Maui Guidebook

Kahanu Garden & Pi’ilanihale Heiau

Last updated 21. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

The corner of Pi’ilanihale Heiau at Kahanu Garden

Rating:

In a nutshell: National Tropical Botanical Garden and the largest Heiau in Hawai’i
Minuses: The hours.
Sound-bite: “Wow, I didn’t realize how massive the heiau was!”

The Kahanu Garden is part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) and showcases many native and Polynesian introduced (“canoe”) plants. Kahanu Garden is also closely connected with the history of Maui and the Hawaiian people – both from a botanical perspective, and strong historical significance of the land and heiau. Anyone interested in …

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Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu Beach)

Last updated 08. Dec, 2011 by lilikoi.

Red Sand Beach is a dramatically beautiful place.

Rating:

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 is almost …

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Pa’ia Town

Last updated 19. Dec, 2011 by Mark.

Alice in Hulaland

Rating:

In a nutshell: An unassuming hub of the North Shore community, Paia Town has great restaurants, interesting shops, and the best natural food store on the island.
Minuses: Parking can be difficult if you don’t know where to look (pssst..we have a map with parking below the article )
Sound-bite: “Woah, did that sign really say “Don’t feed the hippies?!?“”

Summary
Old-west style building facades painted in a patchwork of pastel colors greet you as you pull into Paia, and at first impression the small T-shaped …

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Upper Waikani Falls (aka Three Bears)

Last updated 02. Apr, 2012 by Mark.

Upper Waikani Falls

Rating:

In a nutshell: A nice ~70′ drive-up triple waterfall and plunge pool.
Minuses: Parking & the first step is a doozy!
Sound-bite: “Hey, how did you get down there?”

A very popular set of falls because it is photogenic and situated like a drive-thru right on the road.

Most folks drive up and snap a photo and drive off – mainly because there are few places to stop and park. If you’d like more than a drive-by view, you should drive about 1/10 mile past the …

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Wailua Falls

Last updated 19. May, 2011 by Mark.

Click the photo for high resolution, it is worth the wait!

Rating:

In a nutshell: Wailua Falls is a stunning side-of-the road ~80′ waterfall and plunge pool.
Minuses: Maui’s “most photographed waterfall” is usually crowded.
Sound-bite: “Did that car just say something!?!”

DETAILS:
The stunning Wailua Falls are impossible to miss – right smack next to the road. Don’t worry about consulting the map when you’re close to here – the crowd likely standing on the bridge snapping photos will almost guarantee that you’ll turn your head!

Often called the …

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Lower Puohokamoa Falls

Last updated 08. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Lower Puohokamoa Falls at low-flow.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Lower Puohokamoa Falls is a tall, cascading waterfall that the vast majority of people will, at most, view from a distance. Extreme hikers can take a treacherous hike to a spectacular views and pool at the base.
Minuses: Access to view and hike may be on private land. Hike itself is only for experts.
Sound-bite: “Most folks just drive, unknown, right past this spectacular waterfall.”

DETAILS:
Lower Puohokamoa Falls flow can fluctuate dramatically. When the flow is low, there is a …

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Itinerary: Shelby’s One-Day Road to Hana Adventure

Last updated 13. Aug, 2011 by Mark.

Background

A visitor named Shelby emailed me, telling me about a wonderful memory she had visiting ‘Ohe’o as a child, and hiking the Pipiwai trail. She wanted to hand down the gift of such fond family memories to her children, and generously gave a gift to sponsor my writing. I have written a full-day MauiGuidebook.com article for her to maximize time at ‘Ohe’o and since she is staying in Wailea the whole time, the best way to have her do both was to split off the rest of the Road

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Ho’okipa Beach Park

Last updated 28. Oct, 2010 by Mark.

The Mecca of windsurfing: Ho’okipa

Rating:

In a nutshell: Ho’okipa Beach is a world-renowned windsurfing spot with often dramatic and impressive surf.
Minuses: Marginal for swimming.
Sound-bite: “Epic day bro!”

Ho’okipa is Mecca to the windsurfing world, and is also a top-notch board surfing destination. There are professional windsurfing competitions held here, and on just about any day with wind (which are most days) you can watch pros doing absolutely amazing things with sailboards. Ho’okipa provides visitors a stunning backdrop where you can watch the best effortlessly play with the …

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Itinerary: Shelby’s Kipahulu Day

Last updated 12. Aug, 2011 by Mark.

Background

A visitor named Shelby emailed me, telling me about a wonderful memory she had visiting ‘Ohe’o as a child, and hiking the Pipiwai trail. She wanted to hand down the gift of such fond family memories to her children, and generously gave a gift to sponsor my writing. I have written some MauiGuidebook.com articles about her trip. This is part of the itinerary I have written for guiding her family on a trip that I hope the whole family will return to revisit for generations to come. (Also see

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Ke’anae Arboretum

Last updated 24. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

Rainbow Eucalyptus grove in the Keanae Arboretum

Rating:

In a nutshell: A six acre arboretum and botanical garden with many unique specimens.
Minuses: They can’t get the taro to grow.
Sound-bite: “Let me get a photo of you hugging the tree!”

If you appreciate exotic flora, this small, free-of-charge state-owned arboretum is a must stop on the Road to Hana.

I’m a tree and plant lover, and this arboretum has always held a special place in my heart. While it may not compare in size and careful landscaping to arboretums …

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