Best Maui Beaches

Aloha to all our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,

What did you think of Keoki's unique Mauna Kea Summit Adventure? Wasn't that something different to do on a Hawaii vacation?! Well, as you can you see a Big Island vacation is not 'just' a beach vacation, even though we really love our Mauna Kea Beach and Hapuna Beach - best and most popular white sand beaches of the Big island - a Big Island vacation is all about adventure, many beyond the ordinary like visiting our live Volcano Kilauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

If the choices are adventure or beaches, we must admit the big majority of Hawaii visitors vacation in Hawaii for its beaches. Is there anybody who can resist a pristine white sandy beach embraced by the exotic fragrances of Hawaiian flowers? Not me! So, when family plans are made for the next Hawaii vacation, it's all about booking a hotel or Hawaii vacation rental, as close as possible to the beach. Whatever Hawaiian island tourists are visiting, their most asked question is 'Where are the best beaches?'. The Hawaiian island which is most well-known of its beaches, is without any question Maui.

So when our friend Julie from Ideal Vacation rentals, one of our guest author of Best Hawaii Vacation Blog and Maui expert, started her new Maui Vacation Guide blog with her first post 'Favorite Maui Beaches', I decided to let her be the expert on Best Maui Beaches. She tells you all about Maui beaches from the perspective of a Maui visitor: best snorkel spots, closeness to Maui resorts and hotels and even shows you some Maui beach photos. Here is the beginning of her 'Maui beach' blog post:

"It is a fact that Maui beaches are rated among the best in the world, and water sports are unsurpassed. Kaanapali Beach is one of our favorite beaches, and here you can either walk for miles on the sand, or take a leisurely stroll along a pathway, which extends from the Hyatt, through Whaler's Village and ends up at the Sheraton Hotel. Black Rock, a popular snorkeling spot with a nice sandy beach is directly in front of the Sheraton.

If you cut through the Sheraton, the walkway continues and goes to Kahekili Beach Park (formerly called airport beach). There is good reef just to the right, in front of the Maui Westin Resort. Here we have seen green sea turtles, lots of colorful fish, octopus and moray eels. The nice thing about this beach, is that because it is a state park it has washrooms, showers, picnic tables, BBQ pits and a large parking lot."

Go visit 'Maui Vacation Guide' for reading Julie's entire bog post on best Maui beaches, including beaches in Kapalua, Napili, Kihei, Wailea, Kaanapali and Makena. Any thoughts on your favorite Maui Beach? We'd love to hear them. Mahalo, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
You were wondering who the sexy girl on the beach in Hawaii is. Easy to answer. It's beautiful Amber from WahineStyle.

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Maui Upcountry

When talking about Maui Vacation on Best Hawaii Vacation blog, a lot is said about the Maui resorts in Hawaii Kapalua (read our recent post Hawaii Kapalua Maui, Kaanapali and Kihei with their famous white sand beaches and ocean front and ocean view Maui condos. It makes perfectly sense that Hawaii tourists focus on sunny, white sand beaches when getting away from rainy Mainland. It comes with a sacrifice. Most of our beloved Hawaii beach areas are overflowing with tourists and thus become 'touristy'.

For all those who want to explore the islands, get to know the real Hawaii and get away from the touristy resorts, Upcountry Maui is the place to go on your Maui vacation. Upcountry Maui begins at Pukalani and climbs the slopes of magnificent Haleakala to the ranchland communities of Makawao, Kula, Keokea and Ulupalakua. These are the areas where you can find the oldest ranches, like Ulupakalua Ranch on the slopes of Haleakala at an elevation of under 2,000 feet.

You can reach the ranch via a scenic drive past horses, cattle and purple blooming jacarandas. Enjoy the panoramic views of Lanai, Molokini and Kahoolawe. The Hawaiian cowboys, knowns as paniolos, are still riding the ranges!

When you decide to stay at one of the lovely upcountry B&Bs, inns or vacation rentals in the coming winter months, be aware that the higher elevation brings colder temperatures to those upcountry areas, especially during the nights. Make sure that there is some heating at your accommodation and have a sweater and long pants available for going out at night. Driving a convertible might not be the right thing, as rain can suddenly surprise you.

