Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Makena and Beyond
The only horseback riding in South Maui is found
way
down south at the end of the road
at
Makena Stables
(8299 South Makena Rd., 808/879-0244,
www.makenastables.com
), a
family-run outfit that has been leading horseback riding tours since 1983. The trails here
meander over Ulupalakua Ranch land only accessible via a private tour. Along the way
there's a good chance of spotting axis deer or wild goats that clamber across the jagged
a'a
lava. This is one of the few horseback riding operations on the island with the possibility
of riding your horse directly along the shoreline. The only other way you can access this
stretch of coastline on horseback is if you take a tour from Triple L Ranch beginning in
Upper Kanaio. Since Triple L is 40 miles from Wailea, however, and Makena Stables is
only seven, this is the obvious choice if your vacation is based in South Maui. Not only
do the views stretch out over the waters of La Perouse Bay to the island of Kaho'olawe in
the distance, but you ride directly through the island's most recent lava flow, taking time
to stop at Kalua O Lapa, the volcanic vent from which Madame Pele leaked her fiery li-
quid only a few centuries ago. Group sizes are capped at six and riders must be under 205
pounds. To escape the brutal South Maui sun, take a sunset ride during the coastline's most
artistic and romantic hour.
Kihei
If there were a bird to be associated with South Maui it would be the Pacific golden plover,
or
kolea.
Like many of the condo dwellers that occupy the beaches of Kihei during the
winter, the
kolea
leaves its summer home in the Arctic in favor of warm, tropical Maui
winters. The term
kolea
is a tongue-in-cheek nickname for visitors who regularly spend
winters in Maui.
One of the best places to see
real
birds in South Maui is at the
Kealia Pond National
Wildlife Refuge
(
www.fws.gov/kealiapond
)
between Ma'alaea and North Kihei. This
700-acre reserve is home to over 30 species of birds, the most notable of which are the
a'eo
(Hawaiian stilt),
'alae ke'oke'o
(Hawaiian coot), and
koloa maoli
(Hawaiian duck).
The greatest number of species can be found here during winter. There are short walk-
