Thread: Maui - Handicap Accessible Places

In the process of doing research for a friend whose husband is in a wheelchair. I thought I would post additional information here on things that I have found in my research. I was amazed at how many hotels ARE NOT handicap accessible. Discovered too that with booking on-line you are NOT given the option of requesting a handicap accessible room ... best to deal with a travel agent or the hotel directly. Be sure you are "guaranteed a handicap accessible room NOT that it is a request that may not be fulfilled:.

HOTELS:

Maui Resort Villas | The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas | Vacation Ownership Maui
This is the Westin Ka-anapali Ocean Villas
If you go with them, call and tell them that you want to book a package deal (hotel + airfare OR hotel + airfare + auto).
Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas.
6 Kai Ala Drive
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
Phone: (808) 667-3200
Fax: (808) 667-3201

Maui Hotels: Luxury Wailea Resort at Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel
The Fairmont Kea-Lani
4100 Wailea Alanui Drive
Maui, Hawaii
United States 96753
TOLL FREE: 1(866) 540-4456
TEL (808) 875-4100
FAX (808) 875-1200
E-MAIL info@kealani.com

Accessible Holidays (condo available as of 4 June ---- you would book your airfare yourself and rent from them)
Maui Accessible Condo
Owned by Bruce & Amy Bernhardt
Contact Bruce and Amy at 250-545-6158
or email us at info@mauiaccessiblecondo.com


When you book a hotel room (no matter where on Maui), be sure to ask the following questions if this is important to you:


1. Is this a non-smoking hotel? Many hotels on Maui are a totally smoke free environment not just in the rooms.


2. Is there TV, phones, internet access etc in the room? I was amazed that a couple of the big hotels had no outside phone lines, no tv, no cell usage except in your room, and no internet. So read the fine print of what the amenities are before booking.





Places to See that are accessible, all mentioned in the 101 Accessible Vacations Book with the exception of the Ocean Center. I have read numerous reviews on the Ocean Center and it is accessible.


Sunshine Helicopters: 808-871-5600
Sunshine Helicopters - Maui Hawaii Big Island Kauai Helicopter Tours

Maui Tropical Plantation: 808-244-7643
Welcome to Maui Tropical Plantation

Sugar Cane Train: 808-667-6851
Welcome to the Sugar Cane Train!

Lahaina Divers: 808-667-7496
Scuba Dive Lanai, Molokini, Molokai, and Maui
Handicapped Diver Training

Ron Bass Kayaking: 808-572-6299
http://www.maui.net/~kayaking/access.html
(link in the book was not correct … this is the right one)

Wheelchair Getaways: 650-589-5554
Wheelchair Getaways - Serving The Big Island, Maui & Kauai - Home

Maui Ocean Center
Maui Ocean Center | The Hawaiian Aquarium | Maui Family Activity | (808) 270-7000
This is suppose to have one of the best aquariums anywhere and is considered Hawaii’s top rated attraction.

Whale Watching ... here's one response I received:

Aloha Mary,
Thank you for choosing Pacific Whale Foundation for your eco-adventure. In answer to your inquiry, our vessels are not certified wheelchair accessible. Access to our vessels is via a ramp, and then it is a step or two from that ramp onto the vessel itself. Once onboard, wheelchairs must be folded and stowed for safety reasons. We are also unable to assist in boarding due to insurance liability reasons. If you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Mahalo,
Dawn Stobart
Online Inquiries
Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Ma'alaea Road, Suite 211
Wailuku, HI 96793
Toll Free: (800) 942-5311
Local: (808) 249-8811
Pacific Whale Foundation
dawn@pacificwhale.org


PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Pacific Whale Foundation
Our Mission:
To promote appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet’s oceans. We accomplish this by educating the public, from a scientific perspective, about the marine environment. We support and conduct responsible marine research and address marine conservation issues in Hawaii and the Pacific. Through educational eco-tours, we model and promote sound ecotourism practices and responsible wildlife watching.

This is the response I received fromThe Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Maui Resort Villas | The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas | Vacation Ownership Maui


Aloha,

Yes our resort is completely wheelchair accessible it is only about 7 years old so it is fairly new. We do have rooms that are specifically designed for wheelchairs accessibility when making your reservations please let reservations know that you would like this type of room. Most Hotel Shuttles are wheelchair accessible you will need to let them know ahead of time also. The only thing is that we do not provide wheelchair’s for rent on property. When making your reservation for your up coming trip to Maui if you specific you will need wheelchair accessibility most companies have the accommodations. If you should have any questions please feel free to contact us toll free at 1-800-356-1134.

Mahalo,

kamuela samudio concierge specialist the westin ka'anapali ocean resort villas
passiondancing
6 kai ala drive, lahaina, hawaii 96761
tel 808.667.3254 fax 808.662.2558

Here's a good link about flying with a wheelchair:

Flying with Disability

Wonderful information for ALL ... not just those using wheelchairs. Thank You!

LuLu ... thank you. I'm glad I can help.

Just got an e-mail back from Sunshine Helicopters in Maui.
Sunshine Helicopters - Maui Helicopter and Arial Tours


Aloha Mary,

Thank you for your interest in Sunshine Helicopters. Sunshine Helicopters has the only wheelchair lift at the Kahului Heliport on Maui lifting passengers up to 360 pounds. The wheelchair lift is designed for the Astar AS 350 BA helicopter and the EC130 B4 Whisper Star aircraft.

The wheelchair lift is an individual unit that we secure to the helicopter while boarding the helicopter. It has a chair on the unit that slides up and down to and from the helicopter allowing our passengers to get up to the same level as the seat in the helicopter. Once transfered into the helicopter, the wheelchair lift is detached from the aircraft.

It is important for us to know if our passenger have upper-body strength and if they will be accompanied by a person who is able to assist them. If there is a primary caregiver to assist and most familiar with their special needs and abilities that would be best for a smoother transition. We have discovered that a sliding board may make the transition smoother as well. Our ground crew may be able to offer some assistance however we are unable to lift anyone into the aircraft.

We require a 45 minute check in time prior to flight time for our loading and unloading procedures, the aircraft will be shut down for maximized safety purposes. Our facility is wheelchair accessible.

Please call us directly if you plan to make reservations or if you have any other questions and we will honor the online rate for you. Our toll free number is 1-800-469-3000 or email me directly. Our reservation phone lines are open 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Hawaiian Standard Time.

Mahalo,

Honeygirl Duman
Sunshine Helicopters Reservations Staff
Phone#: 808-871-0722 or 808-871-5600 EXT 259
Email: honeygirl.duman@sunshinehelicopters.com