I strongly suggest renting a car for your visit; they are inexpensive and the island is expansive. When you arrive at the airport, you can catch a shuttle to rental agencies (all are offsite); to do so, as you leave baggage claim (you didn't really check bags, did you? Don't need many clothes...) head to your right and pick up a bus behind the car rental agency counters. Within a mile of the airport is Costco; if you need to stock up on anything, or just want to see what they carry there that is unique to Hawaii, make the stopover (it is also a great layover on the return to the airport to get the best price on Hawaiian Host macadamia nuts for your friends back home).
When approaching Lahaina from the south, the first signal will be Shaw. Pass Shaw and take the next left turn (no signal), which is Prison. Your first right will be Wainee; proceed roughly one-quarter mile to resort, which is on your right.
In the master bedroom bureau are a few items for your enjoyment. Several tour books outline good restaurants and other activities, ranging from hiking to snorkeling to parasailing to...whatever. There is also a GPS, programmed with some of my favorite locations. And a cloth shopping bag (plastic bags are NOT allowed on the island--apparently local sea turtles can't digest them when swallowed...go figure...), with a diminutive membership card to Foodland attached. A small collapsible ice-chest might come in handy as well. There are also two permanent wristbands that are supposed to be worn if you are around the pool; for extras ask for paper ones at the front desk. I'll mention the small closet in the master bathroom is locked; this is the owner's locker, and provides the reason I can travel to Maui with virtually no luggage at all--clothes are already on-site.
A couple resort matters. There is a $15/night parking charge; I would recommend against this, since you can very likely find on-street parking for free in front of the resort – and the unit (K-108) is very close to the street. There is also a one-time checkout cleaning fee of about $85. Ice can be found behind the lobby, though there is a full kitchen in the condo (which is why you need to go to Foodland!). Need extra coffee, or dishwashing soap, or laundry detergent? Just ask at the front desk.
Speaking of food ... and you know I love happy hour(s) ... check out Kimos from 3-5 pm daily. If you go there for dinner their prime rib is legendary--and easily enough for two (you have been warned...). Ruth’s Chris happy hour is from 5-7 daily. Don’t limit yourself to the bar menu; they have other happy hour items on the regular menu; just ask. Another good Lahaina option is Betty’s Beach Cafe, which is south on Front Street about a quarter mile and with happy hour 2-5 daily; worth the price of a drink just to watch the set-up of the luau next door (I'm just sayin’). A small local (just across from Banyan tree) Mexican establishment called Amigos has amazing carnitas tacos and marguerites; happy hour is from 3-5 and the best deal you will find in town. Like sushi? You will never find better than Sensei, which is near the Ritz Carlton at Kapalua (several miles past Kaanapali, which is several miles north of aina-nalu). Go during the first half hour of daily opening and you can take advantage of their special pricing...but meals are still pricey--though absolutely memorable. And it is well worth traveling a couple miles north on Front Street to Aloha Mixed Plate, just behind a shopping center known as the Cannery (which has a Longs Drugs, in case you have the need).
Speaking of the Banyan tree...all but one Saturday each month there is a real cool arts and crafts fair under the tree. Worth taking a look; several art items in the condo were purchased there.
Wow...that was a lot on food...and all within a few miles of the condo. See, I don't leave town much when there...love all the local sights and sounds. Can't help much with other areas such as Kihei or Wailea; you are on your own there, but there are many good options. Turn the TV to channel 7 (or watch on-line) and you will get a quite thorough cataloguing of possibilities.
Couple more things. The best beach on the island is Big Beach, which is a bit past Wailea...about 45 minutes from Lahaina. There is a companion beach--Little Beach (how original)-- that is north past a spit of land that separates it from Big Beach. Little Beach is clothing-optional...just so you know...no surprises.
