Best of Hawaii

Best of Maui, Hawaii

November 26, 2009 // 141 Comments »

Are you dreaming of that perfect Hawaiian vacation? Well, then you just have to go to Maui. Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Maui is the most magical, alluring and exciting. The island has a lot to offer; it has the best beaches, best golf courses, best windsurfing, best weather and the sweetest pineapples you’ll ever taste, Maui Gold! Now, that’s the best of everything!

Besides the soaking under the sun, and sipping mai tai while the sun sets, what else is there to see in Maui? Well, we’ve compiled a Top 10 Do-Not-Miss List in Maui

1. Haleakala – The place has been described as pilgrimage-like. On the center of the island is a 10,023 feet high volcano; its summit is the highest point on Maui. For more interesting and historic details about this island, you can visit the very informative Haleakala National Park Visitor center. Aside from this, you can go hiking, or horseback riding down into the 3,000 feet deep Haleakala Crater. You can also explore ancient lava flows and silverswords, which are rare, silvery flower stalks native to the area. If you are going for a spiritual retreat, you should try to go there early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Park entrance is around $10 per vehicle or $5 each for hikers and bikers.
2. Road To Hana – This place is said to be the most scenic drive in the Hawaiian Islands. The road begins at the south of Kahului and winds down the southeast coast of Maui. The distance from these two points is around 55 miles and the road twists and turns at no fewer than 617 bends and crossing over 56 tiny and mostly one-lade bridges. While on the road, you will experience the stunning view of the flourishing vegetation, sweeping views of the ocean at every turn, and scores of swimming holes beneath waterfalls, ideal for a picnic and a splash for two. The main attraction along this road are the following: the Kaenae Peninsula, which is a serene patch of green with an overlook of panoramic views; the Kaenae Arboretum, which incorporates authentic representation of Hawaiian rain forest, the 126-acre, tropical Kahanu Botanical Gardens, and of course the charming town of Hana, which is where you’ll find the Hotel Hana-Maui.
3. Lahaina – Situated on the West Maui coast, Lahaina is one historic town. It used to be the capital of Hawaii. Currently, the town is one of the liveliest and most colorful places in Hawaii. The town is filled of restaurants, smoothie bars, souvenir shops, art galleries and even high-end boutiques. There are definitely a lot to see and do here. The main attractions are Whaling Museum, Brig Carthignian, Jodo Mission, the 19^th century waterfront Pioneer Inn and the awesome Banyan Tree, which was planted in the area at around 1873 and now occupies an acre of a land, with a branch spread of 50 years, supported by myriad aerial roots and 12 major trunks!
4. Ka’anapali – Known as Maui’s best beach resort, Ka’anapali offers a white-sand beach and one of the best swimming and snorkeling conditions on the island. And because of this, the island became of the most visited and crowded beach in Maui. The resort also is home to the touristy train, “The Sugarcane”, which runs between Lahaina and Ka’apanali. The place also features one the lovely beaches and sunsets.
5. Iao Needle – Located in the Iao Valley State Park, an abundant greet valley in the West Maui Mountains, Iao Needle is probably the most photographed landmark on the island. The moss-covered stone spire rises 1,200 feet vertically from the valley floor. There are a lot of trails and planks for tourists to work around. Photographers will definitely enjoy this place because of the rich tropical flora and fauna, which are both great subjects of photos. The state park is accessible from the twin principal Maui towns of Kahului and Wailuku
6. Paia – Paia is described as the most colorful coastal town in the East Maui. Former hippie habitat, the town is home to a surprising jumble of eateries and boutiques and the defacto northern terminus of the Road to Hana. The main focus of this island is the Ho’kipa Beach. The Ho’kipa Beach is the premier windsurfing spot in the island. Here you can watch world-class windsurfers as they hone their skills and perform with definitely quality.
7. Makawao – Located 16 miles southeast of Kahului, Makawao is the principal town in Maui’s Upcountry – the Mount Haleakala’s slopes, where in an Old West setting of false-front wood frame-buildings, yoga centers and herbalists are juxtaposed with the ‘paniolo’ or Hawaiian cowboy culture. This offers a unique contrast between two distinctly different worlds. The town is also the home of the biggest rodeo in the Hawaiian Islands. This down
8. Wailea Beach Resort – Located on the southwest coast of Maui, just south of Kihei, Wailea Beach Resort enjoys its manicured white-sand beaches, where they rake the sand and arrange beach chairs in neat little rows. Visitors will be surprise to find that the beach is a public beach. It is one of the best on the island. The place is lined with Maui’s premier resort hotels – Marriott, Renaissance, Four Seasons, Fairmont and Grand and Grand Wailea – which offer the best luaus and hula shows on Maui. The sunsets off the coast of Wailea beach are fantastic.
9. Makena Beach – Located on the southwest coast of Maui, just south of Wailea, lays the sharp contrast of the undeveloped, pristine and less visited. This is a highly enjoyable beach that all visitors should not miss!

10. Molokini – Just off the southwest coast of Maui, you will find a partially submerged, cresent-shaped crater, rising 150 feet from the ocean. This is definitely a must see! Now after having a protected marine preserve and seabird sanctuary, one can conclude that place is the best snorkeling and diving locations in Maui area. There are also that offer charter plane, and snorkeling excursions. The most recent excursion left Molokini recently and went to Ma’alaea and Lahaina. These places harbor this maddening feeling that they have the right to ask people for money; which they don’t.

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