Makena State Beach – One of my top 10 favorite places anywhere

Magnificent. Incredible. Gorgeous beyond words. I really don’t have the words to describe this area of Maui. Tranquil. Serene. I could go on and on. But a place not to be missed.

Location: South of Wailea at the end of Wailea Alanui Road.

Hours: Daily 6:00 a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Entrance Fee: None

A gem of Maui

Description: Scenic wildland beach park characterized by prominent cinder cone Pu‘u Ola‘i and large white sand beach. Swimming during calm seas, bodysurfng, board surfng, shore fishing, and beach- related activities. No drinking water. CAUTION: Shore break can be dangerous.

164.4 acres

Services: Restrooms, trash cans, no drinking water

Kaumahina State Wayside Park

Highway 360E
(Hana Highway)

A 7.8 acre forested rest stop with picnicking and scenic views of the northeast Maui coastline. There are many showy exotic plants and a wonderful overlook of Keanae Peninsula and village. There are several loop trails leading uphill from the ocean.

Useful Information:

Picnic Facilities with covered shelters
Camping Facilities available for free
No Showers
No drinking water
Restrooms (porta-potty)

DIRECTIONS:
Located off Highway 360 (Hana Highway), at mile marker #12.

Don't miss this state park in Hana

Halekii-Pihana Heiau State Monument

Halekii-Pihana Heiau State Monument

Location: Remains of two important heiau (places of worship) that were rededicated as war temples by Kahekili, Maui’s last ruling chief. Viewpoint of Central Maui.

10.2 acres

Hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 7:00p.m.
Entrance Fee: None

Description: Remains of two important heiau (places of worship) that were rededicated as war temples by Kahekili, Maui’s last ruling chief. Viewpoint of Central Maui.

Services: Trash cans, interpretive signage, no drinking water.

Hawaii’s State Parks on Maui. Iao Needle Lookout Trail

There are 6 State parks on Maui. Each one nicer than the next and not to be missed. Let’s face it, if you can make happy hour at Tommy Bahama’s you can sure as heck explore one of these world class wonders.
Let’s start with Iao Needle

Iao Needle

. What makes this place special is the scenery, the misty dreaminess of the place and the history.

Emerald peaks emerge from the lush valley floor of Iao Valley. Located in Central Maui, this peaceful state park is home to one of Maui’s most popular landmarks, the 1200-foot Iao Needle. This rock peak overlooks Iao stream and is an ideal attraction for easy hiking and sightseeing.

Aside from its natural tropical beautiful, sacred Iao Valley has great historical significance. It was here in 1790, at the Battle of Kepaniwai, that King Kamehameha clashed with Maui’s army in his quest to unite the islands. Kamehameha defeated Maui’s forces in a ferocious battle that ultimately changed the course of Hawaiian history.

There is a well-marked path from the parking lot to view Iao Needle and the ridge-top lookout provides incredible views of the valley. The Needle is often covered in clouds, so an early start is your best bet for a good view. Families can also take a rainforest walk or explore interactive exhibits at the Hawaii Nature Center, which is also located within Iao Valley.

Trail Length: 0.6 mi.
Activity: Pedestrian
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Wet valley
Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Park Name: ‘Iao Valley State Monument

Maui back in 1977

Maui's amazing sunset

That is when I first moved to Maui.The airport was a little itsy bitsy thing with a big memorable banyon tree.
You could still find puka shells on Kaanapali Beach. The population was 35,000 and there was not a single traffic signal on the island. Nothing was open past 7 or 8 pm. There was no Wailea or Kapalua and most of Kaanapali Beach was still intact with the Sheraton at one end and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Life was simple and easy and very slow. Then the development started and it was non-stop. The small airport was replaced with a big one, with non-stop flights coming in from Japan, Canada and all over the US. Puka shells on the beach became more rare each day. The island grew and grew and one day a K-Mart was opened up. I remember police directing traffic around the intersections near there for weeks since it was such a big deal. Despite the growth and development, the place is still magnificent. The sunsets, the fresh air, the blue sky, the white puffy clouds.
It’s still heaven.