When you are heading back to the mainland, as apparently you must, it may seem options for refueling the car before its return are tight. As you get closer to the airport, look for the Home Depot; in front is Aloha Island Mart at 50 Pakaula Street. If you miss that, just look for the McDonalds and just past that is a Shell station (tends to be quite busy) with prices on par with Aloha Island Mart. Fuel up there...then proceed to the airport and keep to the left (but not to the surface parking area) as you approach. This is a 'bypass' that the shuttles use, and will take you past the airport and on to car rental returns--without getting bogged down in drop off/pick up traffic.
So much more to cover...but that is it for now. I’m happy to process a reservation on your behalf with Outrigger; know you would have an absolutely fantastic time!
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The rules listed below are designed for the safety and guest enjoyment while visiting Aina Nalu and renting through the RAC. Please pay special attention to the following:
- Rule Number 1
- Rule Number 2
- Rule Number 3
- Etc.
Located in Lahaina, Outrigger Aina Nalu is in the historical district and close to Banyan Tree Park and Maui Theater. Additional area points of interest include Kaanapali Beach and Kaanapali Golf Courses. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna. Guest parking is available for a surcharge. Additional property amenities include barbecue grills, secure parking, and self parking. 135 air-conditioned guestrooms at Outrigger Aina Nalu feature coffee/tea makers and ceiling fans. Rooms are all accessible via exterior corridors. Refrigerators and microwaves are offered. Bathrooms feature showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Wired high-speed Internet access is complimentary. Windows that open, irons/ironing boards, and clock radios are also provided. Housekeeping is available daily.
Aina Nalu RAC is proud to be awarded with:
- 2007 ASID Hawai'i Chapter - Grand Overall Winner Hospitality
Mickey Mouse debuted in the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie and went on to become the familiar symbol of Walt Disney studios. A cheerful rodent in white gloves and red shorts, Mickey starred in dozens of Disney shorts and the 1940 animated feature Fantasia, becoming one of the world's best-known cartoon characters. After 1950 Mickey appeared only rarely in films and instead settled into a role as Disney's ambassador in its advertisements and theme parks, with Mickey's mouse ears becoming the company symbol. Disney's daily TV show The Mickey Mouse Club was first broadcast in 1955 (the same year that Disneyland opened its doors) and became a long-running hit. Its familiar theme song included the spelled-out lyric, "Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me? M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E."
Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, is a fictional anthropomorphic bear created by A. A. Milne. The first collection of stories about the character was the book Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Milne also included a poem about the bear in the children’s verse book When We Were Very Young (1924) and many more in Now We Are Six (1927). All four volumes were illustrated by E. H. Shepard.
FAQs
So You Want to Know about the Rental Advisory Committee?Since we had a number of owners ask questions about the Rental Advisory Committee (RAC), we thought it might be interesting to share with all owners, not just owners running for a position on the Committee, the questions and answers so that everyone has an understanding of what this Committee is all about. Please vote!!
Q: How much time will I have to devote to being a Committee member?
A: It strictly depends on how active the Committee decides to become. Sometimes in the beginning, when you’re just starting your learning curve, it takes more time to understand the operation of the Rental Program. Once that occurs, you can expect to spend some telephone or email time with your Committee members each month and more substantial time around annual meeting time when you can expect to hold a RAC meeting for all owners and have to devote time to putting that together. Meetings should be a minimum 1-2 times per year.
Q: Can expenses be paid for being on the Committee, like airfare, long distance calls etc. for the meetings?
A: As the RAC is established it is possible, if the Committee decides, to cover some of these costs. It’s up to the RAC and the Rental Program owners to approve. Any and all increased contribution to the RAC fund would be established accordingly.
Q: I’m new to being in a Rental Program. I don’t understand about setting rates for unit rental or making decisions about advertising and marketing or other kinds of policies. How will this work then?
