Best of Maui, Hawaii - Top 10 Attractions

If Hawaii is your idea of a dream vacation, thenTrain', which runs between Lahaina and Ka'anapali,
Maui ought to be the realization of that dream.offering good views of the area. Another
For Maui, of all the Hawaiian islands, is the mostattraction here, just north of Ka'anapali, is Kapalua,
magical, the most alluring, the most exciting. It haswith a lovely beach and even lovelier sunsets.
the best beaches, best golf courses, bestIao Needle
windsurfing, best weather, and the sweetestIao Needle: This is quite possibly the most
pineapples you'll ever taste, Maui Gold!photographed landmark on the island. Located in
And on Maui, besides soaking up the sun andthe Iao Valley State Park, in a lush valley in the
sipping a mai tai as the sun sets, what else shouldWest Maui mountains, the moss-covered stone
one see and do? Well, here's the island's 'Top 10',spire rises 1,200 feet vertically from the valley
do-not-miss list.floor. There are several trails and planks to walk
Haleakalaaround, with abundant tropical flora and excellent
Haleakala is a place almost of pilgrimage. Thephoto opportunities. The state park is accessible
dormant volcano looms large on the island, morefrom the twin, principal Maui towns of Kahului and
or less at the center of it, and at 10,023 feet, itsWailuku.
summit is the highest point on Maui. Besides a visitPaia
to the informative Haleakala National Park VisitorThe most colorful coastal town in East Maui, and a
Center, you can hike or go on horseback downformer hippie habitat, Paia is a surprising little
into the 3,000-foot-deep Haleakala crater. You canjumble of eateries and boutiques, and the defacto
also explore ancient lava flows and seenorthern terminus of the Road to Hana. But its
silverswords here, which are rare, silvery flowerchief interest lies in its beach park just outside
stalks indigenous to the area. But for a spiritualtown, Ho'okipa Beach, the premier windsurfing
journey, try to go there early and catch thespot in the islands, where you can watch
sunrise. There's a park entrance fee of $10 perworld-class windsurfers hone their skills and
vehicle, or $5 each for hikers and bikers.perform in championship events. The town is
Road to Hanaapproximately 6 miles east of Kahului.
The 'Road to Hana' is singularly the most scenicMakawao
drive in the Hawaiian islands. It begins just southMakawao is one of those gems that most visitors
of Kahului and madly winds down the southeastto the island miss. It is a principal town in Maui's
coast of Maui, some 55 miles, twisting and turningUpcountry (Mount Haleakala's slopes), where in an
around no fewer than 617 bends! and crossingOld West setting of false-front wood-frame
over 56 tiny, mostly one-lane bridges. Thebuildings, yoga centers and herbalists are
secenery enroute is stunning, with lush vegetationjuxtaposed with the 'paniolo' (Hawaiian cowboy)
and sweeping views of the ocean at every turn,culture, offering a unique contrast between two
and scores of swimming holes beneath waterfalls,distinctly different worlds. The town is also the
ideal for a picnic and a splash or two. The principallocale of the biggest rodeo in the Hawaiian islands,
attractions along the Hana Road are the Keanaeheld on the 4th of July. The town is situated 16
Peninsula, a serene patch of green with anmiles southeast of Kahului.
overlook with panoramic views; the KeanaeWailea Beach Resort
Arboretum which incorporates an authenticWailea Beach, situated on the southwest coast of
representation of a Hawaiian rain forest; theMaui, just south of Kihei, is one of those
126-acre, tropical Kahanu Botanical Gardens; andmanicured white-sand beaches, where they rake
the charming, laid-back town of Hana itself, wherethe sand and arrange beach chairs in neat little
the centerpiece is the Hotel Hana-Maui.rows. But make no mistake, this is a public beach,
Lahainaone of the best on the island, and hugely
Lahaina, situated on the West Maui coast, is anenjoyable. It is lined with Maui's premier resort
historic town. It was once the capital of Hawaii,hotels - Marriott, Renaissance, Four Seasons,
and later on a bustling whaling town. Today, it isFairmont and Grand Wailea - which offer some of
the liveliest, most colorful place on the island, filledthe best luaus and hula shows on Maui. Sunsets
with restaurants, smoothie bars, souvenir shops,off the coast of Wailea are fabulous.
art galleries, and even high-end boutiques; butMakena Beach
which, if one is not careful, could easily becomeMakena Beach, also on the southwest coast of
that proverbial 'tourist trap'. Still, there's a lot toMaui, just south of Wailea, lies in sharp contrast to
see and do here: chief attractions include thethe latter, undeveloped, pristine, less visited. This is
Whaling Museum, Brig Carthignian, Jodo Mission,also a highly enjoyable beach, particularly if you
the 19th-century waterfront Pioneer Inn, and thelike being far from the madding crowd.
jaw-dropping Banyan Tree which was plantedMolokini
here in 1873 and now occupies an acre of land,If you're crazy about snorkeling, you cannot
with a branch spread of 50 yards, supported byafford to miss Molokini. It's a partially-submerged,
myriad aerial roots and 12 major trunks!crescent-shaped crater, rising 150 feet from the
Ka'anapaliocean, just off the southwest coast of Maui. Now
Ka'anapali is Maui's best-known beach resort. Aparta protected marine preserve and seabird
from the 'Who's-Who' of resort hotels lining itssanctuary, it offers some of the best snorkeling
shore, the white-sand Ka'anapali Beach offersand diving conditions in the Maui area. There are
some of the best swimming and snorkelingcharter boats and snorkeling excursions departing
conditions on the island. But its notoriety hasfor Molokini from the Ma'alaea (just north of Kihei)
inevitably also made it one of the most visitedand Lahaina harbors several times a day. Cost
and therefore most crowded beaches on Maui.ranges from $70 to $170.
There is also a touristy train, the 'Sugarcane