I missed this recap last week- so sorry! I will have this one up for you today and then week 4 recap up for you tomorrow.
If you haven’t yet, make sure you read WEEK 1 and WEEK 2 recaps before or after you read this one!
I have been covering each day on my Instagram Stories, so I have been using those when I come back to write this post! It makes it so much easier to remember everything.
Hawaii Vacation 3
Maui
Monday
On Monday morning we went back to Napili Bay. Miller finally started playing with the sand, but the waves were way too high to actually get into the water with her. Thank you guys so much for telling me to apply baby powder after we get off the beach! It helps shake the sand off so fast! Such a crazy hack. Now if we could just keep her from eating it.
I wore this super cute ruffle bikini from Amazon. It comes in tons of different colors. I am wearing a M and the top definitely fits like a small so keep that in mind when ordering. Thankfully you can also order the top and bottom separately with the same link!
Polka Dot Bikini I Straw Hat I Amazon Sunglasses
Monday night we went to Fleetwood’s in Lahaina. The location is amazing but I am not sure the food was really worth the price. If I were you, I would go and hang out at the bar (lower or upper level!) Lower level had some amazing live music everyone was singing along to but you get the amazing sunset on the upper deck.
I wore this set from the new Gibson collection. Both are sold out, but I linked some items still available from the collection below the photo.
And here is what Miller wore (only $8 on Amazon!):
Tuesday
Tuesday was our last full day in West Maui. We took Miller back to the beach park again to let her swing and play on the playground. That’s where I took the below photo. I am wearing a super soft, breezy Amazon Tank and a cute, supportive Amazon sports bra.
Amazon Tank I Amazon Sports Bra I Lulu Running Shorts I Lulu Hat I Leopard Socks I Tennis Shoes
I got some sun and whale watching in while Miller napped, and then we went to Monkeypod AGAIN. We were supposed to go to Leoda’s but didn’t realize how far it was from our condo and knew Miller wouldn’t make it out late that night after taking a short nap. If you have a chance, definitely try to go to Leoda’s! It is known for its pies and burgers.
I wore this pretty floral swing dress and my new shell hoops.
Dress I Bag I Shell Hoops I Kendra Scott Wrap Bracelet
West Maui
West Maui is beautiful. You have Lahaina over there, which is the cutest town with so many shops and restaurants. They also have great beaches and places where you can take surf lessons. Kaanapali is also in West Maui. You can find Whaler’s Village there, which is full of amazing shops and restaurants (like Monkeypod, Hula Grill, etc.) Kaanapali also has beautiful beaches (great for whale watching), hotels, and condos you can rent. Napili and Kapalua are also both in West Maui. Napili is a great little neighborhood to stay in with a great beach for kids. Napili is where the Montage and Ritz Carlton are and they are SO NICE (a little fancier and pricier!)
If you are going to be staying in a hotel, I have no idea if you should stay in West or in South Maui. It truly is a toss-up. They both have great hotels and amazing beach access. I will say West Maui has the best restaurants, but South Maui has more of a local vibe.
If you are going to do a vrbo, definitely stay in South Maui. You can walk across the street here in Kihei right to the beach and at MOST places in West Maui you will have to drive to get to the beach.
WEST MAUI VRBO LINK. We didn’t love staying here. We stayed at Kaanapali Beach Club a couple of years ago and liked that much more because of the fun pool. Plus, this place didn’t have air conditioning!
Kona
Wednesday
On Wednesday we flew from Maui to the big island of Hawaii. It is only an 18-minute flight!! We stopped at Da Kitchen in downtown Kahului before the flight and I had the best teriyaki chicken of my LIFE!
I wore this Free People top during the day but never took a picture for Instagram because it sold out SO FAST! But guess what? IT’S BACK!!!
It was a long day for Miller so we got settled into our new condo, let her nap, and then left later that night for dinner at Kona Brewery. If you get the chance, definitely go and have their pepperoni rolls= to die for! We also love the Big Wave Lager of course!
I wore this pretty floral dress from ASOS. Aren’t the sleeves to die for?
Red Dress I Cult Gaia Ark Handbag I Cult Gaia Chain
Thursday
On Thursday morning we drove to Downtown Kona to eat at Frenchman’s Cafe. Unfortunately, it is now permanently closed :(. We went to Splasher’s Grill instead and Troy said their French Toast was the best he has ever head. I think it was crusted with frosted flakes or something like that! He loved it!
I wore this white shift from ASOS. It is such a great dress to wear on vacation!
White Dress I Sunglasses (old from Gucci) I Hermes Oran Sandals I Cult Gaia Clutch
We got back, put Miller down for her afternoon nap, and I snuck out to the pool for a bit. Our Vrbo was literally RIGHT on the water and there were about 7 surfers at any given time! I loved laying out in the chair by the pool and watching them in the water.
