Maui no ka Oi! Maui is the best!

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Overview

Secluded beach in West Maui. Photo - Maui, Hawaii

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Indeed Maui is the ultimate destination for world-weary travelers, rosy-eyed lovers, hard core surfers, and everyone else in between. Where else can you hike along lush and pristine rainforests, go snorkeling in an extinct crater, frolic along miles of beautiful sandy beaches, and swim under gushing waterfalls; all accessible via a 6-hour flight from the West Coast? Whether your intentions are to climb Haleakala volcano, marvel at migrating humpback whales, kayak in the luminous blue ocean, windsurf, kiteboard, mountain bike, golf, or just work on your tan, Maui has something for everyone.Of course, as with any other popular tourist destination, it is undeniable that you will be met with h...Read More

Indeed Maui is the ultimate destination for world-weary travelers, rosy-eyed lovers, hard core surfers, and everyone else in between. Where else can you hike along lush and pristine rainforests, go snorkeling in an extinct crater, frolic along miles of beautiful sandy beaches, and swim under gushing waterfalls; all accessible via a 6-hour flight from the West Coast? Whether your intentions are to climb Haleakala volcano, marvel at migrating humpback whales, kayak in the luminous blue ocean, windsurf, kiteboard, mountain bike, golf, or just work on your tan, Maui has something for everyone.

Of course, as with any other popular tourist destination, it is undeniable that you will be met with hordes of wintering snowbirds in the package tour havens of Lahaina and Kihei; be made to fight for 3 feet of sandy Kanaapali beach to call your own; and sit through clichéd entertainment programs complete with disenchanted grass-skirted hula dancers, watered-down pina coladas, and wilted orchid leis. Yet of all the Hawaiian islands, Maui achieves the best balance of relatively affordable amenities and sufficiently untouched places off the beaten path which enables the traveler to believe that he has found a little slice of paradise on earth. Venture into the smaller towns of Paia, Hana, or Haiku to enjoy the easy multi-ethnic camaraderie displayed by the residents. Away from the madding crowds, Maui’s genuine warmth and spirit of "aloha" awaits and proves the saying true, "Maui no ka Oi!" "Maui is the best!"

Quick Tips:

Food and groceries are really expensive in Maui. Even if you have a vacation rental and plan on cooking to defray some of your eating costs, bear in mind that even staples like milk are overpriced at about per gallon. If you have children, I would suggest bringing in powdered milk from home. Luckily, Maui has a Costco at Kahului near the airport where locals buy their groceries as it has the cheapest prices on the island; so remember to bring along your Costco card if you are a member. There is also the reliable K-Mart and Wal-Mart, both in Kahului, which sell the same T-shirts, souvenir items, and macadamia covered chocolates for much less than the tourist shops in Lahaina.
Of course one does not come all the way to Maui just to eat instant noodles in a hotel room. When dining out, choose to eat a little earlier, at about 5:30 or 6pm, when most restaurants have their happy hour and offer a 50% discount on their regular menu prices or have special selections at half price. Kihei Café at 1945 South Kihei Road, Kihei, Maui, HI 96753 and Aloha Mixed Plate come highly recommended for their reasonable prices and tasty food.

Also look beyond the usual impersonal vacation rentals in the crowded areas of Kihei and Lahaina which normally charge additional cleaning fees for your stay. Consider homey B&Bs in the quieter areas of the North Shore or the Upcountry. Not only are prices much cheaper (we paid net per day for a gorgeous room) but your hosts will be able to offer you valuable tips on local dining and directions to secret beaches.

Best Way To Get Around:

To see and experience the best of Maui, you will definitely need a rental car. A car will enable you to explore the island at your own leisure, find hidden gems off the main highways, and conveniently keeps essentials such as your cooler, beach chairs, and umbrella close at hand should you just find the PERFECT beach while exploring. Rental agencies abound in Maui, though it is a better idea to book your car in advance before you get on the island, especially in high season. The usual suspects are Avis, Budget, and Dollar, but you can also look at the smaller companies such as Maui Cruisers, Word of Mouth, and Kihei to compare rates.

