Maui Guidebook

South Maui – Quick Summary

Posted on 28. Sep, 2009 by Mark.

General Geographic Area: South Maui

In a nutshell: South Maui is home to the spectacular world-class beaches of Kihei, Wailea and Makena. Wailea, to the south of this region, boasts exclusive word-class resorts and golf, while Kihei to the north is where you’ll find more down-to-earth hotels & condos.
Minuses: Once off the beach, the Kihei part of South…

Eskimo Candy

Posted on 19. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

Eskimo Candy is hidden inside a nondescript commercial area.

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In a nutshell: A small fish market & cafe that serves the most delicious and inexpensive seafood in South Maui.
Minuses: No weekend or evening hours.
Sound-bite: “Eskimo Candy has the absolute best poke I’ve found.”

Eskimo Candy doesn’t try to pretend to be anything it isn’t – located in a…

Car Rental Hawaii

Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Insider source for Hawaii rental car deals.

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In a nutshell: Insider/wholesale pricing on rental cars.
Minuses: Online rental process is not real-time.

Sound-bite: “Are you sure these rates are correct?”

Okay, this one of those situations where it pays to know someone local. Maui truly plays by its own set of rules – and those locally connected pay less…Continue Reading

Amigo’s Kihei

Posted on 30. Mar, 2010 by Mark.

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Makena Big Beach (aka Oneloa)

Posted on 18. Jun, 2009 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…

Action Sports Maui

Posted on 05. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

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Kelii’s Kayak Tours

Posted on 13. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

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Wailea Old Blue Golf Course

Posted on 02. Mar, 2010 by Mark.

Ocean views from every hole.

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In a nutshell: The perfect balance of design, scenery & price in South Maui.
Minuses: Less competitive course than Gold.
Sound-bite: “This is the first time I can honestly say whales were my biggest distraction!”

DETAILS:
The Wailea Old Blue Golf Course has a split personality. One personality is independent, yet playful – and the other is rooted in the past…

Continue Reading

Capische?

Posted on 23. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

Capische?

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^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 Italian in South Maui

In a nutshell: Among the most deliciously romantic dining experiences on Maui.
Minuses: Not for the budget conscious.
Sound-bite: “Capische has given us such wonderful memories. I cannot wait to go back!”

Description:
An all-around spectacular dining experience. Impressive culinary artistry, extensive wine selection, romantic ambiance, spectacular views, and stand-out service… Read The Full Article

Ed Robinson’s Diving Adventures

Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by Mark.

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Wailea Beach

Posted on 17. May, 2009 by Walker.

Wailea Beach

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In a nutshell: Consistently rated one of the world’s best beaches. An absolutely outstanding beach.
Minuses: Crowded with resort guests and their accouterments.
Sound-bite: “Hey, is that Paris Hilton?”

DETAILS:
If you don’t mind a resort vibe and a crowd to go with it, Wailea Beach is truly an outstanding beach. The sand is perfect, the water calm…

Molokini Crater

Posted on 03. Jul, 2009 by Mark.

Molokini during rush hour
(Photo: Ron Garnett/HTA)

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In a nutshell: Molokini is a world-class snorkel and SCUBA destination with exceptional water clarity and marine diversity.
Minuses: It is usually very crowded.
Sound-bite: “Hey, I wonder what is on the other side?”

DETAILS:
Molokini Crater is a highly popular snorkel and SCUBA destination. Home to hundreds of species of fish and coral (some found…

South Pacific Kayaks

Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

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Palauea Beach (aka White Rock)

Posted on 07. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

Palauea Beach

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In a nutshell: A long, beautiful sandy crescent set back from the wind.
Minuses: Development.
Sound-bite: “Is that Paul Blart?”

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This is a nice, wide, uncrowded and lesser-known beach. You won’t see very many tourists here – mostly populated by a few local folks and fishermen, on weekends family and friends join in on the fun. What’s…

Wailea Emerald Course

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by Mark.

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Po’olenalena Beach

Posted on 08. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

Po’olenalena Beach

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In a nutshell: A long, often uncrowded sandy beach.
Minuses: Has become more popular in recent years.
Sound-bite: “You may now kiss the bride!”

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Po’olenalena is a nice, long sandy beach, that until recent years was mostly known only by locals. Because it has spectacular sunset views, and often becomes uncrowded late in the day, it is…

Wailea Gold Course

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by Mark.

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Zen Zen Restaurant Pacifica (was Hakone)

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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Makena Coast Dive Charters

Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

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Jawz Tacos

Posted on 02. Dec, 2009 by Mark.

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Seafire Snorkeling Adventures

Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by Mark.

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Ba-Le Sandwiches (Kihei)

Posted on 06. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Kama'ole Beach Park (I, II, III & Charley Young)

Posted on 11. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Kama'ole Beach views are outstanding

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In a nutshell: Kama’ole is a very popular set of beaches for locals and visitors. Beautiful, long, 1.5 mile sandy beaches with incredible views of Molokini, Kaho’olawe and Lana’i islands. Kam III has one of the most regular South Maui shorebreaks for boogie-boarding. Snorkeling opportunities are plentiful. Full facilities and family friendly.…

Makena Little Beach

Posted on 20. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Little Beach

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In a nutshell: Little Beach is where you go if you want to get nude with a bunch of other people. A beautiful beach, but gets crowded.
Minuses: Gawkers and creepy perverts are also attracted to this beach.
Sound-bite: “oowwwww…I forgot to apply sunscreen there!”

