MAUI ROCKS - THINGS TO DO: 2009

SOME OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON MAUI

(MAUI MAPS BELOW)

SEE MAUI FROM THE WATER

Viewing Maui from the ocean is an awesome experience. Since October is not whale watching season the best and most fun way to go is a short few hour sail in West Maui's pristine waters with views like these:

RECOMMENDED, YUMMY AND FUN RESTAURANTS

KIMOS:

Kimos is on Lahaina's Front Street and is an absolute MUST! It is best to arrive between 5PM and 5:30PM for a romantic, spectacular sunset dinner. Dining is upstairs. Ask for a table along the rail for the best sunset view. The decor is rustic, featuring gas tiki lamps. The food is excellent. Prices are inexpensive to moderate with entrees in the $17 to $24 range that include Kimos special salad. My favorite is their local Koala plum sauced ribs still under $20 including their super salad.

KOBE STEAK HOUSE:

Right in the heart of Lahaina Town, one block in from Front Street and the ocean. Kobe's FUN Teppan flames at the table cooking has been a highlight of each visit. Even better, Entertainment book's coupon is good for one free dinner. This awesome fun dinner may be followed by a leisurly town stroll. Can't be beat.

http://www.kobemaui.com/

HYATT SWAN COURT:

We had an old tradition of one opulent breakfast at Maui Hyatt's famous SWAN COURT. Lush lagoon, waterfalls and very live SWANS swimming to within feet of table makes this a plush, FUN experience. While we DO NOT usually go out for breakfast this one awaits should we decide to re-ignite the tradition. Waffles, omelettes and scores of tropical delights abound at this Royles Royce of buffets. Mostly though it is the location, ambiance etc. Afterwards, we explore the super deluxe hotel lobby, grounds and art collection. Also, $7,000 Blue Macaw and South African Penguin pool, all found in the hotel lobby. Cost, about $25 for this SPLURGE. Conclusion: Have not done it in years.....would be a BLAST of fun if it is something YOU BOTH would like to do. We could also do the same hotel tour SANS the breakfast.

Web page with MENU and many more kool pictures: http://www.mauihawaii.org/restaurants/swan-court.htm

HECOCKS IN LAHAINA TOWN:

Best described as a 'nice' restaurant with OK food Hecocks has three additional things going for it. It is located in the 505 Front Street shopping complex at the end of Lahaina town, so one can spend some time exploring its shops. Also, at about 6pm the lawn in front of Hecocks is used for a splashy Luau whose sights n' sounds happily 'invade' and enhance the dinner meal. Finally, Hecocks is listed in the Hawaii Entertainment hence each couple enjoys an 'almost' Free dinner! Hecocks is beachfront hence the nifty picture below taken from the beach.

LAHAINA TOWN:

What can we say except that pictures do not do it justice. It's Front Street is lined with everything from ticky tacky shops to scores of art galleries and eateries. The middle of Front Street is literally on the ocean so that one looks out at the Pacific while strolling through this part of the town. The ban of high rises permits Lahaina to retain a bit of its historic whaling town look.

A visit to Lahaina is perfect for an evening walk while enjoying its ocean front balmy breezes. Window shopping at stores, art galleries etc. is always fun. The first picture shows Lahaina Town's Marina from the ocean. Second is Lahaina town's Front Street, oceanfront view. Below and beyond this area there are shops on both sides of Front Street so that only this stretch is open to the ocean. First, a map of Lahaina which is just south of the Kaanapali beach complex and a very short 10-15 minute drive from RK:

Shown below is the Lahaina Town Wharf shops complex with Wharf Cinema. It is across the street from the town's famous several hundred year old Banyan tree. The Wharf is on Front Street at the south end of town. Also, a nice shot of Lahaina's Front Street shops.

MAGAZINES FOR SAVING $$$$$$:

Upon arrival at Kahalui airport pick up a handful of money-saving publications. The best are the rectangular weekly magazines such Maui Gold and This Week in Maui. You not only learn what is going on but also have sections of great color close-up Maui area maps and even better some great money saving offers, discounts and coupons. Even top notch Kobe Steak House often offers 2 for 1 early bird Teppan dinner coupons. (Note: these are usually for their Teppan chicken dinners. Hawaii Entertainment book Kobe coupons are far better with no time or menu limits.) Grab these and other similar magazines at the airport racks or later in Lahaina.

AN OTHERWORLDY VISIT TO HALEAKALA:

Maui is one of the world’s special exotic places. It is known as the Valley Isle, owing to its formation by two volcanic peaks. A pristine, fertile valley connects its two extinct volcanos. One of the dormant volcanos, 10,000 foot-high Haleakala, House of the Gods, is the highest peak in the Hawaiian chain. A visit to its peak allows visitors to view a facsimile of the moon’s cratered surface. Many visitors arrive at 5:00am to enjoy a spectacular sunrise. There is an otherworldly feeling as the sun slowly emerges from the cloud shrouded summit. Need we say more (see below)!