A: That is not a problem. We will be glad to explain the process to anyone who serves on the RAC. In fact, that will be one of your most important tasks of being on the Committee -- understanding how rates are set, the philosophy that is applied in setting rates, how marketing programs are developed and what advertising is selected to best suit the property. We want you to understand this so that you in turn can explain it to owners who have questions. Our feeling is that when a Committee member takes the time to actually learn and understand the process, it tends to be more understandable coming from a fellow owner.
Q: How many times a year are we required to make these kinds of decisions? For example, in setting rates or deciding where to advertise?
A: Good question and timely asked because we can forestall some confusion that obviously is existing in this area at times. The Committee will not be making decisions on rates and advertising or marketing -- what you will be doing is having a discussion with the management company (Outrigger) so that you understand how WE come to the decisions that are made. Remember, you’re an "Advisory" committee which means we invite your input, especially input you have gathered from other owners who express their feelings to you one way or another, but we ultimately are the ones who make the final decision as to what rates are and where advertising and marketing will take place.
Q: What if I make an error in what I do while on the Committee and owners get upset? Will I have exposure?
A: No, for two reasons. First of all, if you read the rental agreement, you are functioning on a strictly voluntary and advisory level. You are not making final decisions so therefore owners will not be in a position of suing you or making you liable for what they feel is a poor decision. (Remember what we stated earlier -- you are not making final decisions, just advising.) Besides that, each owner who enters into the Rental Program acknowledges (see Section VI. E.) that they will not hold you responsible or liable for decisions that you make.
Q: Why haven’t we had a committee prior to this?
A: With a "Start up" situation it is not unusual for the property to experience its "growing pains" before establishing a RAC committee, if at all. Many resort properties operate without any committee at all. The primary reason for a RAC is to improve communications between Outrigger and the Rental Owners. We have heard, and also feel that a RAC here at the property will benefit all concerned.
Q: How should I decide who to vote for on the Committee? Do you have some suggestions?
A: You should probably have a diverse Committee -- maybe an owner who has some past experience with rental programs, several owners to whom this type of business is brand new, and certainly business people are always good choices as they tend to understand the financial aspect of an operation such as this. You might even consider having someone represented from the developer’s group as well. Diversity is what will make the Committee a success. Read the resumes that will be submitted.
Q: The agreement calls for owners to be present at a meeting to vote for the participants on the RAC. Why are you doing this by mail?
A: For the original RAC start up we feel that it would be easier to involve more owners if we do it by mail, and we would save time and enable us to have this committee in place at our next annual meeting in May 2009. This approach is a one-time process. Future elections will be held during the annual meeting in order to move forward effectively. Future meetings will be held on an annual or biannual basis with fellow rental members in attendance. It is our experience that these meetings are more productive with owners in attendance.
Q: How frequently can owners expect to be hearing from the RAC?
A: Obviously that depends on the RAC participants and how frequently they want to communicate with owners. Especially in the beginning it is probably a good idea to try to determine the interests of the owners, maybe with a survey, to see what they have to say, what they’d like the RAC to look into, what kinds of things they’re interested in knowing about and so forth. It’ll be a discovery period at first until everyone’s able to feel comfortable in their roles.
Q: Can the RAC have Outrigger management participate in the RAC meetings?
A: Yes, Outrigger will setup and participate in all meetings. The rental meetings will mature to a dual purpose with the meetings being hosted by the RAC & Outrigger. It is most effective when you have management participating in your meetings (i.e., your General Manager and staff) because questions frequently come up and the General Manager and staff have the most definitive answers. This will often save time from having RAC members go off on a tangent that ends up irrelevant when perhaps only one simple fact may need to be known. In the future the meetings will be hosted by the RAC through the RAC fee collected for meetings and on-going RAC expenses.
Q: If I have more questions, where should I address them?
A: Your Homeowner Liaison or General Manager will be able to answer your Rental Program questions. Your Homeowner Liaison (Sheila Gerbig-Hussey) is reachable via email at sheila.gerbig-hussey@outrigger.com or your General Manager is reachable via email at Barrett.desantos@outrigger.com at any time.