DETAILS:
The draw for most visitors here is nudity. While public nudity is technically illegal in…

‘Ahihi Bay & Waiala Cove

Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

‘Ahihi Bay meets the road

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In a nutshell: ‘Ahihi Bay’s Waiala Cove is an excellent place for beginner to intermediate snorkelers, SCUBA and kayaking.
Minuses: Rocky & no sand.
Sound-bite: “Eh, Brah – don’t stand up!”

DETAILS:
Typically called ‘Ahihi Bay (or even Ahi Bay by mistaken visitors), Waiala Cove is a small semi-protected cove of the overall much larger ‘Ahihi Bay.…

Honua’ula Luau aka Wailea Marriott Luau

Posted on 02. Dec, 2009 by Mark.

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Hilo Hattie

Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by Mark.

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Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods

Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

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L&L Drive-Inn (Kihei)

Posted on 08. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Wailea)

Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Polo Beach

Posted on 07. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

Polo Beach

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In a nutshell: A pair of beautiful sandy crescents fronting the Polo Beach Club and the Fairmont Kea Lani.
Minuses: Can get crowded with resort guests & cabanas.
Sound-bite: “Where are the horses?”

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A pair of beautiful sandy crescents join to form this beach. The south end fronts the Polo Beach Club and the north side the…

Da Kitchen Express

Posted on 09. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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Cafe Kiowai

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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elleair Maui Golf Club

Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by Mark.

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Keawakapu Beach

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Mark.

Keawakapu Beach

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In a nutshell: Long sandy beach at the end of S. Kihei Rd.
Minuses: Can get sandblasting windy in the afternoons.
Sound-bite: “Beware the forbidden cove!”

Summary:
Half-mine long sandy beach, runs to the end of Kihei, where the road departs from the shoreline. Good for swimming, laying out, boogie boarding, snorkeling or just lazing in the sun.…

Makena Clubhouse Restaurant

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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Mokapu Beach

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Mark.

Mokapu Beach

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In a nutshell: Quarter-mile long pocket of sandy beach.
Minuses: Parking fills up early.
Sound-bite: [Quiet]

QUICK SUMMARY:
Good swimming, boogie boarding and excellent snorkeling around rocky outcrops. In recent years this beach is usually very uncrowded.

Fronting the old Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, the hotel was slated for demolition and redevelopment into luxury condos when the bottom fell out…

Ulua Beach

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Mark.

Ulua Beach

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In a nutshell: Quarter-mile long pocket of sandy beach.
Minuses: Parking sometimes fills up early.
Sound-bite: [Children playing]

QUICK SUMMARY:
Good swimming, boogie boarding and excellent snorkeling around rocky outcrops. More crowded that its neighbor to the north, Mokapu Beach – here you know you’re in the Wailea Resort.

Like Polo Beach, the name was changed when Wailea Resort began…

One'uli Black Sand Beach (aka Naupaka Beach)

Posted on 22. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Oneuli Black Sand Beach in Makena

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In a nutshell: Oneuli Black Sand Beach is an excellent beach for snorkeling and launching a kayak. It is also packed full of educational value for naturalists & geology buffs.
Minuses: Not a good “basking-and-bathing” beach.
Sound-bite: “hey, what’s that rumbling sound?”

DETAILS:
Part of Makena State Park, One’uli is found on the Wailea side of the…

The Sports Page Grill & Bar

Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

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Maui Tacos (S. Kihei Rd.)

Posted on 09. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Makena Grill

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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Moose McGillycuddy’s

Posted on 04. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Outback Steakhouse

Posted on 11. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Longhi’s

Posted on 03. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Ulupikanui Beach (aka Chang’s Beach)

Posted on 15. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

Chang’s Beach

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In a nutshell: A small uncrowded beach with great snorkeling.
Minuses: Small beach, smaller parking.
Sound-bite: “The snorkel boats pull right up over there “

Details:
Ulupikanui Beach is a pleasant small beach in Makena fronting luxury vacation homes and the Makena Surf condos.

Ulupikanui means “large fig tree” and refers to a tree that used to exist on…

Caffe Ciao

Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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The Coffee Store (Kihei)

Posted on 20. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Boss Frog’s Dive & Surf

Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

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Maui Tacos (Piilani)

Posted on 09. Apr, 2010 by Mark.

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Bistro Molokini

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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Beaches: North Kihei

Posted on 29. Jun, 2010 by Mark.

A typical stretch of beach along South Kihei Rd.

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In a nutshell: South Kihei Road passes along scenic shoreline with long beaches.
Minuses: Treated sewage and runoff.
Sound-bite: [cars]

Note:
All beaches are on S. Kihei Rd.; mile markers listed are on Pi’ilani Hwy. Unless cruising, best to take Pi’ilani and turn off at the appropriate point.

Summary:
South Kihei Road hugs…

Avis

Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Budget Car Rental

Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Enterprise

Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Hertz

Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Kihei Rent-A-Car

Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Maui Classic Cruisers

Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Foodland

Posted on 25. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Safeway

Posted on 25. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Times Supermarket (was Star Market)

Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by Mark.

Makena Golf Course

Posted on 07. Mar, 2010 by Mark.

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‘Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve

Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

The last eruption on Maui.

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In a nutshell: Virtually all of ‘Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve is closed until 2012
Minuses: Closed.
Sound-bite: “But the blue guidebook said to come!”

DETAILS:
A small potion of the ‘Ahihi Bay area is the only portion of this reserve that remains open to the public. In times past this area was loaded with prime snorkeling and kayaking, plus…

Makena Luau

Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

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