One of the most popular motor outings on Maui is the drive around the north shore to Hana on the eastern tip of the island. Having "been there and done that" on our previous visit to Maui, we decided to do something different this time.

We elected to take the road less traveled around West Maui Volcano, known to Hawaiians as Mauna Kahalawai (House of Water) and also Hale Mahina (House of the Moon). We drove counter-clockwise from Wailea through Lahaina, Kaanapali and Wailuku, popular tourist destinations. Along the way, we encountered the isolated and charming village of Kahakuloa. Here we stopped for cold sodas, bought coconut candy and dried mango and sampled Julia's Best Banana Bread and made some new friends.

From Wailuku it was a short drive to Iao Valley State Monument and its famous landmark, Iao Needle. On the way back to Wailea we stopped for some Vietnamese food in Kihei. It was an amazing day!