Contrary to what the rental agencies tell you, locals have assured us (and we have found this to be true) that you do NOT need a four-wheel-drive in Maui even if you want to tackle the unpaved road at the south of the island after the Hana highway. During the high season, always book the smallest (and hence cheapest!) car that you are comfortable with as you will be upgraded to a better car should your choice not be available.

I would suggest renting a GPS unit together with your car, especially if you are staying in the smaller towns of Paia, Haiku, or Hana. There are no street lamps at night, especially on the smaller, maze-like streets, and it is not much fun to be lost in pitch darkness. Read Less

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Secret Cove

Attraction

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We found paradise right here at the Secret Cove. The reason why this place is virtually deserted is because the waves are really strong here, you'll get pounded by the waves even when you are only waist deep in the sea. We loved this local hidey hole and spent a lot of time here in one of the best kept secrets in Maui.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 2, 2006

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Lahaina Historic District

Attraction | "Lahaina Center"

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Lahaina means 'cruel sun. Indeed, the sweltering heat and humidity are more severe here than anywhere else in Maui. Thankfully, the biggest banyan tree in North America provides ample shade for tourists at a craft fair in Lahaina. The main tourist strip in this old whaling town runs along the shoreline. There are hordes of tourist and five-star resorts in this part of town. This is a great place to just chill out and get some souvenirs. Some free parking can be obtained behind the main street.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 2, 2006

Lahaina Historic District
West Side of the Island
Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

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Road to Hana

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Attraction

The ocean meets the jagged shores of Hana Highway. Photo - Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii

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Driving the famed Hana highway, which connects north and west Maui to the more isolated east side, is often compared to driving through the Garden of Eden because of its beautifully lush scenery complete with sky–high rainforests and towering waterfalls. Carved by eons of volcanic activity, this landscape that varies from open fields to dense jungles is wonderfully juxtaposed against the wide blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It is indeed a testament to the sheer beauty of this highway that almost 2000 drivers, each day, willingly undertake the challenge of slowly driving this narrow, two-laned, blind cornered, never straight, somewhat harrowing road with 600 turns! So come equipped with ...Read More

Driving the famed Hana highway, which connects north and west Maui to the more isolated east side, is often compared to driving through the Garden of Eden because of its beautifully lush scenery complete with sky–high rainforests and towering waterfalls. Carved by eons of volcanic activity, this landscape that varies from open fields to dense jungles is wonderfully juxtaposed against the wide blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

It is indeed a testament to the sheer beauty of this highway that almost 2000 drivers, each day, willingly undertake the challenge of slowly driving this narrow, two-laned, blind cornered, never straight, somewhat harrowing road with 600 turns! So come equipped with the mindset that it the experience of the journey that matters, accept that you are GOING to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic with a million other tourists looking for the same slice of paradise and you will definitely enjoy this magnificent, one-of-a-kind drive!

Travel in a clock-wise direction to take advantage of the sun as the waterfalls looks their best before noon. Call 808-248-7800 or visit Weather Underground for daily road condition reports before embarking on your trip and fill up your car with cheaper gas at Kahului or Paia as there are no other stations before you reach Hana. If you are planning to make this a day-trip, you must start early enough to pass Kahului by the ungodly hour of 8am to avoid the crowds. Alternatively, stay overnight at the quaint little town of Hana itself and set out after 11am if you are not a photography buff. There are many lovely hotels in Hana; two of the more established ones are Hotel Hana Maui and Hana Kai Maui Resort.

The eastern part of Maui is destined for the creation of awe-inspiring waterfalls due to natural changes in elevation and heavy rainfall up in the mountains. The first waterfall you will see after Kahului is the Twin Falls. Most people crowd here as it is the first waterfall on the trail but make your way towards other prettier falls if you are having difficulty taking a photograph amidst hundred of bobbing heads.

