Things you should know about travelling on Maui
Overview map of Maui.
General Information:
According to local legend, Maui is the god that created the Hawaiian Islands by bringing them up from the ocean floor. He also created the skies and brought fire to the islands. This was good luck for us as Maui is one of the most beautiful places on the earth and has several of the best beaches in the world. Maui is often chosen by couples as a special place to get married, thus bringing the phrase we got maui'd to pop culture. It is also a popular honeymoon destination. Once you are there, it will not be difficult to imagine why.
Island layout:
The lower western part of the island is referred to as South Maui. This area includes the popular resort areas of Wailea & Makena, as well as Kihei, which is mostly known for it's plethora of condos as well as a lively town, and many beaches along the South Kihei Road. There are many shops, restaurants, and bars along the road, as well as a major shopping center with a Safeway, a bookstore, and many other shops along the Piikea road between S. Kihei road and the Pi'ilani Highway.
Along the northwest coast of the island, is the area known as West Maui. This area includes the resort towns of Ka'anapali, Lahaina, and Kapalua. Lahaina has a downtown with many chain restaurants and loads of shops selling jewelry, artwork, and trinkets. If you continue too far along the main highway to the north, you will get some fabulous views and you will also end up on a one lane windy, cliff-side road where your rental car company has forbidden you to drive. If you do end up along this road, be sure to drive slowly and honk your horn before going around a blind curve. This is how the locals drive and they will expect you to beep your horn often to avoid accidents. Continuing all the way along this road will eventually take you back around to Kahului where the airport is. Many people will tell you that this road is not paved all the way. It is paved, it's just that it's only one lane so it is extremely difficult to drive in many areas.
Upcountry refers to the areas around the slopes of the volcano of Haleakala. It is much cooler at the top of the volcano, so when driving Upcountry, be sure to bring a light sweater and some slacks. There are several companies that will take you for a pre-dawn trip to the top of the volcano to view the sunrise and then you bike down the mountain. Several people have told me that it is very icy first thing in the morning, and difficult to navigate a bike down the road to the bottom. Unless you are an expert cyclist, I recommend driving to the top for sunrise, and if you want to do the biking tour, doing it later in the day for better safety. Haleakala National Park is a true treasure and should be included in any visit to Maui.
Central Maui includes the area of Kahului and the northeastern section of the island. East Maui is the area you will be in when you drive the Road to Hana, and along the eastern edge of the island until you are almost to Makena. Past Hana, there is a one lane windy road to get to the Seven Sacred Pools. Past that section, it is recommended that you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and most rental car companies will not allow you to drive that section of the road.
Getting there:
When flying into Maui from the mainland, you will arrive into the airport at Kahalui (OGG). After picking up your rental car, I recommend taking the turn for the Road to Hana and towards the town of Pa'ia. It is a long flight from the mainland and I am always hungry when I get to Maui. The town of Pa'ia has the best fish tacos on the island at a little place on the main road through town called the Pa'ia Fish Market (808.579.8030). You have the choice of which kind of fish you want in your tacos from Ono (a tasty flaky white fish), to Mahi Mahi (a meatier white fish), and many many others. Their fish tacos are served in corn tortillas with lettuce and usually a cole slaw side. Their fries are mighty tasty too, and all portions are fairly big. After filling up on fish tacos, I am usually no longer grumpy and am very happy to be in paradise. I can also now focus on the road to where I'm going.
I usually stay in South Maui, so these directions are for that drive. The drive from the airport to Makena is about an hour or a bit more. This is one of the reasons I recommend stopping in Pa'ia first. From Pa'ia (or the airport) you'll want to head towards Hwy 311 which bisects the island and heads down to South Maui. There are two roads to Makena. The first is the Pi'ilani Highway, the second is South Kihei Road. I recommend taking South Kihei Road because it will help give you a layout of the town and what's on offer. You will pass by several beautiful beaches along the way. This is also the road on which several of the restaurants, bars, and shops I'm recommending will be found.
