Don't know about airport hotels but maybe head to Ho'okipaa and watch the windsurfers. You can change to flight gear at the airport.

There are 2 hotels in Kahului. This would be the closest to the airport. Maui Beach Hotel and Maui Seaside. They are more like your mainland road trip hotels. I don't know if they will rent out rooms for just hours but you can call them to find out!!

I would rent the hotel for the night. I dont know of any reputable hotels that rent by the hour :)~

A lot of it depends upon your child, but I don't know if I would rent a room that I was only going to use for a few hours. Think about it, by the time you check out and then have lunch it's gonna be 1:00. You'll need to turn your rental car in sometime around 7:00 to 7:30. So that only leaves about six hours to fill, not counting driving time to Kahului. If you're staying on the West Side that's about another hour or 45 minutes anyway. So now you are down to five hours. Take a drive upcountry or to I'ao Needle if you haven't already been there. Check out Paia and the windsurfers like someone suggested. Go to Maui Ocean Center if you haven't already done so. Stop at one of the beaches that have nice grassy areas and shade if your little one needs to rest. The only thing I personally wouldn't do is swim or snorkel or otherwise get sandy and salty. Before you know it, it will be time to check in at the airport and your little one will hopefully be tired and ready to sleep on the plane.

I'm in the same situation - 11AM checkout and flight leaves at 5 something. Don't stress about it too much, like the other posters said it will go by much faster than you realize.

I don't know where you are staying, but maybe this time would be a good chance to do some indoor activities.

With a 5 year old, take a couple hours and check out the Maui Ocean Center. Or do some souvenier shopping at the numerous shopping centers in Lahaina or wherever.

I totally agree that you obviously wouldn't want to plan any beach or water activities for this time.

Good luck and have fun on your trip!!!

Okay, I'm totally sorry my post was basically the same as the poster above me! Guess I didn't read closley enough. :)

Maybe visit Iao Needle and hang around Queen Kaahumanu mall for the afternoon? There's a small play area, soda shop, food court, Macy's (!) LOL

In addition to the two oldies in Kahului, Best Western in S. Kihei rents by the night.

One year we were unable to get a late check out for our condo - we had to leave around 11am and flight left at 11pm. We thought we'd manage - hang with the kids at the beach and then go out for dinner and by then, we'd head to the airport.

It was the LONGEST day of my life!! I know your flight leaves at 8:45pm but I wouldn't do that again unless there were no other options - nothing worse than not being able to shower and wash the kids and get clean before the night flight home.

Trust me, you're not going to feel like any sightseeing on your last day or hanging at the mall with your 5 yr old...I would suggest a hotel for the day - spend the afternoon at the pool and then you've got somewhere to change and get ready for your flight. If it's near the airport, you could always check in and then go back to the hotel until its time to go thru security, etc...

Good luck!

lwbc

Thanks for all the input everyone. We have found a room right near the airport at the Maui Beach Hotel, (thanks to msfuzz!) for around $130 per night with the possibility of early check in around noon. I think we will most likely go this route since I too have been stuck with 8 hours to kill on my last day of vacation and have hated it. It seems a fairly small price to pay considering if I go to the mall with my wife she will eclipse this amount in less than an hour! :) Thanks again.

GWaldrip - yes, this is probably more economical in the long run! I think I'd go the motel route myself.