Maui Island Guide: www.mauimapp.com

SITE REFERENCE GUIDE

VISITOR INFORMATION

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Updated continuously, be certain to re-check listings here for additions and changes.

For free postings of special events on Maui (lectures, carnivals, fairs, 5K runs, etc..), do not hesitate to write.  Please specify the date of the planned event and cost of admission.

ACTIVITIES

Directory of Web sites of Maui activity providers:

ARTISTS

Directory of Web sites of Maui visual and musical artists, and art galleries.1

BUSINESSES

Directory of Web sites of Maui businesses:

COMMUNITY

Bulletin Board; postings of community notices, meetings and events.

Directory of Web sites of Maui schools and community organizations:

Mapps identifying:

Resource Numbers:

DINING

Image map directory of Chinese, Hawaiian Regional, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Seafood and other specialty restaurants and Luaus on Maui.

A "Restaurant Review" discussion group invites comments on your dining experiences on Maui.

ENTERTAINMENT

Graphic display of regularly scheduled evening entertainment in South Maui (Kihei, Wailea), West Maui (Lahaina, Kapalua, Kaanapali) and in the "Upcountry" (Haiku, Makawao, Paia) for each day of the week, with hyperlinks to brief narrative descriptions, addresses, and phone numbers for the listed entertainment venues.

GOVERNMENT

Citation of selected Hawaii State statutes

Directory listing Maui representatives in Federal, State and County government.

ISLAND INFORMATION

General information:

Mapps identifying:

LODGING

Image map directory showing the location of hotels and resorts on Maui, with links to their Web sites. A table of contents lists known hotel and resort Web sites according to the relative rates of hotel rooms ($, $$ or $$$).

Image map directory showing the location of resort condominiums with known Web sites, with links to those sites. A table of contents lists known resort condominium Web sites according to geographical location.

MO`OLELO (Hawaiian Culture, History, Tradition)

Directory of Web Pages of Hawaiian history, and cultural resources.

Collection of Hawaiian words and expressions.

MUSEUMS

Image map directory identifying museums on Maui, with links to their Web sites.

NEWS

Directory of on-line news sources for Maui.

RADIO

Directory of Web sites of Maui radio stations.

REAL ESTATE

Directory of Web sites of Maui realtors.

SHOPPING CENTERS

Image map directory identifying major shopping centers on Maui, with links to their Web sites.

Summary of retailers located within Maui shopping centers; phone numbers and hours.

TRAVEL

Directory of Web sites of airlines that provide passenger service to Maui County (Maui, Lanai, Molokai) from the mainland and inter-island.

Directory of Web sites of cruise lines that provide passenger service to Maui County (Maui, Lanai, Molokai) from the mainland and inter-island. (For links to Maui island day / night cruise operators, see scuba / snorkeling activities providers.)

Currency converter: provides foreign currency conversion to dollars (also provides precious metal quotes).

Links to on-line travel guides for Maui: "Discovery Hawaii," and "Epicurious Travel" (Conde Nast narrative review of various Maui locations).

WEATHER

Directory of on-line weather services monitoring current wind conditions, daily weather and storm forecasts for Maui.

1995 historical weather data, provided by the U.S. National Climatic Data Center.

 


 

VISITOR INFORMATION

Aloha,

To make the most of your visit to a true paradise, the following tips are provided. If you have additional questions, special requests or inquiries, feel free to write.

Malama pono,

www.mauimapp.com

 

TRANSPORTATION

Reservation numbers for mainland and inter-island airlines that service Maui are listed in a Transportation table. Reservation numbers for Maui rental car agencies are also noted here.

Flight information, baggage service and airport resource phone numbers for Maui, Molokai and Lanai are listed in a table entitled Airports.

Both tables can be accessed through the Information section of this directory.

 

LODGING

A hotel mapp shows the location of all hotels on Maui; bright red lettering represents hyperlinks direct to the given hotel's Web site. A hotel table of contents lists known hotel and resort Web sites according to the relative rates of hotel rooms ($, $$ or $$$).