South Kihei Road will wind along south until you get to the resort area of Wailea. Turn left on Okolani Drive (the road kinda curves that way anyway) and then right on Alanui Road. Continue to follow this road and it will turn into Makena Road, the Maui Prince Hotel is just past the Makena Boat Landing.
Other General Information
- ABC stores: The ABC stores are good places to stock up on bottled water, trinkets, sunscreen, and those little bamboo mats that are great for the beach. I recommend getting 2-3 of those as they are awesome for the beaches and are about a dollar a piece. When I leave, I usually just give them to someone arriving when I drop off the rental car.
- Aquarium: The Maui Ocean Center (808.270.7000, www.mauioceancenter.com) is on the way from Kihei to Lahaina right in the western curve between the north and south parts of the island and is right by the marina. It's not as big as the Monterey Bay Aquarium (but what is?), and I do think it's worth stopping in.
- Lahaina: Lahaina is on West Maui and is a very touristy town. That doesn't mean it's not worth visiting, Lahaina has a lot to offer. In the main park, on the main drag, is one of the biggest Bunyan trees in the world and it's pretty impressive. It takes up the whole park! There are a lot of jewelry shops, art galleries, and tourist shops, along with several chain restaurants. There are also a few shave ice stands, and I definitely recommend having a shave ice while you are there. Lahaina is good to visit in the afternoon, when you've had enough morning beach sun and want something else to do.
- Luau: your hotel can give you recommendations on which one to attend. It's definitely worth going to one. Try to arrive early and get a seat with a good view of the stage (dinner, drinks, & show are included in the ticket price).
- Maui Dive Shop: 1455 S. Kihei Road. 808-879-3388 7 808-879-1533
This is a good place to rent snorkel gear. This is also a good place to book your snorkeling trip to Molokini (a little tiny island off the coast of Maui that has unbelievable fish and coral and sea-life to see). I would highly recommend the early morning trip because the seas will be calmer so the boat ride out there will be less choppy.
- Molokini: Molokini is a small volcano crater off the southwest side of Maui between Maui and Kaho'olawe island. Molokini is a National Bird Sanctuary so people are not allowed on the island. The crater is fairly shallow (20-60 feet) with exceptionally clear water and corals and tons of fish! It's a premier snorkeling and diving spot. Definitely take a disposable water camera with you. This is a must when on Maui. See Maui Dive Shop.
- Snorkel Bob's: if you think you will be snorkeling a lot (and I hope you do because there are loads of fish and turtles in the surf), I would recommend renting snorkeling gear from Snorkel Bob's or Maui Dive Shop.
- Snorkeling: You can go snorkeling off any of the beaches. The best guidebook is the Maui Revealed The Ultimate Maui Guide book (blue cover), and they write about the beaches and the best snorkeling areas on each beach. We took our snorkeling gear each time we went to the beach. I love love love snorkeling, and I saw turtles about half the time when snorkeling off the beach. Turtles are protected animals, so you have to stay a few feet away from them and can't harass them. Some are really friendly and will come up to you, others are more skittish.
- Sunsets: There are many places to view amazing sunsets on Maui. You will want to be on the west facing side of the island. Pack a camera and be prepared for a gorgeous view. Many beaches are great viewing locations - even the ones in front of your hotel! Many restaurants also advertise sunset-viewing - be sure to make a reservation that spans the time of the sunset, otherwise, you might be out of luck.
- Surfing: If you've never surfed before, you can easily take some beginner lessons, which are well worth the money spent. It's fun and great exercise! See Maui Dive Shop
- Turtle Town (Turtle Burbs): This is usually packaged with an excursion to Molokini and is a must. Last time we did the Molokini/Turtle Town snorkeling trip, I saw 16 turtles and a sting ray. It was awesome! See Maui Dive Shop.
- Get Maui'd! Getting married on Maui is relatively easy and a marriage on Maui is valid in all 50 United States. There are a ton of wedding planners with packages from a few hundred dollars to the top of your budget. I would recommend A White Orchid Wedding on Maui.
Last Updated: 5 August 2007
Copyright 2007, Linda Judson Haberlach
ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED 2007, Linda Judson Haberlach
linda@mediariffic.com
