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| About Hawaii
(Maui) |
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South
Coast (Kihei - Wailea) and Centre of Maui
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region of Maui referred to as "South Maui" includes the resort
areas of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena. Access to these resorts is via
Pi'ilani Highway, Hwy. 31, by way of Mokulele Highway, Hwy. 350
(which links Kahului to Kihei).
There are several points of interest in South
Maui, among them are the Kealea Bird Sanctuary and the Ahihi-Kina'u
Natural Reserve. The Kealea Bird Sanctuary also runs along a section of
coastline that annually has egg laying turtles migrating to it. Over the
last few years the rare Hawksbill turtle, have been seen laying eggs in
the sand dunes along Sugar Beach.
The Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Reserve is a boating and
fishing off limits sanctuary. fishing of any kind and power boats are
prohibited from the area. This is a great place in which to see marine
life while snorkeling or scuba diving.
There are two places for launching boats in South
Maui.
- Ma'alaea Harbor is the largest facility, from
here boats to Molokini, Makena, LaPerouse, and Olowalu disembark. Ma'alaea
is undergoing expansion, proposed is an expansion of the harbor
facilities, already under construction is a world class aquarium.
- The Kihei Boat Ramp is the second, much smaller
facility, from here the smaller boats will launch, usually to Molokini (a
15 minute ride), Kahoolawe, LaPerouse, and Makena.
South Maui forms one of the two resort areas on Maui.
The long strip of hotels, malls and condos begins at KIHEI, with
the road heavily built up on both sides, but thins out beyond the
manicured lawns of WAILEA, near some superb beaches. Paluea
Beach is ideal for families, while Little Beach, reached by a
trail from cactus-lined Makena (or Big) Beach, is famous for
(illegal) nudism. A very rough one-lane track, with minimal visibility,
peters out altogether just before La Perouse Bay. Once a
significant population center, the beach here is good for snorkeling, and dolphins
regularly come to play with swimmers, though you’re forbidden to
encourage them.
Few of the accommodation options are geared
towards budget travelers; Hale Kai O Kihei, 1310 Uluniu Rd is good
value, while
Maui Marc Vista Resort,
2191 S Kihei Rd, is a bit more luxurious. Other attractive budget
accommodation is offered by
Maui Oceanfront Inn.
More luxerious accommodations in this area are:
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For food, the Pacific Cafe Maui, 1279
S Kihei Rd (tel 808/879-0069), offers some great Pacific Rim concoctions,
while Kihei Caffe, 1945 S Kihei Rd (tel 808/878-2230), has
smoothies and inexpensive snacks.
Central Maui
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Maui is largely a rural area. It includes Pukalani, Makawao, Hali'imaile,
Haiku, Huelo, Kula, and Pu'unene. There are other even smaller communities
scattered along the rural roads of Upcountry Maui. Central Maui is where
most of the food is grown on Maui, there are several micro climates that
support a variety of food plants and flowers (another export of Maui).
There are several points of interest in Central
Maui, the largest being Haleakala Crater.
At 10,000 feet it is the highest mountain on Maui, with it's crater large
enough to fit the island of Manhattan within it. One of the most common
activities for visitors is to drive up Haleakala for the sunrise, this
takes 45 minutes from Pukalani and up to several hours if you are coming
from a distance such as Kapalua.
Another pleasant and interesting excursion is
driving to Hana via "the back way".
The portion of the road referred as the "back way to Hana" is
actually part of the Kula Highway. Along this road is the Ulupalakua Ranch
and the Tedeschi Winery. The winery is a quiet place to stop for a few
minutes, take a short tour and do a little wine tasting.
While traveling back toward Pukalani from the
winery you'll be treated to some of the best views that West Maui has to
offer. The rural countryside is beautiful all year, but during special
times, when certain trees and flowers are in bloom, it is spectacular. It
can be quite a treat to see the purple jacaranda trees mixed with the gold
leaves of the paperbark trees. There are also several botanical gardens
Upcountry that are worth the price of admission if you're interested in
flowers.
Down around sea level, in Pu'unene is the Sugar
Museum. This museum is a converted Plantation House that now houses
exhibits involving the sugar industry on Maui. The exhibits are
informative and help to explain how sugar helped shape the modern Hawaii
of today.
For
more information on
Maui, go to: |
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Map of the South Maui (with aerial
references below)
- Sugar Beach
- Mai Poina Oe La'u Beach
- Kamaole Beaches I, II, and III
- Keawakapu Beach
- Ulua and Mokapu Beaches
- Wailea Beach
- Polo Beach
- Palauea Beach
- Makena Landing
- Malu'aka Beach
- Oneuli Beach (Little Black Sand
Beach)
- Little Beach
- Makena Beach (Big Beach)
- Ahihi - Kina'u Natural Area Reserve
- La Perouse Bay
Map of Central Maui
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For more general information
on Hawaii, go to: |
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For more regional information on Hawaii, go to: |
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For more product information
on Hawaii, go to: |
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For
our special offers to Hawaii from Europe, go to:
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These specials are individual tour packages,
including the roundtrip flights from Europe, interisland flights,
hotels, transfers and rentalcars. Another option is to create your own
package to the Hawaii by utilizing the separate travel components, like
hotels,
flights,
Carrental
and
excursions
on the islands. |
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