Maui - The Valley Isle
Maui has so much to offer the visitors, including superb scenery and diverse landscapes which is why the locals say "Maui NoKa'Oi" - Maui is the best. Most of the sunny west and south is well known for their beautiful white-sand beaches, while the East and North are infamous for mild or extreme adventuring and world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding. The shallow coastal waters of Maui are wintering grounds for hump-back whales, making it the number one hump back whale-watch destination in the world. The main tourist locations are Lahaina, Kaanapali, Wailea and Kihei where you will find the most condos and hotel resorts, in addition to extensive shopping and restaurants of all varieties and an active night life.
However, Maui does have another side. By heading to the east coast or upcountry, you can have a very different experience if you choose to in the small towns of Paia, Haiku, Kula, Makawao or Hana. These tiny towns are nestled at the foot of Haleakala, the massive mountain that provides the scenic backdrop to all of East Maui. Its rural slopes hold native rainforest, eucalyptus groves and wide open pastures with large cattle ranches.
Haleakala Crater, with a summit of 10,023 feet is the centerpiece of Haleakala National Park. Haleakala is the world's largest dormant volcano. There are breathtaking hiking trails across the crater floor, while sunrise at the summit is awe inspiring.
Kula at a cool 3000-foot elevation on Haleakala's western slopes, is Maui's gardenland. Flowers which ordinarily couldn't not live in the tropics thrive up there. Upcountry is home to Hawaii's only winery. with a tasting room in a century-old jail. If a scenic country drive is on your tropical to-do list, this is the place to do it.
The windward side of Haleakala is lush, wet and rugged with famous Hana Highway winding it's way above the coast through tropical jungle and past roadside waterfalls. The Hana Drive is a favorite activity to experience a lush landscape yet untouched by modern times.
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Island Shopping
Island Jewelry - Beautiful handmade jewelry from Nina Kuna Designs - Maui, Hawaii.You can buy any piece from this amazing island jewelry collection online at www.ninakuna.com. Our favorite pieces are the Silver Starfish Necklace,Tahitian Pearl Necklace, Sea Shell Bracelet and much more. And they also ofer free worldwide shipping!
Sights/Activities
Weather
Big Beach, Maui
On Maui, there are more numerous sights and adventures than can ever be experienced in a single vacation. Voted again and again by Conde Nast Traveler as the number one island in the world, we believe it’s because of the incredible diversity of landscape on Maui that sets it so apart from any other destination island. Here we have highlighted a few of our favorite attractions on Maui and have been indicated on our map above.
Ask any local and they will tell you that the most beautiful beaches on any given day are in Wailea and Makena. Gorgeous weather and clean water make Makena a favorite for tourists and locals alike. For guaranteed easy, and sandy ocean entry for a day of snorkeling, visit Turtle Beach, where the cove shaped beach protects the shore from large waves. Explore the reef closest to the left of the cove for guaranteed turtle sightings. Or plan a day to snorkel at the Natural Reserve Ahihi Cove in Makena in the morning, then continue down Makena Road to La Perouse Bay, the last lava flow on Maui dated from 1790. There you can hike to view a seldom seen Maui Seascape. The trail hugs the shoreline with gorgeous views, and if surf is up, you can watch the surfers defy death as they dodge the jagged lava rock maze. For a day of lazy beach going and people watching at the biggest beach on Maui, be sure to visit Big Beach. Choose any spot on the 2/3 mile beach. There you can see the local youth boogie board mammoth shore break waves if the surf is up. Always use caution if you choose to try your hand at body boarding or boogie boarding here. If the waves are big, they are surprisingly powerful and break right onto the shore, making it ideal for the local pros, but dangerous for the visiting novice.
On the West Side, the legendary Ka’anapali Beach is the center of a busy and beautiful resort development, complete with Whalers Village Shopping Center, all connected by a paved beach side path that runs along the resorts. Take an hour to stroll this path at sunset and stop to dine at Whalers Village. Park at the Shopping Center and remember to get your parking ticket validated at any store with a purchase of $10.00. At the tip of the path, you’ll come to Black Rock, where a tradition of local cliff diving and torch lighting is celebrated at sunset every day. The drive around the West Mauis on Highway 30 is considered to be equal to or perhaps more stunning than the Hana Drive, and a lot shorter! Stop at Honolua Bay for an easy day at the beach with good snorkeling on either side of the bay on clear days. When the surf is up, this is the place for local surfers to catch a perfect wave. Continue on the highway to mile marker 16 to find the Olivine Pools, a natural lava swimming pool set against an ocean backdrop. The clear waters make it ideal for a cool dip. Always be cautious to stay away from the ocean edge, since large unpredictable waves can always come without warning. Also, on this drive, you will find Kahakuloa, a quaint, isolated town where you can find banana bread and shave ice. Stop by Kaukini Gallery, who has a surprisingly impressive and upscale selection of jewelry and art for such a remote and rugged location.
If Windsurfing, Kiting, or Surfing is your passion, Maui is the island for you. Maui is internationally known to be home of many of the industry innovators. Beaches like Kanaha in Kahului boasts steady winds, where you can see seasoned and novice windsurfers & kite surfers alike on a daily basis. Kanaha Kite Beach is ideal for kitesurfers. Lessons for beginners or intermediate and pro riders can be seen here. For kiting pros looking for big waves, Lens is the place to be. For some extreme action, you can watch the pros like Robbie Naish or Matt Pritchard or ride along side them at Ho’okipa Beach, famous for ideal windsurf wave riding sessions. On the ideal, big wave days, you’ll see helicopters loaded with camera men, hovering low to capture the moves of world famous riders. To the right at Ho’okipa is a break where you can find perfect waves for intermediate surfers on small days and pros on the big days. Northshore has more than just waves. You’ll also find quaint Paia Town, the perfect place to spend a lazy day dining or shopping along the Baldwin / Hana Highway intersection. There are numerous small galleries and chic clothing stores and notable arts and crafts stores. Maui has countless places for surfers to play at all levels. Beginners can often be seen on the gentle waves of Launiopoko on the West Side or Kihei Surfside. if you are ready for pro surfing, Hookipa, Honolua Bay or La Perouse offer exciting breaks, and few know that Maalaea Harbor has the fastest wave in the world. We haven’t forgotten the stand up paddlers as well! Launiopoko and Lens consistently see stand up paddlers of all levels.
If you want to take a break from the balmy, sunny weather of Maui’s gorgeous shoreline, head inland and upward! Upcountry and Haleakala offer sights and scenic drives so different from the coast, you won’t believe you are on the same island. The Visitor Center at Haleakala Crater is at an incredible 7,000 feet elevation, with an average temperature of 50 degrees in the winter and 56 degrees in the summer. The barren, arid landscape is home to the native Hawaiian goose, the Ne ne. Although almost extinct in the beginning of the century, they are now protected and can be seem at these incredible elevations. The magnificent sunrise from the summit is highly recommended, so be sure to pack your luggage accordingly, as temperatures can be drop to 40’s! If going all the way to the crater is not on your to do list, change up your tropical scenery by heading up Highway 37 to serene and heavily Redwood forested Poli Poli State Park or to the Tadeschi Winery, Maui’s only winery. nestled in the gentle slopes of Haleakala. Views from up here are equally stunning, and the country drive will be as relaxing as a day at the beach!
Always feel free to ask us about any of the activities and sights mentioned, we would be happy to tell you more about the island we call Home!
Mahalo Nui,
Maui Premiere Vacation
