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Top 50 things to do on Maui

January 8, 2014, 11:06 am
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Big waves breaking on Peahi, commonly known as Jaws

January 25, 2014, 8:39 am
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20 reasons to visit Maui

May 25, 2014, 7:10 am
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Why Maui voted best island in the world and has been since 20 years ?

If Conde Nast Traveler readers are one thing, it's loyal. In the annual Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards that selects the Top 25 Islands in the World, Maui has come out on top for 20 consecutive years. It also regained its top ranking in the Top 10 Islands in the United States. How could one island stay so popular for so long? Before you ponder the implausibility, here are 20 reasons that probably account for Maui reigning supreme for two decades straight


1. Rainbows
maui rainbow
2. Craters: Haleakala National Park
kula maui
3. Huge Waves: Peahi
peahi maui
4. Road Trips: The Road To Hana
road to hana
5. Rolling Green Hills: The Road To Hana
road to hana
6. Farm Country: Hana
maui farm
7. Clouds: Haleakala National Park
maui upcountry
8. Mountains: Haleakala National Park
maui upcountry
9. Coral: Honolua Bay
honolua bay maui
10. Humback Whales
launiupoko
11. And Baby Humpback Whales
maui whale
12. Waterfalls: Alelele
alele waterfall
13. Tranquility: The Pools of Oheo
seven sacred pools
14. Golf: Makena
makena golf course
15. Sunsets: Kalama Park
maui beach
16. Lavender Fields: Kula
maui lavendar
17. Sea Turtles
maui sea turtle
18. Tiny Islands: Molokini Crater
molokini
19. Bamboo Forests: Oheo Gulch
oheo gulch
20. Bliss: Lahaina Beach
maui beach

Thanks to Huffingtonpost for the article
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Visiting Maui and looking for a souvenir ?

May 25, 2014, 7:21 am
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The Maui Butterfly Effect 2014

May 25, 2014, 7:28 am
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Once again, Tatiana Howard beat the last records. This last April, over 450 ladies participated to the Maui butterfly effect.

All present to have some fun together and in the water.

Check the video : http://vimeo.com/93109787#at=12

http://girlsurfnetwork.com/2014/05/16/over-400-water-women-at-the-8th-annual-butterfly-effect-maui/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/TheButterflyEffectMovement/photos_stream









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Swiss family travaling in Hawai'i

May 25, 2014, 9:10 am
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Time For a Hoʻolauleʻa - The Festivals of Honolulu

August 7, 2014, 3:19 pm
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Hawaii hosts a number of festivals in summer that are perfect to visit if you’re looking to experience the spirit of Aloha and loving atmosphere the Islands offer. Food, drink, music, history and culture are all widely celebrated here, particularly on the Islands of Oahu and Maui, where the Hawaiian attitude is translated into fun festivals for tourists and locals alike.
If you’re thinking of visiting Hawaii during the summer months to experience our many festivals, this guide has information on what there is on offer and the history behind the traditions.
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Hurricanes and earthquake in Hawai'i

August 7, 2014, 3:28 pm
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APSU supplements

August 7, 2014, 3:53 pm
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Proud of you Laurent and your great product APSU


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Mana Foods, my favorite place to shop

August 7, 2014, 4:03 pm
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Love their new video.. if you come to Maui's North Shore, you've got to stop at Mana (Paia)


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Maui butterfly farm

September 2, 2014, 10:45 am
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Are you organizing a wedding, a birthday party, a luau or maybe a memorial on Maui ? And are looking for some beautiful butterflies, check my friend's webpage :

 www.themauibutterflyfarm.com




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Maui activities special offers

September 3, 2014, 10:52 am
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Go upcountry in Maui for farm tours, good food

September 26, 2014, 12:44 pm
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Visitors to O'o Farm listen as chef Caroline Schaub describes the dishes she prepared for a farm-to-table lunch