Quite the different daytime view. Enjoy a lovely drive to the sumit. There is a winery and botanidal garden en route. PLUS awesome views of the Valley Isle.

This map shows Haleakala's location on Maui:

BEACHES, BEACHES, BEACHES -

WHALERS VILLAGE & BLACK ROCK BEACH

First, this map which shows the northwest Maui coast from Kaanapali beach resort past the Royal Kahana (about dead center) to Kapalua beach:

No visit to Muis is complete without enjoying one or hopefully two of its BEST IN THE WORLD beaches. One, Kaanapali's Sheraton Black Rock beach offers sand, sun, and shade cabanas PLUS great snorkeling. Best to park at Whalers Village, a nearby very cool shopping complex which fronts the beach. Just a fun ten minute walk from Whalers to the Sheraton and its Black Rock beach area. So, the perfect combination of beach and then tropical shops, snacks, drinks etc. And, all this is about 5-10 minutes south of the Royal Kahana.

As noted, the 5-10 minute walk from Whalers Village takes us to marvelous Sheraton Hotel's Black Rock beach section of Kaanapali beach. Note the fantastic setting AND THE SHADE CHAIRS we can rent for total comfort. Hotel pool and bar just feet away. And no one to stop one from taking a fresh water pool dip.

KAPALUA BEACH

Just 2 miles north of the Royal Kahana is Kapalua Beach voted the world's best beach by USA Today and Conde Neste readers year after year. A truly 'post card' beach that offers great snorkeling in its crystal clear warm waters plus a green belt with (hopefully) necessary shade areas just off the beach. The many trees and shady grass areas are clearly seen.

A LEISURE DRIVE DOWN THE SOUTH MAUI COAST (TO KEHEI AND BEYOND)

We usually spend a relaxing day driving to and exploring southern Maui or the south part of Maui's West Coast. We pass local beaches, shopping centers, a very neat indoor-outdoor upscale flea market and stop at one or more of the most glitzy hotels in the world plus newly built TOP NOTCH Wailea Shops. Below two views of the Grand Wailea Hotel and the Wailea Shops:

LUNCH & THE KEHEI KALAMA MARKETPLACE

Fodors describes the Kalama Marketplace as:

This is a fun place to investigate. Shaded outdoor stalls sell everything from printed and hand-painted T-shirts and sundresses to jewelry, pottery, wood carvings, fruit, and gaudily painted coconut husks -- some, but not all, made by local craftspeople.

The 'shaded' reference is a bit innadeq76Yuate as the marketplace is contained within two bright, open air buildings. Pictured here is the entrance to the Kalama Marketplace. The Marketplace is found at 1941 So. Kehei Road.

In addition to an opportunity for fun shopping there are numerous eateries and food vendors from gourmet coffee to pizza and sit-down restaurants. Which brings us to our favorite lunch spot in the Kehei area which just happens to adjoin the Kalama Marketplace at 1941 So. Kehei Road.

BADA BING RESTAURANT

Great food, nice interior and cool umbrella tables on their outdoor deck. Use a $12 Entertainment coupon for one free lunch.

Bada Bing describes the restaurant as: Enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine in a spacious outdoor shaded Lanai. Lighter lunch fare includes a grilled Maui onion burger, Greek salad (large $9), pasta and their giant half pound meatball ($11.99).

So, enjoy a great Kehei lunch and fun shopping all in one stop. Oh, easy parking in the open lot on your right on the ocean side of the road. As always, do not leave valuables in your car.

FUN & GAMES IN CENTRAL MAUI:

At the center of the 'figure eight' that is Maui (the mid-point en route to the airport and/or Haleakala) are some fun things to do. There is the Aquatic Center we have yet to visit, the picturesque Iao Needle State Park, newly built tropical Miniture Golf course and always FUN Tropical Plantation, the latter with free ticket per the Hawaii Entertainment book. The first two pictures are the Tropical Plantation:

THE ROAD TO HANA-ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DRIVES IN THE WORLD

This all day trip meanders over 40 small bridges, past waterfalls and swimming holes, along unbelievable coastline, through a rain forest, through the famous town of Hana and ending at the Seven Sacred Pools. The latter flow into one another with the final pool flowing into the sea. The most 'stable' of the pools offer marvelous, safe swimming under a tropical waterfall. Here are some pix starting with another neat map of the road to Hana. Note: Sadly, lava flows on the road just past the 7 Sacred Pools prevents us from driving a much shorter circle of Maui and requires that we reverse route back to Lahaina.

VISIT MAKAWAO

FOR A TASTE OF THE ‘OLD WEST’ ON MAUI

Makawao is long known as a town sporting the rustic charm of the old west. It located just a short drive, about 12 miles, from Kahalui airport. It’s up country location on the foothills of Haleakala offer daytime temperatures of 75-85 degrees.

As one drives up the slope of Haleakala you are greeted with green rolling pastures and views of the distant blue ocean. Today, Makawao sports a charming variety of art galleries, boutiques and several restaurants. Want a day away from the sand and surf, Makawao is the perfect get-a-way for several hours of the entire DAY.

Where is Makawao?