General Geographic Area: Road to Hana Maui

In a nutshell: The Road to Hana is the crown-jewel of Hawaii driving tours. Lush rainforest, dramatic and rugged ocean vistas, countless waterfalls and pools.
Minuses: If you get car-sick, there are going to be 600 opportunities to review your breakfast.
Sound-bite: “600 turns?!? More like one 50-mile-long turn…”

Just exactly where “The Road to Hana” begins and where it ends is subject to some debate. For my guide purposes, I usually start in the North Shore (Paia area) and end at what we call Haleakala’s Back Side (a bit past Hana.)

Driving to Hana is not a commute, or even the means to an end – the drive is an adventure in and of itself. “The adventure is in the journey” may be cliché, but it is also said that every cliché harbors a kernel of truth – there is much more than just the kernel in this one. In fact, no matter how many times I have driven this road, (including the few times I was silly enough to take it for granted), the adventure is just as magical, engaging, and never the same twice. The raw natural beauty is dynamic, containing countless hidden treasures and always just every bit as spectacular no matter how many times I drive it. The Road to Hana is, in my opinion, the most spectacular and beautiful road in the world.

As the name suggests, the thoroughfare in this section of the guide is made up by just one road: Hana Highway (Hwy 36 & 360). But don’t let the name “highway” fool you – The majority of time you’ll be spending on the Hana Highway is a narrow, twisting, sometimes one-lane road (forget about a shoulder) with an estimated 600 turns and 54 mostly one-lane bridges. For those of you that enjoy a challenging drive, this could be your absolute favorite anywhere. A Mustang convertible, the quintessential Maui rental car, is probably the best car for the driving enthusiast, and convertibles and Jeeps with the top off will be rewarded with stunning unobstructed views. (But don’t get too smug looking at the poor sap in the Ford Taurus – because he’ll likely get payback when you’re reminded that this is the rainforest and that the next place to pull over ain’t soon enough.)

For those that see driving as the way to get from A to B, and especially if you’re an overly timid (or just plan bad) driver, you still should not skip the opportunity to see this jewel of Hawaii – there are some fantastic van tours that can add a dimension to the journey you could never have on your own.

There is only one gas station past Paia on this road, and that is in Hana Town. The price of gas there will make you feel like you were getting a great deal everywhere else (which, until you’ve gassed up in Hana, will be hard to believe!) There is little shopping of significance beyond some roadside fruit stands and the jungle version of a strip-mall in the middle of nowhere (a strip of ramshackle fruit stands, BBQ, fish taco, art, and whatever pops up.) And even in Hana, lets just say your choices are very limited. Best to bring along everything you will need for the whole day, aside from fruit and banana bread – those items are abundant, and usually very yummy!

Convenience tip: Anthony’s Coffee Co. (you’ll pass right by when you drive through Paia) sells super-convenient and tasty picnic lunches. Mana Foods (also in Paia) is among the most economical (and healthy) places to stock up on water/drinks, snacks and prepared foods.

For more specific information on the Road to Hana, browse the Road to Hana category.
I also have a Road to Hana article in the works. Stay tuned

You may also be interested in:

• Itinerary: Shelby’s One-Day Road to Hana Adventure
• Upper Waikani Falls (aka Three Bears)
• Na’ili’ili Haele Stream & Waterfalls (aka “Bamboo Forest”)

The top half of the Pipiwai Trail cuts though an immense and unforgettable bamboo forest

Rating: 4.95 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Pipiwai Trail is a treasure of the National Park System that passes through diverse scenery and culminates at the base of an absolutely spectacular waterfall.
Minuses: You’ll be sharing the trail with lots of other folks.
Sound-bite: [insert hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another]

DETAILS:
Taking into account the easy accessibility, the Pipiwai Trail offers, hands-down, the all-around best of East Maui’s most dramatic stream and waterfall hikes.

This idyllic 1.8 mile trail unfolds alongside a string of (many more than seven) pools and waterfalls framed by the lush green diversity of the lush tropical rainforest. The dramatic diversity then suddenly morphs into the zen-oneness of an immense bamboo forest. Once released from the bamboo, you’re dropped at the very base of a towering sheer-cliff waterfall worthy of a slow-motion Imax fly-by.

The only thing missing from this hike is solitude; because of the easy National Park access, and the half-million visitors per-year to the much more famous pools below, you definitely won’t have this one all to yourself.

The trail is safe, well maintained, and the steeper grade during the first half mile or so is really the only part that is less than easy if you’ve not been off the couch in a while. The NPS has even built a boardwalk to span the muddy sections and have been adding more stone steps in the steeper grade areas in the past couple years – oooh the luxury!

The trail is just mauka the Hana Hwy at Haleakala National Park Kipahulu (Seven Sacred Pools.) and you should give yourself at least a couple hours if you plan to enjoy yourself, add another hour if you stop a lot and/or aren’t a regular walker/hiker.