By Carol Pucci
Seattle Times travel writer

Mornings in Maui generally demand nothing more strenuous than pulling on a pair of shorts and sandals and heading for the beach. So what am I doing in long pants, hiking shoes and a jacket?
No swimming or snorkeling today. Instead, a dozen of us have signed up for a tour at the O'o Farm in upcountry Maui, 3,500 feet above the ocean on the slopes of Haleakala volcano.
We compose a you-pick salad with snippets of wild anise, garlic chives and mustard greens; sample espresso made from farm-grown coffee beans; and sit down to a farm-to-table feast prepared by a gourmet chef.
Spread out on platters near an outdoor kitchen are chunks of yellow pineapple, bright red strawberries and cherimoya, a melt-in-your mouth fruit as smooth as pudding. And those are just the appetizers.
Upcountry Maui is a region of lush vegetation and winding, two-lane mountain roads. Most visitors know the area as the slice of old Hawaii they drive through on the way up to the summit of 10,023-foot Haleakala. A half-dozen microclimates and rich, volcanic soil make growing conditions ideal on the volcano's lower slopes.
Now young farmers, many connected to local chefs, are reclaiming patches of land that native Hawaiians once planted with sweet potatoes and taro. Their aim: to "re-localize" food production and showcase native ingredients.
For visitors to Maui with time to explore the back roads, culinary discoveries await at out-of-the-way restaurants and boutique farms cultivating everything from wine grapes to exotic herbs.
Lunch on the farm



"Despite all our resources, we still import 80 percent of our food supply in Maui," said Richard Clark, manager at the O'o Farm, an 8.5-acre organic farm in Kula.
A decade ago, owners of the Pacific'O and I'O restaurants in beachfront Lahaina bought upcountry land that had been claimed by a hippie commune of squatters. They began experimenting with new and traditional crops, with a goal of supplying their restaurants with locally grown produce.
With dinner entrees in the $30-$40 range at Pacific'O Lahaina restaurant, $50 each for an upcountry farm tour and lunch was a bargain.
The morning began with samples of sweet, red coffee berries. Then Clark took tourgoers through the kitchen garden, inviting us to pick our own salad mix while Korean-born chef Caroline Schaub worked on lunch.
On the menu was broiled fish cooked with Maui sweet onions and a marinated tofu dish she composed with fresh-picked kale, daikon radishes, two kinds of beets and yellow squash.
Sitting at a long wooden table shaded by trees, we lingered until 2:30 p.m., finishing the afternoon with chocolates infused with house-made espresso and lively conversation among new friends.
O'o Farm, 651 Waipoli Rd., Kula. Tours and lunches year-round by reservation. www.oofarm.com or 808-667-4341.Tea and lavender
Most of what there is to see in upcountry Maui could be covered in a day trip from the beach resorts, but spending a night or two makes sense if you're combining farm visits with a trip to Haleakala or the drive to Hana, the isolated little town on the eastern end of the island.
Puluke Farm Bed and Breakfast, a protea farm in Kula, has a cozy cottage and big views down to the sugarcane fields below in the central valley. In upcountry Maui, even summer nights can be chilly. Blankets come in handy for sleeping and relaxing on the deck with a glass of wine at sunset.
Down the road at Grandma's Coffee House, the owners roast coffee in the kitchen the way their grandmother did in 1918. Too tempting to pass up were the pineapple-coconut squares and cinnamon coffee cake baked with her recipes.
Nearby was a spot many locals describe as one of the most peaceful places on Maui — the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm. With 45 varieties of lavender and native gardens filled with tropical flowers, macadamia and olive trees, something is blooming year-round.
Samples of lavender tea and scones are offered on the porch overlooking the sugarcane fields, and the farm's backstory is learned on a 45-minute guided tour.
Most everything was cultivated by Chinese-Hawaiian farmer Ali'i Chang. Chang bought the land in 1992 after selling a nursery he owned near Hana.
He was given a single lavender plant by well-known Hawaiian singer Emma Veary, and what began as an experiment (lavender is not native to Hawaii) grew into a nearly 20-year labor of love until he died last spring.
For sale are lavender products made by 26 island entrepreneurs.

Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, 1100 Waipoli Rd., Kula. Free admission. Guided tours are $12, with $2 discount for booking in advance. See www.aklmaui.com or call 808-878-3004.

Pineapple sparklers
A stop at the Tedeschi Vineyards off Highway 37 in Keokea is a treat, especially for drivers returning from the long drive to Hana on the rough road skirting the back side of Haleakala.
Get elk burgers at the old-time general store, or take a tour and sample wines at the Tedeschi winery on the grounds of the Ulupalakua Ranch, a favorite cool-climate getaway for Hawaiian King Kalakaua in 1874.
The ranch has been in paniolo or "cowboy" country for more than 160 years. The current owners raise elk, grow grapes and cultivate strawberries, onions and potatoes for local chefs. Pineapple wine comes from fruit grown in lower elevations, then crushed at the winery in an Italian grape press. Cattle eat the leftovers.
The free tours include samples of a chilled pineapple sparkler served inside the king's former guest cottage.Tedeschi Vineyards at the Ulupalakua Ranch, Highway 37, Keokea. Tastings and tours daily.www.mauiwine.com or 877-878-6058.

