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WEEKEND GETAWAYS - Friday, May 5, 2006
Make The Most Of Your Vacation - From Coast to Coast!
Comment The Post Below...
Greetings Getaway Lover,
Well now that vacation season is here, we're going to
visit a dream of mine. I know It will never happen to
me because I WILL NOT fly but to all of you who do,
this is the place....Have a Wonderful time!!!!
Happy Trails,
Jan
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--DESTINATION: Maui
Maui no ka 'oi -- Maui is the best, the most, the top
of the heap. To those who know the island well, there's
good reason for the superlatives. The second-largest in
the Hawaiian chain, the Valley Isle has made a name for
itself with its tropical allure, arts and cultural
activities, and miles of perfect-tan beaches. Popularity
and success have led to some modern-day problems: too
many cars, for example. Still, from the chilly heights
of Haleakala to the below-sea-level taro beds of Ke'anae
Peninsula, Maui continues to weave a spell over the more
than 2 million people who visit its shores each year.
Pursuits range from hiking in a crater to swimming under
a waterfall to diving with sea turtles. This is without
question the most diversified island, recommended for a
family or group with divergent interests.
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--WHAT TO DO AND SEE:
Great 1-Day Itineraries
Maui's landscape is incredibly diverse, offering every-
thing from underwater encounters with eagle rays to treks
across moonlike terrain. Although daydreaming at the pool
or on the beach may fulfill your initial island fantasy,
Maui has much more to offer. The following one-day
itineraries will take you to our favorite spots on the
island.
A Day at the Beach in West Maui
West Maui has some of the island's most beautiful beaches,
though many of them are hidden by megaresorts. If you get
an early start, you can begin your day snorkeling at
Slaughterhouse Beach (in winter, D. T. Fleming Beach is a
better option as it's less rough). Then spend the day
beach-hopping through Kapalua, Napili, and Ka'anapali as
you make your way south. You'll want to get to Lahaina
before dark so you can spend some time exploring the
historic whaling town before choosing a restaurant for a
sunset dinner.
Focus on Marine Life on the South Shore
Start your South Shore trip early in the morning, and head
out past Makena into the rough lava fields of rugged
La Pérouse Bay. At the road's end, the 'Ahihi-Kina'u Marine
Preserve has no beach, but it's a rich spot for snorkeling
and getting to know Maui's spectacular underwater world.
Head to Kihei for lunch then enjoy the afternoon learning
more about Maui's marine life at the Maui Ocean Center at
Ma'alaea.
Haleakala National Park, Upcountry & the North Shore
If you don't plan to spend an entire day hiking in the
crater at Haleakala National Park, this itinerary will at
least allow you to take a peek at it. Get up early and
head straight for the summit of Haleakala (if you're jet-
lagged and waking up in the middle of the night, you may
want to get there in time for sunrise). Bring water, sun
screen, and warm clothing (it's freezing at sunrise). Plan
to spend a couple of hours exploring the various look-out
points in the park. On your way down the mountain, turn
right on Makawao Avenue, and head into the little town of
Makawao. You can have lunch here, or make a left on
Baldwin Avenue and head downhill to the town of Pa'ia
where there are a number of great lunch spots and shops to
explore. Spend the rest of your afternoon at Pa'ia's main
strip of sand, Ho'okipa Beach.
The Road to Hana
This cliff-side driving tour through rain-forest canopy
reveals Maui's most lush and tropical terrain. It will
take a full day, especially if you plan to make it all
the way to 'Oheo Gulch. You'll pass through communities
where old Hawai'i still thrives, and where the forest
runs unchecked from the sea to the summit. You'll want
to make frequent exploratory stops. To really soak in
the magic of this place, consider staying overnight in
Hana town. That way you can spend a full day winding
toward Hana, hiking and exploring along the way, and
the next day traveling leisurely back to civilization.
