Perfect Days - South Maui

The long, narrow strip of Kihei basking in almost continuous sunshine is full of moderately-priced and inexpensive condominiums and other vacation rentals and lots of reasonably-priced and really good restaurants and eateries. Its best beaches are on the southern end, Kama’ole I, II, and III and, best of all, Keawakapu that mostly borders on the Wailea Resort.

Mokapu and Ulua beaches, starting at the end of Keawakapu Beach, begin Wailea Beach and a beautiful string of South Maui beaches that, with only a few rocky interruptions, extend through a series of Makena beaches to the ‘Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Reserve Area and La Pérouse Bay.

Beaches, coves and bays, resorts and hotels, restaurants, spas, a horse riding stable, tennis courts and beautiful golf courses in the Wailea-Makena area are unsurpassed on Maui for providing combinations of enjoyable things to see and do.

Coastline, Beaches & Watersports

North & South Kihei

Kalama Beach Park usually is calm enough for safe swimming and shallow enough for children.

Charley Young Beach Park is a pretty place for swimming minus crowds (in part because it provides only a few parking spaces).

Kama’ole I, II and III along S. Kihei Rd. provide easy public access to sandy beaches for sunning, swimming in calm water, and playing on the grass, picnic facilities, lovely views and nearby Kihei Road restaurants and convenience stores. The long strand of Kama’ole Beach I has good swimming most of the year, boogieboarding in the middle and snorkeling at the north end. More good snorkeling can be found around the rocky points at Kama’ole II.  Kama’ole III is good for boogieboarding if the waves are not too strong. All of these beaches have restrooms, showers and lifeguards.

Keawakapu Beach, accessed from public parking at the end of S.Kihei Road, is a long, sandy beach stretching to the Wailea Renaissance Hotel, perfect for long walks and jogging, with good boogie-boarding in the middle, usually calm waters in the morning, lovely views and excellent for families with children (but no restrooms). In winter waves remove some of the sand exposing lava rocks and leaving tide pools to explore.

Wailea Resort

Mokapu Beach should be visited early in the morning (when you can find parking spaces) for snorkeling (best in deeper waters) and boogieboarding. Enter from the parking lot next to the Renaissance Hotel (or walk along Keawakapu Beach from the parking lot at the end of S. Kihei.)

Ulua Beach Park attracts snorkelers and divers, including groups of scuba diving students, to see lots of coral, reef fish and turtles (protected by Hawaiian law – please don’t touch). Mokapu and Ulua can be snorkeled as though they are one beach. Strong swimmers can snorkel all the way from Ulua or Wailea Beaches to Polo Beach, returning by the walkway along the beach.

Wailea Beach’s clear water and small surf are as good as it gets on Maui for swimming and boogie-boarding (in the middle and on the south end), especially in the morning. Snorkeling is best at both ends of the beach. Restrooms and showers are provided. At Wailea Beach the reef extends about a mile out to sea and is shallow enough for snorkeling most of the way.

Polo Beach is a little rocky and shallow but still an excellent beach, ideal for picnics and benefits from ample parking, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and BBQ grills. The beach is located along the walkway right in front of the Hawaiian-Moorish Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel.

Makena Beaches

Palauea Beach has easy access from Old Makena Road, good snorkeling around the point and excellent swimming in the morning.

Po’olenalena Beach offers excellent, rarely used snorkeling sites at each end, swimming and boogieboarding in the middle.

Chang’s Beach has very few visitors even though it is located in front of the Makena Surf condos and convenient public access is provided. This pretty little beach offers excellent safe swimming and snorkeling in a calm bay. On a nice day you can snorkel or swim over to 5 Graves/Caves. (Since there’s public parking for Chang’s Beach, you can easily pack or purchase a picnic lunch and spend the morning at the beach.)

5 Graves/Caves in a small cove off Old Makena Road provides exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving on a calm day when you can see lots of turtles and explore caves along a wall. This area often is referred to by guided snorkeling excursions as Turtle Town.

Makena Landing County Park south of Nahuna Point provides parking, easy access to snorkel around to 5 Graves/Caves and a shower and restrooms.
Malu’aka is a lovely, uncrowded beach fronting the Maui Prince Hotel, where you’ll find restrooms, showers, picnic tables at the beach, good swimming in the middle and excellent snorkeling on the south end with lots of turtles. A grassy knoll on the south end of the beach is perfect for picnics with fabulous views of Molokini, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, and Pu’u ‘Ola’i.

Onuoli Beach (Black Sand Beach) on the north side of Pu’u ‘Ola’i provides snorkeling and turtle sighting for intermediate and experienced snorkelers when seas are calm, especially in deeper waters and around the red cliffs to Pu’u ‘Ola’i Beach.

Pu’u ‘Ola’i Beach (Little Beach), reached by a path over a rocky outcropping below Pu’u Ola’i, is popular among  “clothing optional” visitors for sunbathing, socializing, picnics, swimming and snorkeling around the point to see large turtles and a variety of colorful fish, and draws crowds on weekends.

