Here’s a great idea if you’re going to Maui and want to do something really unusual and fun. I admit this isn’t for everyone and it’s quite pricey, but I promise it will be an activity you’ll never forget.
I first got this idea when Yaling (my wife and business partner) and I were taking a Hawaii cruise a couple of years ago. The cruise in Hawaii is designed to give you a lot of land time. You actually get a day and a half on Maui and another day and a half on Kauai. Yaling had driven to Hana before but didn’t want to make the long journey again. I thought it would be great to take a helicopter from Kahului airport (where the ship docks) to Hana and then drive back just one way back to Kahului. Yaling suggested that we stay at Hotel Hana for the night so we wouldn’t have to fly and then drive back in one day.
I contacted a couple of helicopter companies and discovered that we could fly to Hana from Kahului. We did have to pay for a round-trip flight that cost approximately $500. We rented a car at the Hana airport for an additional $60, drove to the hotel and stayed overnight. We woke up early and had a nice leisurely ride back to the cruise ship.
Since that time I’ve discovered a company that actually specializes in air-land tours. It’s called the Hana Skytrek and is run by a company called Temptation Tours. The air-land tour takes about six hours to complete. You fly by helicopter to Hana and return in a nice comfortable van to the airport at Kahalui. Hana Skytrek even provides lunch or a special dinner if you want to do the tour later in the afternoon.
If you are already taking a vacation of a lifetime, why not do something a little different? Spend the money and be a rock star for a day! If you would like more information or want to book this tour, give me a call at 1+800-843-8771 ext. 22
(Note this is part 2 of our series on choosing the right location on Maui (click here for part 1)
Focusing on the south side you’ll find Kihei, home to lots of condos, one after another along the beach. While this is not my favorite location to stay, it’s certainly beautiful and can be a good choice. Be careful with your condo selection and check with a travel agent to make sure of your choices. If you’re on a tight budget, Kihei may be the right choice for you. You’ll find beautiful beaches at Kameole I, II and II, and many boat tours leave from nearby Maalaea Harbor.
At almost the tip of the southern part of the island is Wailea. Home to some of the most amazing resorts in all Hawaii, Wailea is my choice for honeymooners and those who are really looking for a vacation of a lifetime. Many five and six star accommodations are located in Wailea, but it is not only for the rich and famous, you can also find affordable condos here
as well, including the Palms of Wailea and Aqua Diamond Wailea Resort.Wherever you choose to stay when you go to Maui, make sure you do your homework to pick the best location to ensure you enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.
On the southern tip of the island is an area known as Makena. There’s only one resort in that area and it’s called the Maui Prince Hotel. The prices are pretty affordable and you get all the amenities of a major resort and the property is quite expansive. It’s truly are one of the most beautiful sections of beach in all of Maui and a short drive to the
beautiful Makena State Park.
About 25 miles to the east is Hana. If you’re looking at the map will be on the far right. Many people have heard of the road Hana which is a wonderful way to spend a day and experience a lot of natural beauty in Hawaii. You can stop along the way and see sacred Falls waterfall. There is only one major resort in Hana and it’s called Hotel Hana. It’s a beautiful plantation style resort making this a perfect quiet getaway with wonderful ranch cottages. This is a very pricey property a well worth the cost. I love to put honeymoon couples here and also like to split vacation to Maui with some time being spent in, and also time spent in Kaanapali. It’s almost like staying on two different islands.
Finally, while there’s some wonderful places to stay in bed and breakfast types of accommodations in other parts of the island, the only other hotels are located in Kahalui on the Northern side of the island. This is where the airport is located and this a very busy hub for business on Maui. The two hotels that are there are very marginal and are not recommended unless you’re staying there for a night or a really inexpensive place to stay. It’s about 20 minutes to the Wailea/Kihei area and about 45 to 50 minutes to the Kaanapali area.
