive the whole way, stop to take pics.
Na Pali coast - awesome awesome beautiful hike. You can do 2 miles to the beach and then another 2 miles in to a giant waterfall (8 miles round trip). We wore sneakers but I recommend hiking shoe. Bring a LOT of water (we had two 1.5L bottles each) and a bathing suit if you go to the waterfall (go all the way to the f alls =ignore the sign that tells you to stop - you can swim in the pool!) I have also heard that there is a great (but super demanding) kayak tour that takes you on the Na Pali coast.
sunset on the north shore is amazing - every night was like a new and different light show.
Surfing - we had never tried it, but took a private lesson and this is a great place to try it because it is so easy to stand up!
We stayed in Princeville and loved Hanalei - great little restaurants (Hanalei Gourmet, Postcards, a tapas place I forget the name of). There are supposd to be some great restaurants in Kapaa and other towns, but we never tried them.
Rent an open air car- we had a Jeep and loved it!
Where are you staying?
Have an amazing trip!! I am so jealous!!!!
Get an SUV or Jeep on Maui, then you can drive wherever you want without violating your rental agreement or getting stuck. And DO NOT MISS Wainapanapa State Park near the end of the Road To Hana. It is seriously the most incredible place I have ever been.
Go around the “Head” of the island on Maui and make sure you stop at the shave ice stand - it’s a little pink trailer. It’s called Ululani’s or something like that. Amazing. And then further up that road and up the hill, there is a really neat little art store/jewelry store - it’s a yellow house on the right at the top of the hill. Amazing!
Have fun!
@nyalys: Thank you! I would love that! You can forward it to jasmine@weddingbee.com
Thank you for all the incredible suggestions everyone!
Have fun Mrs. Jasmine! Mr. Pinot Noir and I are heading to Kauai for our honeymoon in October! I’m looking forward to reading all about your trip and collecting lots of tips!
My MIL was a nurse at the hospital in Maui, she does not recommend taking the bike tour down from Haleakala…
You can go to Poli Poli state park, giant trees, a bit like california red woods, but in a smaller version.
The guide recommended in an above post is definitely a must.
The most traditional Luau on Maui is in Lahaina at the Old Lahaina Lua.
We went to this restaurant: http://www.bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/index.html
My SIL and BIL who go often love it and invited us there. The food was incredible and my SIL told me the name of a few famous people she saw there in the past.
Their sashimi Napoleon is pretty incredible, as was everything else. It’s a nice atmosphere too and out of the road enough that you usually have to know about it to go there.
Have fun.
They talk about the restaurant around the 3rd minutre in there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5mF9b9yU7k&
haha yes, like amysue said, please take me with you.
i went to maui couple years ago and it was definitely a relaxing vacation. make sure to do all the expected things: luau, snorkeling, drive the hana road, etc. maui is pretty small so you can pretty much do almost everything you want if you plan things. we also ate at this japanese restaurant called kobe and it was really good. you can’t miss it. tons of people waiting in line to eat here. i forget what street but it’s where you go to do all your touristy shopping.
have a great honeymoon!!
Make sure you fit in PLENTY of time to just do nothing but sit on the beach and relax. It’s so easy to get caught up in all of the wonderful things to do and see!
Have a fabulous time!
you’ve gotten some great suggestions for Maui already, but I’d also suggest going down to Lahaina and catching a ferry to Lanai (20 minutes). The beach is gorgeous, secluded, and you can lunch at either of the resorts on the island.
Mama’s Fish House on the road to Hana is amazing. Well worth the trip!
I agree with Mrs. CB, check haleakala crater~ The view of the sunrise was breathtaking! We did the self-guiding tour so we took our own time coming down the hill. (check out bikemaui.com) I also suggest taking a tour guide to the molokini island~ (prob from lahaina) yummy eats are mama’s fish house (mamafishhouse.com) and i loved maui tacos (mauitacos.com)!! You can find a lot more in the little town Lahaina!! Hope this helped a lil!! Have a great time!!
Sounds like your honeymoon is just what you need! Hope you enjoy Hawaii- I’ve been twice and I WISH my fiance and I could afford it for our honeymoon… hopefully you like pineapple- they serve it with EVERYTHING. It even comes with your value meals at McDonalds… Seriously though- Hawaii is amazing and I’m sooooo jealous right now!
We’re on our honeymoon RIGHT now in Kauai and were in Maui last week. (Don’t ask me why I’m on on the web!!) Since everyone has already told you what to do, I can suggest what you might want to eat:
Maui:
1. Mama’s Fish House (have to make a reservation)
2. Sansei (start waiting on line at 5pm if you don’t have reservations because it’s 25% if you order before 6)
Kauai:
1. Savage Shrimp (This kind lady named Susan sells the tastiest garlic shrimp on the island out of her truck on poipu road)
2. Plantation Garden (ask for the fresh fish of the day)
3. Hamura Saimin (have the special ramen, bbq chicken and a slice of their pie)
Enjoy the food and… WEAR TONS OF SUNBLOCK! We’re burnt! Have a great time!
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Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 24, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 20, 2007
Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles
About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
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