Well, one cannot leave Hawaii tourism totally behind when visiting Upcountry Maui. The green rolling pastures of rural Makawao with the blue ocean in the distance is home to beautiful boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. But one got to eat on a day trip outing and a little shopping can be fun too. If you are not into it, drive further up the road to Kula where Maui visitors can find flower farms with beautiful tropical flowers like protea, orchids and bird of paradise.

Kula Botanical Garden is another alternative to visiting boutiques and galleries. The 8-acre garden is located on the slopes of Haleakala and displays colorful and unique plants, amazing rock formations, a covered bridge, waterfalls, koi pond and aviary. Visitors will find hundreds of varieties of plants to enjoy and photograph.

We have hundreds of varieties of plants for you to enjoy and photograph.

There is much more to Upcountry Maui. If you have stayed at one of the wonderful upcountry vacation places or would like to share your upcountry Maui experience with our Hawaii blog visitors, we would love to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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3 Best Things to Do on Maui Vacation

We recently posted an article on 'Things to Do on Maui', which was more or less referring to the area of Central Maui. Today we welcome another guest post by Julie, the owner of Ideal Vacation Rentals, who we consider an expert not just of Hawaii vacation rentals (and vacation rentals around the words!) but also of anything related to your Maui vacation. Here is what Julie has to say about 'Three Best Things to do on Maui':

"The enchanting island of Maui has so many wonderful experiences to offer the visitor that it is hard to think of the best things to do. The reason being is that each person has their own individual preference of what is the "best" for him or her.
In this article I will share with you my choices for the three best things to do on Maui and the reasons I have chosen them.

Visit Maui's best Beaches

First, Maui is all about its wonderful beaches not only because they are beautiful but because of the many things that a person can do at the beach. Probably my favorite all round beach is the Old Airport Beach in Kaanapali, at Kahakili State Park. The coral reef here offers wonderful snorkeling or diving and you can see many colorful tropical fish, including the Hawaiian State fish, Humuhumunukunukuapuaa. Turtles live in caves in this reef and if you are lucky you can go swimming with them. Also to be seen in this underwater garden are octopus, spotted eels, and sometimes you may meet one of the curious spotted eagle rays that are known to visit the area.

Black Rock, also on Kaanapali Beach is another of my favorite beaches for snorkeling. Hookipa Beach, on the North Shore is known as the windsurfing capital of the world so if you are seeking adventure this is the beach to go to. Kayaking, outrigger canoeing and deep sea fishing are also available from many Maui beaches. Just plain relaxing on a Maui beach and enjoying the trade winds and sound of the surf, is another reason to vote for Maui beaches. Not to mention the miles of sand for great walks.

Another of my favorite beaches is Waiohuli Beach in Kihei. It is not one of the most popular ones but to me it is unique because of the many treasures you can find washed up on the shore, from sea urchin shells, to colorful lobsters. It is also a great walking and sunbathing beach. Other great beaches in Maui including the famous Kihei beaches of Kamaole I,II and III and the beautiful Charlie Young Beach. Whale watching from Maui's beaches is often more exciting than paying to go out on an official whale watch, as they come quite close to shore during whale season.

Take a Road Trip to Hana

For the second best thing to do on Maui, I have chosen the famous trip to Hana. This incredibly beautiful drive winds through lush tropical rain forest, past stunning waterfalls and takes you over 59 one lane bridges. You will also enjoy spectacular scenery of the coastline in certain areas. "The Road to Hana" is all about the journey not so much the destination. You can even stop off for some great walks on marked trails, or try some banana bread or a fruit smoothie from vendors at the side of the road.

If you are interested in a self guided tour to get more out of the trip, there are many places in Maui to purchase a tape or CD to play in your car. The audio tour is very well put together and points out just what you are experiencing every turn of the way. Hana is a charming little village with a general store, a few shops, a resort, and a black sand beach. If you drive on past Hana for about 20 minutes you will come to the famous "Seven Sacred Pools" part of Haleakala National Park. If you don't feel like driving the 3 hour trip back the same day, you may want to stay overnight in a cottage or vacation home in Hana.

