MAUI
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Maui Tours
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With over 2.5 million visitors per year Maui belongs to the most visited islands on the archipelago. Over and over travel magazines are voting Maui as the most beautiful travel destination in the world. No surprise, deserted picture-book beaches, curved tropical palm trees, turquoise water, lush rainforests, a beautiful upcountry and a scant but impressing volcanic landscape attract visitors.
Maui is Hawai’i’s second largest island and carries the nickname “Valley Isle”. The name is based on the lush green valleys that are cutting through huge mountain ranges. You will get a first impression about them during your landing approach. All planes are descending over a sugar cane plantation through the widest of all valleys on Maui. It splits the island that actually looks like the number eight, into two areas. The bigger part is located in the East dominated by the inactive volcano Haleakala. The volcano is the island’s highest elevation with 10.023 ft (3055m) and rises over the hilly Upcountry. Along the North and East spreads the rainforest framing the town of Hana and its famous coastal route. The South is mainly covered with hotel resort towns like Kihei, Wailea and Makena that are located along beautiful beaches. The island’s western side is much smaller and contains the former fishing village Lahaina and more popular tourist and beach areas like Kaanapali, Napili, and Kapalua as well as the remote residential area around Kahakuloa and Waihee. |
Wailuku is the island’s county seat but most tourists take Kahului as center. The small town is quaint but quite and unspectacular for a county seat. Kahului in turn incorporates the airport, and many well-known superstores.
While the North is lush and often rainy you can expect mainly sunny weather and dryness in the South. Although the whole island is lined with nice beaches the south shore has the most beautiful ones like Big Beach or Po’olenalena Beach.
Three islands circle Maui: Kaho’olawe (aka Target Isle) in the Southwest, Lana’i (aka Pineapple Isle) in the West and Moloka’i (aka Friendly Isle) in the Northwest. Staying on Maui it is easy to visit Lana’i or Moloka’i for a daytrip or even an overnight stay. The easiest connection is taking the ferry from Lahaina. Contrary to Maui both islands, in particular Moloka’i, are pristine, have very little tourism and are recommended for hikers, nature lovers or vacationers looking for paradise seclusion.
While the North is lush and often rainy you can expect mainly sunny weather and dryness in the South. Although the whole island is lined with nice beaches the south shore has the most beautiful ones like Big Beach or Po’olenalena Beach.
Three islands circle Maui: Kaho’olawe (aka Target Isle) in the Southwest, Lana’i (aka Pineapple Isle) in the West and Moloka’i (aka Friendly Isle) in the Northwest. Staying on Maui it is easy to visit Lana’i or Moloka’i for a daytrip or even an overnight stay. The easiest connection is taking the ferry from Lahaina. Contrary to Maui both islands, in particular Moloka’i, are pristine, have very little tourism and are recommended for hikers, nature lovers or vacationers looking for paradise seclusion.
Maui ‘No-Go’s’
Leaving valuables in your car
The most important advice I like to share is to not leave any valuables in your car but take all your stuff with you. No matter, which island you are staying on! Otherwise you will become a victim of one of the many car break-ins on the archipelago. Even if you lock your stuff in your car’s trunk it isn’t safe at all. There are thieves likely watching the common parking lots, e.g. at beaches, sights, etc. just waiting for you to leave before they start clearing your belongings.
Do not think average sunscreen is enough entering the water
It happens more often than you would think that tourists are burning themselves badly enjoying the Pacific Ocean on one of the beaches. The sun irradation in Hawai’i is much stronger than on the US mainland or in Europe since the islands are located closer to the equator. The results are lobster-lookalikes spreaded over the islands ruining their vacations right from the start.
My recommendation – and so far very helpful for all family and friends - get yourself rash shirts (used by surfers) with sun protection fabric and wear them additionally to your sunscreen. This really prevents serious sunburns.
BTW – for those who are visiting the islands only to get tanned as much as possible: you finally end up with a tropic tan that usually disappears within two weeks after returning home. You might want to think twice if it’s worth the effort. Better stay off the sun and enjoy your vacation instead of becoming a roasted chicken.
Getting from island to island
A few years ago there were interisland ferries called “Superferry” connecting Oahu, Kauai and Maui with each other. Unfortunately, the service was discontinued in 2009 after several protests by the residents. Finally the state officially forbid the ferry service due to missing environmental impact statements. Since then the only way of transportation are planes, although they are a much bigger environmental pollution.
However, there are two remaining ferry connections operating several times a day between Maui and Lana’i or Moloka’i. The ferries are for pedestrians only.
More information is available at: http://www.go-lanai.com/ and http://www.molokaiferry.com/
Taking the plane from one island to the other it is going to be your shortest flight ever. I guess it takes more time reaching the right altitude including take-off and landing than just flying. However, there is no other way. Maui’s main hub is Kahului, besides two small airports south of Kapalua in the West and Hana in the Northeast.
The interisland fares are usually moderate with exceptions during holidays. For the lowest rate I recommend to compare prices amongst the following three main operators:
Hawaiian Airlines - http://www.hawaiianair.com/Services/Pages/interisle.aspx
Go! Mokulele by Mesa Airlines - http://www.iflygo.com/
Island Air Hawaii (propeller aircraft) - http://www.islandair.com/
Please note that some operators do not allow foreigners outside the U.S., Canada or some Asian countries to purchase tickets online.