(Note this is part 2 of our series on choosing the right location on Maui(click here for part 1)
If you’re considering Maui for your Hawaii vacation you’re probably wondering where would be the best place to stay on the island. I often get this question and base my recommendations on customers’ individual travel needs. That being
said, here is some basic information that I think would be helpful to anyone who is considering a trip to Maui. This is general overview of the island and it’s always best to check with a travel agent to make sure you avoid any problems
with the location you have chosen.
Please note this is a Part 1 of a 2 Part series on this subject and focuses on the West and South sides of the IslandClick here for part 2.
When you look at a map of Maui, it’s similar to a sideways figure eight. We’ll start from the left side (northwest side) and work our way around the island. On the northwest side is Kapalua where you’ll find the beautiful beach at Kapalua
Bay. Although the trade winds can be strong, there’s true magic looking out across the Bay and relaxing here. Kapalua is considered a somewhat "high end" area. You’ll find the Ritz Carlton and Kapalua Bay Villas which are both
adjacent to two golf courses. One potential downside is a bit of a walk to the beach at Kapalua Bay from most of the resorts there.
Moving south from the northwest side is Napili. In this area you’ll only find condos, no major resorts or hotels. However, some of these condos are quite nice and even provide restaurants and spas on property. Many of the condos very
affordable and are located right along or across the beach. The area is perfect for families and small groups. The major attraction in Napili is Napili Bay. I always make it a point to snorkel there and I’m never disappointed. Napili Bay
is very safe and I often see beautiful sea turtles there.
Further southwest is Honokauai. This area is heavily populated with condos. Similar to Napili, Honokauai does not have any major resorts or hotels. Honokauai is one of my favorite places for visitors because it’s a bit closer to the action in Lahaina and Kaanapali. Unfortunately, some beaches are not conducive for swimmers due to coral rock. If swimming is a priority for you, make sure to find the right beaches.
On the west side is Kaanapali, one of the most popular resort areas on the island. Here you’ll find amazing resort hotels and wonderful condos. There’s lots of action; shopping and restaurants all connected by a walkway behind the
hotels with the Whalers Village the central focal point. You won’t feel isolated here, there is a lot to do and see. Kaanapali is a good mix of cosmopolitan and tropical activities.
Located nearby Kaanapali is Lahaina, the heart of Maui in many ways. Lahaina is home to Lahaina Town. This is an old whaling village which is now a promenade with museums, restaurants, shops and more. Lahaina is a wonderful place to stay for those who either can’t or don’t want to rent a car. Everything is centrally located and extremely easy to find in Lahaina. No traveling is necessary to enjoy numerous activities Lahaina has to offer. Don’t worry, you can find budget
friendly condos in Lahaina, including the Lahaina Shores and Aina Nalu.
Most of the states have great places for hiking, but it’s hard to beat Hawaii’s variety. All the islands have great hiking territory. Here are a few to consider if you’re a hiker or if you just enjoy beautiful walks:
On Kauai, the Kalalau Trail hosts some of the most spectacular views in the Hawaiian Islands, and the Hanakapiai Falls Trail begins two miles up the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast at Hanakapiai Beach.
On Maui, the Halemauu Trail to Holua Cabin descends the sheer cliffs of Haleakala on the west crater wall.
Waipio Valley and Mauna Kea are near the northernmost point of the Big Island. Once the home President John F. Kennedy’s first Peace Corps training camp, the area today is a remote and little-visited place modern man has all but forgotten.
For the full spectrum of all that is Hawaii, consider the 1,875 acres of Waimea Valley on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s been a sacred place for more than 700 years of Native Hawaiian history. 78 sites of interest have been identified in the valley, including religious sites and shrines, house sites, agricultural terraces and fishponds.
The valley’s150-acre botanical collection contains more than 5,000 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants, including native and endangered Hawaiian plants. Four out of five species of native freshwater fish can be found in Kamananui Stream.
Once you’re in the valley, for which there’s an admission fee of $5.00 to $10.00, you can participate in several free activities including lei making, kapa demonstrations, hula lessons, Hawaiian games, crafts, music and story telling.
Several free (with your paid admission) walking tours are offered at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
You want to be sure to take in the Valley’s 45-foot waterfall, Waihï. It’s about 3/4 of a mile from the park entrance booth.
