Spring Break on Maui Hawai'i

Maui, HI: Lasso the Sun, Wrestle a Rainbow, Tie Down the Tide
Let the legend of Maui be your inspirational guide to a weekend in the island outdoors.
Recommendations & Suggestions

Ancient Hawaiian legend has it that a demi-god named Maui once climbed on top of a volcano and lassoed the sun with coconut fiber so there would be extra daylight. While you might not achieve demi-god status this weekend, the adventurer in you is sure to be inspired by the island where this heroic tale originated.

Start the day off right with a sunrise jaunt up the storied volcano, Halekala. Hike the Ridge Trail for legendary island views. Maui's south shore has storybook kayaking conditions and affords up-close looks at lazing sea turtles and playful dolphins, and the occasional glimpse of a humpback whale in the distance. Snorkelers will discover an underwater rainbow in the multi-colored fish of the clear waters off of Molokini Crater. When the sun finally sets, picnic amidst banana trees near the Puaakaa Wayside waterfall, and nod off on a black sand beach, dreaming of tomorrow's legendary adventures.

Haleakala
Phone: 808.572.4400

East Maui is dominated by the largest dormant volcano is the world, the 10,000 ft Haleakala.
A visit to Haleakala is worth your while. There are fantastic hiking trails across the volcano's moonscape crater floor and, for all you early risers, Haleakala's crater rim offers a perfect place to watch the sun rise. The windward side of Haleakala is beautifully lush, wet and rugged. It's skirted by the justly famous, coastal Hana Highway which passes tropical jungle, roadside waterfalls and quiet country towns. The Western slopes of Haleakala have some of Maui's finest countryside, with cloud forests, rolling greens hills and landscaped gardens and wineries. There's also great hiking in the nearby Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area in the Kula Forest Reserve.

Road to Hana

Phone: 808.661.0031

The Road to Hana, which leads you to the town of Hana, is an experience in itself. The Road to Hana follows an ancient Hawaiian trail through rain forests, lush with ferns and flowering trees, along the northeastern coast of Maui to black-sand beaches and small towns damp from tropical showers. This road is isolated from the rest of the island and winds you through the last bit of undeveloped tropical land on Maui. Spectacular waterfalls, the rugged Hana shoreline, and some of the best beaches on the island only begin to describe what awaits you on this journey.

On your journey, check out Puohokamoa Falls (at the 11 mi/18 km marker), a great place to stop for lunch and a swim, Keanae Arboretum (at the 16 mi/26 km marker), where paths through a tropical garden put dozens of native plants and flowers before you, Keanae Peninsula (just past the arboretum) for a great view of Haleakala) and Waianapanapa State Park (around the 30 mi/48 km marker), where dripping caves and a black-sand beach provide a great place to cool off with a swim and admire the surroundings. Finally, you'll arrive in the town on Hana, where cottages with colorful flower boxes line the damp streets and the air smells of sweet orchids. The rolling hills of Hana descend to Hana Bay, where you can walk along the beach or visit the town's recently reopened tropical botanical garden, Kahanu Garden.

Please be warned that the Road to Hana is a rugged journey and not for the faint of heart. There are many hairpin turns along the way. Prepared to spend the entire day going and
coming, as there's a lot to see and do along the way. Although the signs just outside Kahului read Hana 50 mi/80 km, the more than 50 one lane bridges, 600 turns and 25 mile per hour speed limit, make the trip to Hana about 3 1/2 hours long. Leave for your journey with a full tank of gas and plenty of snacks and cold drinks. Don't forget to bring a bathing suit and towel, as you'll want to swim in the many waterfall-fed pools along the way.

Maui Ocean Center
192 Ma'alaea Road
Phone: 808.270.7000

The Maui Ocean Center, the largest tropical aquarium in the western hemisphere is located on three acres of beautiful oceanfront property and a "must see." Pay a visit to this world-class, state-of-the-art aquarium, built to highlight the islands' vibrant, abundant and unusual sea life. Indoor and outdoor exhibits include a walk-through tunnel that allows you to come face-to-face with sharks, a turtle lagoon, a sea jelly exhibit, a whale discovery center and a spectacular coral reef display that mirrors the scenery down under. Through browsing fish? You can also dine at the center's Ma'alaea Seascape Restaurant, which overlooks the harbor, and shop for souvenirs in the Maui Ocean Center Store. Admission for adults is $18.
Hours: Open daily 9am-5pm

Jaws
No, it's not the movie shark, but the legendary waves here have been known to consume their share of surfers. This break off of Maui's north shore is world famous, thanks to coconut wireless (Maui-speak for "word of mouth") amongst the world's best surfers, as well as a 1998 cover story in National Geographic. On a good day, there are easily 30-50 foot waves at Jaws, so big that jet skis are needed to get out to them. You can find Jaws about 10 minutes past Hookipa Beach on the road to Hana and then down a road toward the ocean -- follow the parade of surf mobiles headed that way and you're sure to find what you're looking for. February is one of the most popular months here, as the waves are peaking.

Posted by mauiqueen at March 25, 2004 09:35 AM | TrackBack