Onboard Emerald Hawaii bound

[LawDog61]

Prayers for the people of Maui and big island as wildfires rage.   Clearly there will be changes to our itinerary, but so far, not a mention from the captain of any changes.  We are on a speed up for a 15 hour early arrival in Hilo for a medical emergency. 

[cap'n chunk]

Thank you for the update. I have some immediate family members on the cruise it's very nice to know what's happening.

 

Prayers to all the locals on Maui the situation is heartbreaking.

[cr8tiv1]

Thank you for starting this thread.  It's always difficult to cross the Pacific with an medical emergency.  I hope the patient is resting comfortably.  There's a lot of water between LA and Hilo.  Helicopters can only go so far out to meet the ship.  

 

It doesn't look good for Lahaina.  I've been trying to keep up to date with rapidly changing news.  I would fathom to guess that the Emerald will not tender in Lahaina.  Hopefully you will still be able to port at Kahului.  It's more central to the island.  

 

The good news:

 

'Beyond Hana' - Road has now Re-opened

The county of Maui has now fully re-opened the Hana Highway (Road to Hana). Previously, the county had closed a portion of the Hana Highway at Alelele Point near Kipahulu (beyond the Oheo Gulch) due to safety issues. This closure ended in late July 2023 as construction wrapped up.

 

I would not do this independently, but the ship will do an excursion.  

 

Upcountry is also nice, but there are fires there too.

 

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[no1racefan1]

33 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Thank you for starting this thread.  It's always difficult to cross the Pacific with an medical emergency.  I hope the patient is resting comfortably.  There's a lot of water between LA and Hilo.  Helicopters can only go so far out to meet the ship.  

 

It doesn't look good for Lahaina.  I've been trying to keep up to date with rapidly changing news.  I would fathom to guess that the Emerald will not tender in Lahaina.  Hopefully you will still be able to port at Kahului.  It's more central to the island.  

 

The good news:

 

'Beyond Hana' - Road has now Re-opened

The county of Maui has now fully re-opened the Hana Highway (Road to Hana). Previously, the county had closed a portion of the Hana Highway at Alelele Point near Kipahulu (beyond the Oheo Gulch) due to safety issues. This closure ended in late July 2023 as construction wrapped up.

 

I would not do this independently, but the ship will do an excursion.  

 

Upcountry is also nice, but there are fires there too.

 

 

Based on current news reports, I'd venture to guess no stops in Maui at all.

[Bgwest]

How’s Starlink working? 
Please keep us posted as your journey progresses. 

[LawDog61]

5 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

How’s Starlink working? 
Please keep us posted as your journey progresses. 

Great.  I have been doing some streaming.   No problems

[Mike07]

16 minutes ago, no1racefan1 said:

Based on current news reports, I'd venture to guess no stops in Maui at all.

 

Lahaina has been wiped out. There might be somewhere else they can dock on the island to strictly transport relief supplies from the other islands, said islands are close enough that likely smaller ships are headed there already.

[LawDog61]

Captains noon time update:   We will arrive in Hilo 2 hours early.   We have slowed down from our 15 hour early arrival target.    Captain says 2 hours early arrival gives plenty of time for the patient to get to the hospital for a scheduled operation.  
Maui canceled and marine operations is working on an alternative port.

interesting regarding the medical emergency:

Two days ago, the captain made an announce from the bridge the ship Dr was requesting assistance from any eye specialist Dr. A big 👍to the Dr who stepped up.   They did announce his name and thanked him and said the patient had been stabilized.

[no1racefan1]

15 minutes ago, Mike07 said:

 

Lahaina has been wiped out. There might be somewhere else they can dock on the island to strictly transport relief supplies from the other islands, said islands are close enough that likely smaller ships are headed there already.

Right, I should clarify, I meant no cruise ships stopping in Maui. They are asking people to NOT travel to Maui at this time. I hope there are relief ships that are able to dock.

[LawDog61]

3 minutes ago, no1racefan1 said:

Right, I should clarify, I meant no cruise ships stopping in Maui. They are asking people to NOT travel to Maui at this time. I hope there are relief ships that are able to dock.

BTW no1racefan1- if it’s motor sports you are a fan of……I was able to watch the Indycar race and IMSA races sitting on my balcony streaming Peacock on my iPad.   Streaming is good.

[no1racefan1]

1 minute ago, LawDog61 said:

BTW no1racefan1- if it’s motor sports you are a fan of……I was able to watch the Indycar race and IMSA races sitting on my balcony streaming Peacock on my iPad.   Streaming is good.

Nice! I made my screen name a loooong time ago when I was really into dirt track racing. I haven't watched in a while, but sometimes if I happen to catch a race on screen I'll stop and watch 😄

[Guest ldtr]

7 minutes ago, no1racefan1 said:

Right, I should clarify, I meant no cruise ships stopping in Maui. They are asking people to NOT travel to Maui at this time. I hope there are relief ships that are able to dock.

The major port for Maui is Kahului Harbor on the other side of the Island near the airport.  It is the main cargo port for the island.  Cruise ships use it as well, especially when the dock in Lahaina was being worked on.

 

At this point tourists, by air or cruise ship should stay away until the island indicates that they are ready for them to return.  

[Prost Seattle]

Do you think they will add Hilo to your itinerary or a longer stay in Honoluliu?

[LawDog61]

Well, Hilo is our first stop.  Captain says they are working on another port.

