Perfect Days on Maui
Perfect Day #9 -- Ma’alaea to Olowalu
Located at the intersection of Hwy. 30 and Hwy. 31 (and very near to Hwy. 380 intersecting with Hwy. 30), Ma’alaea is a very central vacation base at the nexus of South and West Maui and the Central Valley leading to the North Shore. From Ma’alaea travel west to Olowalu, Lahaina, Ka’anapali and West Maui, south to Kihei, Wailea, Makena, and La Pérouse Bay, and north to Wailuku, Kahului, Upcountry and Haleakala.
Lahaina is only 15 miles to the west of Ma’alaea, near enough to visit every day if desired to enjoy all of its historic sites, marine activities, shopping, entertainment and restaurants. Lahaina is Maui’s marine center for Lana’i snorkeling and other excursions, whalewatching and sunset cruises. Ma’alaea is Maui’s marine center for Molokini snorkeling and sailing trips, and also matches Lahaina’s whalewatching cruises. Whales play in Ma’alaea Bay during winter months.
From Kahului Airport take Hwy. 380 towards Lahaina. After 6 miles, take a left turn at the traffic light onto Hwy. 30. Stay on Hwy. 30 toward Lahaina for 1 mile and then turn left onto Ma’alaea Road at the Ma’alaea Village sign. Maui Ocean Center & Hawaiian Aquarium and then Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea are on you right and Ma’alaea Harbor is straight ahead. To the left, on Hau’oli Street are ten oceanfront condominiums facing Ma’alaea Bay.
At the end of Hau’oli Street are Haycroft Park and the start of 3-mile Ma’alaea Beach that is practically deserted, hard-packed and great for jogging and walks. Ma’alaea’s beach is good in places for boogie boarding, body surfing, windsurfing (off Haycroft Park) and surfing, especially in summer.
Vacation Rentals
Ma’alaea’s 10 condo buildings near the harbor along Hau’oli Street provide many vacation rentals for smart travelers looking for excellent values and willing to do some research. For example, rent a 1-bedroom condo in the Milowai Condominium for $70-$125/night and spend the money you save on lodgings on ocean excursions and at the Ma’alaea Waterfront Restaurant downstairs, one of the best restaurants on the island.
Look for 1- and 2-bedroom oceanfront vacation rental units in the Hono Kai, Island Sands, Kana’i A Nalu, Lauloa Resort, Ma’alaea Banyans, Ma’alaea Kai, Ma’alaea Village, Ma’alaea Yacht Marina, Makani a Kai, Mana Kai Maui, Maui Banyans and Milowai. See if you can match, for example, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, oceanfront penthouse for four people in the Ma’alaea Kai for $139-$159 per night. (Ask about senior citizen rates, other special discounts and honeymoon/wedding packages.)
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Ma’alaea is a haven for bird-watchers attracted to the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Kealia Pond NWR’s 700 acres provides some of the last natural wildlife habitat in Hawaii that is home to endangered native water birds. The NWR hosts dozens of species of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl such as Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveller. The endangered Hawaiian stilt, coot, Black-crowned Night-heron and Pacific Golden Plover also use the refuge. From July through December Kealia Pond attracts hawksbill turtles that want to lay eggs on the beach over the high tide line.
The Pond, which used to be about 8’ deep at the turn of the century, ranges from 1-2 feet today and varies in size from 50 to 400 acres depending on the season. Unfortunately, at times the Pond dries out, dead fish smell and high winds spread dust and midges around. The Kihei Community Association, with government support, is working on this problem and has been very active in preserving and protecting Kealia Pond, hawksbill turtles and other wildlife. The Maui Sailing Center offers a guided 2-hour tour for five people on 16’ trimarans (sailboats controlled by foot-pedals and one line on the sail) sailing on full moon nights along the Kealia Wildlife Refuge.
Ma’alaea - Olowalu
Start this Perfect Day with a drive up the coast for snorkeling at Coral Gardens in the ocean facing Papalaua Wayside Park and explore extensive reefs along the white sand of Olowalu Beach. From Ma’alaea, drive along Hwy. 30 toward Lahaina to Olowalu just 5 miles south of Lahaina, for some of the best snorkeling and ocean viewpoints for whalewatching on the island. McGregor Point Lighthouse and Papawai Lookout, only a few minutes drive to the west of Ma’alaea, may be the best whale watching vantage points on the island Dec. – May and spectacular sunset viewpoints any time of year.
