I’m writing this post at 4 am in Maui. I’ve been up for an hour even though I’m exhausted. Probably my biggest pet peeve with going to Maui is the lack of sleep I get the first few nights due to the time change. I’m actually lucky that as a Californian, we are only 2 or 3 hours ahead, depending on time of year.
SECRET: Hawaii does not practice daylight saving time so the time difference depends on the time of year. During the summer months Hawaii is 3 hours behind Pacific time. During the winter months Hawaii is 2 hours behind Pacific time.
Regardless, my internal clock has failed me and I’m laying in bed, in the dark, while my family sleeps blissfully away. This moment reminds me of some tips I’d like to share with you to maximize your chance of a good night of sleep on your Hawaiian vacation.
– While you will most likely be exhausted at the end of first travel day (plus evening beach swim and a Mai Tai, right?!?) and will have no trouble falling asleep, you may want to consider taking an over the counter sleeping pill to help you STAY asleep. There are other natural ways to help aid sleep, like lavender essential oils, melatonin etc. but I don’t mind reaching for the good stuff a night or two until I’ve adjusted (wishing I had some right now!!!).
– Know that many condos in Maui do NOT have A/C. Yes, you read that right. In fact, many North Kihei and Kahana/Napili condo buildings prohibit them. (Fortunately, Anthurium House has super quiet Split AC in the bedroom and in the living room, so I’m not up sweating at night!) Do yourself a favor and research before booking. If it doesn’t specifically list it, assume it doesn’t have one. You’ll often find complaints of cars and other noise pollutants in the reviews of these airless communities because they are forced to sleep with their window open. If you find yourself in one of these places, pack your ear plugs and maybe save space in your luggage by leaving your pjs at home … (just kidding unless you are on your honeymoon!)
– On the same sleeping temperature note, pack light pjs and run the ceiling fan along with the A/C at night to help move the air. Also make sure if your spouse turned the A/C and fan on that you know how to turn them down or lower the speed/increase the temperature. You might want to even grab a spare blanket. It might take a night or two for you to find your perfect combo of speed and temp and nothing is worse than lying in bed freezing with nothing you can do about it!!
I try not to run the A/C much during the day (electricity on the island is EXPENSIVE!). Since the breeze we get usually cool enough, and I like to keep the sliders open to listen to the birds!
SECRET: Check the floor plan of a unit before booking. Most condos and hotels only have a slider to a balcony or lanai on one side and a door on the opposite side that opens to a public hallway. Unless you keep the door propped open, you can’t get the air movement you need to cool a place off. We are spoiled at Maui Kamaole with both a lanai and a private courtyard so we can really get the breeze going.
Be sure to turn the AC on about an hour before bed to get the room to the temperature you like so you can easily slip away to dreamland.
– Turn your phone to silent. I inevitably wake up every morning in Maui to missed calls and texts from the mainland. Even if you posted pictures of you in your aloha shirt on the plane on Facebook, not everybody knows you are on vacation. I learned this lesson the hard way on my honeymoon 11 years ago, and I’m still mad about it…thanks Joel!
– Put your toddler in a pull-up even if they never have accidents at home. Again, lesson learned the hard way (several times). My oldest son has been night potty trained for years, but inevitably every beach vacation we go on he has a potty accident. Now 4 (almost 5), he used to get so mad at us when we insisted, but after having at least one accident a trip he finally realized that’s why he is wearing it. Chalk it up to Mom forcing water on the kids all day at the beach, the juice and fruit we allow them as a treat that they might not get at home (the fresh pineapple on the island is addicting but a diuretic), and the fact that they will sleep HARD after a full day in the sun and water. Don’t find yourself changing sheets and the pjs of your little one in the middle of the night. Bring the pull up!!! (And this is why all our beds have waterproof mattress pads and washable quilts…grossing any non parents out yet?)
– Speaking of diuretics, you will probably get up in the middle of the night even if you don’t at home (maybe from diligently drinking your water all day or was it that third fruity drink you knew shouldn’t have ordered??). Be sure to leave on a light and clear a safe path so you don’t go bump in the night!
Even with all these tips, there is a good chance you will find yourself awake before the roosters crow. If you are in a hotel with family or a condo with people sleeping on a bed couch, you might not have anywhere where you can turn on the light (I’ve found myself sitting on a bathroom floor in the early morning more than once on vacation) and need to come up with something to do. I like to check emails (and Facebook) on my phone in the early morning. I can catch up on work without feeling guilty that I’m missing out on the fun. (I know, I’m on vacation! But when you own your business, you can never really disconnect.)
If you are a runner or walker, this is the perfect time to get on the ocean front trails as the sun is just starting to rise. Such a peaceful way to start your day! I love Wailea and Kaanapali’s beachside paths.
Cliff walk between Kam III and Kihei boat ramp
SECRET: Across from Maui Kamaole (between Kam III and the Kihei boat ramp) is a dirt trail on a cliff above the water that runs through a protected area for birds. I like to take a cup of coffee (maybe grab a bite at the Cinnamon Roll Place first) and watch the sea turtles floating along the shore enjoying their breakfast.
Is watching the sunrise from Haleakala, completing the entire Road to Hana, scuba diving off Lana’i, playing an early round of golf or snorkeling at Molokini on your list of must dos? If so, plan these excursions on your first few days when waking up early is easy. Nothing is worse than having to set an alarm on vacation!!
Kihei Caffe Banana Macadamia Nut Pancakes
What did our first day in Maui look like this week? We were all up by 5 am, eating banana macadamia nut pancakes at Kihei Cafe by 6 am, done with grocery shopping at 8 am and were down to the beach by 9 am.
Embrace the early wake up! Life is best in Maui when the sun is low, the wind is down and the snorkeling is at its finest.
Make it a great day!
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