Maui Guidebook

Haleakala Crater (Haleakala National Park Summit Area)

Last updated 16. Feb, 2012 by lilikoi.

Standing at the Haleakala summit is like standing on Mars.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Haleakala Crater is the most popular attraction in Upcountry Maui. Stunning sunrises, panoramic out-of-this-world landscapes, birds-eye views of the Maui central valley, and flora and fauna that exist nowhere else in the world.
Minuses: The air is thin, and hiking here is not for the less fit.
Sound-bite: “Oh my Lord, it is cold up here!”

DETAILS:
Haleakala National Park covers the summit area of the larger of the two volcanic mountains that make up Maui. …

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Makena Big Beach (aka Oneloa)

Last updated 11. Nov, 2012 by lilikoi.

Big Beach is long, wide, beautiful, and extreme.

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In a nutshell: Big Beach is a beautiful, long, wide, undeveloped sandy beach. Impressive, with huge views and a large shore-break. Big Beach is a must-see.
Minuses: A wicked shore-break exists here when the surf is up that can be dangerous for the inexperienced.
Sound-bite: [monster crashing wave]

DETAILS:
One of the most outstanding beaches in Maui. Big Beach is well over a half a mile long, and is also uncharacteristically wide by Maui standards. That means loads of real estate …

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Hawai’i Aloha

Last updated 16. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Not just a local classic, but a beloved song which evokes a special spirit that you will not forget if you are lucky enough to be present at an event that ends with this song. As the event closes, the group holds hands and sings along, swaying to the music. You can feel the love and spirit embodied in this song.

Written by The Reverend Lorenzo Lyons in the 1800′s. Lyons broke from his contemporaries (who discouraged the use of Hawai’ian) and was a strong advocate for the Hawai’ian language.…

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Twin Falls

Last updated 18. Apr, 2011 by lilikoi.

"Caveman" at Twin Falls

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In a nutshell: Twin Falls is the first easily accessible string of waterfalls and pools on the Road to Hana. It also has one of the better snack stands on the journey. Twin falls is typically underrated by guidebooks, and is a worthy stop.
Minuses: You must budget your time properly here if you are cramming the Road to Hana into only one day.
Sound-bite: “How much further to the falls?”

DETAILS:
Okay, why in the world does the most popular guidebook for Maui tell …

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Baby Beach (North Shore)

Last updated 12. Oct, 2010 by lilikoi.

Baby Beach (North Shore)

Rating:

In a nutshell: A dramatically beautiful beach, not just for kids. Protected lagoon for swimming.
Minuses: Can get very windy in the afternoons.
Sound-bite: “E hau`oli e nâ `ôpio o Hawai`i nei.”

Note: There is also a beach called “Baby Beach” in Lahaina.

DETAILS:
Baby Beach is a beautiful beach and protected lagoon just before Paia on the North Shore of Maui. An exposed stretch of reef, connected to a rocky red-dirt point on the west end of the beach creates a …

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Black Rock (Pu'u Keka'a)

Last updated 23. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Black Rock is great fun to jump from!

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In a nutshell: Black Rock is at the north end of Ka’anapali Beach, and is a great place to cliff-jump into the ocean, and snorkel.
Minuses: The uncoordinated may experience an up-close once-in-a-lifetime lava experience.
Sound-bite: “Wooohoooo!” [SPLASH!]

DETAILS:
Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort …

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Ka'anapali Beach

Last updated 23. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Ka’anapali Beach at the Ka’anapali Ali’i

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In a nutshell: Ka’anapali Beach is a mile-long, spectacularly perfect beach that is home to seven resorts, high-end shopping, various restaurants and activities.
Minuses: The true Hawai’i here has been replaced by a highly profitable replica.
Sound-bite: “What-ever. Louis Vuitton snorkel gear is so last-year.”

DETAILS:
Ka’anapali Beach runs from Black Rock to Canoe Beach, fronted by seven resorts, Whalers Village Mall, and many fine shops & restaurants. The beach itself is perfection. Long, wide and sandy, the water entry and swimming …

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Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu Beach)

Last updated 14. Jun, 2012 by lilikoi.

Red Sand Beach is a dramatically beautiful scene.

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In a nutshell: A dramatic and beautiful hidden cove unlike any other.
Minuses: The short hike to the beach is hazardous.
Sound-bite: “Has the Mothership departed without me?”

WARNINGS:
Part of the trail has become blocked by a landslied and is also more dangerous than it once was. This is not a safe hike for anyone unaccustomed to navigating cliff-edges with slippery/unsound footing.

DETAILS:
Red Sand Beach is a dramatic and beautiful hidden cove unlike any other. The ocean outside the …

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Baldwin Beach Park

Last updated 23. May, 2012 by lilikoi.

Baldwin Beach

Rating:

In a nutshell: Baldwin Beach Park is a beautiful, long white-sand beach on Maui’s North Shore. A favorite with local families.
Minuses: Surf in the middle area can be rough.
Sound-bite: “Gnarly wipeout, brah…I know a good chiropractor in Paia!”

DETAILS:
Baldwin Beach is a wonderful, long, wide, sandy beach park just outside of Paia. Fully equipped with lifeguards, port-a-potties, showers, barbecues, picnic tables and a covered pavilion.

During winter months, the main stretch of beach can have fairly large and regular shorebreak, so it becomes a …

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Baldwin Cove

Last updated 16. May, 2009 by lilikoi.

Baldwin Cove

Rating:

In a nutshell: Beautiful sand beach in season. Out of season it is also dramatic to behold. Frequented by many free-spirits; ladies can go topless here.
Minuses: Parking can be tough on weekends. Parts of the year the beach vanishes.
Sound-bite: “…every little thing, gonna be alright.”

DETAILS:
A large jetty of boulders at the cove’s edge, combined with an offshore reef forms a protected sandy cove. This beach is subject to extreme seasonal erosion, usually culminating the the entire beach disappearing. In fact, I can’t even …

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