Waimea Valley hosts larger tours – from easy and moderate family walks every Saturday to strenuous five-hour scrambles on the last Saturday of every month. Guides will help you identify the native and exotic plants, and will point out the indigenous birds and fish. The family hikes cost $5.00 per person, and the five-hour hikes cost $10.00 in addition to the valley entry fee. You’ll need reservations.
As you finish your visit, there is a retail store that showcases the work of local artists and Hawaii crafters of locally made products. The store also hosts weekly demonstrations by featured vendors. The valley’s on-site concession services uses locally grown, made-in-Hawaii ingredients for tasty local dining.
If you want to include hiking in your vacation on any of the islands, pick an agent from our Web site home page (hawaii-aloha.com), or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll set you up.
So when you were planning this year’s vacation, you had your heart set on Hawaii, but your spouse was hoping to tour Wine Country — the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California. Hooray! You prevailed.
Okay, now that you’ve decided on Hawaii, how can you appease your spouse somewhat? These islands in no way resemble Wine Country. Most of the world’s grape growing is done in moderate climates; Hawaii’s climate is tropical. But Hawaii does have higher elevations of volcanic mountains and ridges, which do support the growing of grapes. Accordingly, Hawaii has two wineries – on the islands of Hawaii and Maui. Both grow Symphony, the only grape raised here for winemaking. Symphony is a cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris, and it yields wines that are very fruity, off dry to sweet, and great for quaffing on the beach. You won’t find them in the cellars of wine connoisseurs around the world.
The 20,000-acre tract that is ‘Ulupalakua Ranch on the leeward slopes of Haleakala at an elevation of slightly under 2,000 feet is made up of tiny rural communities, rolling green pastureland, great distinguished trees and majestic mountain vistas, with sublime seascapes below. And, yes, you can enjoy the vistas on your way to a tour of the winery. You will see it all on the road to Tedeschi Vineyards, which were established in 1974. The first grapes were harvested in 1980, and in 1984 Tedeschi’s first grape product, Maui Brut, was released.
Today the winery sells an assortment of wines made from grapes as well as several other specialty wines made from pineapple, passion fruit and even raspberries.
Your first stop when you arrive at the winery will be the tasting room, where you can sample the various varieties of wines. The winery also offers two free guided tours every day at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The guides are well versed in the history of the area and the ranch, and you’ll enjoy walking through the grounds where Hawaiian royalty once relaxed. After the tour you’ll head back to the tasting room to buy a bottle of wine for lunch and maybe a few more to take with you. For lunch all you need to do is walk across the street to the ‘Ulupalakua Ranch Store.
On the Big Island, Volcano Winery produces local wines inspired by volcanic fire and the bounty of the island. Tropical fruits like yellow guava and the exotic jaboticaba berry are blended with traditional wine grapes and transformed into creations that capture the area’s relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.
For the more traditional palate, the winery offers wines made with the Symphony grape. And there’s a Macadamia Nut Honey Wine, made from blossoms of the Macadamia Nut tree, which yields a sweet after-dinner treat that is uniquely Hawaiian.
The winery’s staff does free tasting every day of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and no appointment is necessary.
Volcano Winery is at the 30-mile marker in Volcano, near the golf course. It makes for a great side trip when you visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
So even if it ain’t the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, winery tours in Hawaii still are fun and tasty. If you’d like to work in a tour of either winery or both, pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Web site home page, or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll work it into your vacation schedule for you.
A true Hawaii tourism hero died earlier this month. His name was Richard Wassman Kimi. He did not do a specific heroic thing, but what he did lastingly affected Hawaii tourism.
Back in the mid-1950s, Kimi, who lived in Hilo on the Big Island, noticed that the tourists who came to the island arrived on large ships or airplanes. That meant they had money and could afford fine accommodations. But the then-29-year-old noticed that there were very few affordable places to stay for local residents and neighbor-island residents who wanted to visit Hilo for a day or two.
