Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 300

Waianapanapa State Park
Tucked in a tropical jungle, on the outskirts of the little coastal town of Hana,
is Waianapanapa State Park, a black-sand beach set in an emerald forest.
The Hana-Waianapanapa Coast Trail is an easy 6-mile hike that takes you
back in time. Allow 4 hours to walk this relatively flat trail, which parallels the
sea along lava cliffs and a forest of lauhala trees, and make sure your kids can
walk that long (generally kids 8 and above). The best time to take the hike is
either early morning or late afternoon, when the light on the lava and surf makes
for great photos. Midday is the worst time; not only is it hot (lava intensifies the
heat), but there's no shade or potable water available.
There's no formal trail head; join the route at any point along the Waiana-
panapa Campground and go in either direction. Along the trail, you'll see
remains of an ancient heiau (temple), stands of lauhala trees, caves, a blowhole,
and a remarkable plant, naupaka, that flourishes along the beach. Upon close
inspection, you'll see that the naupaka have only half-blossoms; according to
Hawaiian legend, a similar plant living in the mountains has the other half of
the blossoms. One ancient explanation is that the two plants represent never-to-
be-reunited lovers: As the story goes, the couple bickered so much that the gods,
fed up with their incessant quarreling, banished one lover to the mountain and
the other to the sea.
Waianapanapa has 12 cabins and a tent campground. Go for the cabins (see
“Family-Friendly Accommodations,” earlier in this chapter), as it rains torren-
tially here, sometimes turning the campground into a mud-wrestling arena.
Tent-camping is $5 per night but limited to 5 nights in a 30-day period. Permits
are available from the State Parks Division, 54 S. High St., Room 101,
Wailuku, HI 96793 ( & 808/984-8109 ). Facilities include restrooms, outdoor
showers, drinking water, and picnic tables.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Maui offers spectacular adventure rides through rugged ranchlands, into tropi-
cal forests, and to remote swimming holes. If you'd like to ride down into
Haleakala's crater, contact Pony Express Tours ( & 808/667-2200 or 808/
878-6698; www.ponyexpresstours.com), which offers a variety of rides down
to the crater floor and back up, from $155 to $190 per person. Shorter 1- and
2-hour rides are also offered at Haleakala Ranch, located on the beautiful lower
slopes of the volcano, for $85 and $105. If you book via the Internet, you get
10% off. Pony Express provides well-trained horses and experienced guides, and
accommodates all riding levels. You must be at least 10 years old, weigh no more
than 230 pounds, and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
WAY OUT WEST ON MAUI: RANCH RIDES For families with children
ages 7 and above, I recommend riding with Mendes Ranch & Trail Rides ,
3530 Kahekili Hwy., 4 miles past Wailuku ( & 808/871-5222; www.mendes
ranch.com). The 300-acre Mendes Ranch is a real-life working cowboy ranch that
has the essential elements of an earthly paradise—rainbows, waterfalls, palm trees,
coral-sand beaches, lagoons, tide pools, a rainforest, and its own volcanic peak
(more than a mile high). The morning ride, which lasts 3 hours and ends with
a barbecue back at the corral (the perfect ranch-style lunch after a morning in
the saddle), is $130; or pick the 2- to 2 1 ⁄ 2 -hour morning or afternoon ride at $85.
PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
The best parks and playgrounds are located in Maui's beach parks—see
“Beaches,” earlier in this chapter. There are a few specialty parks listed below.