I just cant seem to get my mind around Maui. We are going to Oahu first and i really get the island, but maui is confusing. Where and what are the towns? Where do people stay geographically? What is there to do besides the road to Hana?
Thanks
Please explain Maui
There are no cities, like Honolulu, on Maui. Mostly just small towns....often strung together. Most people land at the airport in Kahului then head across the isthmus and head north to the Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, and Kapalua areas or south to Kihei and Wailea. There are loads of resort hotels and condominiums in both areas. Choosing is the hard part! :)
What is there to do?? The possibilities are endless and limited only by your own interests. If you are interested in history visit the town of Lahaina and do the walking tour. For more history visit the Iao Valley, the Halek%26#39;i-Pihana Heiau State Monument, the Sugar Museum, La Perouse Bay etc. Take a boat tour to Moloka%26#39;i and visit Kalaupapa National Historical Park.
If you love gardens visit a Lavender Farm or Botanical garden....or just gasp at the natural beauty you will see on every outing.
Beach activities abound and the beaches are beautiful! There are adventures to be had on the water, in the water and under the water...you will be spoiled for choice. How about a submarine ride, learn to surf, try windsurfing, kayak, snorkel, dive or just soak up the sun!
Do you golf? Nothing like golfing in Paradise.
Take a helicoper tour, hike, ride a horse, bike down a volcano.
Spend a day Upcountry exploring! Watch the sunrise at Haleakala, visit a winery!
Take a spa treatment, enjoy a romantic dinner or plan a picnic!
Shop in Lahaina, Paia, Wailea, Kaanapali and Makawao. There are lots of souvenirs to be had....good ones and not so good ones! There are a lot of artists and crafts people on the island as well. Visiting galleries is a lot of fun even if you don%26#39;t purchase a thing.
Nightlife might include dinner in a wonderful restaurant while watching the sun set, or a dinner cruise, or a luau, or a magic show or one of my favourites %26#39;Ulalena!
You are limited only by your budget and your imagination and there is no way you can see or do everything you want to in one visit!
Above all relax, enjoy and be happy! Let the aloha spirit find you. Maui no ka %26#39;oi!
Please explain Maui
Thanks for asking and thanks for replying.
Really helps me too.
Wendy
Try going here: http://maps.google.com/ and putting in Maui, HI. You%26#39;ll get a very basic map.
You need to pick up a couple good travel guides and maps. We like Maui Revealed, but there are others. Look for books that focus on the islands and are not just a bunch of pages of hotel/restaurant information.
Oahu -- the bulls-eye is Honolulu, and most visitors venture from there.
On Maui - most land at Kahului and cut across the ';middle'; -- then head south or north. To the south are Kihei and Wailea; to the north Lahaina, Ka%26#39;anapali, Napili, Kapalua. (Very basically speaking.)
Maui has a vast array of water sports -- great snorkeling and amazing beaches. The boat excursions possibilities are wonderful, including catamarans. Haleakala is a dormant volcano that you will see -- can%26#39;t miss - off to the south.
If you are thinking that Maui is too ';sleepy'; -- stay towards Lahaina/Ka%26#39;anapali.
Natural wonders, sports, beaches, SHOPPING, restaurants ... you%26#39;re going to have a great time. Be prepared to be surprised. And get a window seat on your flight from Oahu.
Thank you so much for the help, i have a much better idea of maui now. The really hard question seems to be where to stay. We are on a budget, but would like a condo, and recs?
See aerial views and write-ups of condos at:
www.wizardpub.com
I like their reports better than most TripAdvisor reviews.
Some condos are cheaper ... some are not. So consider both.
Budget would be Kehi Napili bay another great sppt check out Napili Surf Condo has studios on the water... super low key, low rise little place with a great atmosphere.... I thins a studio runs $120 a night..... dirt cheap for maui
Ther is only one small town and several little villages......and regions more people live in the hotels in honolulu than the whole population of Maui.
Maui is the best first Place in Hawaii to visit.
i agree with Mad4Maui - just too much to do. My family and I go every year (going right after Christmas so may be getting to Maui when you are leaving) and still haven%26#39;t scratched the surface.
Some stuff to add to the good suggestions already made:
1. Before you go, spend under $10 and get a Franko%26#39;s Maui map. It%26#39;s something like $6, you can order it over the internet, and it not only is a good map of Maui, but written directly on the map is about 10 years of vacation activities, including all these places you are hearing about. I like to go through this map on the long flight to Maui - more fun than reading a guide.
2. In addition to luaus (which cost), try a free Maui hula show. My two favorites are at Whalers Village in Kaanapali and Lahaina Center in Lahaina. I have a lot more detail on free activities at lahaina-family-vacation.com
3. i also vote for Maui Revealed guide.
3. Once you pick one of the two general areas to stay - west Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali,etc) or south Maui (Kihei,etc.) - then pick luaus, beaches, restaurants, etc. Both areas have plenty of activities so that you minimize your travel time.
Randy Willis
Try looking for condos on Napili Bay. It is a wonderful beach with a couple of restaurants within walking distance right on the beach. Depending upon your time of travel, you should be able to find a reasonably priced condo. Best of luck!!
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