THINGS TO DO DURING YOUR STAY

You need much more than five perfect days to spend on Maui! But, if your time is short, you can choose from a long list of activities to enjoy a perfect island vacation.

Golden beaches give way to rolling hills and the misty mountain as you ascend into Upcountry Maui, which is located on the higher elevations surrounding Haleakala’s volcanic crater ―Maui island’s highest peak.

Maui’s Upcountry area is comprised of Keokea, Kula, Makawao, Pukalani and Hali’imaile.Each of these communities has its own distinct identity, making Upcountry Maui a diverse place to live. The nearest restaurants to dine for breakfast lunch and dinner are Grandmas Coffee House, La Provence, and the Kula Bistro.

From your doorstep in Keokea―a favorite among the local residents is Thompson Road as the best spot on Maui for an early morning jog or exhilarating walk. Begin with tea or coffee from Grandma's Coffee House, it’s about a 3-mile round trip with incredible vistas everywhere you look. Bordered by lush green pastures and historic lava rock walls, Thompson Road offers epic views that stretch from the Makena shoreline nearly 3,000 feet below, all the way to the summit of Haleakala crater.

You can explore horseback riding through eucalyptus forests and green pastures with breathtaking views of the neighbor islands hosted by Thompson Ranch and Riding Stables, or you can have personal riding lessons with Halo Horsemanship - all within walking distance from your guest-suite. An unforgettable once in a lifetime experience hosted by Proflyght Paragliding, the oldest and only full-time paragliding school in Hawaii is nearby. Visiting Pilots will love flying on Maui, and for the family, flying tandem with a certified instructor is a great way to experience the thrill of paragliding. Afterwards, you can treat yourself to all-things ‘lavender’ at the nearby Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm―all within a 2-7 min drive.

One of Maui’s most memorable experiences is seeing the Haleakala sunrise or sunset. Haleakala in Hawaiian “House of the Sun” towers over the island of Maui at 10,023 feet above sea level, setting the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes and skyscapes of its dormant volcano. The stunning landscapes of the National Park range from Mars-like red deserts and rock gardens near the summit to lush green forests of waterfalls and streams in the coastal section near Hana. Visitors wishing to view sunrise at Haleakala National Park will need to make reservations ahead of time.

A short scenic drive from Grandma’s will bring you to Maui’s Ulupalakua Vineyards, where Maui Wine produces a variety of wines such as Chardonnay and Syrah for the wine purist, but what makes them unique and truly worth a visit is their line of pineapple wines. Experience wine tasting island style.

Located on the rural northwest slope of Haleakala on East Maui, Makawao town is the crossroads of upcountry Maui and is famous for its Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. From Keokea it is a 12.7-mile drive to Makawao and a unique stop on your visit with great stores, galleries and restaurants.

Heading North leads down Baldwin Avenue, past pineapple fields and great views that ends at Pa’ia town. A popular favorite on the north shore in Paia is Baldwin Beach Park, which features on the west end, “Baby Beach” where you’ll find a protective seawall providing a sheltered saltwater pool―great for little ones. The east end of the beach known as the “Cove” comes with a magnificent stretch of beach perfect for an early morning or sunset walk.

On Maui’s north coast, Paia is a historic Maui town featuring Ho’okipa Beach Park known as the “windsurfing capital of the world.” Once a sugar plantation town, Paia today is a favorite stop filled with colorful storefronts, local art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, cafes, great restaurants, night-life and the island’s best organic grocery store, Mana Foods. It is the last stop to fill up your tank before reaching Hana. Located 1.5 miles past Paia on the road to Hana is Maui’s landmark Mama’s Fish House Restaurant located on the beach offering an incredible dining experience is close by to Ho’okipa Beach Park, a world-renowned surfing and wind-surfing destination. During the winter months, when the North Shore surf is up, this is a great lookout for watching the best surfers and wind-surfers in the world.