Visit Maui's Best Luau

The third best thing to do on Maui is to attend one of the many great Luaus, especially if it is your first time to Hawaii. At a luau you will experience the Hawaiian culture through Hula and song, and often there will be an extraordinary fire-eating act to complete the program. You also get to taste the traditional food, such as the Kalua pig which is roasted underground all day long. The Old Lahaina Luau is voted the most Hawaiian luau and one of my favorites is the Hyatt Luau in Kaanapali.

So these are my choices and I hope that you will leave your comments and tell us your ideas for the 3 best things to do on Maui. Let's hope this will help make your Maui vacation your Best Hawaii Vacation. Aloha, Julie"

Once again a big 'Mahalo' Julie for another great guest post about Maui. Your 'Maui Trip Report' found many readers on our Best Hawaii Vacation blog and in the search engines. We are certain this Maui guest post will do so too.

Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Best Maui Attractions Central Maui

So, you got an idea what a house in Hawaii with ocean view at a gated community on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island costs these days, but would like to hear more about Maui for your next vacation or even for moving there.

When writing about Maui, you have to realize that best Maui's locations are defined by geographical location on the island and altitude - from the beach resorts like Maalaea, Kihei, Wailea and Makena on the south coast, the waterfalls and mountains around remote town of Hana, grassy ranchland below Haleakala's summit to West Maui with historic Lahaina and Ka'anapali, Kahana, Napili and Kapalua resorts.

Your Maui visit will probably start with Kahului Airport where you feel warmly welcome after your long flight from the Mainland by the warm breezes of Hawaii and scents of tropical flowers of your greeting flower lei. Kahului, Maui's largest town, and Wailuku form Central Maui. Unfortunately, many tourists immediately get on the way to their West Maui resorts and only a few come back for exploring this area.

Shoppers will enjoy Maui's largest shopping mall, the Ka'ahumanu Shopping Center, in Kahului. However, the lovely town of Wailuku is well worth a visit. Wailuku is situated on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains and has many historic churches and quaint restaurants. Wailuku is also home to the Maui County. If you are interested in Hawaiian traditions and history, visit Bailey House Museum, which displays furnishings of different periods, artifacts and art. The museum is constructed of lava rocks and native hardwood.

Maui visitors know that Wailuku is also the entrance to spectacular Iao Valley, one of Hawaii's most sacred and most beautiful places. Our post photo taken from our Maui vacation photos, shows the popular landmark the 'Iao Needle', a pillar of stone rising 1,200 feet into the air. Hike into Iao valley from the parking lot, till your come to a mountain stream, a perfect location for having a picnic.

To complete your Maui vacation experience in Central Maui, try one of the Wailulu restaurants which offer a great variety for dining: Hawaiian, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Japanese and more.

We will continue this Maui serious about Best Things to do on Maui. If you would like to share what to liked best on Maui, our Hawaii vacation blog visitors will appreciate your suggestions. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Maui Surfing Video

After posting the fascinating Maui windsurfing video on our recent blog post, we decided to be fair to the regular 'old-fashioned' Maui surfers and display another great surfing video from 2008. Maui Jaws filmed a practice session of famous surfers Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, John Gangini, Yuri Soledade and Kiva Rivers in March this year. This is for all those who have already booked their surf vacation for Maui 2008.


Hey, Maui surfers, let us know which surf spot on Maui you like best. Surf beginners are really interested in recommendations for Maui Surf Schools. Mahalo for your comments. Aloha, Pua
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p.s.
I found some great Maui surfing photos on Maui Surf Report Blog.

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Maui is the Best More about Maui Surfing

Aloha to all of our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,
Guess what we are still on vacation ourselves. As you can imagine writing blog posts is not on the top of our priority list plus there are no Hawaii photos available when working on a computer away from home. However, as our Hawaii blog stats show the number of our blog readers is steadily increasing, we feel we don't want to disappoint our readers. So here it is, another blog post about Maui, the favorite island for best Hawaii vacation when surfing and wind surfing is on your top list of best things to do in Hawaii.

