Two Tickets from Paradise… we packed our bags and we headed back home.

As I explained in the first part, we stayed in a World Mark time share condo in Kihei which is located halfway between everything and also happens to be the driest part of the island. The temps never made it above the mid 80’s and there was always a slight breeze to keep you cooled off.

Before coming to the island, we did a little research thanks to a great book Maui Revealed, loaned to us by friends who had visited Maui. This book is written by people who live on the islands. It details out just what to see along the roads you are traveling even down to the road markers and turn outs.

Venture 1. Road to Kahakuloa Bay. We headed out from our condo in Kihei mid morning and drove along Highway 30. This road is like driving on Hwy 1 along the California Coast (a trip I shared a few columns back) but with the mixed vegetation of the island along with copious amounts of red and black rock formations ala Badlands & Bryce National parks in many of the places once you pass Kapalua. The views were spectacular and we did a fare share of stopping along the cliff side to take pics and enjoy the views. We ventured to the end of the two lane road and then turned back when it turned into a single lane road. (Our rental agreement forbade us from driving beyond this point). But in a Jeep or say any type of Motorcycle the road could be easily and safely traveled without mishap. It actually becomes HWY 340 and loops around the entire north part of the island and eventually leads back to Kihei via 30. Expect to spend the entire day driving this road if you want to make the most of it.

Venture 2. Road to Haleakala Crater. We opted to drive the road during the day and watch the sunset; the other option many take is to drive in the dark and make it up to watch the sunrise. Flip a coin on which you decide. As I said in part one, this road is switchback city as you wind yourself to the top of the 10,000 high peak. But it is well worth the trek. It isn’t everyday you get to drive to the top of a cinder cone and look at the inside of a former volcano and also take in a view of the entire island at the same time. Once at the top you can hike into the crater, something we didn’t have enough time to do.

Be forewarned it gets very cold at the end of the day low 40’s and in the morning well below freezing when you add the wind chill factor. So dress accordingly.

Venture 3. Road to Hana is a lazy twisty road you drive along it is also named highway 36/360, or the Hana Highway. This road offers more cliff driving but with a much wetter lush tropical rain forest feel to it. Expect many turn outs and photo ops of various waterfalls and ocean views on this trek. Once you get to Hana make sure to visit Hana Bay which includes an old wharf. At the end of the road by the wharf there is a short, not so well know path that leads to a very small Red Sand Beach and if you go beyond this point you will find a beautiful little bay with a plaque commemorating the birth place of one of King Kamehameha’s Wives. Well worth the 10 minutes it takes to walk/crawl there.

As you leave and head back you will come across Wai’anapanapa State Park and Black Sand beach; go there! Don’t tell the authorities, but I smuggled off three small bags of sand from three different beaches. I filled up a couple glass jars with the various colored sands as a reminder to us of our trip.

The road to Hana is famous and well worth the trip. If you have the proper transport, bike or Jeep, you can continue all the way around the south island and make it back to Kihei, but keep in mind you will need 8 to 10 (or more) hours to do this as the roads are slow and there is so much to see. Be prepared for rain along the Hana road especially in the AM hours, it broke and was sunny during the afternoon drive back.

Special points of interest: The Sugar Museum which is located half way between Kihei and the airport. Here you will find out about the introduction of the sugar cane to the islands and how it transformed the islands. Maui is one of the world’s largest exporters of sugar. Well worth the $7.00 admission fee.

Another attraction we opted for was the Musical/play/acrobatic performance called “Ulalena;” it is a theater similar to a Vegas Cirque du Soleil show, but it is centered on the legends and history of Hawaiian Islands. This show is located in Ka’anapali and is well worth the $50.00 ticket price (check HawaiiDiscounts.com for a good deal). After the show we headed down the street to eat at “The Mixed Plate” an outside diner where they serve authentic Hawaiian food, with a view of the bay. We split a single dinner plate and barely finished it off, all for $13.00. Another local eatery in Kihei which serves up bodacious amounts of local food is “Da Kitchen.” The tempura fish is excellent. We also ate one breakfast at another local seaside café in Kihei called “Kihei Caffe” my wife had blackened fish and I had pork chops. These three eateries are local and they all serve up huge amounts of food for very reasonable prices.

Snorkeling is a must and one of the best beaches to do this is the North beach at ‘Ahihi Cove by the ‘Ahihi-Kina’u Reserve. This little rocky cove is the home dozens of types of colorful fish and a handful of sea turtles. Go in the morning before 11AM before the water begins to get bit choppier.

There are so many places to go and see, and we didn’t get to all of them, but these are a few of what we discovered and really enjoyed. There are two major resort towns: Lahaina and Kihei. Many of the time share companies have condos in both towns. It is up to you which one you want to stay at. Kehei is dryer and newer, Lahaina is older but more developed. There are numerous other towns which offer places to stay all over the island.

Bottom line, do you homework before you come over, the internet is filled with everything you need. Use the condo as a base camp and realize you will be doing a lot of traveling about and exploring, we spent the early morning swimming in the pool and late evening also and left the rest of the day open for the chance to lay on warm sandy beaches and frolic in warm water, something 90% of Americans don’t get a chance to do everyday. Just as I was skeptical about coming to Maui, and it took the first couple of days to adjust, once I did I came to really enjoy myself. Now I’m ready for another 9 days, this time with the kids.

Here’s to enjoying God’s creation along with countless thousands of others!

Aloha!

Steve Johann