This NPS Map more accurately shows the trail and streams. (click to open full HNP map from nps.gov in new window)

The trail begins just across the road from the parking lot, and you don’t have to walk very far (just over a half mile) before you come to the first set of large and impressive waterfalls: the Falls at Makahiku. These mighty thundering falls will probably be more than enough waterfall for most. Plunging almost 200′ over a verdant cliff covered with bamboo, prehistoric-looking ferns and Tarzan-worthy jungle vines melting into the postcard-perfect Hawaiian rainforest valley below – the scene is breathtaking. If you’re not fit enough to continue another mile (the hike back is all downhill, so we won’t count that!) you’ll probably be satisfied with these falls as your end-point. But if you’re capable, we want you to know better: this is just an appetizer to ready you for the much more impressive journey to come.

Tip: Take all warning signs seriously. Flash-flooding, rock falls and cliff/bridge jumping have taken several lives, and many natural dangers occur suddenly without warning.

Side Trip: “Infinity Pool”
As you continue, you’ll notice a side path with signs and a recently erected fence barring you from heading in that direction. The National Park Service has blocked this path as yet another casualty of a popular guidebook that doesn’t properly educate visitors as to the dangers in the places it sends them.

This is the absolutely stunning precipice of Makahiku waterfall, a sheer lava-rock cliff face that drops almost 200′ into the valley below. Yes, it is an absolutely gorgeous spot – but certainly not a safe place for every tourist regardless of age and physical condition.

If you want to go here now, you’re going to have to squeeze under or around the fence wherever other trespassers before you have bent it back. Keep in mind that your doing so is against the National Park Service’s prohibition – which could potentially carry a court date and quite significant fines. That said, being cited and fined are unlikely, but you’d certainly better be sure that you fully understand your abilities, the physical risks and the current conditions.

During normal conditions, the water flows over only the far side; the near side of this pool has taller, thick rock lip that will keep anyone with sense enough to stay on the pool-side from a one-way date with gravity. From inside the pool you will observe why the guidebook name makes sense – views from the pool emulate that of a resort-style Infinity pool and are jaw-dropping (to say the least) as the deep blue of the ocean appears to meet the edge of the pool.

Once out of the pool, if you’re an off-trail kind of hiker who hasn’t had enough off-trail, you can continue your side-trip upstream along the streambed (be ready to do some swimming and climbing) and check out some more worthy pools and waterfalls.

Mossy rough-hewn stone block steps evoke scenes out of "The Land of the Lost"

Back On The Trail
Back on the Pipiwai Trail, you’ll pass though a gate and come to another highlight – a gigantic banyan tree – with a footprint the size of a decent-sized house! Over years, a banyan’s aerial prop roots form into new trunks of their own, expanding continually outward. Looking at this tree in front of you, with new trunks sprouted out along the far-reaching branches, ever further from their source, you can see why Hinduism considers the banyan the symbol of eternal life. If you’re a tree climber (or you have some in-tow like I usually do) you’ll be spending more than a couple minutes here.

Past the Banyan, another side-trail will present itself (hint: the Park Service has placed a TRAIL arrow here pointing away from it (and toward the main trail.) This side trail soon takes you to a view of cave, pool & waterfall combination that my words (or photography) have not yet been able to do justice. It is definitely a value at the price of a few extra steps.

Continuing along the trail you’ll notice the scenery changing to bamboo. It is a pretty quick change, starting around the time you cross two bridges. Believe it or not, the same nuts brave folks you saw jumping from the bridge at the highway sometimes come up here to get their adrenaline fix. There are only a few choice people I’d advise to attempt jumping here (and it isn’t because they’re skilled jumpers!)

The bamboo will become thicker, and the ambiance and hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another, will begin to transport you to an Asian nether-world. (This is also where the boardwalk comes in and save you from having your shoes sucked off by thick mud.) Various implementations of stone steps, all appearing to date from different periods in ancient pre-history, augment the scene to where running across some Sleestacks hunting dinosaur eggs wouldn’t look out of place in the least.

As the trail continues winding, if you pay careful attention the bamboo will begin to thin and trees will start coming back. It is right at this point that a grove of mountain apple trees can be found (if you know what you’re looking for.) If you’re lucky enough to be here in summer, you’re in for a refreshing treat. Mountain apples are oddly attached to the trees on which they grow. Instead of being on a stem that terminates from a minor branch, like most fruit, mountain apples grow on a small stem directly out of the main branches (and even the trunk) of the `ohi`a `ai tree. (Yeah, you can call it a mountain apple tree!) It definitely looks Dr. Seus-ish to the uninitiated.

The prize: 400' tall Waimoku Falls.