You probably know that surfing was 'invented' in Hawaii. Just like in the old days when the call 'Surf's up', got all the passionate surfers to the best Maui surfing beaches, the tradition keeps up strongly and hundreds of tourists join the Hawaiian residents in this passion of 'sport of the kings'. Take your turn on your Maui vacation. There are lots places to rent a surfboard and plenty of surfing teachers who get beginners on a surf board. Start with a Maui beach where the waves are gentle and low. Standing up on a board for the first time, even on the top of a one-foot swell, is a big thrill for beginner surfers.

The world's best windsurfers fly through the waters at Hookipa. Hoopika Beach is known as probably the best place in the world for windsurfing. It is the site of two major world-class competitions. Due to the strong surf, windsurfing at this beach should be limited to the experts. The regular person interested in learning how to windfurf on Maui can sign up for lessons and practice at the gentler waters of Kanaha, Kihei and Spreckelsville beaches. Kitesurfing has also become very popluar among Maui' s surfing community adding a new level of acrobatics to surfing.

As my Hawaii surfing knowledge is quite limited, I tried to find a site which provides the best Maui surfing beaches or sites at one glance to Hawaii surfers. Check this Maui site for links to all major Maui surfing sites. The same site displays a list in alphabetical order of Maui windsurfing companies I noticed in both lists that a few sites are not working anymore. I also came across a few sites which just display Google ads and don't provide otherwise good content related to Maui's best surfing beaches, surfing schools or Maui stores for buying surfing products. So be selective as usual when cruising those sites. Windsurfing School Maui is worth a visit as well.

Well, last but not least for getting you in the surfing mode for your next Maui vacation - don't forget to arrange for a Hawaiian flower lei greeting for Kahului Airport -, have fun with this Maui Wind surfing video from youtube. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations



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Best Things to do on your Maui Vacation - How about Golf?

Best Hawaii vacation blog is back, at least we are! Guess what we had been doing...we were on vacation, for 14 days! Not Hawaii vacation but a nice place away from the hustle and bustle of it all and away from the computer and blogging about Hawaii. Just to show you that we are still committed to our goal to share everything on Hawaii and Hawaii vacation, we posted midway through our vacation 'Why rent a vacation rental when on Hawaii vacation'. We hope it helps answering the question where to stay in Hawaii on vacation, hotel or private vacation rental. It is definitely worthwhile reading.

Great to see that the blog has already a life of its own by coming up in the search engines under many Hawaii vacation search results. OK we are all ready and eager to make your Hawaii vacation your best and most memorable one. Coming Monday, we will continue with our Hawaii photo of the week. As we have many Hawaii photos lined up for our Hawaii visitors, we decided to do a little extra one today, on a Friday. We are certain the golfers among you will love Jennifer's photo. Jennifer chose this Maui golf course photo from her Hawaii stock photos. It shows what spectacular views golfers can enjoy when golfing at Kapalua on Maui. See that island in the background? That's Molokai across the channel!

Maui is one of the top golf destinations in Hawaii and the world. Golf is one of the favorite activities Maui visitors come for when visiting this Hawaiian island in addition to surfing. It's not just one of the best things to do on Maui. There will be many Maui visitors who will tell you, it is the best thing to do on your Maui vacation. With over 20 golf courses, several in the world top category, Maui attracts not only the professional players with famous golf championships like the Mercedes Championship at Kapalua and the Champions Skins Game at Wailea. If you are a golf beginner or a vacation golfer, we are sure you will find the right Maui golf course and golf pro to help you improve your game.

So, have fun golfing when on your Maui vacation. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Hawaii Hiking - Maui Waterfall Adventures

It's again Monday and our Hawaii photo of the week is due today. Before I post that special Hawaii image, I was wondering whether you are still contemplating where to stay for your next Hawaii vacation, Hawaii hotel or vacation rental? If so, don't go away, sign up for our feed or email (see top buttons on right sidebar!) and you will get our insider information automatically delivered to your inbox. Next Best Hawaii Vacation blog post will tell you when we recommend to stay at a Hawaii vacation rental for your vacation and not at a resort.

We are quite sure that you liked our last week's Hawaii photo Best Things to Do on Kauai - Wailua River Tour. Hawaii stock photographer and well-known travel writer Jennifer Crites - here is one of her recent articles in the Hana Hou Hawaii Magazine - has many more of these unique stock photos available.

