Special Vacation Experiences
Faced with so many wonderful things to see and do on Maui, Lana’i and Moloka’i, and usually too little time, travelers can use the checklists in this section as a tool to stay focused on the Special Experiences that make Maui one of the most unique vacation spots in the world.
Major tourist attractions on Maui certainly are no mystery to anyone. Every guidebook and a superabundance of promotional brochures found in every store, restaurant and hotel on the island present slightly different versions of Maui’s “best” and “must-see-and-do” attractions. These four checklists cover more ground and activities than any of these guides.
Checklist #1 – “Must-See-And-Do” Attractions & Activities
- drive to the summit of Haleakala, see the spectacular sun rise and perhaps bike down the volcano to the town of Paia on the North Shore
- drive Hana Highway to “Heavenly Hana,” its beautiful beaches, hotel and ranchlands, see the waterfalls, gardens and historic villages along the way, and take a dip in the “Seven Sacred Pools” in Haleakala National Park beyond Hana
- watch whales (in season) from the shore between Ma’alaea and Kapalua or at Makena Beach, from a sailing cruise or on a helicopter excursion to Moloka’i over the Pailolo Channel
- take sailing cruises to somewhere and nowhere from Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Ma’alaea, Kihei and elsewhere, and especially snorkel and dive around Molokini and the island of Lanai
- tour historic sights in the port town of Lahaina and, especially on Friday nights, take advantage of Art Night to meet artists while enjoying pupus and refreshments in galleries
- visit awesome Iao Needle in Iao Valley and historical sites and gardens at the base of the valley
- explore the grounds of fabulous hotels in the resorts of South and West Maui including Wailea, Makena, Ka’anapali and Kapalua
- drive past the resorts of South Maui to see lava flows, coastline and coves along La Pérouse Bay
- drive past the beautiful bays, coves and coastline from Napili and Kapalua northwest through Honolua Bay to the Hawaiian village of Kahakuloa
- explore Upcountry Maui from Makawao to Ulupalakua Ranch, various botanical gardens and one-of-a-kind winery
- shop in Wailea, Lahaina, Kahului and on the North Shore and in Upcountry for art, crafts, resort wear and casual clothing, antiques, gifts and collectibles, flowers and other unusual items
- enjoy meals at an extraordinary variety of gourmet, ethnic, and very down-to-earth restaurants serving Hawaiian, Asian, Mexican, European and American food
Sunset-watching
- reserve a table for drinks and appetizers at: The Banyan Tree at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, the Plantation Restaurant, Bay Club at the Kapalua Bay Hotel, Sea House at Napili Kai Beach Resort, Nalu Sunset Bar & Sushi at the Maui Marriott, Cascades Grill & Sushi Bar at the Hyatt Regency, Kimo’s in Lahaina, Sunset Terrace at the Renaissance in Wailea, Ferraro’s at the Four Seasons in Wailea Resort, Ma’alaea Waterfront Restaurant near Ma’alaea Harbor, and Sarento’s on the Beach in Kihei
- drive to the Lookout at MM 9, McGregor Point or Papawai Point west of Ma’alaea (especially during whale-watching season)
- walk along the beachwalks in the Wailea Resort or Ka’anapali Resort, the Seawall at Lahaina Harbor, from Kapalua Bay to Namalu Bay and on to Hawea Point or from D.T. Fleming Beach up to the Ritz-Carlton
Waterfall Pools
- ‘Ohe’o Gulch pools
- Blue Sapphire Pools (Ching’s Pond) under a bridge near Ke’anae
- Infinity Pool at Makahiku Falls and pool beneath Waimoku Falls, Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu
- Pua’a-lu’u Falls along Hwy. 36 before MM 43
- Upper Puohokamoa Falls, Hana Hwy., near MM 11
- Wailua Falls, MM 44 west of Hana
Churches
- Father Damien Church, Holy Rosary Church Roman Catholic Church and the Makawao Union Church, Baldwin Avenue between Pa’ia and Makawao
- Francis Xavier Mission, Kahakuloa
- Holy Ghost Mission, Kula; Pookela Church, Makawao
- Huialoha Church in Kaupo
- ihi’ihio Iehowa Kaua church, Ke’anae Village
- Japanese Buddhist Temple next to Mala Wharf in Lahaina
- Ka’ahumanu Church, High St., Wailuku
- Kaulanapueo Church, Huelo
- Keawala’i Church, Makena Road, Makena
- Mokulau Church in Mokulau, MM 35, Hwy. 31, near Kaupo
- Palapala Ho’omau Church (Kipahulu Church), Kipahulu
- Seaside Chapel, Grand Wailea Resort
- St. Gabriel’s Church and St. Augustine Shrine, Wailua
- Waine’e Church, Lahaina
- Wananalua Congregational Church, Hwy. 31, downtown Hana
- Wo Hing Chinese Temple & Museum, Front Street, Lahaina.
