Maui bound

I'll be in Maui from May 2-9, 2008 with my good friend MG. You know him as "Mr. Know It All." :-)

We'll be staying at his timeshare resort in Lahaina. We're getting a one bedroom suite that can accommodate up to 6 people, so if you want to come along, you're more than welcome to join us.


Maui coastal road, photo by Lucky E, from flickr

REF: Places I'd like to visit in Maui...

Maui destinations on the cheap
For a complete listing of activities, visit the resort's activity page.

Iao Valley & Iao Needle
Iao Valley's sheer green walls are adorned with long, slender waterfalls. It is one of the most awe-inspiring sights on Maui. Further up the valley is Hawaii Nature Center. It has one of the prettiest and easiest hikes on the island. The paved walkway takes you to the incredible Iao Needle. For the more adventurous, you can continue up the stream to some nice pools for a quick dip.

Hana
Hana is much more than just a destination, rather what counts on this trip is the spectacular scenery. The east side of Maui is what you would picture Hawaii to be: lush, tropical beauty. Pack a big lunch and stop at as many waterfalls freshwater pools as you can. There are many flower and fruit stands and if you have the opportunity, you must try the banana bread.

The many highlights include:

• Ohe'o Gulch, also known as the "Seven Sacred Pools" are well known for the swimming (beware that flash flooding can make this area dangerous), also has marked hiking trails.
  
• Check out Hana's Red Sand Beach, which is a small crescent of sand in a collapsed volcanic dome. The snorkeling is unparalleled and you'll often have the entire place to yourself.
  
• Wainapanapa State Park
  
• Cloud's Rest Protea Farm
  
• There is a great deal of hiking in the Hana rainforest area.
  
• Visit the mysterious caves at Waianapanapa Park.
  
• Go to the Hasegawa General Store in downtown Hana (Hwy. 360). Load up on local treats like Spam musubi, Hana-blend coffee, local organic dried fruits and macadamia nuts, all for decent prices.

Upcountry

• Tedeschi Vineyards on 20,000 acres of Maui's Upcountry (near Ulupalakua) has been making their specialty Pineapple wine since 1974. The history of the winery goes back to the legendarily wild parties held here by King Kalakaua (aka the Merrie Monarch). The winery offers free daily tastings of pineapple, passion fruit, and grape wines in the 1874 King's Cottage. Info: www.mauiwine.com.
  
• If your timing is right you will get to see some the worlds top professional windsurfers in action. Considered to be the windsurfing capital of the world, Ho'okipa Beach Park attracts windsurfers from around the world to challenge the wind and waves. These guys, and girls fly at speeds up to 30mph and jump distances of over 30 feet.
  
• Baldwin Beach Park is a long stretch beach on Maui's North coast that has views of upcountry, Haleakala and Molokai. This is one of the locals' favorite beaches. There are tide pools, swimming and snorkeling. Baldwin beach is a 1/2 mile before Paia.
  
• Keanae Peninsula has a Hawaiian village where the inhabitants grow their taro. There is also a missionary church here. From Lahaina it is about a two hour drive. Take route 30 southeast to route 380 heading towards the airport. Then take route 36 towards the town of Paia. Follow route 36 to Keanae village.

Central Maui

• The Maui Swap Meet in Kahului blossoms every Saturday from 7am until noon, with island items like aloha shirts, fresh taro, fruit breads, tropical flowers, and more-all for an entrance fee of only $1. Located on South Pu'unene Avenue, next to the Kahului Post Office.
  
• Kahakuloa Village is a small community isolated from the rest of the island that can only be reached by traversing the northern-most portion of Hwy 30. We highly advise that, because this road is one lane in many sections, you start off from the Kapalua side of the island and end up in Wailuku. The drive is beautiful, but not for the feint of heart. Some of the sites that you might see on this 2-hour drive are the pristine natural pools near Maui's Nakalele Blowhole (be careful around the blowhole, though the rocks can be slippery). Further on you will see Kahekeli's Leap (sometimes referred to as Kahakulua Head), where the 18th Century, King Kehekili would sometimes stay and leap down to the water from a height of 200 feet, then climb back up the nearly sheer face for breakfast, according to legend. The car rental companies discourage people from this remote drive, but many locals will tell you it is worth the risk.

Lahaina

• Sugar Cane Train: although this trip is admittedly very touristy, the Sugar Cane Train from Lahaina to Ka'anapali is a pretty fun outing, along six miles of incredible scenery at the foot of the West Maui Mountains. The conductor even sings! You must note that there is no longer any sugar cane being grown on the West Side of Maui, but the golf Course views are just as pretty. A round trip costs $15.95.
  
• Friday Night is Art Night, Front Street. The old whaling streets of Lahaina are now filled with outstanding art. The galleries open their doors Friday Nights so you can meet the artists. Many galleries offer appetizers and beverages.
  
• The three-acre Maui Ocean Center at Ma'alaea Harbor is more than just an aquarium, it is also a cultural experience. The most talked-about feature is the 750,000 gallon salt water aquarium, with the 50 foot long acrylic tunnel, which transports visitors into the world of the nearly 2000 fishes, where the predators and prey co-exist. Info: www.mauioceancenter.com

Sheraton Maui
Cliff Diving Ceremony. The dramatic sunset show features a lone male diver lighting torches atop Black Rock, then plunging 100 feet into surging Pacific waves.

South Maui

• Makena Beach (Big beach) is one of the largest and prettiest beaches on the island. Makena is the last major undeveloped beaches on the south side of the island. This beach is now a state park. People enjoy the soft white sand and crystal blue waters. From the right side of the beach, you can take a short walk to an outcrop, on the other side of the outcrop is Little Beach, hidden from the road and often used by nudists (which is illegal in Hawaii, by the way).
  
• Walk the shoreline nature path between the Outrigger Wailea and the Kea Lani it also makes a great place for jogging.
  
• Tour the Art & Sculpture at the posh and exotic Grand Wailea Resort, a tourist attraction, all on it's own.