Just so you know what to look for – they don’t call ‘em mountain apples for nothing – they’re (mostly) red and are shaped like a cross between an apple and a pear. Riper (to the point where the skin begins to crack and become damaged) is better. (more info: Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawaii)

Just a bit further and some rock-hopping over a usually tame stream, and this scenery-packed hike culminates at the base of sheer 400′ cliffs, with spectacular Waimoku Falls quite literally falling to Earth right in front of you. In fact, when you’ve reached the end, you’re smack at the base of the falls, and can walk right up and stand under them. This author (and a Park Service sign a safe distance from the falls) suggest you seriously consider how all the countless boulders you’re standing in front of got there. That said, there is nothing other than your sensibility to enforce keeping your distance, and you’ll certainly observe plenty of people ignoring the sign.

Even at a safe distance you’ll be cooled and refreshed by the mist and wind created by the falling water. Once you’ve cooled down and are ready to continue, you reverse the path from where you came. Easier (downhill) but just as rewarding with a new angle from which to view the scenery.

Key Info: (for trailhead @ HNP Kipahulu.)
Mile Marker: #42 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 31)
GPS Coordinates: 20.661458,-156.045299
Facilities: National Park Rangers, Information Facility, Camping (no permit req’d), grills, picnic tables and toilets. (No potable water.)
Phone: 808-572-4400
Fee: $10 – NPS Info: http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm
Get directions

View Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Pools of ‘Ohe’o (aka Seven Sacred Pools)
• Itinerary: Shelby’s Kipahulu Day
• Valley Isle Excursions

The Pools of 'Ohe'o, (HNP Kipahulu)

Rating: 4.95 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: The Pools of ‘Ohe’o (pupularly called the “Seven Sacred Pools”) are the most popular attraction in East Maui. Beautiful waterfalls, pools, in an absolutely stunning setting. Easy access and full facilities.
Minuses: It gets very crowded as the day goes on. Access to pools is closed off frequently in wet weather.
Sound-bite: “Is that guy really going to jump from there?”

Tip: Call 808-572-4400 Option 2 on the day of your trip to find out if the pools are open.

DETAILS:
‘Ohe’o Gulch is a string of pools and waterfalls, starting many miles up the mountain, that flow one after another, cascading over dramatic waterfalls, leading to the rugged Kipahulu coastline and the deep-blue Hawaiian ocean.

The most accessible pools are also the most particularly suited for swimming, cliff-jumping (or just gawking at daring lunatics brave folks who will jump from the bridge 60 feet above.) For the sane, there are also several less suicidal places to jump from – just be sure to get good information on where it is safe to jump, or better yet, survey the landing area yourself. There are many reminders of the risk involved, including a notice-board by the ranger station that contains clippings of newspaper articles describing accidents. (Note: If you do choose to jump, do so without any jewelry. If you need to ask why, just ask one of the local guys with snorkel gear scouring the bottom below the jump spots!)

So, by this time you may be asking: “Which is it? ‘Ohe’o Gulch, Haleakala National Park Kipahulu, or Seven Sacred Pools?” The proper name of this attraction is ‘Ohe’o (Oh-Hey-Oh). “Seven Sacred Pools” is a name coined years ago by the owner of what is now the Hotel Hana Maui for the purpose of marketing this remote location to tourists. Since this is part of the Haleakala National Park, the NPS has also added their own name to the mix “Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu.”

Whatever you call it, this collection of (way more than) seven pools and waterfalls is absolutely spectacular!

Since ‘Ohe’o is Part of the Haleakala National Park, the fee you pay here will also get you in to the Haleakala Summit (and vice versa – so save your receipt!) Admission to the entire park is $10 for a three-day pass or $25 bucks gets you an annual pass to Haleakala, Volcanoes (Big Island) and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (Big Island) National Parks.

The pools are very popular, so you should expect the place to become more and more crowded as the day progresses – and there is such a difference between a crowded ‘Ohe’o madhouse and the less crowded majesty offered to the few that get here earlier in the day. There are a number of ways to avoid the crowds at ‘Ohe’o – all involve getting there before noon. Staying in, or along the Road to Hana (or even in the campgrounds at the park) can get you there well before the afternoon rush. Another option is to get started very, very early (isn’t this your vacation?!?) and go through the back side of Haleakala. This will put you one step ahead of the critical mass of visitors all day. That said, if you have only one day devoted to your Road to Hana adventure, don’t rush through it to get here early.

There are full National Park facilities at ‘Ohe’o, including a Ranger Station (with displays and great information), newly constructed bathrooms, expanded camping facilities and large parking lots.

Another spectacular activity in the park (that doesn’t ever get madhouse crowded) is mauka the road – hiking the Pipiwai Trail which passes stunning vistas, pools, waterfalls (including the 200′ Makahiku Falls), jungle, a bamboo forest, culminating at the base of the 400′ high Waimoku Falls. (See the Pipiwai Trail and Waimoku Falls post for more detail.)