Cheese and chores
Island-grown ingredients end up in many of the 30 goat cheeses made by Eva and Thomas Kafsack, the German owners of the solar-powered Surfing Goat Dairy in the lower Kula area. A flavor called "Purple Rain" contains a mix of local lavenders. "Rolling Green" is flecked with fresh garlic chives.
The Kafsacks run one of only two goat dairies in Hawaii, an expensive undertaking given the costs of turning dry brush land into irrigated pastures. "You can't survive just selling cheese to restaurants and hotels," says Thomas Kafsack. So they invite the public in for cheese-making classes and tours.
Popular with families is the "Evening Chores and Milking tour," a 45-minute walk through the pastures at feeding time, capped with a hands-on lesson in how to milk goats.

Surfing Goat Dairy, 3651 Omaopio Rd., Kula. Tastings and tours starting at $7-$10. www.surfinggoatdairy.comor 808-878-2870.


If You Go
Maui's Upcountry
Where
Upcountry Maui begins about 1,600 feet above the island's beaches on the west-facing slopes of Mount Haleakala. Get there via the Kula Highway (State Route 37), about a 1.5-hour drive from the beaches.
Lodging
Puluke Farm Bed & Breakfast, 26 Wahelani St., Kula. Newly decorated studio cottage with kitchen. $95 per night, including taxes. www.maui.net/~puluke/farm1.htm or 808-878-3263. (The B&B is temporarily closed while awaiting a permit.)
Kula Lodge, 15200 Haleakala Hwy., Kula. Chalets and restaurant. Rates start at $141, including taxes.www.kulalodge.com or 800-233-1535.
An Upcountry Bed and Breakfast, 4925 Lower Kula Rd.,
Kula. Rates: $135, including taxes.www.upcountrybandb.com or 808-878-8083.
Dining
Grandma's Maui Coffee, Highway 37, Keokea. Breakfast, lunch and coffee roasted on site by fourth-generation owners. www.grandmascoffee.com.
Hali'imaile General Store, 900 Hali'imaile Road, Hali'imaile. Beth Gannon, one of the founders of the Hawaii regional cuisine movement, serves crab pizza and other local specialties in a historic general store surrounded by pineapple fields. Seewww.bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile.
Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Grill, Highway 37, Old-time store near the Tedeschi Winery. Elk burgers, salads and sandwiches. Lunch only. www.ulupalakuaranch.com/
Kula Lodge, Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a rustic dining room overlooking Maui's central valley. www.kulalodge.com.

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New Web Cam

September 26, 2014, 12:51 pm
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Cute cottage in Kihei close to the beach

September 26, 2014, 1:05 pm
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Maui Hawaiian Village Tour

September 26, 2014, 1:27 pm
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Experience early Hawaiian Life, from the mountains to the sea by visiting the Maui Hawaiian Village
Take a step back in time and hike alongside the stream through our lush forest and 
majestic mountains. Visit the pristine and remote location of the Village where an active
 restoration of a historical valley is in progress. You will be surrounded by ancient rock walls, 
waterways, and Hawaiian agriculture. Participate in hands-on activities using plants from
 the land grown for food, shelter, and clothing in the Hawaiian culture.
For more information go to : http://www.mauihawaiianvillage.com/Home





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Tamara Catz Boutique in Paia

September 26, 2014, 1:47 pm
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Have you ever shop at Tamara Catz in Paia ?
If not, you've got to check her website or even better, go check her boutique!








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60 things to do on Maui

October 6, 2014, 2:35 pm
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Article written by Maui Guide Book

The reef is right there, visible from the beach.
Kahekili Beach Park, Kaanapali
1. Stretch out on the best beaches in the world
Isn’t this what you came for in the first place? Luxuriate on the world-class beaches that are Maui’s middle name. Just click on the Beaches category to get started.

2. Watch the sun set over the Pacific.
What’s more glorious than a sunset on the beach! The majority of beaches in Maui offer outstanding westerly views. Just park yourself on your favorite Maui beach before sunset and let your soul soar as the setting sun shimmers on the water.