This Maui Waterfall photo shows us once again that Hawaii is not just about beaches, hula and Maitais. Jennifer successfully snapped this special shot of one of Hawaii's spectacular waterfalls, Maui Hana waterfall on the road to Hana, where visitors can actually swim, and the daring can jump. You can walk into the water, you don't have to jump. Doesn't that look like you want to be there right now? How about 'beam me up to Hawaii'?

All our Hawaiian islands are blessed with amazing, unique scenery, which offers lots of hiking trails to hidden valleys, canyons, secret waterfalls, volcanoes and rainforest. Like all the other island, Maui has numerous waterfalls on the island, some visible from the road, like this one, and others you have to hike to. There are moderate, short hikes or hikes which take a day (or two).

Make sure that you know what you are doing and of course, tell your hosts or friends where you are going. It does not seem like it, but every so often tourists get lost in unknown terrain, mostly due to sudden weather changes. The right hiking outfit and water and food supply is important. To carry a cell phone, won't hurt either.

If you want to learn more about the Maui Trails available, go to Hawaii Trails. That's the most comprehensive site for finding detailed hiking information on Hawaii hiking for Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Oahu and Molokai. Hawaii State Parks site has valuable information on Hawaii hiking as well. Hike Maui has offered naturalist-led hikes into Maui's wilderness since 1983. Maui Hiking Safari is another Maui hiking company which offers guided tours to Maui waterfalls and into the rainforest. I am sure you will find one Maui hiking adventure which appeals to you and your physical skills.

Let's go hiking in Hawaii. If you have a favorite Hawaii Hike, please, share with our visitors which island it is and other hiking information. Mahalo andaAloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Best Halloween in Hawaii in Lahaina on Maui

Ghosts, goblins and fairies in Hawaii for Halloween? Oh, yes, you bet. When you are staying at one of our Hawaii ocean front resorts for your Hawaii vacation, you might not get too 'haunted' - maybe just with a special Halloween dinner - but when staying at one of the many Hawaii vacation rental homes, which are much more part of Hawaiian communities, villages and towns, be prepared for the 'Trick and Treating' crowd!

And with Hawaii weather being mostly nice and warm, get ready for a long Halloween evening starting to give out candy around 6pm and lasting till 9pm when the older kids are still roaming the streets of the neighborhood. We would always advise our vacation rental guests to take a break from the Halloween 'extravaganza' and enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant before getting challenged by more trick or treaters.

Speaking of Hawaii Halloween extravaganza, there is one which has become famous over the years - Halloween in Lahaina on Maui! This Maui Halloween celebration has been a tradition since 1990, with each year attracting more spectators. Guys, this is not the regular trick or treating costume crowd for kids.

Just like on the Mainland, Hawaii Halloween shows a trend to attract the adult crowd for partying in crazy, scary Halloween costumes. Between 20,000 and 30,000 Maui residents and visitors show up for Lahaina Halloween wearing their best costumes. You can still buy a scary Halloween costume at LahainaHalloween online for Maui's Front Street Halloween Celebration.

The Lahaina Halloween fun starts at 4:30pm with the children's costume parade. Come early for getting a parking space not far from downtown Lahaina, where the Halloween Costume Contest begins at 7pm in Banyon Tree Park with lots of food and beverage booths (bring your designated driver or spend the night at a downtown hotel!) along with Halloween crafts and live musice on two stages.

Want to see goblins, ghouls, fairies and Frankensteins dancing together in the streets, don't miss the Maui Halloween. Admission is free! Make sure to bring your camera and snap those fun photos of your Halloween party on your Maui vacation. IFlyGo.com offers for Hawaii visitors from other islands a Halloween flight special from Honolulu, Lehui and Kona to Maui for $19 one-way. Hurry before it's too late. Sale ends tonight.

We would love to get some Hawaii vacation photos from your Lahaina Halloween party to show to our blog visitors. Your comments are welcome too. Have a great Halloween in Hawaii. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
For more information about Halloween in Lahaina, call the visitor center at 808-667-9193 or the Lahaina Event Hotline at 808-667-9194, or go to VisitLahaina.

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