The legendary Road to Hana, one of Hawaii’s most famous drives, is only 52 miles from Kahului (airport), however the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete as the road has 620 curves and 59 bridges. As you will encounter challenging turns and narrow bridges, it is important to exercise caution and take your time. Along the way, you’ll see amazing beauty, fresh local food stands, gardens, beaches and more…There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the views, so get an early start and take your time on your drive. Cell phone reception is not reliable.

You can swim and sunbathe at Hana Beach Park or Hamoa Beach, cited by the author James Michener as the most beautiful beach in the Pacific. 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 stop for all Hana adventures. If you would like to take a guided tour, Hike Maui operating for more than 30 years provides a full day Hana excursion of waterfalls and rain-forest hikes, or along the cinder-lined trails in Haleakala Crater.

You could spend a day visiting Maui’s best south-side beaches. Traditionally summer months mean calm conditions on the northern shores of the island, whereas south facing shores are the calmest in winter. If beaches in Kapalua, Napili, or Pai‘a have large, crashing shore-break, it likely means that Kihei beaches are almost calm. Also, most afternoons have strong trade-winds—particularly in the summer—so morning hours are always best for paddling, snorkeling or kayaking.

Three thousand feet below Keokea, Makena Beach is one of Maui's signature beaches. With three different entrances, Makena Beach State Park is composed of “Big Beach” and “Little Beach” with white sand extending nearly 2/3 of a mile long, and is one of the largest beaches in Maui. Little Beach is one of Maui’s few nude beaches on the island. Wailea Beach offers excellent swimming with restrooms and equipment rentals. A paved beach path lets you meander past Wailea’s luxury hotels, restaurants and shops.

Lahaina is a historic town located on the west side of Maui, 45 minutes from the Kahului Airport. Once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early nineteenth century, Lahaina was a historic whaling village―now a Maui hot spot with many art galleries, unique shops and restaurants. Experience an unforgettable day or sunset cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation offering a truly unique, educational and fun adventure at sea. During the winter months, you can set sail from Lahaina Harbor for a whale watching tour where the channel off the coast is one of the best places in the world to experience humpback whales.

Ten minutes from Lahaina, Kaanapali Beach is known as West Maui’s “signature” beach, offering 3 miles of white sand and easy walking distance from all Kaanapali hotels. Puu Kekaa, also known as Black Rock, on the northernmost section of the beach is excellent for those experienced in snorkeling.

From Kaanapali, the 46-mile drive back to Keokea can take just over an hour. On your way, just off the Kula Highway, you can stop for dinner at Hali’imailie General Store, Bev Gannon’s original and most acclaimed restaurant featuring eclectic Pacific regional American cuisine with Asian overtones. Across from Hali’imailie General Store, you will find the wonders of Makai Glass Creations featuring a ‘Fine Glass Art & Glassblowing Studio’ of unique blown glass sculptures inspired by the sea life and volcanic formations of the Hawaiian Islands.

On Saturday mornings between 7am -11 am, the Upcountry Farmers Market offers a great venue to find unique hand-made island inspired gifts, local fruits and organic snacks. Located at the Kulamalu Town Center, Hwy 37 near Longs Drugs, Pukalani, Kula. Next to the football field, just follow the signs.

You can start the day with a fresh coconut water from Coconut Willie’s stand and savor a shot of organic turmeric from Maui Tonics. A favorite treat for breakfast or brunch can be found at Maui Cones, where you’ll find deliciously prepared fresh caught local ahi, mahi-mahi, poisson-cru and mochiko cones. Get there early enough before they sold out. For those who seek gluten free, The Soulfull Pantry offers wonderful muffins, granola mixes and glazed donuts made with raspberries, mango, coconut and much more. At Maui Seeds you will find beautiful handmade soaps made from the finest ingredients―a great gift item to take home for friends and family.

If at any time you find yourself driving through Kahului, Maui’s central town district, not far from the airport at the crossroads at 395 Dairy Road and Hana Hwy, a must stop at Hawaiian artist, Rachel Ray’s Art Collection―a treasure trove of beautiful gift items―is highly recommended.

Plan ahead, choose your day’s adventure and enjoy a wonderful Maui vacation.