Wai'anapanapa
Wai'anapanapa
3. Explore Wai’anapanapa State Park
Wai’anapanapa State Park just outside of Hana offers sweeping panoramic views, sea arches, a black sand beach, fresh-water pool caves, and more. It’s a must for all Hana adventures.
Wai’anapanapa State Park Page

4. Discover the Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana is a legend. Miles of twists, turns, lush rainforest, scenic ocean vistas, waterfalls, flowers, and the unexpected at every turn. A journey not to be missed. Drive it yourself or just enjoy the ride in a guided van tour.
Road to Hana Sites

5. Take a sunset dinner cruise.
Sailing slowly along the majestic Maui coastline, wind in your hair and live Hawaiian music in the air. Add a tasty meal and a Mai Tai’s as the sun slips below the horizon. Yeah, this is the life! Check out our Pride of Maui article for a great value.


The Mecca of windsurfing: Ho'okipa
The Mecca of windsurfing: Ho'okipa
6. Ho’okipa, Lookout!
Ho’okipa Beach on the North Shore (five minutes past Paia) is a world-renowned surfing and wind-surfing destination. Ho’okipa Lookout is a parking lot on the edge of a cliff overlooking the action. During the winter months, when the North Shore surf is up, this is a great balcony for watching the best surfers in the world shred.
Ho’okipa Beach Park Page

7. Swim in the “Seven Sacred Pools”
Properly called ‘Ohe’o Gulch, this is a string of well over seven pools and waterfalls starting many miles up the mountain. Part of the dramatic and rugged Kipahulu coastline past Hana, this is the most popular Road to Hana destination for good reason.
Seven Sacred Pools/’Oheo Gulch Page

8. Visit historic & eclectic Lahaina Town
An eclectic mix of old & new, Lahaina is Maui’s most visited tourist attraction, and a uniquely Maui twist on “old-time-sea-town-meets-tourism.”
Lahaina Town Page


The Dunes At Maui Lani
The Dunes At Maui Lani
9. Play world-class golf
Maui has world-renowned golfing. Kapalua, home of the PGA SBS (was Mercedes-Benz) Championship is one of many world-class golf courses Maui offers. *tip* Golfing pretty much anywhere in the afternoon typically involves significant wind.
Maui Golf Courses

10. Get the world’s best donut on stick
What, you don’t know what a donut on a stick is?! Or you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated? Have no fear, T. Komoda Store & Bakery in Makawao is absolutely legendary and offers a wide selection of the best baked goods in thousands of miles, and never disappoints. Tip: get there early!

Piiholo Zipline
Piiholo Zipline

11. Zip across the treetops
Ziplines are an incredibly fun way to see parts of Maui you’d never see. The best lines fly riders over rough terrain and verdant gulches, riders soar over a beautiful forest canopy. A zipline is a stationary cable stretched between two points, with the rider strapped into a trolley. Gravity pulls the rider along the cable – think Indiana Jones and you get the picture! Maui Ziplines by Rating.

12. Watch the ethereal sunrise from Haleakala
Mark Twain called it “the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed.” Words can not do this event justice, but sunrises as viewed from atop the 10,000′ mountain are typically nothing short of legendary.
Haleakala Crater Page


Standing at the Haleakala summit is like standing on Mars.
Haleakala Crater

13. Hike into the Martian landscape of Haleakala Crater
The landscapes inside the crater are surreal. Often compared to a moonscape, with the ranges of reds it more resembles a Mars-scape. Whatever you call it, it is a sight to behold likely like nothing you’ve seen before.
Haleakala Crater Page

14. Snorkel with sea turtles
The Hawaiian green sea turtle, a protected species, are becoming plentiful once again. You’re likely to see them snorkeling at Ka’anapali Beach and Kahekili Beach Park. (But just look, it is illegal to harass or touch.)
Search MG for “Snorkel”
 

Aahhhhh...waterfall!
Aahhhhh...waterfall!
(Photo: Awapuhi Adventures)

15. Take an eco-tour hike in the rainforest
Trek out on your own using our hiking guides/articles, hire a personal guide, or take a group tour with an experienced guided hike outfit.
Maui Hiking Guides

16. Bike down Haleakala volcano
There are no shortage of downhill biking companies on Maui. You can go with a group, or rent your own gear. If you go solo, you can start at the Haleakala Summit and either take the well-traveled paved Crater Road on down, or the exciting (and off-road) Skyline Trail.
(MG article currently under development – check back for link) 

17. Get pampered
There are no shortage of opportunities to be pampered in Maui. From resort spas to massage, aromatherapy and healing arts. Maui has more options than you’ll likely have days to experience them all.
(MG article currently in development – check back for link)


