MAUI The Valley Isle

Kaanapali is a luxury resort environment with beautiful shops, beaches and lots of activities for fun. Great restaurants, shops and hotels with tropical gardens for your enjoyment.

Up until 1956, Kaanapali was part of a large sugar plantation. The resort planners that selected this area of Maui, put their biggest and best resorts on Kaanapali beach. Many high-end resorts line the beach and are all connected by an excellent paved beachside path. To stroll along this path at sunset is a must. Black Rock, an extinct volcano, is the only peninsula and is situated about mid-way along Kaanapali beach.

Traffic along this stretch of coast can be very thick - allow for extra time going to and from Lahaina town.

Centrally located, historic whaling village that has been restored with many fun shops and great places to dine with lots of things to do. Lahaina is West Maui's center for boating and diving activities. It has a "real" downtown with many things to do. It is very crowded and bustling. Parking is not easy in Lahaina so come to town early in the morning to find the best spots. Front Street is exciting and energetic and a good place for a stroll. The old world view of Hawaii comes through in Lahaina. Go to Lahaina to eat, shop, buy and talk. As an old whalers' port, it is no surprise that there are many boating activities originating from Lahaina. There are few places to stay in Lahaina but there is an abundance of exciting night-life and many restaurants.

Be careful of the sun in Lahaina. The word actually means "cruel sun" and it can quickly give you a memorable burn to take home.

Kapalua is one of Maui's great planned communities, featuring your choice of luxurious bay, ridge, or golf villas (they're not called condos at Kapalua). Kapalua is a world class resort and home to three championship golf courses.

Napili offers you a trip in to "old" Hawaii and is one of the original resorts which maintains its 1940's-1950's character. This is partly the reason for its popularity.

The accommodations in the area are predominantly low rise situated in a quiet residential area. Napili Bay is one of Maui's most picturesque and gentle surf beaches and is framed by beautiful palm trees. It's terrific for snorkeling and particularly safe for small children. Whichever one of the accommodations you might choose from below, the access to Napili Bay is only a few minutes away.

Just South of Kapalua and Napili, Kahana is one of the quietest resort areas on Maui. In Kahana, you'll find a wide range of oceanfront accommodations from budget to more deluxe. Smaller units like studios to larger three bedrooms can be found here as well. The oceanfront values in Kahana are some of the very best on all of Maui.

Honokowai offers a tranquil setting which is minutes from the activities of Kaanapali and Lahaina. The beautiful secluded beaches of Napili and Kapalua are just to the North of Honokowai.

Most of the accommodations in the area tend to be more high rise in nature which allows for spectacular oceanviews. There are some tremendous oceanfront values to be found.

Kihei is located on the South West side of Maui appoximately 25 minutes from the airport. It is a town that is filled with many shops and stores. It is also an area where you can get a good feel as to how the locals may live.

There are also some great beaches to be explored. The Kamaole Beaches are great for a variety of activities and are generally very safe.

The best thing about Kihei, however, is the incredible accommodation prices. Kihei has some of the very best values on all of Maui.

Wailea is located approximately 35 minutes from the airport and is considered to be one of the very most upscale areas on all of Maui. It is a peaceful, luxurious resort environment with miles of beautiful beaches for walking, swimming and snorkeling. For those who enjoy golf and tennis, Wailea is an ideal setting. Shopping for luxury goods can be done at the nearby Wailea Shopping Village. Shopping for groceries and other basic items can be done right next door in the town of Kihei.

The hotels and condos in the area tend to cost a bit more, but the quality is considered to be some of the very best on Maui. So, it's well worth the money!

The beaches in the Wailea are some of the most beautiful in all the Hawaiian islands. There is a beach path that is well preserved that can be used to stroll from resort to resort or restaurant back to your hotel.

Five minutes South of Wailea, Makena is a serene area with excellent snorkeling and swimming beaches. Makena has deluxe beachfront condos with spectacular views. The only hotel in Makena is the Maui Prince Hotel. Makena is also home to the famous Haleakala volcano, now in its dormant years. Its last eruption was in 1790. Makena also has excellent hiking trails - walking up Pu'u Ola'i is not that easy, but it is rewarding. From the top you have an excellent view, including Big Beach and much of Wailea. You might also see a few of the thousands of the wild deer resident in this area of Maui. While you are driving, stop at some of the good roadside food stands.

The "Road to Hana" is an experience. Located at the far Southeastern corner of Maui, half of the pleasure of Hana is the two hour drive that hugs the rugged coast with its tropical rain forest and many waterfalls. The road is perfectly drivable by any rental car - you do not need a 4WD vehicle. Sometimes the road goes from pavement to gravel but it is graded and consistent. Start early in the morning to get the best use of sunlight and to avoid the crowds. There are many waterfalls near the road and they are all beautiful to look at - pull over and take a look. Between the 15 and 16 mile markers, there is a hill - it is where King Kamehameha fought the Maui King warriors and defeated them. Further on the road, Nahiku is one of the most luxuriant and green areas of Maui. Flowers and plants grow strong, tall and green here and, once you see it, you will never forget its beauty. Don't miss the Blue Pool waterfall and swimming hole - another one of the many memorable vistas and locations along the road to Hana.

Hana itself is one of the most peaceful places in Maui where no one rushes to do anything. Hana Bay has a beautiful black sand beach where it is quite safe to swim. On the other side of the Ka'uiki Head peninsula at the South end of Hana Bay is the Red Sand Beach - while the swimming is not excellent, the walk and the colors make it memorable.