The 8 best things to do during a visit to Maui, Hawaii
After 18 visits to Maui from 2000 to 2019, the pandemic shutdown kept us away for the past three years. So we were eager to rekindle our memories and explore a few new options on our current trip.
We found some old and new along the way. The Sacramento Metropolitan Airport remains top-notch; economy parking costs only $10 a day and airport security handled a small crowd at 6 a.m. with expeditious professionalism. Hawaiian Airlines remains always exceptional, with staff who exude customer service, and the recently expanded Maui Airport makes it easier to rent a car – even if prices are about twice what they were three years ago.
We made our way to our timeshare on the north end of Kihei on the island’s western shore, though Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO) and Airbnb offer many affordable options for oceanside lodging. In our first several days of touring the island, we saw new construction going up near the Kahului airport and several new condominium complexes being built in Kihei, Wailea and Kaanapali. A few favorite restaurants are gone but several new have appeared in their place.
After three year’s absence, we have reassessed our top list of attractions, which include:
Sunrise at the top of Mt. Haleakala
The National Park requires pre-registration and a nominal fee of $1.50 to make the early morning drive to enter the park between 3 and 7 a.m. – go to recreation.gov and book your trip two days in advance. You'll need to depart at about 3:30 a.m. to make a 5 o'clock-ish sunrise (you can also take a later morning departure to the volcano, still offering mind-blowing views absent the sunrise). Take either a jacket or a blanket because it will be about 25 degrees chillier at the 10,000 foot summit than at sea level. On the way down, reward yourself with a stop at the old Kula Lodge at 3,200 feet on the volcano's flank for marvelous views while enjoying a delicious breakfast.
Explore Lahaina
Lahaina is the historic former whaling capital and territorial capital (before it moved to Oahu). The city is loaded with history, features one of the world's largest banyan trees anchoring a city block in front of the old courthouse and features some of the island's best shops and finest restaurants. Favorite restaurants include Fleetwood’s, Lahaina Fish, Lahaina Grill, Honu Seafood and Pizza and Mala Ocean Tavern, all along the ocean on old Front Street.
Take in a luau or show
You’ll find a variety of luaus on the island, and most would recommend the Old Lahaina Luau as one of the top choices. If you are a fan of magic shows, the Warren and Annabelle Magic Show is a memorable production in Lahaina.
Go beach-combing
Maui is known for many of the worlds top beaches. Favorites, based on broad, sandy and swimmable, are on the west side of the island, such as Wailea Beach (between the Grand Wailea and Fairmont luxury tourist hotels), Makena State Beach and Secret Cove (just south of 6900 Makena Road), where a 6-foot opening in a lava rock wall takes you to a pocket beach with gorgeous scenery, a perfect vantage looking out toward Molokini Atoll. The beaches north of Kaanapali are scenic, but narrower and rockier.
Snorkeling
It’s free off many beaches such as the southern portion of Wailea Beach and many others. Renting a snorkel mask and fins goes for $1.50 a day, or about $10 for a week; cheap thrills! For real snorkeling guided tours, take one of the boat tours to the Molokini Atoll out of Maalaea Harbor, or take a speedy ocean raft tour across to the shores of Lanai from the Lahaina Harbor (on our last two Lanai snorkeling trips, a pod of dolphins followed our ocean raft a good part of the way).
Local attractions
At Sugar Beach in North Kehei, the Kehei Canoe Club offers Tuesday and Thursday canoe trips in Hawaiian war canoes for a donation of $40. It's an exciting and energetic option, which paddles parallel to several miles of beautiful beach. Spend the day in the Upcountry, the north and western flanks of Haleakala, and explore the agricultural bounty of the island. Include in your tour the Surfing Goat Dairy, Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery (makers of Oceans Vodka), Maui Wines and Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. Each stop offers fascinating tours and a host of interesting products, from goat cheese, organic vodka, wines of Maui and lavender ice cream. And, purchase a can of Spam, in many flavors, the unofficial meat of Hawaii.
Hike a few of Maui's beautiful trails
Some are historic, like sections of the old Kings Highway that circled the island hundreds of years ago, allowing ancient Hawaiian kings to traverse the island and collect taxes. A favorite section treks through the La Perouse Bay lava fields, presenting marvelous, rocky ocean views around every turn and a chance to see scores of wild black goats which inhabit the area. The Haleakala volcano's trail system also offers a host of options along and into the crater, though altitudes of 8,000-10,000 feet will cause some a challenge. Another is the Lahaina Pali Trail, which parallels the Pali Highway between Ma'alea Harbor and Lahaina with stunning views of Molokini, Kaho'a'lawe and Lanai from high on the bluffs above the Pacific.
Take the road to Hana
This scenic, curvaceous (115 tight turns) road delivers you to Hana, the secluded town on Maui's south eastern flank. The road takes you through thick rain forest, along gorgeous sections of the ocean and past numerous waterfalls. Just past Hana you can track down the grave of Charles Lindbergh, who retired and died on the island.
For truly hardy explorers, continue on the Hana Highway past Lindbergh’s Grave, through the dry and austere south portion of the island, which will then take you back up into the upcountry. Be forewarned, it includes a 15-mile stretch of gravel or roughly patched single lane highway, but the unusual views of Haleakala and the stunning southern seacoast make it worthwhile.
For more information, visitmaui.com.
Contact Tim Viall at tviall@msn.com. Happy Hawaii travels.
This article originally appeared on The Record: 8 best things to do during a visit to Maui, Hawaii
