When our dream trip to Hawaii finally arrived, we flew into Maui first and found our accommodations. Join us for the first glimpse of island life!
Before I describe our first day in Maui, there’s an important bit of back story to share.
I had been looking forward to this trip for months — researching activities, hunting for the right swimsuit, planning my carry-on essentials, and even borrowing a small passport holder to make travel easier.
At 10:30 p.m. the night before our 6:45 a.m. flight, I decided to check my passport’s expiration date. It’s a 10-year U.S. passport and I like to stay on top of travel paperwork. The flight day was April 10th. When I opened the passport, the expiration date read April 13, 2013.
I was horrified. My organized plans felt instantly threatened. A few internet searches yielded conflicting advice and no clear solution for someone in my situation. The next morning we decided to head to the airport anyway. My husband stayed calm and practical, reminding me that the worst-case scenario would be that I wouldn’t be allowed to board. “We’ll take it one step at a time,” he said, and that’s what we did.
There were no problems boarding for Maui — it’s domestic travel for us — so getting there was smooth. The real challenge would be getting back home to Canada, and that became our top priority for Day 1.
Travelling to Hawaii
Day One Itinerary: Fly into Kahului Airport
We arrived at Kahului Airport around 8:30 p.m., when it was already dark and we were travel-weary. The three-hour time difference made it feel like 11:30 p.m. We drove about 40 minutes to our condo in the Kaanapali Beach area and stopped at a nearby grocery store for a snack. After paying $12 for a small selection of crackers and cheese, we decided to find groceries elsewhere for the rest of the trip.
On the way out of the store, a man riding a moped in a Batman suit provided some unexpected island entertainment. 
Getting settled into our Hawaiian accommodations
The next morning we woke at 5:00 a.m., jet-lagged but awake, so we embraced the early start and opened the door to our lanai. We had reserved a garden-view room at the Papakea Resort, a place recommended by several friends. What greeted us that morning was spectacular.
And off in the corner, the ocean revealed itself:
We grabbed coffee and headed straight to the beach. The first morning view took our breath away.
It felt wonderful to finally stick our toes in the sand and feel the warmer ocean water — not quite bathtub temperature, but pleasantly inviting.
From then on, coffee on the beach became our daily ritual. We even claimed a favorite bench for morning viewing.
Because we didn’t fight the 5 a.m. wake-ups, the mornings were peaceful and uncrowded.
Watching the sunrise became a perfect, quiet way to start each day.
Much of Day 1 was spent resolving my passport situation by phone. After several calls we made a plan: fly to Honolulu on Oahu for an appointment at the Federal Building on Monday at 2:00 p.m. With that arranged, I focused on enjoying the island and practicing every lesson I’ve learned about letting go of worry. The passport issue only resurfaced in my mind the night before our unplanned day trip to Oahu.
Places to eat and see in Maui
- Lunch at Kimo’s in Lahaina — the ocean waves literally splashed beneath our table.
- Grocery shopping at Costco in Kahului — the Maui pineapple was incredible.
- Swapped a rental car that had a drivetrain issue and were surprised with a brand-new replacement.
- Tried our first fresh Krispy Kreme donuts — a must-try treat.
- Strolled through the shops in Lahaina in the evening — we loved the atmosphere and the variety of boutiques.
Other posts from our Hawaii trip
- Over the Rainbow
- Visiting Upcountry Maui
- Exploring Big Beach
- Kaanapali Beach and Eating Hula Pie
- Snorkel Trip to Molokini Crater and Discovering New Beaches
- Day trip to Honolulu and Waikiki Beach
- The Road to Hana
- Things to Note when Travelling to Hawaii + The Highlight Reel Video