I am heading to Maui next year. I heard some of the accom on the north shore is pretty close to the airport runway and can be noisy. Can anyone confirm?

If you are staying near Specks the planes do fly a little over you (downwind a little). Most flights are during the day and hardly if any over night. If you are worried about sleeping you shouldnt have a problem after a long day of sailing.

Not an issue at all.

There is some noise when the planes take off (strangly the old aloha 737's that fly freight between the islands are much much noisier than the 767's that fly direct to the mainland) but you don't really notice it.

If you are staying somewhere like the Spreck's beach estate, the ocean view and access to the launch site is fantastic and you forget about the planes almost instantly.

have fun.

thanks for the info guys. any tips for places to stay? I have my family with me and looking at a house with beach access but it's fairly pricey

Sprecks beach estate is pricey, but well worth it IMHO. With the AUD at its current level, it makes it less painful.

This is the place that JP/Neil Pryde use for their photo shoot/interviews etc every year. We rented there last year and it was magical. You have a view out over the sprecks windsurfing break so the family can see everything from the balcony/lounge/kitchen sink etc so still feel involved. There are big green lawns for your kids to play on, there is a private entry to the Sprecks launch site and you just leave your gear rigged and ready to go.

We didn't rent through Vela, but this gives a good idea on location etc. velaresorts.com/index.php

We had the Hale Nulu (upstairs and downstairs studio between 6 of us). It is the closest to the water and a great location.

Come along next Tues!
Happy to answer any questions