Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 289

Puu Olai Cinder Cone and historic Keawalai Congregational Church. The
waters around Makena Landing, at the north end of the bay, are particularly
good for snorkeling. Facilities include restrooms, showers, a landscaped park,
lifeguards, and roadside parking. Along Makena Alanui, look for the SHORELINE
ACCESS sign near the hotel, turn right, and head down to the shore.
EAST MAUI
HOOKIPA BEACH PARK
Two miles past Paia, on the Hana Highway, is one of the most famous wind-
surfing sites in the world. Because of its hard, constant wind and endless waves,
Hookipa attracts top windsurfers and wave jumpers from around the globe.
Surfers and fishermen also enjoy this small, gold-sand beach at the foot of a
grassy cliff, which provides a natural amphitheater for spectators. Except when
competitions are being held, weekdays are the best times to watch the daredev-
ils fly over the waves. When waves are flat, snorkelers and divers explore the reef.
Facilities include restrooms, showers, pavilions, picnic tables, barbecues, and
parking. No lifeguards.
WAIANAPANAPA STATE PARK
Four miles before Hana, off the Hana Highway, is this beach park, which takes
its name from the legend of the Waianapanapa Cave, where Chief Kaakea, a jeal-
ous and cruel man, suspected his wife, Popoalaea, of having an affair. Popoalaea
left her husband and hid herself in a chamber of the Waianapanapa Cave. She
and her attendant ventured out only at night for food. Nevertheless, a few days
later, Kaakea was passing by the area and saw the shadow of the servant. Know-
ing he had found his wife's hiding place, Kaakea entered the cave and killed her.
During certain times of the year, the water in the tide pool turns red, com-
memorating Popoalaea's death. (Scientists claim, less imaginatively, that the
water turns red due to the presence of small red shrimp.)
Waianapanapa State Park's 120 acres contain 12 cabins (p. 257), a caretaker's
residence, a beach park, picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, showers, a
parking lot, a shoreline hiking trail, and a black-sand beach. (The sand is actu-
ally small, black pebbles.) This is a wonderful area for shoreline hikes (bring
insect repellent—the mosquitoes are plentiful) and picnicking. Swimming is
generally unsafe, though, due to strong waves and rip currents. Because Waiana-
panapa is crowded on weekends with local residents and their families, as well as
tourists, weekdays are generally a better bet. No lifeguards.
7 For the Active Family
Activity Warehouse ( & 800/923-4004; www.travelhawaii.com), which has
branches in Lahaina at 578 Front St., near Prison Street ( & 808/661-1970 ),
and in Kihei at Azeka Place II, on the mountain side of Kihei Road near Lipoa
Street ( & 808/875-4050 ), rents everything from beach chairs and coolers to
kayaks, boogie boards, and surfboards.
Snorkel Bob's (www.snorkelbob.com) has snorkel gear, boogie boards, and
other ocean toys at three locations: 1217 Front St., Lahaina ( & 808/661-4421 );
Napili Village, 5425-C Lower Honoapiilani Hwy., Napili ( & 808/669-9603 );
and Kamaole Beach Center, 2411 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei ( & 808/879-7449 ). All
locations are open daily from 8am to 5pm. If you're island-hopping, you can
rent equipment from a Snorkel Bob's location on one island and return it to a
branch on another.