Molokini Crater snorkel boats, Maui, HI
Molokini
(Photo: Ron Garnett/HTA)

18. Snorkel in the Molokini Crater
Molokini Crater is a popular marine reserve sheltered inside a small volcanic crater island off of South Maui. Molokini is home to hundreds of species of fish and coral, some found nowhere else but Hawai’i. A snorkeling trip to Molokini Crater is usually unforgettable.
Molokini Crater Page
Molokini Crater Snorkel Charters

19. Peruse fine art galleries
Maui has many fine art galleries featuring an incredibly wide range of artwork. Galleries are so plentiful on Maui, you’re even likely to stumble upon some in out-of-the-way unexpected places. Lahaina has the most concentrated selection of galleries, while Makawao, Paia and Hana towns (and also some resorts) have galleries as well. 

Photo: Mike Adrian 
Learn to Surf!

20. Learn to surf/windsurf/kiteboard
If you never surfed, there are no shortage of folks dying to teach you how.
Our Surf Lesson Page

21. Go surfing/windsurfing/kitebaording
If you already know how to surf and brought your gear, you’re in the right place – Maui is where surfers go when they’ve died and gone to heaven! If you didn’t bring your gear, there are plenty of places to buy or rent gear for your visit.
Google Map with Maui Surf Shops
 
22. Have a picnic on the beach
Pack up your own picnic dinner and watch the sun set over the Pacific. You can prepare your own, or most establishments (even fancy ones) offer take out if you ask. For a fancier affair, there are also a couple businesses that cater romantic dinners on the beach complete with table & chairs, tiki torches, etc for about $250/person. (contact me for a referral.)


View looking out toward the parking lot, and Wailuku beyond. (click photo to see detail)
'Iao Valley State Park
23. See ‘Iao Valley
A lush rainforest surrounded by towering verdant cliffs, ‘Iao Valley is the second wettest place in Hawai’i. Conveniently accessible from Central Maui, ‘Iao Valley State Park has paved walkways, informational signs, and beautiful sightseeing so that it is easily accessible to all.
‘Iao Valley State Park Page

24. Visit museums and learn about Maui’s history
Maui’s rich history can be uncovered at the many modest museums throughout the island. The Bailey House museum in Wailuku, the Sugar museum in Kahlui (Pu’unene), the Hana Cultural Center in Hana, the Hawaii Nature Center in ‘Iao and the Maui Ocean Center in Ma’alaia are the most popular.
Hawaii Museums Association Website | Maui Page
(More MG articles in development – check back)

25. Take a helicopter tour
Take an exhilarating ride to witness Maui from a bird’s-eye view. The quickest and most exciting way to tour through Maui’s many micro-climates – from the Martian landscape of Haleakala Crater to the verdant East Maui rainforest. Touring by helicopter allows you to see loads in just an hour or two, and to fly into otherwise inaccessible areas. There are four companies to choose from.
Helicopter Tours


Red Sand Beach is a dramatically beautiful place that words can not rightly describe.
Red Sand Beach
26. See an out-of-this-world Red Sand Beach
Red Sand Beach in Hana is an adventure: a short, but dramatic hike leads to a beautiful place likely unlike any you’ve ever seen. The beach itself is isolated, somewhat difficult to find and protected from the raging sea. Made of rust-red smoothed lava cinder pebbles and sand, this beach looks out-of-this-world against the deep blue sea and black lava rock sticking out of the ocean.
Red Sand Beach Page

27. Taste sparkling pineapple wine
The Tedeschi Winery in scenic Uluplakua is Maui’s only winery. The grounds have beautiful views and are well groomed and planted with abundant flowers, shrubs, flowering vines and stately trees.
Keokea through Ulupalakua Page
 

The Pi'ilanihale Heiau at Kahanu Garden
The corner of Pi'ilanihale Heiau at Kahanu Garden
28. See Hawaii’s Largest Heiau
The Kahanu Garden in Hana showcases many native and Polynesian introduced plants alongside the states largest heiau. If you’re interested in tropical plants or Hawaiian culture, this is a must-see on your trip to Hana.
Kahanu Garden Page

29. Volunteer on vacation
Instead of only consuming and taking, volunteering on vacation allows you to make a difference from your visit. Activities include the removal of invasive species, helping to restore native plants, helping to protect cultural sites and cleaning up beaches. Besides the good deed and feeling, volunteers often get access to protected areas and a small gift.
Pacific Whale Foundation Volunteering on Vacation Page