Hiking on Maui. Waihee Ridge Trail

Hiking Waihee Ridge Trail

This is one of my favorite hikes. WAIHEE RIDGE TRAIL (2.5 miles)
ACCESS: From Kahekili Highway (34), Head up Maluhia Road leading 0.9 mile mauka to right before Camp Maluhia. You’ll see a sign on a fence marks the beginning of the trail, which follows a series of right-of-way markers through the pasture before entering this amazing forest.
ROUTE: The trail climbs the windward slope of West Maui 2.5 miles to a peak overlooking Wailuku. It begins just below the Boy Scout’s Camp Maluhia in the pasture and climbs through a brushy guava thicket, a young planted stand of trees and finally into wet native scrub forest. As one progresses up the ridge the view continually changes. First one looks down on the Boy Scout Camp, then into Waihee gorge with its dark verdant cliffs, then north into Makamakaole Gulch, and finally at the top one can see Wailuku and central Maui, to the north the Kahakuloa slopes and directly inland Mount Eke can be seen high in the clouds.

The trail is well marked and in good condition although somewhat steep at times. It climbs from 1,000 feet to 2,563 feet in elevation. Boots are recommended for protection and traction. The weather while sometimes beautifully clear is can typically be overcast at the summit with passing showers. Trade winds usually keep the area cool.No drinking water along the trail so bring some. No facilities and no camping.

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Whale watching time on Maui

Yup, that’s right. It’s that time of year again. Just like the sun rising in the morning, the humpbacks come back to Maui year after year. Sort of like the swallows returning to Capistrano. I always loved whale watch season. Usually during my early morning ocean swims, I could hear them singing since water is a great transporter of sound. I have come very close to them while on a boat or kayaking and the thrill never goes away or lessens in the least. Graceful and magnificent these ancient creatures are. These marine mammals travel great distances to take advantage of the best breeding grounds and feeding spots. North Pacific humpbacks, for example, mate and give birth in Hawaii and then travel to Alaska each summer to feed.
These gentle giants are famous for their singing abilities — belting out seductive ballads to attract mates or to challenge other would-be suitors. But they also have other talents. Their unique hunting skill, called bubblenet feeding, involves a group of humpbacks working together to capture schools of herring. Each whale has a particular role in the process: One whale swims in a circle while blowing bubbles under a school of herring. When the bubbles rise, the school of herring can not escape and form into a tight ball in the center. Other whales vocalize — grunting or screaming — to scare the herring to the surface. The whales then rise with their mouths wide open to capture large amounts of fish.

When on Maui, don’t miss out on an opportunity to see these majestic creatures. Contact Maui Sights and Treasures and they will get you all set up.

Kayaking in Greece – Kefalonia to be exact.

My good friend Jane, aka The Beav (a long story), has recommended this outfit in Greece. The Beav is no novice when it comes to kayaking. I have seen her do class V rapids with the bravery of a Roman warrior, so I’m sure she was yawning at this event. Anyway, here is more info regarding this company, who’s name is definitley on my list of things to do in the not too distant future.

Sea Kayaking Kefalonia is a sea kayaking outfitter based in Kefalonia, the biggest island in the Ionian sea, Greece.

It organizes daily and multi-day kayak trips as well as sea kayak courses in the crystal clear and warm mediterranean waters of the Ionian sea.

It is run by Yvonne and Pavlos, a local enthusiastic young couple. Pavlos is the only Greek sea kayak instructor certified by BCU (British Canoe Union). He is a BCU 5 Star Sea, Level 4 Sea Kayak Coach.

Sea Kayaking in Greece

Greece is a Mediterranean country with 15000 Km of coastline, almost half that of the whole Mediterranean Sea. With more than 3000 islands, maybe the most delicious and diversed cuisine, and rich history and mythology, it forms a perfect terrain for sea kayak vacations.

Ionian sea is on the west coast of Greece and is a real paradise for kayaking. Generally, it is the calmest sea in Greece and its warm, crystal clear waters along with its numerous islands and islets offer a variety of possibilities, from nice crossings to beautiful coastal paddling, sea caves exploration and many more…

Below you can find a list of our sea kayaking tours.

In addition to the multi-day tours that we have productized, there is always the possibility to customize a paddling tour to your needs and tastes.

Check them out. Honestly, can you think of a better place to go? Maui maybe!

Maui Horseback Riding – Mendes Ranch Horseback Ride

One of our very favorite things to do while on the island is this horseback ride at Mendes Ranch.
A breathtaking trail ride across Mendes Ranch, an actual working ranch with views of the Blue Ocean, West Maui Mountains, Haleakala, and some of Maui’s largest waterfalls!

Giddy up and aloha