Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
age, and down on the shoreline at
Kanaha Beach Park,
windsurfers and kitesurfers take
to the waves along the stretch of Maui's north shore.
South Maui
From the celebrity-laden resorts of
Wailea
to the condo-dwelling snowbirds of
Kihei,
South Maui is all about worshipping the sun and enjoying the procession of beaches.
Makena
remains South Maui's most adventurous venue with snorkeling, scuba diving,
hiking trails, kayaking, and some of the island's most photo-worthy beaches. Just offshore,
Molokini Crater
offers 100-foot visibility and the chance to snorkel with up to 250 spe-
cies of fish.
Upcountry
Rural, laid-back, and refreshingly cool, Upcountry is Maui's most underrated zone. Agri-
culture and produce dominate
Kula,
and everything from vegetables to vineyards, coffee,
and goat cheese can be found in this rural and relaxing enclave.
Polipoli
is the island's
little-known adventure zone, where mountain biking, paragliding, and hiking take place
in a forest shrouded in mist. Watch the dramatic sunrise from the frosty peak of towering
Haleakala,
the sacred volcano from which the demigod Maui famously snared the sun.
East Maui: the Road to Hana
The New Age town of
Pa'ia
is as trendy as it is jovial. Surfers ride waves along undeve-
loped beaches, patrons shop in locally owned boutiques, and the town is home to some the
island's best restaurants. Along the famous, twisting
Road to Hana,
tumbling waterfalls
and rugged hiking trails await. The
Pools of 'Ohe'o
spill down cliffs to the sea. The hike
through a bamboo forest to the base of
Waimoku Falls
is considered the island's best trek.
Lana'i
Home to 3,300 residents and two large resorts, this island is a playground of outdoor ad-
venture. Whether you are staying here or making a day trip from Maui, everything from
hiking
to
scuba diving, golfing,
and
surfing
can be enjoyed readily without the crowds.
Learn about the island's history at the
Lana'i Culture and Heritage Center,
and make the
journey down to
Kaunolu
to see an ancient village settlement essentially frozen in time.
Moloka'i
Taking time to explore this island offers a chance to experience the roots of native Hawaii-
an culture. Take a guided tour into historic
Halawa Valley,
one of the oldest settlements
in Hawai'i, or ride on the back of a friendly mule as you visit the former leper colony