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Other Places of Interest:
Maui Beaches
On Maui, you can bury your toes in golden, sugary-white,
black, or even red sand beaches. All of Hawai'i's beaches
are free and open to the public -- even those that grace
the front yards of fancy hotels -- so you can make yourself
at home on any one of them. Some of the prettiest beaches
are often hidden by buildings; look for the blue, beach-
access signs that indicate rights-of-way through condo-
miniums, resorts, and other private properties.
The island's leeward shores (the South Shore and West Side)
have the calmest, sunniest beaches. Hit the beach early,
when the aquamarine waters are as accommodating as bathwater.
In summer, afternoon winds can be a sandblasting force,
which can chase even the most dedicated sun worshippers
away.
West Maui
West Maui beaches are the stuff of legend -- glittering
aquamarine waters banked by long stretches of golden sand.
Reef fronts much of the western shore, making the under-
water panorama something to behold. The beaches listed
here start in the north at Kapalua and head south to
Ka'anapali.
The South Shore
Sandy beach fronts nearly the entire southern coastline
from Kihei at the northern end to Makena at the southern
tip. The farther south you go, the better the beaches get.
Kihei has excellent beach parks right in town, with white
sand, showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and BBQs. Good
snorkeling can be done along the beaches' rocky borders.
If Kihei is excellent, though, Wailea is even better.
Wailea's beaches are cleaner, facilities tidier, and views
even more impressive. Note that break-ins have been
reported at many of these beach parking lots. As you head
out to Makena, the terrain gets wilder. Bring lunch and
water with you. The following South Shore beaches are
listed from north Kihei southeast to Makena.
The North Shore
Many of the folks you see jaywalking in Pa'ia sold every-
thing they owned to come to Maui and live a beach bum's
life. Beach culture abounds on the North Shore. But these
folks aren't sunbathers, they're big-wave riders,
windsurfers, or kite boarders. The North Shore is their
challenging sports arena. Beaches here face the open
ocean and tend to be rougher and windier than beaches
elsewhere on Maui -- but don't let that scare you off. On
calm days, the reef-speckled waters are truly beautiful
and offer a beach-going experience quieter and less com-
mercial than the leeward shore. Beaches below are listed
from Kahului (near the airport) eastward to Ho'okipa.
East Maui
Hana's beaches will literally stop you in your tracks,
they're that beautiful. Black-and-red sands stand out
against pewter skies and lush tropical foliage creating
picture-perfect scenes, which seem too breathtaking to
be real. Rough conditions often preclude swimming, but
don't let that stop you from exploring the shoreline.
Beaches below are listed in order from the west end of
Hana town eastward.
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--WHERE TO SLEEP:
Aloha Cottages
The two secluded cottages on this property, the Bali
Bungalow and the Thai Treehouse, are perfect for honey-
mooners or anyone else seeking a romantic getaway. The
property abounds with lush tropical greenery allowing
each cottage complete privacy. Intricate woodwork and
furnishings, all imported from Bali, give the interiors
an exotic feel. Each cottage has a large comfortable bed,
fully equipped kitchen, and outdoor hot tub on a private
lanai. Ranjana, your hostess, is happy to assist you with
planning activities and booking restaurants. She can also
arrange for a private massage, yoga lessons, or even a
candlelight dinner in the "Lotus House" on the property.
The restaurants and shops of Makawao are a short drive
away. www.alohacottage.com. 2 rooms. Fans, kitchens, cable
TV, in-room VCRs, in-room data ports, outdoor hot tubs; no
a/c, no kids, no smoking. MC, V.
Address: 1879 Olinda Rd., Makawao, HI 96768, USA
Phone: 808/573-8500
Aston at Papakea Resort
$150 to Over $200, Honokowai
Although this oceanfront condominium has no beach, there
are several close by. And with classes on swimming,
snorkeling, pineapple cutting, and more, you'll have
plenty to keep you busy. Papakea has built-in privacy
because its units are spread out among 11 low-rise build-
ings on some 13 acres of land; bamboo-lined walkways
between buildings and fish-stocked ponds add to the
serenity. Fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities
make longer stays easy here. www.aston-hotels.com. 364
units. Kitchens, putting green, 4 tennis courts, 2 pools,
hot tub, sauna, children's programs (ages 5-12), laundry
facilities, A/C. AE, MC, V.
