Planning a weekend getaway in January, 4 days in Kaanapali, and overnighting each way in Honolulu.

Have rooms reserved in Kannapali, question is, should we fly or drive from OGG to jhm? How is the scenery when flying, or is it just a quick hop.

I guess you could consider 16 miles a quick hop

Assuming you mean flying from HNL to JHM in lieu of flying HNL to OGG then driving to Ka'anapali.

I like flying into JHM for the ease of access to Ka'anapali and Kapalua, but the 45 minute drive from OGG to the west side is a nice drive with a good chance to scope out a little bit of Maui if you're going to be spending most of your time in and around Ka'anapali.

Last time we flew from HNL to JHM (this past March) we saw a pod of whales just off the Ka'anapali coast so it was definitely a positive to be flying into JHM.

Yea, sorry meant flying direct from HNL instead of into OGG then driving. Would prefer flying and not dealing with a rental. Not sure if the hotel has a shuttle from OGG, so JHM is preferred which they do have shuttle service to.

To OGG, you'll fly over Lana'i at altitide and then across central Maui. To JHM, you may see the edge of Molaka'i at altitude, then water until almost landing. So OGG would be margianally more scenic, I would think. Then again, the only thing I see flying HNL-JHM is Mokulele in a Cessna, so you may have quite a scenic adventure.

If you're avoiding a rental, does that mean you are planning on staying on Maui for 4 days and never leaving your hotel complex?


I've always flown to OGG and driven - did it just 4 weeks ago.

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I've done quite a few weekend trips using Island Air when it flew to JHM and I've done quite a few weekend and buisness trips that required me to fly into OGG and drive to Kapalua. I'd give a slight edge toward flying into JHM. Traffic from OGG to Kaanapali can be bad at certain times of day but you do miss out on a very scenic drive (just don't drive 20 mph because you want to snap a picture). Otoh, there are less flight options out of JHM, especially right now until Ohana starts up.

I have seen the Kapalua resorts shuttle at JHM for pick up. Believe the WKORV has a shuttle too (or at least it did a few years ago). Unless you want to be stuck at the resort though, it's probably best to rent a car. There are some great snorkeling spots (Napili, Honolua, etc) around Kaanapli that should not be missed.

I too am deciding between HNL-JMH or HNL-OGG. Staying at Sands of Kahana. would be nice o be 10 minutes from my resort hen I land.

I'd do hnl-jmh if the prices are similar. That drive from OGG to Kahana area can be slooooooooow.