Leaving valuables in your car
The most important advice I like to share is to not leave any valuables in your car but take all your stuff with you. No matter, which island you are staying on! Otherwise you will become a victim of one of the many car break-ins on the archipelago. Even if you lock your stuff in your car’s trunk it isn’t safe at all. There are thieves likely watching the common parking lots, e.g. at beaches, sights, etc. just waiting for you to leave before they start clearing your belongings.
Do not think average sunscreen is enough entering the water
It happens more often than you would think that tourists are burning themselves badly enjoying the Pacific Ocean on one of the beaches. The sun irradation in Hawai’i is much stronger than on the US mainland or in Europe since the islands are located closer to the equator. The results are lobster-lookalikes spreaded over the islands ruining their vacations right from the start.
My recommendation – and so far very helpful for all family and friends - get yourself rash shirts (used by surfers) with sun protection fabric and wear them additionally to your sunscreen. This really prevents serious sunburns.
BTW – for those who are visiting the islands only to get tanned as much as possible: you finally end up with a tropic tan that usually disappears within two weeks after returning home. You might want to think twice if it’s worth the effort. Better stay off the sun and enjoy your vacation instead of becoming a roasted chicken.
Getting from island to island
A few years ago there were interisland ferries called “Superferry” connecting Oahu, Kauai and Maui with each other. Unfortunately, the service was discontinued in 2009 after several protests by the residents. Finally the state officially forbid the ferry service due to missing environmental impact statements. Since then the only way of transportation are planes, although they are a much bigger environmental pollution.
However, there are two remaining ferry connections operating several times a day between Maui and Lana’i or Moloka’i. The ferries are for pedestrians only.
More information is available at: http://www.go-lanai.com/ and http://www.molokaiferry.com/
Taking the plane from one island to the other it is going to be your shortest flight ever. I guess it takes more time reaching the right altitude including take-off and landing than just flying. However, there is no other way. Maui’s main hub is Kahului, besides two small airports south of Kapalua in the West and Hana in the Northeast.
The interisland fares are usually moderate with exceptions during holidays. For the lowest rate I recommend to compare prices amongst the following three main operators:
Hawaiian Airlines - http://www.hawaiianair.com/Services/Pages/interisle.aspx
Go! Mokulele by Mesa Airlines - http://www.iflygo.com/
Island Air Hawaii (propeller aircraft) - http://www.islandair.com/
Please note that some operators do not allow foreigners outside the U.S., Canada or some Asian countries to purchase tickets online.
How to combine Maui in your Hawai’ian vacations
In my opinion Maui is to the most beautiful and diviersified Hawaiian Island and you should at least spend 7 days to explore the island without being in any rush.
By doing this you should have one day in between each island tour to assure that you do not haste over the island but enjoy your stay.
If you are planning to visit several islands on the archipelago think about how important excitement is for you during your vacations. What I want to say? Well, Maui offers a perfect mix between nature, tropical setting, entertainment and choice of activites that other islands like Oahu, Kauai and Big Island might lack.
A disspapointment might be pre-programmed if you start your vacations on Maui, e.g. staying in Lahaina or Kapalua before you continue to Oahu and Waikiki. Oahu is a fantastic island, but, if you can say it like this, the least attractive of all. Kauai and Big Island are marvelous, but they are very quiet and it takes some time getting out of the seclusion and into some kind of entertainment.
In case you cannot make it to all islands I recommend the following ranking: Maui (including Lanai and Molokai), Big Island, Kauai and finally Oahu. Please note that this is my personal opinion and might differ from your interests.
Exploring Maui I would allow at least 12 hours/ a full day or even an overnight stay in Hana when you do the Road to Hana. You definitely will need the 12 hours to explore the breathtaking setting with its waterfalls; hikes and beautiful beaches. Besides, it takes some time to circle the island. Spending one night in Hana will split the tour into two days and gives you more time to discover the sights. The advantages are that you can enjoy the evening at one of the lovely beaches and are able to do a longer hike through the south of Haleakala National Park the next day.
The main area of Haleakala National Park (volcano) in the North can be easily combined with a visit to Makawao and Paia in the Upcountry. Both towns are known for their laidback way of life besides Hana. Alternatively you can spend the rest of the day at the beach in the North or South. A beachday in the South should be combined with a walk along the coastal promenade in Wailea during sunset.
In the West I would start the day snorkeling at Black Sand Beach or Honolua Bay and round it out with an evening stroll through Lahaina or a visit of the Whalers Village in Kaanapali.
The other days you can spend at one of the fabulous golf courses or at the secluded beaches in the Northwest. Or you discover the coastal, narrow and steep highway around the northwestern edge of the island. This tour can be perfectly combined with a detour to Iao Valley that appears bigger on pictures than it actually is.
Visiting Maui you shouldn’t go without a rental car since you have to drive a lot if you want to explore the island. The smaller the better since a large car can be difficult, almost adventurous, to steer along the narrow highways in the Northwest and Northeast. By the way a 4-wheel-drive is not necessary since the only way you would need one is a sideway on top of Haleakala.