Key Info:
Mile Marker: #42 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 31)
GPS Coordinates: 20.661458,-156.045299
Facilities: National Park Rangers, Information Facility, Camping (no permit req’d), grills, picnic tables and bathrooms. (No potable water is available in the park.)
Fee: $10 – NPS Info: http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/kipahulu.htm
Get directions

View Seven Sacred Pools aka ‘Ohe’o Gulch in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Itinerary: Shelby’s Kipahulu Day
• Wailua Falls
• Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls

The guides are extraordinary and what sets Valley Isle Excursions apart.

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Valley Isle Excursions’ knowledge, cultural understanding and genuine spirit of Aloha are second to none.
Minuses: Those who love to drive don’t get to!
Sound-bite: “The guide quality makes or breaks a guided tour to Hana”

First, I don’t care how long you are here, the Road to Hana is not to be missed. Now many folks will choose to drive the Road to Hana themselves – and if you love to drive challenging roads with stunning scenery, it truly is a driver’s delight. But if you’re not a confident driver, or want to focus on the sights while gaining a better understanding of what you are seeing, then this trip can be even more spectacular when taken with a knowledgeable guide.

In a category with several quality operators in their own right, Valley Isle Excursions got our #1 rating because of the guides. Hands-down, the guides are really what sets VIE apart – besides being super friendly and accommodating, their cultural understanding, passion, love and respect for Maui are truly remarkable.

Now, if you’re looking exclusively for the most luxurious rides, with the height of gourmet sophistication at mealtime, VIE is simply not focused on that level of luxury. VIE’s focus is far deeper: on what the Road to Hana truly has to offer visitors – a beautiful, stunning and moving way to “bring the past forward.”

Ray, the owner of VIE, grew up in Waikiki when tourism was just getting started (in fact, as hard as it is to imagine today, they had just one hotel at the time!) But he recalls it was “truly like your friends are coming to visit” when any of the folks around in those days had the opportunity to take visitors out on a tour – giving a tour was not only something fun to them, but was genuinely viewed as a way to share a piece of what they loved with new friends. Speaking with Ray today, you clearly see that feeling has not changed.

Valley Isle Excursions is focused *not* on “tourism” – Ray is clear about that. Their focus is far deeper than that – on bringing you a cultural understanding of Maui which brings a depth of understanding and enjoyment to a Road to Hana tour that you will carry with you in your heart well after you’ve departed.

This review might sound more like a love affair than a review of a tour company – but when sharing every nuance of Maui with others makes those of us who are so enamored with her feel alive, it is a love affair. Everyone that takes a ride with VIE can’t help but to share in what is the very essence of Aloha – VIE is the real deal.

Key Info:
Location: They pick you up.
Phone: 877-871-5224
Web: http://www.tourmaui.com/
Price: $100 – $125

#1 – Article in development. No Ka Oi!

Key Info:
Location: Kipahulu
Phone: 808-248-7799
Rating source: Yelp
Web: http://www.mauistables.com
Price: $150

View Maui Stables in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Kahanu Garden & Pi’ilanihale Heiau
• Valley Isle Excursions
• Haleakala Crater (Haleakala National Park Summit Area)

Hamoa Beach

Rating: 4.85 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: A beautiful crescent beach with a reliable surf break.
Minuses: Currents can be strong.
Sound-bite: “Am I sticking out too far in the road?”

This beach is often ranked up there with the famous beaches in the resort areas of Maui, and deservingly so. A postcard-perfect 100′ wide by 1000′ long crescent.

Hamoa Beach is surrounded by cliffs, with two points of public access – stairs leading down from the hotel shuttle dropoff and a small service road at the other end. (walk, don’t drive on this)

Hamoa Beach is also a popular surf break – in fact this break has been surfed by Hawaiians since ancient times. Boogie boarding and bodysurfing are also popular here. Snorkeling can be good around the left of the cove, however this beach is exposed to open ocean; be aware that powerful currents and surf can often be present – especially toward the ends of the beach.

This beach was sort-of taken over by Hotel Hana Maui in the 1930′s – in fact they are the ones that started calling it Hamoa (it used to be called Mokae.) They maintain the beach and landscaping, provide guests with shuttle service, beach chairs and accessories, and have additional facilities for guests. It used to be you would find primarily hotel guests and a few local residents here, but in recent years many other folks have found Hamoa.

Parking can be less than simple on nice days, as there is only on-street parallel parking, and the road is narrow.

Mokae Cove has another beach just to the south. If seas are calm, you can swim around the south point and you’ll probably be the only one there.

Key Info:
Location: Haneo’o Rd (Loop road; access @ Hana Hwy mm 50.1 & 49.1)
GPS Coordinates: 20.718954,-155.987449
Facilities: Showers, bathrooms, other facilities for Hotel Hana Maui guest use.
Get directions

View Hamoa Beach & Mokae Cove in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Olowalu Beaches
• Koki Beach Park
• D.T. Fleming Beach Park

Looking through the banana trees below the cottage.

