Welcome to OGG!
The Wizard of Oz song, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” always goes through my head when I land at OGG. Step outside (enjoy the shock of humidity!), look down and follow the line of yellow bricks toward baggage claim.
SECRET: The restrooms in baggage claim are nicer and have shorter lines than the ones upstairs. It’s not a far walk, so hold it!
If Starbucks isn’t calling your name, head down the escalator (or elevators to the left), make a right, and you’ll find yourself in baggage claim. (If you are part of a group, your tour guide will be standing with a sign at the bottom of the escalators near the restrooms.) Luggage usually pops out pretty quickly at OGG, but while my husband Matt waits for it I take the kids to the restroom and change them into cooler clothes that I bring in my carry-on bag.
Alaska’s baggage service guarantee
SECRET: If your checked bags don’t come off the conveyer belt in 20 minutes or less after arrival, Alaska Airlines will give you a $25 voucher for every checked bag (or 2,500 bonus points). I’ve gotten these on my last two trips in my hometown without any fuss about exact time. Glance at your watch when the plane doors open and then again when you grab your last bag. More than 20 minutes? Head to the Alaska customer service office, show your boarding pass (paper or electronic), tell them how many bags you checked and they will hand over a voucher for each bag. Be sure to register each code and your next flight to Maui (or anywhere Alaska flies) will be discounted. Finally a reason to be happy about a delay!
If you have a ton of baggage or are traveling with young kids, you may want to send one person to get the car and have the others stick with the bags. Once the luggage has been moved to the shade by the curb, Matt heads to the appropriate rental car bus to the right of baggage claim (no need to stop at the desk). He’s not gone long, but it gives the kids a chance to stretch their legs and run around in the shade while I get the car seats out of the travel bags, dig out flip flops and sunglasses and pre-order lunch at Da Kitchen (using the Da Kitchen Café app!). We’ve found that this little ritual removes some of the arrival stress when traveling with little ones. Getting two car seats properly installed in a new car takes some time, so we all appreciate the shade the overhang in the arrivals terminal provides for that task. If you have kids and stay together as a group, consider waiting with them for a few minutes in the air conditioned rental car office until the seats are installed.
Alamo’s fast check-in kiosk
SECRET: Avoid the lines when you pick up your car rental by using the kiosk! Generally you just need your confirmation number, drivers license and major credit card. Alamo is our usual go-to rental company in Maui (great deals on Costco Travel for members, especially for mini vans!) and their kiosk is incredibly easy to use. You can add on anything you want using the system (including additional drivers if you have their license) or quickly bypass the upgrades by pressing next. The receipt will print and you take it to the attendant outside who will escort you to your car. Last time I was in Maui, I was driving away in my rental 35 minutes after the plane landed — with checked bags!
As you depart the airport, you will find yourself in Kahului, home of Costco, Walmart and Target. If you choose to stop at any of these stores before heading to your resort, please be sure to bring any valuables with you into the store or consider leaving someone in the car — especially if you rented a convertible that screams tourist. There isn’t much crime in Maui, but car break-ins and theft are the most common issues. They usually happen at beaches and less public places on the Road to Hana, but be careful just in case.
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