Perfect Days With Kids

Maui

South Shore	Lahaina & Kn'anapali	Hanakao'o Beach to Kahehili	Kipahula to Kaupo
North Shore & Road to Hana	Northwest Coast Adventures	Molokai	Lanai

South Shore

For kids a memorable day can start out with a kayak and snorkeling trip along the Kanaio Coast from Kihei Landing or Makena Landing so it’s also easy to get to Pu’u ‘Ola’i between Big Beach and Little Beach for a (strenuous) hike on the trail up the volcanic hill with great views from the summit and some of the best whalewatching on Maui. (Fair warning: no matter what you hear to the contrary, it’s not an easy climb to the top of Pu’u ‘Ola’i. It’s a downright tough climb!) You’ll agree even before you start, when you look up from the bottom of the trail. But all that said, Pu’u ‘Ola’i certainly will provide your kids with another one of those cool stories for back home – we climbed and walked around the rim of a volcano right next to this great beach!

If your kids are boogie boarders, head for the south end of Big Beach. Body surfers? We would suggest Little Beach except that it is a nude beach (not “clothing optional”). You be the judge for your family. With other wonderful beaches in the vicinity, a trip to South Maui without Little Beach is not a great loss.

At the end of nearby Malu’aka Beach, in front of the Maui Prince Hotel, walk past the golf course to Malu’aka Point and simply look at Pu’u ‘Ola’i (perhaps relieved that you didn’t climb it). At the south end of Malu’aka Beach is a raised grassy area (no climb at all) that provides a pleasant, shady spot for picnics with adjoining restrooms and plenty of public parking (especially if you arrive before 10am). The family will love the view and Malu’aka is great for beginning snorkelers. Kids can snorkel to their hearts content before taking a break for a picnic lunch.

Depending on how old and experienced your kids are snorkeling, you might also try Makena Landing where you’ll find parking, a small, sandy beach, showers and restrooms. The best snorkeling is to the right around Nahuna Point. Personally we prefer the beach in front of the Makena Surf where there’s good public access, showers and a lovely beach for a picnic.

Check with Tom Barefoot as to age or size limits for children on Molokini snorkeling excursions sailing out of Ma’alaea Harbor. Certainly no kid of 12 or more who is a beginner or a more experienced snorkeler should miss this trip. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/kini.html).

The Maui Ocean Center (MOCA) in Ma’alaea is a fantastic aquarium, definitely worth a visit while the family is on the South Shore and also worth a special trip no matter where you’re staying on Maui. The main tank full of white, gray and tiger sharks, plus lots of other large and small fish, surrounds a walkway so that you can walk right through the tank. Visit MOCA early in your vacation. The aquarium provides a way to see and learn about tropical fish and turtles before spending much time snorkeling. Plan to have lunch in Ma’alaea Harbor Village, just steps from MOCA.

Meals for the Family
One of the many reasons why Maui is such a perfect place for vacationing with children is the abundance of really good, family-friendly restaurants and eateries distributed around the island that are easy on budgets.

Usually for any traveler, in Hawaii or most other places, the toughest decision of the day about where to eat is breakfast. Maui has plenty of good choices for breakfasts with kids. For lunches and dinners on Maui or Lana’i, and less so Moloka’i, there are so many choices of different family-friendly meals that, except for a few of our favorite eateries, we won’t provide a special list of family choices. Just refer to the Taste of the Islands – Mauiand reviews of restaurants on Lana’i and Moloka’i.

Breakfast suggestions for families:

• Napili -- Sea House and Gazebo
• Ka’anapali -- Beachwalk Market & Pantry and The Comfort Zone
• Honokowai – JavaJazz/Soup Nutz
• Pa’ia -- Charley’s, Café de Amis, and Moana Bakery
• Makawao -- Polli’s Mexican Restaurant and Komoda’s (for a special Portuguese donut treat)
• Keokea -- Grandma’s Coffee House
• Kula -- Kula Lodge
• Kahului -- Koho Grill & Bar and Down to Earth
• Lahaina -- Cheeseburger in Paradise, Bubba Gump and Sunrise Café
• Wailea -- The Dining Room at the Grand Wailea and The SeaWatch Restaurant (Wailea Gold Golf Course)
• Kihei – Big Wave, Denny’s, Marco’s Southside Grill, Kihei Caffé, Coconut Bakery and Café, Beach’n Bagelz Café, and Stella Blues Café

When Sunday rolls around, at least once we urge you to take your kids to the Prince Court in the Maui Prince Hotel, the best Sunday brunch on the island. Tell the kids (and yourself) to work their way as slowly as possible through the many tables of this unparalleled breakfast buffet, and then the family will take a very short walk and collapse on Malu’aka Beach.

Other fabulous choices: while mom and day are sipping Bloody Marys and mimosas, the kids will love the Plantation Breakfast Buffet at the Ritz Carlton-Kapalua’s The Terrace; the Gardenia Court at the Kapalua Bay Hotel has great views to match the menu and will be very comfortable for the whole family. On the North Shore, Bev Gannon’s Hali’imaile General Store serves one of the most memorable Sunday Brunches on Maui in very comfortable surroundings for families with kids. All of these Sunday Brunch events require reservations.

Picnic spots on the South Shore mainly consist of beautiful beaches that are easy to find and have convenient off-street or on-street parking (especially if you arrive early in the morning). Heading south these beaches include:

• north end of Keawakapu Beach where you’ll find public access and parking at the end of S. Kihei Rd. but no facilities
• Mokapu Beach next to the Renaissance Hotel with public parking, showers, rest rooms, and picnic tables
• Polo Beach just south of the Fairmont Kea Lani for easy access, ample parking, showers, picnic tables and BBQ grills on the lawn right above a pretty beach
• Po’olenalena Beach right in front of the Makena Surf
• Malu’aka Beach accessed just past the Maui Prince where you’ll find ample parking, restrooms, showers, and picnic tables
• north end of Big Beach with plenty of nearby parking, picnic tables and portable toilets

In addition to picnics Wailea offers several really good choices in for tasty, casual family-style meals: Maui Onion poolside at the Renaissance in Wailea for some of the best burgers and onion rings on the island; Cheeseburger, Mai Tais & Rock & Roll, and Tommy Bahamas or Longhi’s, all in the Wailea Shopping Center.

If you’re spending the day at Wailea or Makena, pick up a picnic lunch at Café Ciao in the Kea Lani Resort right near Polo Beach. For dinner, depending on your budget, tastes and the age of your children, there are plenty of perfectly adequate, moderately priced dinner choices in Kihei. Consult the South Maui section of the Taste of the Islands – Maui.

If you’re day-tripping on the South Shore from Lahaina or Ka’anapali, on the way back, before leaving Kihei, stop for a tasty smoothie at either Jabooka Jooce (across from Kalama Park) or at South Beach Smoothies (1455 S. Kihei Rd.). With that nourishment, you can stop at the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and then drive on to the Maui Ocean Center (MOCA) in Ma’alaea Bay. If the family is hungry, the colossal lunch menu (including “colossal onion rings”) at Buzz’s Wharf will take care of the entire family.