Contact: Bamboo Eco Cottage

In a nutshell: A natural off-the-beaten-path setting, in an ecologically sound bamboo house.
Minuses: (for some) Outside the resorts & away from the hustle and bustle.
Sound-bite: [children laughing & birds singing]

Seasonal Price Range: $125-175/nt*
*Tip: The lowest advertised rates are shown on the booking form.

Location & Construction
The Bamboo Eco Cottage is located in Haiku (Kuiaha), on Maui’s green and natural North Shore.

Primarily constructed of bamboo, this unique Asian-style eco cottage is perched on a hillside overlooking acres of tropical flowers, native plants and abundantly fruiting trees. “Eco” isn’t a marketing tool here – it is the way of life for the healthy North Shore family who lives in the main house on this property. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used, and sustainability was the first thought in every aspect of construction. The decking is renewable jara wood, the flooring cork, and the hot water and electricity are generated by solar panels on the roof. The toilet is a higher-end composting unit and there is even a simple outdoor solar heated “hot tub” made from a repurposed giant round metal tub, and fed by a landscaped waterfall. (No jets, but so romantically cozy for two under the stars!)

Koa trees and Ti

Bringing the Outdoors Indoors
The lanai is such a pleasure to spend time on, it has been wonderfully incorporated into a whole “outdoors-indoors” open-air living area. The dining table, kitchen, bathroom & shower are all open-air, and three inviting hammocks beg for sleeping a night under the stars. In fact, the outdoor living space is so inviting that you may find yourself rarely inside!

When you do manage to drag yourself inside, you’ll find a spacious and airy octagonal bamboo bedroom with windows all around. A high-peaked roof keeps the room comfortable and cool.

Authentic Japanese futon, antique end tables and
CD player with ipod/iphone dock.

Furnishings include a light and airy king bed with quality linens, a futon couch that folds out into a bed for extra guests, and a carved teak hibiscus dresser for your stuff. A small flat-panel TV with DVD sits tucked aside on a cart – one of many thoughtful “attention-to-detail” decisions made by the family who understands that many come seeking an escape from being constantly “plugged-in” (just wheel the screen out of sight.)

Those who prefer to remain plugged-in are equally accommodated with free WiFi Internet. (Note for TV junkies: a few DVDs are provided, but there are no TV signals out here – bring along some NetFlix or rent from Pauwela Video, a five minute drive away.)

The bed

Entryway/Child Sleeping Area
There is a large entryway room as well. Couples without children will like this spot to use as a large (and convenient) out-of-the-way place to drop luggage, beach stuff and whatever else you may wind up toting around.

Since there is separate entry to the bedroom via sliding glass doors, this entry doubles as a small child’s sleeping area so mom and dad can relax in their own space. (A pack-n-play or small bed can be set up there prior to your arrival upon request.)

Kitchen
The outdoor kitchenette (on the lanai) overlooks a bamboo grove and comes equipped with quality dishware, silverware, utensils, pots, pans, coffee maker, toaster oven, etc. There is a two-burner gas stove, sink and refrigerator as well. A propane BBQ is also provided. (All the propane you need is provided as well.)

Starfruit (I ate all three!!)

Gardens
There are koi ponds, a small stream, and a walkway through fruit trees to scenic vistas on the property. There are also some chairs and a deck platform around the hilly area to sit and enjoy the scenery or have a picnic.

Speaking of fruit – there are tons of trees here – and many are fruit bearing. On a quick walk through I saw so many trees that there are surely more that I didn’t identify. Tress/fruits include: coconut, mango, avocado, banana, papaya, starfruit, tangerine, tahitian lime, lilikoi, oranges, grapefruit, macadamia nut, longan, taro, guava, suriname cherry, kukui nut, coffee and pineapple. I also noticed plenty of herbs and several species of natives (a lot of koa and some o’hia) as well as native and Polynesian introduced plants.

Visitors are welcomed (even encouraged) to walk the gardens. In fact the owners have created a hand-drawn map of trees locations and a fruit picker is among the many thoughtful furnishings provided – so be prepared to consume massive amounts of fresh fruit right off the tree! (And if you have not yet experienced picking your breakfast off of trees as you stroll through tropical gardens, you’re in for a real treat!)

Teak Dresser & Futon

Animals
Loads of birds, toads, giant African snails, adorable geckos and a host of other creatures call the gardens and wooded areas home. Geographically speaking, this is the very edge of the rainforest – so you’ll encounter plenty of creatures. (Lucky for us, in Hawaii we don’t have snakes or many other nasty creatures.) Suffice it to say, if you have phobias around critters, insects, dirt or just wild nature, this isn’t a resort where they keep a full-time exterminator on the payroll. There are also a few cats and a small friendly dog on the property and they just love to visit while you’re sitting on the lanai enjoying the scenery! (The owner is a vet, so these are well-cared for and trained animals.)