I wore this fun Amazon swimsuit that first day in Kona. It is so flattering and comes in a bunch of different prints. Fits tts- I am wearing a S.
That afternoon Troy went and picked up his parents from the airport and we cooked a pizza in.
Friday
Friday morning we went and ate at Lava Java’s. We all loved it. Such a fun spot for any meal.
I wore this seersucker mini that tied at the shoulders. So cute and only $34.
Pink Dress I Miller Sandals I Cult Gaia Ark Handbag I Cult Gaia Chain
Then we came back to the condo and got to hang out at the beach most of the day while my mother-in-law watched Miller.
How gorgeous is this two piece suit from Isabella Rose? It reminds me of a sunset.
Swimsuit Top I Swimsuit Bottom
That night we went to Huggo’s. It is definitely one of the best places to eat in Kona and if you can get a table right on the water you really can’t beat the sunset view. After dinner we went across the street and watched some of the locals play volleyball.
I didn’t shoot my outfit, but here is link to the top I wore:
Saturday
On Saturday we went to a couple of Farmer’s Markets! At the Ali’i Gardens Marketplace I bought Miller a Hawaiin print dress and we also stopped at Gecko Girlz for some shaved ice. Definitely comparable to the popular Ululani’s! It was delicious!
I wore this Target tie dye crop top and my favorite denim shorts.
Ray-Ban Sunglasses I Target Tie Dye Top I Denim Shorts
We just relaxed while Miller took her nap and then went to dinner at On the Rocks (sister restaurant of Huggo’s. You actually get to eat with your toes in the sand and they always have live music.
I wore this gorgeous gingham dress, which would be perfect for a bride on her honeymoon or anyone else to wear for a fun occasion this Spring!
Sunday
GREEN SAND BEACH
On Sunday morning we went to Green Sand Beach! We left Miller behind because it would have been way too much for a 14month old.
It is about an hour and thirty minute drive from Kona. You’ll also pass right by South Point (the southernmost point in the US) and all of the locals say you can actually jump into the ocean from there if you want. I will have to try that next time.
You’ll pull up to the Green Sand Beach trailhead and decide if you want to 1. walk 2. drive or 3. hitch a ride with a local.
Walk- It is about 3 miles from the Trailhead to Green Sand Beach. It takes about an hour and twenty minutes. You are basically walking on rocks the entire way there and the sun is VERY STRONG! Unless you get there kind of early in the day I wouldn’t recommend it. Wear sunscreen and bring lots of water.
Drive- Only drive if you have a truck or jeep. You need a lot of clearance under the car (just having a 4-wheel drive won’t cut it!)
Hitch a ride- I would recommend paying a local $20 a person to hitch a ride on the back of their trucks. They are so nice! A couple of people can sit in the front cab and the rest stand in the back and hold on to bars. It was an adventure in itself! They wait for you for an hour at the beach and then they bring you back. You can ask for more time and the next shift will bring you back.
The beach is so beautiful and it is so crazy to see green sand in person! So many people were swimming in the ocean there and many were just laying out on the beach. It was one of the prettiest beaches we have seen because of the cliff/rock formations surrounding the beach. I HIGHLY recommend going out there if you are on the big island.
I wore this hot pink suit to the beach!
Pink Swimsuit Top I Swimsuit Bottom
We were pretty tired when we got back by both my mother in law and Miller were ready to get out of the house since they didn’t come with us to the beach. We ended up taking them back to Kona Brewing Co since they hadn’t been yet!
I wore this gorgeous Free People eyelet blouse with my favorite denim shorts.
Eyelet Blouse I Denim Shorts I Cult Gaia Ark Handbag I Cult Gaia Chain
Keep an eye out for recap week 4, since week 5 started TODAY!
And don’t miss the WEEK 1 and WEEK 2 recaps from West Maui!
If I missed any links please leave a comment below and I will add them for you.
Comments
We’ve been going to Maui for a few years now, leaving this week actually for our 4th year. I love comparing itineraries with you. We enjoy a lot of the same spots. We started going when our little guy was 14 months and this year he’s 4. To answer your question about which side of Maui is better, they are both great so just don’t choose! We stay in West Maui (Westin) the first half of our trip and South Maui (Fairmont Kea Lani) the second half. Merriman’s is our favorite restaurant. You’ll have to go there for Sunday brunch where they serve lobster eggs Benedict and have a guy on the guitar. It’s so great. And yes, I always splurge on a designer handbag since they are cheaper there. I heard they use European pricing as opposed to US pricing. Thanks for sharing your stories!
Are the shell hoops heavy?