A popular place to learn SCUBA
Learning SCUBA at Kahekili Beach Park
30. Learn SCUBA
What better place to learn SCUBA than on a coral reef teeming with life found nowhere else on Earth? Most resorts and many dive shops offer SCUBA certification.
SCUBA Charters & Gear

31. Learn to spearfish
Like to fish? Like to hunt with a crossbow? How about snorkeling and free-diving? If you like all these things then you’ll think spearfishing is off the hook. (Sorry!) With spearfishing you have a spear gun similar to a crossbow for taking down your prey. It takes some getting used to, as the spear travels at a slower speed under water than an arrow does on land. If you’d like to learn how, contact me and I can hook you up with a friend of mine who offers private lessons in his best secret spots. 


A view of the docking area in Lahaina.
Pick a fishing boat.

32. Go fishing for the big ones
Surrounded by all this ocean there are plenty of options for sport fishing. Most boats depart from Ma’alaea & Lahaina harbors.
Sportfishing Charters

33. Atune your aura
Maui is known among the new-age community to be one of the strongest focal points for healing energy on the planet. This has brought many of the world’s best energy workers to settle here and offer their services. From training in Reiki to Chakra balancing, there is no shortage. Maui Vision Magazine is Maui’s periodical where many practitioners can be found. 

34. Watch the whales
During the winter and spring months Maui is graced with countless humpback whales birthing and mating. Whales can be observed from many roadside lookouts, beaches, or up-close on a whale-watch boat.
(lists of best lookouts coming soon)
Whale Watch Charters


Ali'i Kula Lavender
Ali'i Kula Lavender

35. Tour and relax at a lavender farm
The ladies absolutely love this place – Ali’i Kula Lavender is framed as agro-tourism and a farm, but this is really about women pampering themselves. The place sells everything you could imagine with lavender and offers self-guided and guided tours.
Ali’i Kula Lavender Article
 
36. Enjoy a wellness adventure vacation
If you would like to enjoy adventure, wellness and surfing as the themes to your vacation and want every detail taken care for you, SwellWomen on the West Side of Maui offers all inclusive surf and yoga retreats. Don’t let the name fool you – aside from the women-only retreats, SwellWomen also offers co-ed weeks throughout the year.
SwellWomen website

Black Rock is great fun to jump from!
Black Rock

37. Jump from a sea cliff into the oceanBlack Rock on Ka’anapali Beach is the perfect place to get your adrenaline fix. Easy to climb, and crystal clear water with few hazards below. Bonus is you’ll likely be swimming with sea turtles in the water!

38. Camp on the beach, mountains and rainforest
There are many climate zones in Maui, and you can camp in most of them. Nothing brings you closer to the land than living on it. Campgrounds can be found in West Maui:Olowalu (private) and Papalaua Wayside Park (county/beach); Central Maui: Kanaha Beach; East Maui/Hana:Kipahulu (Seven Pools), Waianapanapa; Upcountry: Hosmer’s Grove, Haleakala Crater, Polipoli Springs.
(MG Kanaha Beach, Hosmer’s Grove, Polipoli & a general camping article are all currently in development – check back for updated links)


Yeah, this guy stuck the landing: 10.0!
You don't need to be this good ;-)

39. Go boogie boarding
There are more beaches to boogie board than you can shake a stick at. Skill levels range from “floating on a tiny wake till you’re beached” to overhead big-wave sponging with fins and fancy board. Depending on the time of year and the swell, the more experienced will need to seek out the best breaks, while the novices will be able to boogie board at most small shore break beaches.
Search “boogie board” for the most popular. 

40. Explore sea life in tide pools
Tide pools are their own ecosystem, and kids & nature lovers will find endless enjoyment exploring them. You’ll encounter these at most beaches if you look, but if you really wanna get serious, search on “tide pools” to uncover our favorites.
A Na'ili'ili haele waterfall
A Na'ili'ili haele Haele hike waterfall

41. Swim under a waterfall
What tropical fantasy doesn’t include this scene? There are loads of spectacular waterfalls with pools along the North Shore and Road to Hana. The Waterfalls category will show you our favorites.

42. Watch world-class surfers at Jaws
Jaws is a huge tow-in surf break on the North Shore of Maui that sports the worlds largest surfable waves.
Jaws Page

43. Sip Mai Tai’s on the beach
No instructions needs for this one. ;-)
(Note: Consumption of alcohol on most beaches by those of legal drinking age (21) is legal in Maui.) 