Upper Puohokamoa Falls is another popular option but if you are looking for your own ‘private’ waterfall, head on to a quarter mile past the 13 mile markers at the 1911 bridge. Punalau Falls is hidden away from the road and requires 15 minutes of boulder crawling and hopping but you will be rewarded with a lovely view and the potential for a quiet swim. If you want a fantastic photo with the ocean ripping through the jagged coast, stop by Ke’anae Peninsula. Another place where you can be blissfully sandwiched between the ocean and a waterfall is at the Blue Pool, accessible from Ula’ino Road near the 31 mile marker. This 3 mile dirt road leading to the falls is unpaved but maneuverable and you have to pay $2 for parking. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 23, 2007

Road to Hana
Hana Highway
Maui, Hawaii

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Pa'ia

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Story/Tip

The main street in Pa'ia. Photo - Paia, Hawaii

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One of the quaintest places you will ever encounter in Maui is the little town of Pa’ia; the last real town you will meet on your start to the Hana highway. Pa’ia’s charm rests in its total lack of pretension and interest in wooing visitors- there are no great views or waterfalls to attract the hordes, no aquariums or exhibition centers to entertain children- in fact the scenery here is downright ordinary. Yet the disheveled appearance of the town and its ‘bizarre’ characters roaming around the tiny streets give the town its own unique character. The townspeople look like they have just time-traveled from Woodstock; almost everyone is, to varying degrees, feathered, sequined, tattooed, dreadlocked and...Read More

One of the quaintest places you will ever encounter in Maui is the little town of Pa’ia; the last real town you will meet on your start to the Hana highway. Pa’ia’s charm rests in its total lack of pretension and interest in wooing visitors- there are no great views or waterfalls to attract the hordes, no aquariums or exhibition centers to entertain children- in fact the scenery here is downright ordinary. Yet the disheveled appearance of the town and its ‘bizarre’ characters roaming around the tiny streets give the town its own unique character. The townspeople look like they have just time-traveled from Woodstock; almost everyone is, to varying degrees, feathered, sequined, tattooed, dreadlocked and riding on a Harley. The quirky Holy Rosary Church , houses a memorial to Father Damien who worked at the leprosy settlement in Molokai. Oh, and wearing shoes are optional here.

Pa’ia is surprisingly known to be second to Lahaina in terms of shopping; not so much in terms of its scale but more for the unique and eclectic selections offered here. A world of wonderful, unfamiliar merchandise often unavailable elsewhere make Pa’ia a paradise for shoppers who are looking for the unusual and exotic. One-of-a-kind stores like Bead Heaven and Hemp House are a welcome change after seeing thousands of chocolate-covered macadamias and paper hula skirts. In addition to the ubiquitous surf shops and liquor stores, one cannot help but smile at aptly moniker-ed shops like the Big Bugga Sportswear.

Pa’ia also offers fantastic array of dining opportunities. Anthony’s Coffee Co. is a morning must –stop on your way to Hana. The coffee is sublime and prices are extremely reasonable, ranging from $3 -$7 for breakfast and lunch. If you are hankering for more baked goods, swing by Cakewalk Pa’ia Bakery for unusually delicious cakes but be prepared to pay quite a bit more for your indulgence. Also, don’t miss the best and finest shaved ice on Maui ($3-$5) at the Aloha Island Shave Ice at 77 Hana Highway. For a top quality experience and great seafood, look no further than Mama’s Fish House . It is expensive- (about $35 for lunch and $ 50 for dinner) but their location right next to a beach and tide pool more than makes up for the price.

Just outside of Pa’ia , Ho’okipa Lookout is such a premier windsurfing spot on the island that only expert windsurfers are allowed to surf after 11a.m. Even if you are taking advanced lessons here, you need to bring your own gear as windsurfing companies are not allowed to deliver gear here. Local users actually roam around to ensure that no beginners are allowed at this sacred spot. Yet all these restrictions only succeed in making Ho’okipa an inspiring place to appreciate the skills of the experts as they streak faster than the wind in the open blue ocean. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 22, 2007

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