In 1956, even though friends and experts told him he was crazy, Kimi built the 30-room Hotel Hukilau in Hilo. It was a small hotel, one of the first along Banyan Drive, which now is lined with East Hawaii’s largest hotels such as the Naniloa and Hilo Hawaiian.
The Hotel Hukilau was consistently packed, mostly with people who lived in the islands. Soon, budget-conscious visitors discovered that the rooms were nicely-furnished and clean, and that the service at the hotel was excellent. Realizing that his concept was working, Kimi went on to build the Hukilau and Seaside hotels in Kona (on the other side of the Big Island), on Maui, and on Kaua’i, and he would also purchase the old Waikiki Biltmore Hotel, now the site of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki.
Kimi never wanted to build large hotels. His objective was to serve local residents and budget-minded visitors. He was one of the first to put together air, room and car packages for residents, and he was a leader in taking reservations via fax machines and toll-free numbers.
He also enjoyed teaching and sharing his sales, marketing and business knowledge. One of his students was Robert Kiyosaki, author of the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" books, who based his original "rich dad" on Kimi,.
Kimi, the visionary who pioneered the reasonably-priced “family” accommodations still available in Hawaii, died on December 19th in Honolulu. He was 83.
It happens. The old standby gets accused of being trite, boring, no longer fashionable.
Compared to the other islands, Oahu is still holding its own, but now it seems to be cool to downgrade it. Waikiki is too “touristy.” Honolulu is a big city now, with the inevitable traffic, industrialization and loss of the Aloha Spirit.
Okay. Maui has been called “the world’s greatest island.” It has the amazing Haleakala, the charm of Hana, the history of Lahaina, the lure of the Iou Needle and the resorts of Kaanapali.
Kauai has an abundance of natural wonders and great resorts. The Big Island has its volcanic action, enormous variety and even greater resorts. Molokai and Lanai have their intimacy and peace.
They’re all terrific. But never shortchange Oahu. Oahu is a big island, too, stretching ‘way beyond Waikiki and Honolulu. And Waikiki and Honolulu embody most of the things you envision when you first consider Hawaii for a vacation.
Waikiki is where the action is. The entertainment is first-class. A lot of the acts have been at it for a quarter of a century; newer ones are laced with high tech and imagination. World-class performers appear in Waikiki or Honolulu regularly. The beaches in Waikiki are everything you’ve seen and read about. The shopping is top-drawer.
Honolulu is almost as historical as (and perhaps more interesting than) Boston or Philadelphia. Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial should not be missed if you’re going to come to Hawaii.
The outer areas — the North Shore, Windward Oahu, East Oahu and the emerging West Coast with its “Second City” of Kapolei are all worth your time.
Seasoned visitors to Hawaii would offer you a suggestion like this:
On your first visit, do Oahu. If you have time, then take in a neighbor island or two. On your next visit, do a day or two in Waikiki to see what’s new, then do the neighbor islands.
When you consider the entire picture, spending your entire vacation on a neighbor island can be restricting. Think of a smorgasbord and spending the entire evening at the salad bar. However much you might love salads, there’s a whole lot more for your table.
The island of Maui is loaded with magnificent resorts (Kaanapali, Kapalua) and quaint areas (Lahaina, Hana) where it’s easy to settle in, hang out, and never get abroad to see the rest of the island.
But if you’re inclined to explore and sight-see, you’ll want to drive to Iao Valley in Central Maui.
That’s where you’ll find the Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle that rises above Iao stream. All around are the walls of the Pu’u Kukui Crater. It’s a beautiful place. The Needle is a 2,250-foot stone pillar that’s covered in green. Its basaltic core has survived eons of swirling water.
The Valley itself is a peaceful, luxuriant area. It’s easy to hike, surrounded by exotic tropical plants and clear, natural pools. Once you reach the top of the ridge, you encounter a great view of the valley and Kahului Harbor. Other trails in the state park run alongside Iao Stream and through the forest, making it a nice place for a short hike, if you don’t mind the chance of getting wet. (Only Mount Waialeale on Kauai, the wettest spot on earth, gets more rain in Hawaii.)