Green, green, everywhere!

Privacy
The cottage is very private, the only other home you will see on the property is the owner’s home. The owners are gracious hosts, and understand this is your vacation and will give you as much privacy as you desire. They’re also equally happy to spend time chatting and happily set up play dates so your kids can play with theirs!

Please understand that this is not a resort hotel or publicly rented vacation condo. Since the owners live here and are a family with children they limit renters to folks that are not looking for a party house and are respectful of the property and environment. If you would like more info please use the contact form below to share a bit about yourselves and if it looks like a good fit I can help connect you with the owners.

NOTE: More photos below map.

View Kuiaha in a larger map

One of the hammocks

Kitchen overlooking bamboo grove.

Outside

The owners always leave some fresh fruit from the property - just look at the size of that papaya!

Coconut Tree

Contact Bamboo Eco Cottage

You may also be interested in:

• Kokomo Hale Studio Cottage
• Kokomo Hale 1BR
• Waipio Bay 2BR/Studio Cottage

Prime produce

In a nutshell: The best natural food store on Maui. Better food, selection & pricing than the chain supermarkets.
Minuses: Parking.
Sound-bite: “Absolutely the best Calamari salad I ever ate.”

What makes Mana Foods #1 is that they’re well beyond just being “the local natural foods store.” They carry the island’s widest selection of the highest quality fresh and healthy food. The icing on the vegan chocolate cake is their fair pricing – I come out of there with a consistently smaller receipt and a much healthier bag of groceries than I do at Safeway or Foodland.

Located on the North Shore in Paia Town, Maui’s old plantation town has a defining character all its own. In a trip through the isles of Mana you’re guaranteed to see more than your fair share of yogi’s, surfers, hippies, trust-fund babies and tourists. Mana Foods is a hub of the highly diverse North Shore Maui community.

Prepared Foods
Positioned between the vitamin room and the bulk foods are deli-cases of delicious freshly prepared foods. Cakes, pastries, raw, vegetarian, meat and seafood dishes. And unlike Down To Earth (yummy, but all veg, more $, less selection) they rotate the variety of prepared foods here endlessly. You can’t even compare the quality and taste to a supermarket deli. For real, this stuff is good.

Baked Goods
Mana Foods has a bakery on-site that makes unusual and tasty cakes, breads and other baked goods. (Marzipan fans must try the Princess Cake.) Everything is baked fresh daily. They also have several vegan cakes and pies (and I’m no vegan, mind you) that taste so absolutely non-vegan that I bet they’ve had to talk down their share of freaked out hippies. My two favorite baked treats in the place are both vegan: the mini pumpkin pie and the vegan chocolate cake – the latter of which is actually my number one favorite cake, anykind, anywhere. It is so freeking good I’m astounded they don’t use milk, butter or eggs in the thing.

Meat & Dairy
Mana foods also has a gourmet selection of local and fancy imported, organic and natural dairy products, meats and seafood. Regular items, and more exotic meats like buffalo, ostrich and venison are also stocked.

More than vitamins here...

Vitamin Room
The vitamin room is like a store within the store – it is also somewhat misnamed. Much more than vitamins, like the rest of Mana this room is packed with a very diverse selection of items. You can find everything from remedies, candles, incense and cosmetics to oils, lotions, tarot cards and clothing. The vitamin room also has its own dedicated staff who have specialized knowledge of the products.

Chocolates, Teas (& everything else)
Their tea and chocolate selections are legendary – with over 600 teas and a wall of 200 chocolates. Their website puts numbers on all the other stuff – like 75 nut and seed butters – these examples are representative of the kind of options and selection you’ll have throughout the store.

What Isn’t Going to be Spectacular
The huge selection crammed into the place also means that it can be hard to find stuff. (To their credit, staff is always present and very helpful.) Also, if you’re more impressed by glitz and high-end merchandising, then the old-school shelving and deli cases won’t impress you a bit. The isles are also so narrow that the Fire Marshall goes into cold sweats every time he sees an organic goji berry.

Parking is also in high demand around Mana. If this were truly paradise the lot next door would be twice as big. Fortunately parking does turn over rapidly, so five minutes of patience will typically pay off. If the lot is full and you’re not feeling patient, your best bet is to park in the dirt lot between Bank Of Hawaii and Charley’s (see the map below: blue box.) Note: you’re only supposed to use this dirt lot if you’re doing some shopping/browsing in the interesting (and worthy of a look) shops and eateries adjacent.

Key Info:
Location: 49 Baldwin Ave, Paia
Phone: 808-579-8078
Rating source: Maui Guidebook & Yelp
Web: http://www.manafoodsmaui.com
Price: As reasonable as Maui gets.

View Paia Town in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Anthony’s Coffee Co.
• Cool Cat Cafe
• Jamba Juice

Jumping into a tidepool

Rating: 4.91 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Highly personalized touring, hiking and adventures.
Minuses: High quality isn’t ever cheap.
Sound-bite: “We all felt like we had done something truly amazing, adventurous and memorable.”