Big Beach (Oneloa) extends southward from Pu’u Ola’i in a wide, beautiful crescent of sand, less crowded on the south end, perfect for swimming, snorkeling (especially toward Little Beach), body surfing and boogie boarding (be especially careful during heavy surf).

‘Ahihi – La Pérouse - Kanaio

Kanahena “Secret” Beach is a little “hidden” pocket of soft, white sand ringed by palms between two oceanfront homes, used for picnics rather than snorkeling by locals and others who know how to find it (about a ½ mile south of Big Beach, through an opening in a wall across from telephone pole #E2-3).

‘Ahihi Cove, protected from wind and surf, is a beautiful little cove in ‘Ahihi Bay that only has a rocky shore and is a bit tricky to enter but offers excellent snorkeling even for beginners.

Fish Pond, a secluded little cove tucked into Cape Kina’u can be reached on foot (about a half-hour hike across a’a lava) or by kayak. Come early to snorkel before the wind starts blowing, enjoy an abundance of fish in clear water and be prepared to stay for a picnic.

La Pérouse Bay requires a bit of a hike after parking your car, passing 3 or 4 coves to find sufficiently clear water for snorkeling and a wonderful variety of fish.

Kanaio Coast is only accessible by boat, lacks any sand, has many small coves, dramatic lava cliffs and other beautiful scenery, and its clear water is ideal for snorkeling.

Perfect Days with Kids

A very memorable day with kids can start out with a kayak and snorkeling trip along the south shore that starts from Makena Landing or Kihei Landing. From either place, it’s easy to drive a little further south afterwards to Pu’u ‘Ola’i. The top of this volcanic hill has great views and whalewatching. (Race you to the top? Don’t utter those words unless you’re in fantastic shape. It’s a very steep climb.) Pu’u ‘Ola’i will provide your kids with another adventure story for friends back home – we walked around the rim of a volcano! 

If your kids are boogie boarders head for the south end of Big Beach. Body surfers? Try Little Beach (if you’re prepared for nude beach stories when the family gets home.) For a family day that everyone will be happy with, head for Malu’aka Beach just south of Makena Landing. The family will love the view and Malu’aka is great for beginning snorkelers so the kids can snorkel to their hearts content before eating a picnic lunch.

Where to eat? Kihei has plenty of casual breakfast choices for families: the Coffee Store in Azeka Place II; Kihei Caffé across from Kalama Park; the Coconut Bakery and Café; La Creperie; Marco’s Southside Grill; and Stella Blues Café is hard to beat for traditional favorites like pancakes, omelets, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and French toast, yogurt, fresh fruit, bagels, plus juices, smoothies, and coffee drinks.

On a Sunday at least once the family should have brunch at the Prince Court in the Maui Prince Hotel. Work your way slowly through this fabulous breakfast buffet and then just walk your very full stomachs to Malu’aka Beach in front of the hotel.

For lunch or dinner take the kids to the Maui Onion poolside at the Renaissance in Wailea for some of the best burgers and onion rings on the island. Peggy Sue’s in Azeka Place II will be a favorite for burgers, steak, chicken or fish and awesome milkshakes. The kids can play the jukebox while they wait. We’ve never heard any complaints from kids about Maui Taco at Kama’ole BeachCenter. The whole family will enjoy the pasta and pizzas at Café Ciao in the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort.

Day-trippers from Lahaina or Ka’anapali on the way back to West Maui from Makena or Wailea can stop on the way out of Kihei for a tasty smoothie at either Jabooka Jooce (across from Kalama Park) or at South Beach Smoothies (1455 S. Kihei Rd.). With that nourishment, stop to see the exhibits at the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in North Kihei. Continue driving on S. Kihei Rd. to Hwy. 31 and Hwy. 310 to the Maui Ocean Center (MOCA) in Ma’alaea Bay.

Ma’alaea Bay provides a Perfect Day of marine activities, breakfast and maybe lunch on board ship or at Buzz’s Wharf. Take your pick of marine activities in Perfect Days #10 & #11, Be sure to book that activity as soon as you arrive on Maui or soon thereafter. Check with Tom Barefoot as to any age or size limits for children on Molokini snorkeling excursions. Certainly no child of 12 or more who is a beginner or a more experienced snorkeler should miss a Molokini snorkeling excursion. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/kini.html).

Browsing, Shopping & Eating

For locals and visitors Kihei’s strip malls take care of services, variety, convenience and discount stores, specialty shops and meals in a variety of restaurants and eateries. Kihei’s shopping centers include:

• Kihei Kalama Village (across from Kalama Park, 1941 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Longs Center (1215 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Azeka Place I (makai, 1280 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Azeka Place II (mauka)
• Lipoa Shopping Center, 590 Lipoa Pkwy.
• Kukui Mall (across from Kalama Beach Park)
• Foodland-Kihei Town Center (1881 S. Kihei Rd.
• Dolphin Plaza (2395 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Rainbow Mall (2439 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Kama’ole Beach Shopping Center (2463 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Pi’ilani Shopping Center (Pipoa and Pi’ilani Hwy.)