[Eleanor Rigby 14]

Sending prayers to anyone on Maui right now. What a horrifying situation.

LawDog, I’m glad to hear that you were not already visiting Maui when the fires broke out. Glad you’re safe.
 

DH and I have been to Maui maybe four times, including our honeymoon. Two of those times were by Princess cruise ship. For me, Maui was my favorite destination, especially Lahaina so it’s heartbreaking to hear of the loss of life and the devastation including Front Street and the famous Banyon Tree. How many of us have done some last minute shopping in that square before boarding the ship’s tenders and we told our companions that we would meet them at the Banyon Tree? So sad. 
 

Our 15 day Hawaiian Princess Cruise in March was supposed to stop in Maui but the port was cancelled due to high winds. It would have been nice to see Lahaina as it used to be …just one last time. Sigh. But once again I am sending positive thoughts and prayers to those on Maui. May their lives be protected.

 

[LawDog61]

Just announced….. we will be stopping at Kona as our last port of call, replacing Maui. 
I heard that the banyon tree is gone

[cr8tiv1]

Rent your car now.  That's the only way to get around Kona.  There are three National Parks on that side of the island.  Otherwise, it's a trip to a Big Box Store or sit at a bar.

[blondee419]

7 minutes ago, LawDog61 said:

Just announced….. we will be stopping at Kona as our last port of call, replacing Maui. 
I heard that the banyon tree is gone

they're saying on the city's website that it is charred but if the roots are healthy it can grow back: 

https://www.mauiinformationguide.com/maui-fire.php

[LawDog61]

26 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Rent your car now.  That's the only way to get around Kona.  There are three National Parks on that side of the island.  Otherwise, it's a trip to a Big Box Store or sit at a bar.

I got,to agree.  Kona is a lovely town, but not to much to do there.   I don’t think they have a usable beach (that’s my thing on Hawaii cruises). I don’t expect them to put together much in the way of tours.  
Will get off (it’s a tender port) walk around, have lunch and go back to ship unless something interesting comes up.

[cr8tiv1]

7 minutes ago, LawDog61 said:

I got,to agree.  Kona is a lovely town, but not to much to do there.   I don’t think they have a usable beach (that’s my thing on Hawaii cruises). I don’t expect them to put together much in the way of tours.  
Will get off (it’s a tender port) walk around, have lunch and go back to ship unless something interesting comes up.

 

There's a lot to do there, but very expansive.  Since it is a tender port, it will take time to get everyone off and on.  It is not a Princess stop so they won't have the infrastructure to pull up excursions at the drop of a hat.  

 

Those who are adventurous:

 

Coffee plantations. vanilla farms, macadamia nut farms.

South point (furthest point south in the UNITED STATES/you lose Texas/Florida).  Probably not enough time to get there and back.

Gold Coast of resorts (Waikoloa/Waimea)

 

If the ship can arrange an excursion to the City of Refuge, it is well worth taking.

https://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

 

Don't know anything about this place:

https://www.seasaltsofhawaii.com/pages/kona-salt-farm-tours

 

Have fun.  

 

Hulihe'e Palace may be closed on your visit.

https://daughtersofhawaii.org/hulihee-palace/

 

 

[no1racefan1]

24 minutes ago, LawDog61 said:

I got,to agree.  Kona is a lovely town, but not to much to do there.   I don’t think they have a usable beach (that’s my thing on Hawaii cruises). I don’t expect them to put together much in the way of tours.  
Will get off (it’s a tender port) walk around, have lunch and go back to ship unless something interesting comes up.

Maybe they'll be able to arrange some excursions. We did some great snorkeling through NCL when we stopped at Kona.

[theloo]

49 minutes ago, LawDog61 said:

I got,to agree.  Kona is a lovely town, but not to much to do there.   I don’t think they have a usable beach (that’s my thing on Hawaii cruises). I don’t expect them to put together much in the way of tours.  
Will get off (it’s a tender port) walk around, have lunch and go back to ship unless something interesting comes up.

A tender is nice place to view the town and a chance to see the ship at anchor.  I'm glad they're replacing the port at least.

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, LawDog61 said:

Just announced….. we will be stopping at Kona as our last port of call, replacing Maui. 
I heard that the banyon tree is gone

 

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Rent your car now.  That's the only way to get around Kona.  There are three National Parks on that side of the island.  Otherwise, it's a trip to a Big Box Store or sit at a bar.

If interested in coffee growing and farming, this is a nice family-run place that we visited many years ago.  Tour info was nice and I found a lot of parallels to grapevine growing and such for wine purposes.

 

Greenwell = https://www.greenwellfarms.com/

 

[Guest ldtr]

3 hours ago, LawDog61 said:

Just announced….. we will be stopping at Kona as our last port of call, replacing Maui. 
I heard that the banyon tree is gone

There are some nice restaurants within walking distance of where the tenders dock.  There is also the farmers market  and a Kona Inn Shopping Village nearby with some interesting shops. There is also Kamakahonu Beach just to the left of where the tenders dock.

 

There are some companies that run snorkel trips, sport fishing and other activities out of Honokōhau Marina about 3 miles from the dock.  You might be able to search and see what might be available depending the hours when you are there.  

 

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by ldtr

[kathy49]

10 hours ago, LawDog61 said:

Just announced….. we will be stopping at Kona as our last port of call, replacing Maui. 
I heard that the banyon tree is gone

Bad info