Here’s a little reminder from your Aloha island friends.
Living in the Moment Maui/IaoValley-Haleakala from Montaj 9 on Vimeo.
1. Haleakala
Make it to the top! Take the drive to meet Haleakala a dormant volcano that sits large on the east side of the island. Give a high five at the summit that reaches 10,023 feet it’s the highest point on Maui and you have to say you did it once. Stop in and visit the Haleakala National Park Visitor Center, so you can hike or go on horseback down into the 3,000-foot-deep Haleakala crater. There is lots to see and explore including ancient lava flow and the rare silversword plant. For a spiritual journey, try to go there early and catch the sunrise.
Before you walk out the door take a deep breath and be mindful of the very present moment so you can enjoy life to the fullest. Focus on what you’re doing right now. Relax and allow the day to unfold as you go.
2. Road to Hana
Take a drive on the ‘Road to Hana’ one of the most scenic drives in all of Maui. It presents some 55 miles of incredible scenery twisting and turning around no fewer than 617 bends while crossing over 56 tiny, mostly one-lane bridges. The scenery is epic with stunning lush vegetation and sweeping views. Explore bamboo forest hikes, panoramic overlooks, swimming beneath waterfalls and take in the moment by moment journey. The top attractions along the Hana Road are the Keanae Peninsula, a serene patch of green with an overlook of panoramic views; the Keanae Arboretum which incorporates an authentic representation of a Hawaiian rain forest; the 126-acre, tropical Kahanu Botanical Gardens; and the charming, laid-back town of Hana itself, where you will find the Travaasa Hana – a top rated boutique hotel.
3. Lahaina
Kick it up on the West Maui coast and visit the historic town of Lahaina. Once the capital of Hawaii and later a bustling whaling town, today it is the liveliest, most colorful place on the island filled with restaurants, smoothie bars, souvenir shops, art galleries, and high-end boutiques. Top attractions include the Whaling Museum, Brig Carthaginian, Jodo Mission, and the 19th-century waterfront Pioneer Inn. Not to be missed is the jaw-dropping Banyan Tree which was planted here in 1873 and now occupies an acre of land, with a branch spread of 50 yards, supported by myriad aerial roots and 12 major trunks!
4. Iao Needle
Take a drive and discover Iao Needle, one the most photographed landmarks on the island. Iao Valley State Park is a lush valley in the West Maui mountains with towering peaks and a moss-covered stone spire that rises 1,200 feet vertically from the valley floor. Take a walk next to the Iao fresh water river and enjoy the abundant tropical flora and excellent photo opportunities. The state park is located in the town of Wailuku.
5. Wailea Beach
Discover the hidden Wailea Beach, situated on the southwest coast of Maui, just south of Kihei. Dip into the water from the manicured white-sand beaches where they rake the sand and arrange beach chairs in neat little rows. This is a public beach and is one of the best on the island so hugely enjoy it! It is lined with Maui’s premier resort hotels – and offers the best sunsets off the South Maui coast.
6. Makena Beach
Makena Beach, just south of Wailea, is also on the southwest coast of Maui and is much more undeveloped, pristine and less visited. Also called Big Beach, it offers the perfect waves for boogie boarding, has showers and is truly one of the highly enjoyable beaches, particularly if you like being far from the madding crowds.
7. Molokini
Want to get on top of volcano? Crazy about snorkeling? Book a trip to the partially-submerged, crescent-shaped crater, rising 150 feet from the ocean, just off the southwest coast of Maui. This protected marine preserve and seabird sanctuary offers some of the best snorkeling and diving conditions in the Maui area. There are charter boats and snorkeling excursions departing for Molokini from the Ma’alaea (just north of Kihei) and Lahaina Harbors several times a day.
