From: jmp@phoenix.irv.icl.com (Jim Paugh)
Newsgroups: rec.windsurfing
Subject: Re: maui packages
Summary: Do it yourself, and save $$$
Date: 1 Sep 92 22:21:33 GMT
Organization: ICL, Advanced Development Group, Irvine CA

In article <31AUG92.11002755@wums.wustl.edu>, hortin_lab@wums.wustl.edu writes:
> My wife and i are considering a windsurfing package in maui.  Thinking of using either "windsurfing vacations" or "vela". i would like to pose two questions to the "net":
> 
> is there any pit falls i should know about(equipt., accomidations, hassle, etc)
> or any recomendations out there?
> 
> what should i expect for wind and weather paterns?
> 
> thanks in advance.
> e-mail or post is fine.
> 
> tag

I went to Maui last March (during high "tourist" season) and did it for about
$700/person for 2 weeks, which included _everything_ (food, car, airfare, condo
I brought my own equipment, for about $70 round trip)!
Right now is considered off season, so you should find good deals on everything.
I stayed at the Hono Kai Condo's in Maalea Bay Village, which is right in the
center of the island, on the south side.  10 minutes to Kanaha, 5 mins to Kihei,
20 mins to Hookipa, (you get the idea).  Garden view condo (not ocean front, 
although complex is on beach) for about $50/nite, fully equiped, 1 Br, w/ fold
out couch in living room, sleeps four.  Older condo's, but nice, pool, bbqs,
fully equiped kitchen, which can save a lot in meal costs, laundry facility, 
there is also storage for windsurf equip.  The Maalea Bay Village is off the 
main highway, with only 5 or 6 condo complexes, very private and very quiet, 
no crowds, even when Kihei is crawling!  You can check the conditions at Kihei 
from pool side.  Family of sea turtles lives 100 yds off shore in front of 
condos!  January-March, Humpback Whales rest in Maalea Bay, as close as 50-100 
yds from beach in morning hours!

The only disadvantage with Hono Kai, is it's in the wind zone, so it tends to 
be windy at the condo's most of the time, but you will always know when it's 
blowing *8^)  I was afraid I might not sleep well, (sound of wind in trees 
generates an adrenalin rush) but actually found it soothing!

You can set your own equipment rental with any of the shops, or bring your own
for about $70-$100 round trip.  Rental cars are $15/day, which makes for a 
cheap$$ trip.  The packages you mention are much more expensive.  

Maalea Bay Rentals (ask for Hono Kai) 1-800-367-6084
Check all major car rentals for best rate, bring soft racks (I carried 2 boards,
3 sails, mast & boom with my soft rack)
Equipment rental: Hawaiian Island Windsurfing 1-800-782-6105
		  Second Wind Sail & Surf 1-808-877-7467(ask for Tom Cherry)
		  Windrigger Maui, ltd. (Mistral high wind center) 
		  1-800-345-6284

I have no affiliation with the Hono Kai, or anything I've listed, just a 
satisfied customer!

Last March, out of 12 days on island, 8 days of 4.5-3.7, 2 days of 5.0-5.5.
I was told that I hit the island on a good week for March!  One day of logo 
high waves on kanaha, head high otherwise, flat water on Kihei side, ask locals
about coral heads on Kihei, not a problem when you know where they are!

Jim Paugh
jmp@al.irv.icl.com