A resort condominium mapp shows the location of resort condominiums with known Web sites, with links to those sites. A resort condominium table of contents lists known resort condominium Web sites according to geographical location.

 

GENERAL ISLAND DESCRIPTION

Generally, the North Shore (and "Upcountry") area of Maui (Paia, Haiku, Pukalani, Makawao) is a verdant pasture and tropical setting on the slopes of Haleakala, a dormant volcano (the crater of which is a breathtaking sight, filled with thought-provoking hikes). The Upcountry area does not have any hotels, but is home to many B&Bs and "vacation rentals." It is quiet in the "Upcountry," and scenic in nature.

"Central Maui" (Kahului, Wailuku) is generally the business and commercial center for the island (not too much in terms of late-night entertainment) situated a stone's throw from Kanaha Beach Park (just behind Kahului airport), a very popular windsurfing beach, with large lawns providing ample picnic and bbq venues.

"West Maui" (Kapalua, Ka'anapali, Lahaina) offers the exclusivity of Kapalua (fine golfing and dining), the sprawling beach resort of Ka`anapali (long, sandy beach, golfing, Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton, other fine hotels and a number of resort condominiums), Whaler's Village (quickly filling with exclusive shops: Prada, Ferragamo, Versace, Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton, Gucci...) and the historic whaling town of Lahaina (a popular visitor attraction filled with shops and art galleries, and a major source of entertainment on Maui).

In "South Maui," Kihei and Wailea are popular economical and exclusive tourist areas; respectively. Public tennis and basketball courts, sprawling lawns and a new in-line skating rink at Kalama Park (Kihei), along with various scenic beaches throughout Kihei and Wailea make the South Shore a favorite for many.

 

BEACHES

Take advantage of the "Shoreline Access" mapp that identifies beaches and shoreline access on Maui. Follow hyperlinks to narrative descriptions highlighting "diving," "fishing," "surfing" and "windsurfing" spots and facilities. Photographs of many of the beaches are included.

Romantic beach settings include:

a) Hamoa Beach Park (located 2 1/2 miles south of Hana; described by Robert Louis Stevenson as the most beautiful beach he had ever seen). This beach offers very clear snorkeling in a picturesque cove.

b) Kapalua Bay Beach (located next to Kapalua Bay Hotel). A larger cove, it is sheltered from wind and waves, making for clear and smooth water for safe and enjoyable swimming and snorkeling.

c) Maluaka Beach (located at the shoreline of Maui Prince Hotel). This beach has a grassy area on the beach's left side --- as you face the ocean -- with some shade, modern bathroom facilities, tremendous ocean views and clear water snorkeling.

 

ACTIVITIES

Popular sightseeing on Maui includes visits to Lahaina, Hana and Haleakala. Popular activities include biking down the Haleakala volcano, helicopter rides to remote parts of the island, sail/ snorkel cruises, hiking, surfing and windsurfing. Browse through the activities table of contents that lists the Web sites of various activity providers on Maui. A "hiking trails" mapp identifies some comfortable hikes into very scenic areas. Informative hikes into less traveled areas are available from a number of hiking groups. Popular visitor shopping areas include Lahaina, Whaler's Village, and Wailea Shopping Village, usually depending on what part of the Island you happen to be... Maui's "major mall" (department stores, etc..) is Ka`ahumanu Center.

Editor's choices include:

a) a few hours at the Whaler's Museum and Whale Center at Whaler's Village, Ka`anapali (set aside a few hours for slow browsing to tap into a tremendous resource of information about whales, the Whaling era, Hawaii, and life on Maui in the 1800s);

b) a guided hike into Haleakala crater: check the Haleakala Programs Page for regularly scheduled guided hikes... These are hikes free of charge and are led by Park Service Guides knowledgeable in both the geology and Hawaiian lore of the volcano. A $10 entry fee per automobile is charged to gain access to the Park.

On the last Saturday of every month, the Haleakala Park Service hosts a guided 12-mile hike; a full-day experience through lava flows, meadows, ridges, cinder cones... a must-do for the outdoor enthusiast ...

c) a lazy drive to Hana (start as early in morning as possible), picnic lunch above or on the "Black Sand Beach" ("Red Sand Beach" is less accessible, though may be your preference).

