Maui was the second island on our tour and one of the most beautiful.
Maui is known as the Valley Island and has 729 square miles in land area. It is composed of two mountain masses that constitutes east and west Maui. They are
connected by an isthmus. The highest peek is Haleakala 10,023 feet. Maui has the
largest extinct volcano crater in the world approximately 20 square miles. Maui has
two main towns Lahaina located on the west side of Maui and Hana on the east.
Maui has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The residents of Maui
take a lot of pride in the condition of their beaches. The center of activity in Hawaii
is the ocean and it's shoreline, here one can enjoy sunning on a simple 'day at the
beach' or perhaps trying some jetskiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or
parasailing for a little excitement.
There is a lot of accessible shoreline in Maui
and some really great diving close to many
of the resort areas. These areas vary in accessibility
and experience levels, you should always consult
with the local dive shop owners as to the current
conditions at particular sites, they will be aware of
last minute changes in weather and water
conditions.Beginner and Intermediate Diving. Maximum depth is about 35 feet. This is a
rock formation at the North end of Kaanapali beach, behind the Sheraton
Kaanapali Resort. Even though this is not a park the fish are fairly tame here.
This makes a pleasant dive, and with the shallow depth, a long bottom time
can be acheived. Sometimes this makes the dive seem short, but it's really
about a 30 to 40 minute dive, and so relaxing time seems to pass quickly.
Night dives are especially nice here. Entry and exit are easy, but finding a
parking spot can be a real problem. There are lots of fish and the water is
usually pretty clear, there are often turtles on the cliff side of the rocks. There
are lots of facilities here, rest rooms, restaurants, showers, equipment rentals,
etc.
One of the most popular activities on a tropical island is snorkeling. Maui has a
great deal of beautiful, accessable coastline, perfect for water activities like surfing,
kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling.
Visitors to Maui usually opt for a boat tour while they are here, it's easy and with
the better tour operators,you are well taken care of. There are many tour boat
and these operations take visitors to safe, well known snorkel locations.
There are also Activity Desks that can arrange specific snorkel/day tour package combinations.
Maui Tropical Plantation hosts acres of Hawaii's most popular commercial crops
and exotic flowers. They offer a tram tour through their fields of more than 15
different crops; the Nursery is filled with colorful orchids ready to be shipped to
your home; and the Country Store features the largest display of Made in Maui gift
items, most of which can be packaged and shipped to your home also!
Hana, one of the last Hawaiian communities, is an isolated community located
on the far East side of Maui. A wonderful full day trip can be taken to Hana.
You can travel around the North end and back the same way, or you can circumnavigate East Maui and travel through some of the wilder areas of Maui. This will be an all day trip, plan on eating lunch in Hana. There are only a few places to get food in Hana, you may want to consider packing a picnic basket for this trip.
The trip to Hana is a photographer's dream. There are hundreds of streams
and waterfalls and a number of parks to pull into for a brief rest. There are
lots of hiking trails that have their trail heads along the road to Hana. There is
an arboretium about half way to Hana, and a wonderful park,
Waianapanapa, with beautiful black sand beaches, lava tube caves, and
some spactacular views located right outside Hana.
After you have been in Hana a few hours, and you're ready to leave, you might want to go back the 'back way'. The road is in reasonably good condition, but can be made impassable if there is high surf or rainy weather the road may be impassable.
There are a lot of historical sites along this srtech of road. Comming from
Hana you will pass Kipahula Church where Charles Lindberg's grave is
licated, an old suger mill from the 1800's, old churches from the 1800's, and
ancient Hawaiian village foundations dating back more than 300 years. There
are broken sections of the King's Highway, and towards the Kula end of the
road, beautiful senics from the 2000 foot level.
One of Maui's biggest claims to fame is the seasonal visit of the Humpback whale.
These gentle giants come to the warm, calm waters of Hawaii to court, mate and
bear their young. Maui county has the largest concentrations of whales during the
November to April season, so whale watching is especially good here. Some tour
companies specialize in touring around these creatures, some companies offering all
the 'creature comforts' of a large ship to others with a more exciting perspective,
such as from a single-person kayak. Whatever your speed there's a whale watch
suitable for you.
If you happen to be staying on Maui in the winter then you'll have a chance to get
a look at one of these creatures. Whale watching on Maui is seasonal. The
Humpback whales begin to appear as early as November and will often stay until
past April. Their behavior changes a bit over the course of several months that
they're here. Going on a good whale watch can be very rewarding. On an average
day you'll see whales resting or breathing on the surface, on an excellent day they'll
be coming out of the water (breaching) all around you. There are even encounters
where a whale has stayed with a boat or group of people for hours. To get the
most out of a whale watch consider an organized tour with one of these agencies.
The experience is guaranteed to be interesting and educational.
The major shopping centers. Everything from home-made cookies to up-scale
boutiques. The shopping centers have almost everything imaginable for your
shopping needs. I have listed a few below.
Azeka Place Shopping Center
Dickenson Square
505 Front Street
Whalers Village
Kaahumanu Center
Kahana Gateway
Lahaina Cannery Mall
Lahaina Center
Lahaina Market Place
Maui Mall
Old Haiku Cannery
Paia Town Center
Pukalani Terrace Center
Rainbow Mall
Wailea Shopping Village
Whalers Village
Wharf Center
There are many fine retail stores located on Maui, many of them are unique and
interesting in both content and variety. The prices are often very reasonable,
especially with goods produced here in Hawaii. If you are looking for something
unique to take home then check out Maui's retail outlets. Here are just a few.