One of the most famous battles in Hawaii’s history was waged here in 1790 when King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The battle was said to be so bloody that dead bodies blocked Iao Stream, and the battle site was named Kepaniwai ("damming of the waters").
Legend says that the Valley harbors the spirit of the Hawaiian god Kane, who is the procreator and the provider of life. He is associated with fresh water and clouds, rain, streams and springs. Kanaloa, the Hawaiian god of the underworld, is represented by the phallic stone of the Iao Needle.
During the late 15th century, Iao Valley was designated as an aliʻi burial area. The remains of chiefs were buried secretly in hiding places in the valley (but there’s no need to watch your step as you trek).
There is an abundance of escorted tours that will take you into Iao Valley. Some of the tours encompass Haleakala, Upcountry Maui and beyond, as well. And you can view just about everything during a helicopter tour.
Maybe you’ve tried it — being strapped in a harness and sliding down a galvanized-steel cable hundreds of feet up in the air for a distance of a quarter or half a mile or so. Ziplining. It’s not for the weak of body or heart.
Piiholo Ranch in Upcountry Maui is best known for its horseback riding (and it’s great for that). But now it contains Hawaii’s newest and longest Zipline. Its specifications exceed minimum requirements. Its lines are made of three-quarter-inch galvanized steel cables that can support 58,000 pounds, equivalent to the weight of 10 SUVs. Pulleys connect to the cables at four points to prevent uncontrolled spinning, and a revolutionary braking system ensures smooth, slow stops.
Sound like fun?
The nylon harness that you wear is different from the common climbing harness used on most other zip-line tours. Adapted from the paragliding harnesses, they’re said to feel “like sitting in a chair” while you’re gliding down the line. To participate, you need closed-toed shoes. You can’t be pregnant, have back problems or have any other serious medical condition.
Under the six ziplines from climbing towers with names such as “Giant’s Ladder,” Wild Woosey” and “King’s Swing,” Piiholo Ranch has more than 100 acres with thick stands of eucalyptus, wild coffee, koa, ohia, kukui, koaie, guava, strawberry guava and other tropical greenery to gaze at from above. Line Five measures 2,800 feet (more than half a mile). It’s the longest zip line in Hawaii and among the five longest lines in the entire U.S. It’s also the course’s highest line, stretching 600 feet above a deep gulch. It provides spectacular views of Central Maui and the summit of Haleakala Volcano, and you may spot axis deer, mountain boars, pueo (Hawaiian owls) and Hawaii’s endangered nene (Hawaiian goose), for which there is a breeding habitat on the ranch.
Your adventure begins with a walk across a 320-foot suspension bridge. You start with Line One, from the Tango Tower, which is the shortest (480 feet) and lowest (40 feet above a meadow) on the circuit. Once you’ve completed that run, you can move on to the others.
It isn’t cheap. If you do five lines, it’s almost $200 per person. The Tango Tower is $95 per person. You can pay $25 for what they call the “Walk-Along Adventure,” which lets you see all the action without gliding.
If you’re going to be on Maui and you’d like to engage in this thrilling activity, pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Web site home page (hawaii-aloha.com) or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll get you flying.
Thanks to a large, nocturnal bird, Hawaii will become an all-digital TV market a month ahead of the rest of the country. While the national switchover from analog signals is scheduled for February 17th next year, Hawaii will have made the conversion on January 15th.
That’s because of the breeding habits of the ‘ua‘u, or Hawaiian petrel. The ‘ua‘u is an endangered species, and it happens to breed near the to-be-demolished analog facilities near the summit of Haleakala on Maui in February.
The decision to move up the conversion followed consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It may have an additional benefit: Hawaii will be the first state to convert and will be able to receive assistance from federal agencies, while, on February 17th, no single area in the country will be getting much attention. An estimated 20 million households nationwide still receiving analog signals will be making the switch.
Even if you’re planning to visit our islands in January or February, all this will not concern you. Hawaii hotels and resorts have been all-digital for some time now.