44. Stargaze on Haleakala.
The summit of Haleakala ranks among the very best sites in the world for viewing the night sky. Even if you’re not normally a stargazer, the view of the night sky from here is unforgettably out of this world!
Haleakala Crater Page


Black sand beach
Black Sand Beach

45. See a black sand beach
The Black Sand beach at Wai’anapanapa in Hana is a big draw for many visitors – there is something about black sand that fascinates folks. Another far lesser known black sand beach is Oneuli Beach in Wailea. There are many more “unknown” black sand beaches between Hana and Wailea just waiting to be discovered by the adventurous.
MG will have at least two more lesser-known black sand beaches soon!

46. Behold vast barren lava fields
Past Makena, at the end of the road is the ‘Ahihi-Kiana’u Reserve area, large stretches of Maui’s most recent lava flow can be viewed here. Hikes in this area have been suspended, but the view is still striking. These flows can also be viewed from the Ulapalakua area just past Kula as you finish the tour around the backside from Hana– or if you’re visiting the winery.
(MG article on ‘Ahihi-Kiana’u currently in development – check back for updated links)

Smmmmmooooch!
Smmmmmooooch!

47. Get married on the beach
What could be more romantic than saying your vows (or renewing them) on the beach in Maui? I have a good friend in the industry if you need some direction, just contact me.

48. See a blowhole
A blowhole is hole in the ground that connects to an underground, partially submerged ocean cave. The cave and opening are shaped in such a way that when the ocean rises or waves crash into it, a jet of water shoots into the air. Maui has two notable blowholes, including: Nakalele Blowhole in West Maui and Waianapanapa in Hana. 

49. Drive a circle around West Maui
The northern side of West Maui has been called “West Maui’s Road to Hana” – while I don’t know about all of that (sorry, not even close), it is a special drive that no adventurer should miss. If winding narrow roads at the edges of cliffs make you nervous, you’d best skip this one – although driving clockwise puts you on the “body-shop side” of a miscalculation (rather than the “free-fall-plunge-o-death” the guy coming the other way will experience.) There are many stops along the way and the majority of this trip is largely for driving and sightseeing enjoyment.
West Maui’s North Shore Page

The Pipiwai Trail cuts though an immense and unforgettable bamboo forest
Pipiwai Trail bamboo forest

50. Hike in a bamboo forest
The ambiance and hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another transports people to a zen nether-world. The most popular bamboo forest hike through gigantic bamboo stalks is just past Hana at the Pipiwai Trail. A shorter hike (with correspondingly shorter bamboo) is one of the first waterfall hikes on the Road to Hana at the Nailiilihaele Stream & Waterfall Hike.

51. See Charles Lindbergh’s grave
The famous aviator is buried 8 miles past Hana in Kipahulu, in a non-assuming, simple marked grave of his own design. Lindbergh’s grave can be found at Palapala Ho’omau Church under the shade of a Java plum tree.
Back Side of Haleakala Page

Photo by Ron Dahlquist
(Photo: Ron Dahlquist)

52. Ride on a horse into the Haleakala Crater
Going into the Crater on a horse will take regular folks a whole lot further in than most would otherwise see. The ride starts at the summit and takes Sliding Sands trail to the base of the crater 3.8 miles in.
Pony Express Page
 
53. Go to a Luau
Luau’s are a feast of food combined with great Hawaiian and Polynesian entertainment. Maui has nine regular commercial luaus (in varying degrees of authenticity.) The overall highest-rated and most authentic luau is the Old Lahaina Luau. The best intimate, high-end luau for couples is the Feast at Lele (also in Lahaina Town.)All West Maui Luaus

54. Take a long walk/run on the beach
Maui has no shortage of contenders for this one – favorites by region: West Maui:Ka’anapali Beach; North Kihei: Sugar Beach (article planned), Kihei: the Kama’ole Beaches; Makena:Big Beach; Central Maui: Kanaha Beach (article in progress); North Shore:Baby Beach along Baldwin Beach Park and ending at Paia Bay.


Front Street, Lahaina
 Shopping in Lahaina

55. Go shopping!
There is shopping here for every taste and style – from t-shirts to Versace, from skimpy bikinis to Rolex watches. If shopping is your bag, Maui won’t leave you wanting for places to break out the plastic! 

56. Bare it all on a nude beach
By far the most well known (and populated) clothing optional beach is Little Beach in South Maui. There are also a few lesser-known secluded clothing optional beaches. Law and cultural acceptance vary, so read the nude beach page before you decide to swim in your birthday suit!