Crazy Shirts
David's of Hawaii
Elephant Walk
Hawaiian Ecstasy Perfume
Island Memories
Island Novelty
Kapalua Designs
The Kid's Shop
La Pre' Shell and Gift
Leilani Gift Shop
Local Motion
Maui On My Mind
Maui Muscle Wear
Maui Paradise Lahaina
Maui's Best
O'Rourkes Tourist Trap
The Origional Red Dirt Shirt
Protea Gift Shop
Ralston's Antiques
Sea and Shell Gallery
The Rainbow Connection
Dining on Maui can be a real pleasure. There are so many great dining
establishments available on Maui that it is hard to decide where to dine.
This is a listing of the major restaurants on Maui. The types of
cuisine will vary. There is sure to be something to please just about
everyone.
Some of the best chefs in the world on Maui. Hawaiian Regional Cuisine,
Pacific Rim Cuisine, French Cuisine, Asian Cuisine, and of course, American
Cuisine are just a few of the types of cuisines available on Maui.
A Pacific Cafe
Bangkok Cuisine
Beachcombers
Bella Luna Ristorante
Beak and Fin
Bentos and Banquets by Bernard
Bistro Molokini
Blue Lagoon Steak and Seafood
Blue Tropix Nightclub
Boomer's Restaurant
Canton Chef Restaurant
Carelli's on the Beach
Chez Paul French Restaurant
China Boat
Coconut Grove
Erik's Seafood Grotto
Fairway Restaurant
Four Seasons Resort, Wailea
The Gazebo Napili
The Garden
Grand Dining Room Maui
Grand Ohana Luau
Hakone
Hapa*s Brew Haus & Restaurant
Hotel Hana Maui
Hula Moons Restaurant
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Restaurant
The Ichiban Restaurant
Isana Restaurant
Kahana Keyes
Kaipuni Restaurant
The Kal Bi House
Kapalua Bay Club
Kea Lani Hotel
Kihata Restaurant
Kihei Prime Rib and Seafood House
Kimo's Restaurant
The Kincha
Kula Sandlewoods Restaurant
Lahaina Broiler
Lahaina Coolers Restaurant
Lahaina Fish Company
Lahaina Provision Company
Lahaina Treehouse Bar and Seafood Restaurant
Lanai Terrace
Las Pinatas of Maui
Leilani's on the Beach
The Lobster Cove
Lone Star Cookhouse
Longhi's
Makawao Steak House
Makena Golf Course Restaurant
Mama's Fish House
Marriott Luau
Maui Boy Restaurant
Maui Tropical Plantation
Nazo's Restaurant
Nicolinas
The Old Lahaina Brewing Co.
Old Lahaina Cafe
Pacific'O
Pacific Grill
Paia Fish Market
Palm Court
Paradiso
Las Pinatas of Maui
Pineapple Hill Restaurant
Pinoy's Kitchen
The Plantation House Restaurant
Prince Court
Pukalani Country Club Restaurant
Radio Cairo Restaurant
Restauranr Matsu
The Royal Ocean Terrace
Sandalwood Restaurant
Sandcastle at Wailea
Satoru Restaurant
Scaroles Ristorante
Sea House Restaurant
Sea Watch Restaurant
Seaside Restaurant
Sharktooth Brewery Maui Steakhouse
Silversword Golf Club Restaurant
Sound of the Falls
Swan Court
T C Restaurant
Tableside Chefs
Terrace Restaurant
The Pavillon
Tiki Terrace
TuTu', Hana
The Vegan
The Villa Restaurant
Waterfront Restaurant
Yakiniku Tropicana
During our seven day visit to Maui we stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel a 12-story resort overlooking the blue Pacific on Kaanapali Beach.
Located on seven luxuriant acres near Lahaina. The stretch of beach at the Embassy Suites is the ideal spot for your first windsurfing lesson, and the thrill of snorkeling.
Maui's Magic Isles offer much more than relaxing days at the beach and gorgeous tropical sunsets. There is always a unique selection of exciting events to be enjoyed.
MAY
Front Street May Day Festival
Lahaina, Maui
Spring celebration teaturing a parade and entertainment by
school children
3-4 -- Pineapple Festival
Lana'i City, Lanati
Featuring arts and crafts, entertainment, cooking contest, and
more
3 - 5 -- GTE Hawaiian Tel Hall of Fame
The Plantation Course, kapalua
This PGA-hosted event teatures a Pro-Am competition and
a 36-hole stroke play
7-10 -- Grand Chefs on Tour
ea Lani Hotel, Suites & Villas, Wailea
Cooking demonstations, signature dinners & winr pairings &
tasting. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa (Matsuhisa, Beverly Hills)
8- 10 -- Annual Spring Show & Plant Sale
Ka'ahumanu Center, Kahului
The Maui Orchid Society's juried show ot exotic
award-winning plants
9 - 11 -- Kapalua Jr. Vet/Sr. Tennis Championships
Kapalua Tennis Club
Men and women 35-years-and over singles, doubles and
mixed doubles competition
10 -- 22nd Annual Seabury Hall Crafts Fair
Seabury Hall Campus, Makawao
Island crafts, demonstrations and entertainment
17-l8 -- LocaI Motion Surfing
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Men & women surfing competition
17 -- Moloka'i Hula Piko
Island of Moloka'i
Celebration of the birth of hula. Lectures, story-telling,
performances, Hawaiian food, games and crafts.
18 -- 19th Annual Bankoh Kayak Challenge
Moloka'i to Oahu
Men's and women's 41-mile kayak race
23-25 -- Barrio Festival
War Memorial Gym, Wailuku
Celebration of Filipino food, dance and music
24 -- Outrigger Sailing Canoe World Championship
Ho'omana'o Challenge
Outrigger sailing canoe race from Ka'anapali to Waikiki
31 -- Da Kine Classic
Kanaha Beach Park, Kahului
Wind surfing slalom race features international field of
competitors
