Maui - My Favorite Paradise!

I have had a passion for the Hawaiian Islands since I was a teenager. I have been very fortunate to have travelled there many times over the years.

First things first, buy the book "Maui Revealed"; it’s a must! You can get it for your eReader (I have the Kindle) or buy the hard copy from any bookstore. I have both but for some reason tend to use the hard copy more - I think it's the pictures! You can also visit the publishers website Wizard Publications for any updates to the latest edition.

So you've landed in Maui! Let the adventures begin. I recommend a car rental, it will take you all over the island and places you won't get to see on a tour bus or within walking distance of your hotel or condo.

Once you have your luggage and everyone is in the car, you have 2 options, this also assumes you've arrived during the day:

• Option 1 – stop at Costco and get your groceries; it is literally just outside the airport and will save you time in the long run as it is about 30 minutes to an hour back into Kahului depending on which part of the island you are staying on.
• Option 2 – drive by Costco and head for your condo and get groceries and other necessities later.

Enjoy the rest of your first day in paradise – check out the sunset from your closest beach, there’s nothing like it.

Here are a few of my favorite things to see and do in Maui:

• Bike down Haleakala and see the most amazing sunrise over the volcano – we prefer the self-guided tour of this activity (Halekala Bike Company is our company of choice and I believe the only ones to offer this) vs the guided tour for two reasons, we can go as fast or slow as we wish, and we can stop at Kula Lodge for breakfast (it’s a must do for us). The guided tours travel in packs and only go as fast as the slowest person in the group and they make multiple stops.
• Snorkel – when driving to Lahaina you can stop along the highway and just literally jump in the water and snorkel. Our favorite place is between mile marker 13 and 14 – about a ¼ mile from mile marker 14. The coral out there is amazing and lots of fun fish and even an eel or two.
• Road to Hana – beautiful drive – 50 miles long but takes you 3.5 hours. If you have a smart phone (iPhone) there are apps that are GPS activated and will tell you what’s ahead and some history of the drive. We did it in the rain and it was beautiful; I’m sure it would be lovely on a sunny day too.
• Book a snorkel tour to Molokini – best place to snorkel and it’s cool.
• Go whale watching if still in season if not book the dolphin tour! We use Pacific Whale Foundation – they have locations in Maalea and in Lahaina. I like the Lahaina location better as it’s not as windy as Maalea.
• In Kihei the beaches are very family friendly – Kamaole I is beautiful and big. Kam II and III are also very nice.
• Just south of Kihei is Wailea and that’s where all the ritzy resorts on this part of the island – there are some very nice beaches along here as well.
• Even further south of Kihei and Wailea is Makena Beach or Big Beach as it’s also known – it’s fabulous – take the second turn out for it as the parking lot fills up slightly slower than the first turn off and you can probably get a shady spot.
• Jawz Fish Tacos – after you’ve had your fill of Makena/Big Beach head back into Wailea – just past the first turn for Makena and on your right, will be the Jawz Fish Taco truck. MUST STOP!!
• More food recommendations – The Gazebo in Napili – this one requires an early morning, be there for 6:30-6:45am as there will be a line up, but the view and the food is well worth it. They also have a restaurant in Lahaina – Koa Seaside Grill which has the same menu and a great view, just a different one. I recommend the fried rice – yes for breakfast, it’s delicious, and so are the macadamia nut pancakes. We also went to Koa for dinner one night, fabulous!!

I hope you have found at least one thing you might enjoy from my ramblings about Maui! Come back soon!