Maui tips & Car rental

Help! Trying to get ready and cannot believe How expensive the cars are. Looking for 10 days rental for less then $600= hotwire, 650 for budget. Any other general tips would be appreciated.
 Aloha

I'm going in May for 10 days and saw Enterprise for like $500.

I used to travel to Hawaii for business and always used a travel agency in Hawaii to book everything from flights, to hotels to cars.  The "local" connection sometimes yields big rewards.  I used Seawind Tour and Travel in Honolulu for all of my business travel, including mainland trips.  I know travel agencies have become somewhat archaic with Priceline, Expedia and such but the slower pace of life in the islands may still make them a viable option.  It might be worth a try?

Martin

Go to Fleming State Park in Napili for some snorkeling. Car? Man its been a long time since I was there

A freind of mine is on Maui now for 3 weeks. He used some local car rental place. You might check craigslist maui.
FYI>> I used points I had on a visa card last year and my rental car for 10 days was $89.

Thanks everyone! Keep em coming!

Where are you staying?

Kihei, Mike. A friend owns a duplex there and his daughter lives upstairs and the downstairs just became vacant. Mike and Deb said it's empty lets go. I agreed. Roundtrip tic cost 384. free place to stay I said I'd pop for the car.

Kihei is kinda in middle of island.  Call asap and make reservation for Old Lahaina Luau for Friday or Saturday night. With 10 days, you'll be able to cover the island no problem.  After arriving, unpacking etc., here's my recommended first full day itinerary.   

• Haleakala sunrise.  If no clouds, drive up on the first day there while you are still on PDT.  That way, 4AM local won't feel like 4AM PDT.  Bring blankets its freezing.
• Descend Haleakala, lunch at the Ranch Store across from Tedeschi Vineyards.  http://www.mauiwine.com/  Very kind grinds.
• Wine tasting at Tedeschi.  The pineapple wine is gross but try it anyway.
• Spend some time upcountry.  Kula Botanical Gardens, crafts, etc.
  
• On the way back to Kihei after lunch, free goat cheese tasting at Surfing Goat Dairy.  http://www.surfinggoatdairy.com/  Do NOT buy the tour, total ripoff.
• Early dinner at the General Store.  http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/  Middle of nowhere, but interesting place.
  
  Couple of other things:
  
  • For shopping, check out the Shops at Wailea.  Maybe lunch at Tommy Bahama Cafe.  I had the pulled pork sandwich, it wasn't bad.  Reduced 4% sales tax makes purchases seem so doable.  Bought handbag at LV store from a woman who looked like she could be Darius's long lost sister (see pic)
  • Lahaina Town.  Check out the day's sportfishing catches, famous Banyan Tree.  Excellent, cheap eats that the locals love: Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate (both awesome).  Do NOT eat at the vomit inducing Old Lahaina Grill.
  • Kaanapali.  Dig Me Beach, Black Rock for snorkeling, people watching.  Whaler's Village and the restaurants and bars are a very lively scene.
  • While you are on the west side also check out: 1) Honoloa Bay (its kinda dead now, hardly any vibrant coral or fish); 2) Olivine Pools; 3) dinner at Plantation House.
  • Road to Hana.  Leave early its an all day affair.
  • Mamas Fish House.  Its over-rated, but you still need to eat there and cross it off the list.
  • Skip the aquarim, not worth it.
  • If going to Molokini, go in the morning.  Someday I would like to swim from Molokini to the harbor LOL.
  
  Thought I was sick of Maui, but writing down this list makes me think how much I love the place.  Maui Revealed is a pretty good guide, if you want to read up.  You gon have howling good time!

Wow martin, thanks Bro. Awesome list. Their daughter has lived there for 10 years so I was hoping for the inside scoop from her too. When I return we will see how many of yours I got crossed off!

If you are a member of Costco, try there.  I've found it to be the cheapest place consistently for rental cars.

As for Maui - You need to eat at Mama's Fish House.....

http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=028&refId=LINK001&&arc=Es5Ekr9eEBk-bMnKvuw8fwNAfQKpRWlPxw&cm_mmc=LinkShare-_-Null-_-Null-_-Es5Ekr9eEBk-bMnKvuw8fwNAfQKpRWlPxw

saw a coupon today for a free upgrade and other things from Enterprise