Much of the road is a lumpy, bumpy patchwork asphalt strip less than two cars wide.
Much of the road is a lumpy, bumpy, narrow patchwork of asphalt laid down over years, one shovel at a time.

57. Drive on from the Road to Hana.
If you’re an adventurer who appreciates “the road less traveled”, continue on past Hana and Kipahulu to Haleakala’s back side. It’s a wonderfully scenic continuation of the Hana trip as the road hugs the coast before gaining altitude above South Maui.
Back Side of Haleakala Page

58. Explore Maui’s longest lava tube
A cool change of pace from the typical Road to Hana trip – you can explore a portion of the largest lava tube (cave) in Maui. Many interesting features making it a must-see for those interested in caves and geology. Kids also absolutely love it!
Ka’eleku Cave Page

59. Kayak with whales and dolphins
Rent a kayak and set out to sea. Whales, sea turtles, and other marine life abound. During whale season you’re likely to come astonishingly close to these massive creatures.
(MG article currently under development – check back for link)
Search MG for “Kayak”

60. Watch a free Polynesian dance, drumming and hula show
Presented at the Whaler’s Village shopping center in West Maui, if you won’t be attending a Luau but are interested in dance, this is a quality presentation. Whaler’s Village Stage at Ka’anapali Beach, daily from 7-8pm.
Whaler’s Village Website | Event Page

61. Take a tour of an organic family farm
Past Hana in Kipahulu, Ono Organic Farms offers tours by reservation, including samples of fresh fruit right off the trees. Tours are limited to just Monday and Thursday afternoons at 2:30 PM – you must make a reservation.
Ono Farms website
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Jaws aka Pe'ahi

October 6, 2014, 2:49 pm
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Jaws (Surf Break aka Pe’ahi)

 Article from Mark/ Maui Guide Book
When the North Shore surf is big, Jaws is gigantic.
When the North Shore surf is big, Jaws is gigantic.

Rating:★★★★½
In a nutshell:The biggest wave surfed in the world each year has been at Pe’ahi more than any other place.
Minuses:The access road can be 4WD
Sound-bite:[crashing waves, cheers and helicopters]
Disclaimer on the rating:
Pe’ahi is only “must-see spectacular” when the North Shore is having monster surf (look for high surf warnings and consult the real-time wave data chart below.)

Key Info:
Mile Marker: Between #13 & 14 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 36)
GPS Coordinates: 20.942202,-156.300688
Facilities: None
Map: Below | Get directions
Current Wave Data: Below


Summary
Pe’ahi is Maui’s biggest surfing break, and the yearly Billabong XXL Global Big Wave contest has listed Jaws as the winning break more than any other place. When Jaws is going off, the top names in surfing flock here – and mere mortals follow to watch in awe.
What is Tow-in Surfing?
Tow-in surfing is when the waves are so large that the only way a pro surfer can get in to them (in one piece, anyway) is to be skillfully towed in, and dropped off, via Jet Ski. In recent years surfers have started paddling in to this break that was previously only attempted as a tow-in.
“Jaws” is certainly the most well known, and also the most geographically specific name for the surf break. The name “Pe’ahi” has become more popular with surfers trying to draw connection with local culture as of late – so it is now common to hear that name used as well. (Pe’ahi is actually the name of the much larger ahupua'a.) If two names weren’t enough, according to Kupuna Leslie Kuloloio, the traditional Hawaiian name for this spot is “Ke Kai ‘o Waitakulu”, which he translates as “The Teary Eye.”

The Bad News
Before you add this to your must-do list for your Maui vacation, here is the bad news: chances are you won’t be able to. Most years there are just a few big-wave events with the perfect conditions for surfing Jaws. So, you’re going to need some luck with timing!
If you are lucky enough to see this in person, you’re sure to appreciate the magnitude of these feats of athleticism. (Check out the You Tube video below for better perspective of how big these waves actually are.)

Facebook Page
like Alexandra Rayburn's Facebook page and share your photos or simply enjoy other jaws fans photos
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October 6, 2014, 3:14 pm
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 Ref to : http://www.lovebigisland.com/hawaii-blog/2014-astronomy-calendar/#lunar-eclipse-oct

2014 Stargazing Calendar for Hawaii

astronomy calendar 2014

With the 2014 astronomy calendar for Hawaii you will always be up to date on the most exciting astronomical events in the Hawaiian skies in 2014. As the events draw close we will update the viewing information. For now you should reserve the following dates in your calendar for stargazing:
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