Museums, Art, Culture and Science Centers
- Annual Maui Film Festival, Wailea Resort
- Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului
- Maui Tropical Plantation, Hwy. 30, between Wailuku and Ma’alaea
- Paper Airplane Museum, Maui Mall
- Sugar Museum, corner of Hwy. 311 and Hansen Rd. (next to the sugar refinery)
Art Galleries & Collections
- Avalene Gallery, Makawao Ave., Makawao
- Curtis Wilson Cost Galleries, Kula Lodge and Front Street Lahaina
- Hana Coast Gallery, Hotel-Hana Maui, Hana
- Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center, Baldwin Ave., Makawao
- Maui Crafts Guild, Hana Hwy., Paia
- NaPua Gallery, Grand Wailea Resort
- Randy J. Braun Gallery, Makawao Ave., Makawao
- Schaefer International Gallery, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
- Sculptures, murals and other art, Grand Wailea Resort
- Turnbull Studios & Sculpture Garden, Kahekili Hwy. (near Kahakuloa)
- Viewpoints Gallery, Baldwin Ave., Makawao
- Village Galleries, Dickenson St., and Lahaina Art Society, Wharf St., Lahaina
Botanical & Flower Gardens
- Garden of Eden, Hana Hwy., between MM 10-11
- Kahanu Gardens, ‘Ula’ino Rd. off Hana Hwy
- Ke’anae Arboretum, MM 16-17
- Kula Botanical Garden, Kula Hwy
- Sunrise Market and Protea Farm, Hwy. 378, Kula
Remote Places
- Ahihi-Kina’u Reserve, Fish Pond, “The Aquarium” and La Pérouse Bay
- “Dismal” route, Hwy. 31, from Huakini Bay to Ulupalakua
- Eke Crater Trail, north of Kapalua, near MM40, to Eke Crater
- Huialoha Church and Kaupo Store at Haleki’i Bay on Hwy. 31
- Hwy. 31 from Kipahulu to Kaupo
- Kahakuloa Village, Hwy. 30, Northwest Maui
- Kaupo Gap Trail up to Haleakala
- King’s Trail from La Pérouse Bay to Beau Chien Beach, Cape Hanamanioa, and Kanaio Beach on the South Coast
- Nahiku Road to Lower Nahiku Beach
- Nu’u Bay, Nu’u Beach and Nu’u Landing, Hwy. 31
- Red Sand Beach, Hana
- Skyline Trail-Mamane Trail Loop, Polipoli Springs State Park
- Wai’anapanapa Park shoreline trail to Hana Bay
- Waihe’e Valley and Waihe’e Ridge Trails north of Wailuku
- Waihe’e Coast
- Waikalai Plateau, from MM15.5 up the Waikalai Game Management Road
Lana’i
- explore strange geological formations at the Garden of the Gods
- kayak, snorkel and dive around the island’s coastline
- snorkel at Hulopoe Beach and visit nearby tidepools
- snorkel or dive at Cathedrals
- drive a 4WD along dirt trails to deserted beaches, petroglyphs, ancient villages, and the Munro Trail
- hike the Munro Trail
- walk around Lanai City
- walk the grounds of the Lodge at Koele and Manele Bay Hotel and have lunch or dinner
Moloka’i
- sail from Lahaina Harbor on the Maui Princess or Molokai Princess to Kaunakakai Harbor
- drive east from Kaunakakai on King Kamehameha V Hwy. (#450) to Halawa Valley, stop at ancient fishponds, Father Damien’s St. Joseph’s and Out Lady of Seven Sorrow Churches, Murphy Beach Park and Sandy Beach for a swim, snorkeling and picnic, viewpoints at MM22 and Pu’u o Hoku Ranch, and explore Halawa Beach Park
- hike up Halawa Valley to Moa’ula Falls and Hipuapua Falls
- drive from Kaunakakai to the Main Forest Road (Maunahui Rd.) and into Kamakou Preserve to Waikolu Lookout and the Pepeopae Trail through the bog in the Molokai Forest Reserve
- drive north through Kualapu’u to Coffees of Hawaii Plantation and Purdy’s Macadamia Nut Farm
- drive to Kalaupapa Lookout in Pala’au State Park
- take the mule ride down Kalaupapa Trail and tour Kalaupapa Peninsula with Damien Tours (you cannot tour the former leper colony without a guide)
- drive west on Hwy. 460 to Kaluakoi Rd., Kaluakoi Resort and Papohaku Beach
- tour Molokai Ranch, the southwest coastline and beaches
- kayak (in calm waters) along the fantastic North Coast pali