UPDATE, MAY 2010 – Looks like one of the bigger and certainly most aggressive players in the market is forcing Alicia out of business. Unfortunately the hike guide business is highly restricted by Maui law, and not a level playing field. A real shame, because exactly what Alicia offered was her taking you out to special places as a friend – something that Maui government, and one of the more established tour operators in particular don’t want to see. If this looked like your dream and you’d like me to set you up with someone special, head over to the contact page and let me know – I can probably hook you up with a knowledgeable local guide.

DETAILS:
Awapuhi Adventures is a small one-woman operation, and let me be the first to tell you that one woman is precisely who makes it so spectacular. Alicia (owner and guide) is a well versed naturalist and has such a passion for the island that it is infectious. Alicia also takes the time to understand your abilities, needs and desires before she designs the perfect adventure for you.

Since this is such a highly personalized tour, you’ll also always get to go at your own pace. You won’t ever feel rushed to hurry up and move on, or pressured to do anything you aren’t comfortable doing.

Alicia has a true gift for understanding her guests, and making the spectacular wonders of Maui accessible to the full spectrum of travelers, whatever their ability. Believe it or not, you don’t even have to be a hiker or a swimmer to see spectacular hidden sights, to snorkel and to experience being under a hidden waterfall.

Aahhhhh...waterfall!

Awapuhi Adventures stands out because your day is tailored so that you visit more than one place and really get to experience Maui in all her glory. In the same day you can experience waterfalls, snorkel in tidepools, visit cultural sites, and have a picnic lunch on a secluded beach. If you find that one of the things scheduled along the way is somewhere you’d rather stick around, then by all means you’ll stick around. It is a whole lot more like coming to visit a friend who is sharing what they love than anything else you might go in to this expecting.

And you’ll actually become immersed in what you’re doing – eating wild fruits right off of the trees, learning about Hawaiian culture, the history, and the unique flora and fauna – oh, and you’ll have such a load of fun doing it.

Yummy picnic lunch.

The price is all inclusive, and includes healthy and yummy home-made food (tailored to your taste and any dietary restrictions), all the equipment you’ll need for your chosen adventures, and pick-up/drop-off from your hotel. Alicia is also trained as a wilderness first responder, and carries a first-aid kit. (Don’t take that for granted…I’ve found more than one guide that had no training for responding to an emergency.)

Definitely don’t let the price scare you off – if you’re a family or small group, it won’t cost more than the group tours. If you’re a couple or traveling alone there is an old saying that goes something like “you may not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you don’t pay for.” A day with Awapuhi Adventures is quite impressively ranked by every single customer review I could find as among the most special and memorable activity they did. If you need more convincing, see the link to their Tripadvisor reviews below, when I wrote this Awapuhi had 27 reviews on there and every single one was 5/5 stars. (I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.) In fact, another theme runs though those same customer reviews: several who were initially tentative about the value came out so highly satisfied that they booked an additional day.

Key Info:
Location: Pickup or Meet
Phone: 808-269-6031
Rating source: Maui Guidebook & Tripadvisor
Web: http://awapuhiadventures.com
Price: $100-$200 per person (Typical, actual cost depends on your party size, tour time & destination.)

You may also be interested in:

• Maui Eco Adventures
• Hike Maui
• Maui Hiking Safaris

Outside Rear of Home

Contact: Kokomo Hale 1BR

Sleeps 2-4 (King Bed in bedroom & Queen futon in LR)

Book: Online booking form

Seasonal Price Range: $119-$225

Amenities:
| Fully Stocked Kitchen | BBQ |
| Private Lanai or Yard | Ocean Views |
| Ceiling Fans | Washer/Dryer |
| TV/DVD | Cable | WiFi Internet |
| Towels & Linens |

Hawaiian Lesson: “Hale” (Ha-Lay) is a common word used in Hawaii, and it often means house, but can also refer to various types of buildings, halls and institutions.

From Livingroom

Details
The high quality construction is open and airy and thoughtfully incorporates many natural elements into the design.

High quality bamboo floors, custom stone countertops in the kitchen and bath, and loads of windows with stunning views of both coastlines.

Private, clean, modern, comfortable and affordable. The central location is perfect for active people who want to tour all around Maui while staying an a real home. If you’re the type who likes to avoid resorts and find adventure, this is a great option for home-base.

Quality & Craftsmanship
I love homes with a soul – and Kokomo Hale most definitely has one. The owner is a builder, and a craftsman – he designed and built this home from the ground up. The attention to detail and love and care infused into even the smallest facets clearly show. This kind of quality is not typical of a vacation rental unit in this price range.