Kihei Kalama Village is the most fun combination of shopping and meals in Kihei and totally different than any other local shopping. Kind of an open-air flea market with over 40 booths and shops, before or after wandering around in Kalama Village you and the kids have a choice of 9 eateries that serve Italian, Mediterranean, sausages, burgers, fish & chips, crepes and more: Alexander’s Fish & Chips, Life’s a Beach, Kihei Café, Lulu’s, Pita Paradise, La Creperie, Sala Thai, Sausage Shack and Bada Bing!

Shops in some of Kihei’s shopping centers will appeal to teenagers:

• Azeka Place I: Island Memories, Rainbow Connection, Tropical Tantrum, Crazy Shirts
• Azeka Place II: Elephant Walk, Maui’s Best, The Art of Hula, Maui Dive Shop, Activity Warehouse, La Pre Shells
• Kamaole Beach Center: Honolua Surf Co.
• Long’s Center: T-Shirt Factory
• Pi’ilani Shopping Center: Hilo Hattie

Depending on the ages, these restaurants and eateries in Kihei should appeal to children:

• Aroma D’Italia Ristorante (Kihei Town Center)
• Azeka Ribs & Snack Shop (Azeka I)
• Bada Bing! (1945 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Beach ‘n Bagelz Café (2395 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Coconut’s Bakery & Café in the Kukui Mall
• Da Kitchen and Thai Chef in the Rainbow Mall
• Denny’sat 2463 S. Kihei Rd.
• Dick’s Place (2463 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Dina’s Sand Witch (Hwy. 310 next to Sugar Beach Resort
• Horhito’s Mexican Cantina (Lipoa Shopping Center
• Marco’s Southside Grill (1445 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Maui Pizza Café (2439 S. Kihei Rd.)
• Maui Taco in the Kama’ole Beach Center
• Peggy Sue’s in Azeka Place II
• Pita Paradise (Kalama Village)
• Royal Thai Cuisine in Azeka Place
• Sausage Shack in the Kihei Town Center
• Stella Blues Café and Antonio’s in Longs Center

Vacation Rentals

Making Kihei the base for a South Maui vacation is a sensible decision, especially for budget travelers and families. South and North Kihei offer a great many affordable vacation rental choices adjacent to miles of sunny beaches and a very satisfying assortment of very good, comparatively inexpensive places to eat in almost any cuisine category. Anyone willing to patiently use the Web can find a comfortable B&B, room, studio, apartment, small or large condo, cottage or house in Kihei within their price range.

Several studios, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments in the Island Surf Building (1993 S. Kihei Rd.) offer terrific deals in a very central Kihei location, across from Kalama Park (ideal for morning jogs and walks), with plenty of parking in the rear. These units have kitchens and kitchenettes but your only seconds or minutes away from more than a dozen restaurants and eateries that will appeal to the whole family.

Further south, 1- and 2-bedroom units in the Kihei Surfside have plenty of room and are reasonably priced, lanais overlook a spacious green lawn, north coast and ocean views, and the location is just steps away from Keawakapu Beach and the Kihei Boat Ramp and, on the other side of the Kihei Boat Ramp, is Kama’ole III.

For more luxurious but still some reasonably-priced vacation rentals in Wailea, look for discounted, owner-direct units near Keawakapu Beach at the Palms at Wailea, southward at Wailea Elua Village near Ulua Beach, Grand Champions, Wailea Ekolu Village and, at the high end, Polo Beach Club, and at one of Wailea’s best kept secrets (for both vacation rentals and dining), Diamond Resort.

Wailea Ekahi, a deluxe, low-rise condominium complex fronting on Keawakapu Beach, has studio, 1- and 2-bedroom units for rent. Only a few blocks from Keawakapu Beach, Wailea Eloku Village is located on the famed Wailea Blue Course in the heart of Wailea’s 54 holes of championship golf. Likewise the Grand Championship Golf Course Villas. Guests staying at these and other Wailua units are offered discounts at the Wailea Resort’s golf and tennis facilities.

North Kihei is a less expensive vacation rental location. Start looking at condo rentals southward from the Ma’alaea Surf Resort Condos (12 S. Kihei Rd.), where a good deal on price (for example, $695, 5 nights, 2-br-950 s.f.) will get you comparatively large 1- to 2-bedroom units in two-story buildings spread over 5 acres.

(A caution about North Kihei: Kealia Pond occasionally dries up, fish rot and die, producing a bad smell and dust that can blow on condo complexes in the area, and strong mid-day winds may blow mobs of midges into the northernmost part of N. Kihei. However, the Ma’alaea Surf Resort and southward should be fine.)

Vacation renters in North Kihei will be near the Farmer’s Market and the Suda Store (61 S. Kihei Rd.) that sells delicious fruit and produce (Mon., Wed. and Fri., 1:30-5:30pm). It’s only a short drive to plenty of Kihei shopping around and south of Lipoa St.

Also in North Kihei, see the Aloha Pualani (15 Wailana Place, 800-782-5264, 874-9265) that may have excellent rates for oceanview townhomes & studio deluxe rooms and also the Wailana Inn with kitchenettes or kitchens. Over the years, countless guests have enjoyed comfortable, simple, clean, quiet rooms and the peaceful, friendly atmosphere at David Kong’s Nona Lani Cottages.