Coral Gardens
A popular snorkeling boat destination, Coral Gardens is accessed by land from Papalaua Wayside Park, near MM11 about a ½ mile north of the Pali Tunnel. Since Coral Gardens is 300 yards offshore, beginning and intermediate snorkelers might have a better experience by joining a snorkeling boat like the Lani Kai or Four Winds II.
(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/snorkeling_maui.html)
Olowalu
At Olowalu, from MM13 to MM14, enjoy a mile-long stretch of white, soft sand, relatively calm waters and extensive, healthy coral reefs. In addition to lots of tropical fish and turtles, coral reefs extend about a mile out to sea and provide a popular snorkeling destination for cruises. A wonderful picnic area provides great views over the water to Lana’i and inland around the wharf at Olowalu Landing.
Consider spending an entire Perfect Day just in the Olowalu area snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking or visiting historic sites. There’s no parking or facilities. (Be careful parking on the sand.) Both sides of Olowalu Landing are good for snorkeling and diving. (You’ll see several signs posted by the state warning of the possibility of sharks. Over the past several decades, however, only a handful of shark attacks have occurred here.)
At MM15 stop at the tiny hamlet of Olowalu to see the rarely visited but easily found petroglyph site. Behind Olowalu General Store and Chez Paul, walk or drive to the petroglyph etchings on the Kilea cinder cone. Adventuresome hikers with a good sense of direction can continue trekking beyond the petroglyphs into Olowalu Valley where there’s no trail but a stream provides
direction into the hills. Olowalu also has more recent historical significance than its petroglyph site. As revenge for a theft by Hawaiians of iron nails and fittings, the captain of a U.S. ship massacred about a hundred Hawaiians and wounded many others in 1790.
Sunset Views
After spending a Perfect Day around Olowalu, on the way back to Ma’alaea stop at McGregor Point and Lighthouse at mile marker 9 for memorable sunset views or near Ma’alaea Harbor for a drink at Buzz’s Wharf to watch the last boats coming into port.
MOCA
After a morning of snorkeling and other marine or outdoors activities along the West Coast (or any time after ocean excursions out of Ma’alaea Harbor during the next few Perfect Days), return to Ma’alaea and visit the world-class Maui Ocean Center Aquarium (MOCA). MOCA features the largest tropical aquarium in North America and a remarkable sea tunnel for viewing sea life close up without getting wet. Also see MOCA’s living reef collection, Turtle Lagoon from above and below, and Sting Ray Cove.
Lunches and dinners
Ma’alaea offers an excellent selection of lunch and dinner choices including one of Maui’s best restaurants for dinner:
- Blue Marlin Harborfront Grill & Bar Restaurant - one of Maui’s best values for lunch, perfect for light, comparatively inexpensive meals, outstanding Oyster shooters and fish & chips, and wonderful views of Ma’alaea Harbor from sidewalk tables (300 Ma’alaea Road, next to the Maui Ocean Center, 244-8844)
- Buzz’s Wharf Restaurant - a huge lunch and dinner menu, specializes in their own Tahitian prawns, serves delicious steamed clams and caesar salad, is really good for families, and excellent views of the harbor;
- Ma’alaea Seascape Restaurant - an outstanding view, and serves tasty sandwiches, salads and fresh fish dishes (within the Maui Ocean Center but you don’t have to pay admission to dine there, 270-7043, lunch only, 11am-3pm)
- Jimmy’s Store in Ma’alaea’s harbor is a “mini-Hasegawa” that sells snacks, juice, water, soft drinks and really tasty hot dogs; and Tradewinds Mart & Deli in the Ma’alaea Mermaid community building sells really good deli sandwiches (9am-9pm)
- The Waterfront at Ma’alaea - one of Maui’s great restaurants,which offers a discounted early-bird dinner, and is a marvelous dining spot for sunset dinners that start on the patio with pupus and refreshments. (50 Hau’oli St., 244-9028