The Views
Kokomo Hale has breathtaking panoramic views of the entire central valley with a 15+ mile coast-to-coast expanse of West Maui Mountains as the backdrop. You also get an ocean view on Maui’s North Shore, and a touch of the coastline on opposite side of the valley as well.

This awesome BBQ with a view will keep your man cooking

The Lanai
Maui is such an outdoors place, having a great place to spend your at-home time outside is a big bonus – and this lanai does it right by allowing you to spend more time where you’ll want to be.

The deck is positioned to take in the full view while remaining very private. There is a dining table and chairs out here, and if I were staying here, I can tell you without question that I would eat every breakfast, lunch and dinner out here.

Oh, did I forget mention that there is an impressive professional-quality built-in gas grill (and prep counter) that is a joy to cook on?

Tip: the best local market on Maui is on the way back from the beach – grab some fresh local food to throw on the grill, mix up a couple mai tais, and plant yourself here for a spectacular sunset!

Kitchen

Kitchen
The full kitchen is modern and boasts a high-quality gas oven and range, full-size stainless frige and dishwasher.

Great tile-work pulls together the two-tone wood and glass cabinetry with the totally awesome custom-crafted stone and concrete fossil-inlaid countertop.

Bathroom
The bathroom has a dual shower-head two-person Jacuzzi, and the same style custom artisan stone/fossil counter like you saw in the kitchen – here it supports a dark deep bowl stone vessel sink. High-quality tile and wood finish work complete a fusion of tasteful quality with the earthy-connection that permeates the home.

Jacuzzi Tub for Two

(I imagine quite a few guests will choose to spend the better part of more than one evening in the Jacuzzi!)

Configuration & Privacy
This is a second-floor 1BR unit attached to the main house. The owners actually designed and built this unit with themselves in mind, so the configuration is totally set up to afford privacy and insulation from the rest of the building. The stairs face the side of the home, and parking is directly across, so you don’t have to enter or walk though any of this area to access any other area. This is also the entire second floor of the home, and the thoughtful design affords you full privacy.

Giggle Hill
If you are traveling with a child, a great community playground is just a mile down the road. Giggle Hill was built by volunteers in 2004 (I was one of them!) – and our own family is there quite regularly with our children.

Location
This home is in the Kokomo area of Haiku – which is very central to the whole island. We do not disclose precise locations of residential rentals for family security – but I show a Google map below with the pin on Giggle Hill – this home is approximately a mile south of Goggle Hill. This location is within easy reach of all of Maui. Wonderful North Shore beaches and Paia Town a 10-15 minute drive.

From Kitchen & Desk

I choose to live on this side of the island – it is cooler, less commercial/touristy, and very central for active folks who plan on touring all around the island.

You’re also closer to Haleakala, Road to Hana and Upcountry than the resort areas, while the resort areas are still easily within reach for day trips (an easy and very scenic ~35-45 minutes to Kihei and South Maui, about an hour to Lahaina and West Maui.)

Haiku is wetter and greener than the resort areas which are in the desert. Most of our rain comes from the tradewind cycle, so it will usually (and conveniently) come late afternoon or overnight.

Kokomo on Precipitation Map

The Kokomo area is located right along the mountain’s rain shadow – the line between dry and rain. Just five miles one way and you can have annual rainfall as low as 10 inches (desert), the same distance the other direction and you’re in the rainforest! [more: Weather & Maui Rainfall Map]

The best thing about living along the line of the rain shadow is that when it is raining you can usually hop in the car and drive out of it in just a matter of minutes. (Yeah, we’re totally spoiled in Maui!)

Just half of the stunning panoramic view.

While most of this area has become an eclectic mix of country-residential, the majority of Haiku is agriculturally zoned as a legacy of the plantation days. There are some small family and hobby farms out here. Most visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of a more rural and rustic lifestyle – largely without any of the irritations that some aspects of country living come with. That said, irritations are relative, and you should be a nature lover if you plan on staying outside of the tourist centers – you’ll certainly cross paths with little critters – geckos, toads and giant snails are common – and you’ll hear the sounds of coqui frogs and roosters (both at a comfortable distance.)

Other Stuff
There are two concrete slabs on the neighboring parcels that you will see from your perch – these are where farm buildings once stood. No trash or blight…just the aging pads cleaned of all remnants of structure remain – but they are noticeable enough because they stand out from the lush greenery in an oddly anthropological way. Not a big deal, but worth a mention.

More Photos Below The Map

View Giggle Hill in a larger map

Click the photos for higher-resolution closeup.

I guarantee you won't ever eat inside!

Sunset form the lanai

Fossils inlaid in the counter

Kitchen

Kitchen

Living Room/Kitchen

Living Room TV

From Livingroom

Bedroom Angle 1

Bedroom Angle 2

Check out the cool hand-made sink in the bathroom!

Inquiry:

You may also be interested in:

• Kokomo Hale Studio Cottage
• Paia Dean’s
• Bamboo Eco Cottage