Address: 3543 Lower Honoapi'ilani Hwy., Honokowai, HI
96761, USA
Phone: 808/669-4848 or 800/922-7866
Fax: 808/922-8785
Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel
Under $60, Wailuku
A typical lively and cosmopolitan hostel, Banana Bungalow
offers the cheapest accommodations on the island. Private
rooms have one queen or two single beds; bathrooms are
down the hall. Dorm rooms are available for $22 per night.
Free daily tours to waterfalls, beaches, and Haleakala
Crater make this a stellar deal. (Yes, the tours are free.)
The property's amenities include free high-speed Internet
access in the common room, kitchen privileges, a Jacuzzi,
and banana trees ripe for the picking. Tucked in an out-of-
the-way corner of Wailuku, the old building has splendid
mountain views. www.mauihostel.com. 38 rooms. BBQ, kitchen,
laundry facilities, Internet; no a/c. MC, V.
Address: 310 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
Phone: 808/244-5090 or 800/846-7835
Bambula Inn
$60 to $150, Lahaina
This casual sprawling house in a quiet Lahaina residen-
tial area has two studio apartments, one attached to the
house and one freestanding. No breakfast is served; this
is a move-in-and-hang-out beach house. Just across the
street is a small beach, and moored just offshore is a
sailboat hand-built by the owner. He likes to take his
guests out for whale-watching and sunset sails, no charge.
He also provides snorkel equipment. This is a friendly,
easygoing way to visit Lahaina. www.bambula.com. 2
studios. Fans, kitchens, kitchenettes, cable TV; no a/c
in some rooms. AE, D, MC, V.
Address: 518 Ilikahi St., Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Phone: 808/667-6753 or 800/544-5524
Fax: 808/667-0979
--WHERE TO DINE:
Aloha Mixed Plate
Hawaiian, Under $7 to $20, Lahaina
Set right on the ocean, this funky open-air bar and
restaurant is a great place for "ono grinds" -- good
food in Hawaiian slang. Crispy coconut prawns, taro
burgers, shoyu chicken, and kahlua pork are favorite
island comfort foods (these are the things local kids
daydream about when they're sent away to college). You
too can indulge in these Hawaiian treats at this awe-
some outdoor location. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Address: 1286 Front St., Lahaina, HI, USA
Phone: 808/661-3322
Blue Marlin Harborfront Grill & Bar
Seafood, $7 to $30, Ma'alaea
This is a casual, less expensive alternative to the
Waterfront Restaurant. It's as much a bar as it is a
grill, but the kitchen nonetheless sends out well-
prepared, substantial servings of fresh fish, burgers,
and salads. The sidewalk tables have a lovely view of
the harbor. AE, MC, V.
Address: Ma'alaea Harbor Village, at Old Ma'alaea Rd.
and Honoapi'ilani Hwy., next to Maui Ocean Center,
Ma'alaea, HI, USA
Phone: 808/244-8844
Hula Moons
Hawaiian, $12 to Over $30, Wailea
This delightful oceanside spot is full of memorabilia
chronicling the life of Don Blanding, an artist and poet
who became Hawai'i's unofficial ambassador of aloha in
the 1930s. The vegetarian appetizer of fresh pohole ferns,
Hana tomatoes, and Kula onions is fabulous. Try the bamboo-
steamed whole moi, a fish once reserved for Hawaiian
royalty, or the tangy braised short ribs. Sunday brunch is
one of the most lavish on the island, and the wine list is
extensive. You can dine inside, poolside, or on the terrace.
AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Address: Marriott Wailea Resort, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr.,
Wailea, HI, USA
Phone: 808/879-1922
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********************
--LINKS:
Aloha Cottages
Maui Hotel
Bambula
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