Some of Maui's best vistas (including the neighbor islands of Kaho`olawe, Molokini, Lana'i) are seen on the backside road to/ from Hana.

PLEASE NOTE: driving the backroad (dotted area on South side of all mauimapps) to/ from Hana voids all rental car company contracts. Rental companies will not provide any services there; drivers are on your own in case of car trouble or other emergency. At areas, it is an older narrow road with rough terrain... for a worry-free visit to this part of the island, you may want to consider a Van Tour.

The backside road goes through Ulupalakua (Home of Tedeshi Winery) and Kula with more vistas of neighboring islands from rolling pasture lands. From the Hana/ Kula direction, one can follow the road to Makawao for a late afternoon meander through the shops there. Casanova's Restaurant serves a reasonably-priced Italian menu, has an exciting entertainment schedule with an occasional surprise (call ahead for specifics), and great desserts.

d) a weather watch for "extreme" windsurfing conditions during your stay (i.e.: high surf/ wind, which are most common in March - April) to see the world's finest amateur and professional windsurfers riding what can be ferocious waves, performing loops, and honing bleeding edge windsurfing maneuvers, all perched from the safety of an unbelievable vantage point on top a North-west knoll at Ho'okipa Beach Park.

e) a Molokini snorkel trip; consider this a jump into an exotic fish bowl -- a rare experience in a diverse underwater site, and all in a safe, confined area... a calm location for the novice, and action-filled for the advanced diver.

f) a 2-3 day visit to Moloka`i; an incredible diversity of topography, including a Sahara-like region on the West side, one of the longest beaches in the Hawaiian islands (Papohaku), the drama of some of the highest sea cliffs in the world, the history of Father Damien and Kalaupapa, a leper colony, and the spectacle of waterfalls cascading down a tropical valley overlooking Halawa Bay.... Moloka`i has recently been host to two film production companies; keep an eye open for its beauty and history on the silver screen..

g) a visit to the Grand Wailea Resort .. a late-afternoon exploration of one of the more exclusive hotels in the world, followed by a sunset stroll from the hotel on a beach path going South around the point to the beach at the Kea Lani Hotel, a return to the Grand Wailea for evening drinks under the stars in the center courtyard or at  "Humuhumu..'s" under a thatched-roof overlooking a lagoon reached from a boardwalk over a lobster habitat... a romantic setting, oversized theme drinks, dinner is an experience in rich Hawaiian dishes, though it is pricey..

 

DINING

For tremendous Hawaiian dining experiences (at a price), recommended are: "Mama's Fish House" just East of Paia, and "Humuhumu's", at the Grand Wailea Resort, Wailea.

Eclectic dining favorites include "A Pacific Cafe" in Kihei... (a bit pricey), "Haliimaile General Store" (on Haliimaile Road, a few miles up Haleakala Highway from Hana Highway), and "Roy's Kahana Bar and Grill" at the Kahana Gateway, West Maui.

Light jazz and an elevated panoramic view of South Maui, stretching to Kahului Harbor can be found at "Bella Luna," at the Diamond Resort in Wailea. In West Maui, "The Plantation House Restaurant" in Kapalua offers a romantic setting with views of the West Maui Mountains, Molokai and Lanai.

Excellent dining values include: "A Saigon Cafe" in Wailuku, the "Ukulele Grill" at the Maui Lu Resort in Kihei, and Friday seafood buffets at "The Bay Club Restaurant" and "The Ritz-Carlton" in Kapalua.

Other dining ideas can be found under various categories at the Dining section, which includes a "Restaurant Review" discussion group that invites your comments on dining experiences on Maui.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

Do check the "Entertainment" section for regularly scheduled evening entertainment in South Maui (Kihei, Wailea), West Maui (Kapalua, Ka`anapali, Lahaina) and the Upcountry (Makawao, Paia, Pukalani) ....


FOOTNOTES

1/ Maui Island Guide (www.mauimapp.com) invites free links to arts, business and community Web pages that serve Maui and are relevant to specified subject areas.


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Maui Island Guide