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Karthik Raja | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> USA - Hawaii, The Islands of Aloha - 2008 >> Maui - Pacific's Best Island tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map

Oahu - History in the Pacific | Maui - Pacific's Best Island | Flora and Fauna of Hawaii

Maui - Pacific's Best Island




Day 1: After a quick 30 min flight on Island Air we landed at Kapalua airport in west Maui. It was a lazy small one gate airport and we had to call Enterprise to tell them we were in. 15 mins later we were chauffeured to the Ka'anapali Beach resorts and checked into The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa. Our experience at The Sheraton Maui was disappointing from the word go. The staff at the check-in were rude and indifferent. We decided to cool off at the beach. The sunset was one of the most beautiful ones we had seen and the torch lighting ceremony at Black rock ("Pu'u Keka'a") made it that much more enjoyable. Black Rock is a great spot for cliff diving and snorkeling. The location of the resort on Ka'anapali beach is perfect.

Day 2: Hana Highway. The day started around 7:30 am and we were on our way to Hana. The drive to Hana is one of the must do things in Maui and begins at the north shore town of Paia past the Kahului airport. Hana is at the bottom of the green rainly slopes of Haleakala and the drive is dotted with waterfalls and streams, lush green tropical scenery, bamboo forests, breathtaking bays and vistas and a black jagged coastline. The spots we covered were: Twin Falls – Mile marker 2 – disappointing as we trekked for more than an hour and found just trickling water, Garden of Eden Arboretum - Mile marker 10.5 – touristy but a worthy stop for a relaxing walk through well manicured gardens, Kaumahina State Park - Mile marker 12 - worthy stop, Keanae Peninsula - Mile marker 17 – worthy stop for great coastal scenery, Nahiku - Mile marker 25 – a long drive down the cliff but worth it, Wainapanapa State Park Mile marker 32 – worthy stop for a small but refreshing waterfall pool, Hana – quaint town. We drove most of the day and we didn’t get a chance to go beyond Hana. Most of the waterfalls had dried up so check before you go all the way to the seven pools.

Day 3: Haleakala. We started the day at 3:45 am and drove about two hours to the summit of Haleakala to watch one of the best sunrises we have ever seen. Check the time of sunrise and weather before your trip as it was a freezing 40F when we went. We also packed some sandwiches and water as there is nothing available at the summit. As the sun came up we were filled with peace and calm and the risky drive up was forgotten. After spending a couple of hours we headed back and stopped at Ma’alaea harbor, the second windiest harbor in the world after Wellington. We caught the opening day whale tour organized by the Pacific Whale Foundation. It was a great trip as we got to see a humpback whale. Impressed by the foundation and the commitment of the crew, we decided to become members and take a snorkeling trip the next day. We spent the rest of the day lounging on the beach and walking around Whaler’s village. We also managed to catch a Polynesian dance program organized by the shops at Whaler’s village. It was almost as well organized as the Polynesian Cultural center but less grand.

Day 4: Molokini and Turtle arches eco adventure. We started the day early and had to report to Ma’alaea harbor around 6:15 am. After a quick boat trip we docked at Molokini to snorkel at the marine sanctuary. It was a perfect day to snorkel and we overcame our initial fears to witness life under the blue veils of the Pacific ocean. If life on land and sky is beautiful, life underwater is even more beautiful. The second stop was the turtle arches, underwater lava arches home to the green sea turtles. It was thrilling to swim beside these gentle giant turtles. We highly recommend a trip with the dedicated and knowledgeable crew of the non profit Pacific Whale foundation. The tour also comes with breakfast, grilled lunch and cocktails. Totally worth it.

From Ma'alaea bay, the Iao Valley State Park is only about 10 miles. Go north to Wailuku and take 32 to Iao Valley. Iao is the beautiful daugther of Maui, and the 1200 feet high Iao needle, brazenly jutting into the sky from the valley floor, is said to be Iao's clandestine lover, captured by Maui and turned to stone. The park is a great place for a comfortable walk amidst mountains and streams and is one of the most relaxing spots in Maui. We spent the evening resting on the beaches and watching our last Maui sunset.

Day 5: Beach bums. We spent the next day being beach bums and soaking in the tropical sun. We learnt to make a ‘Lei’ and also play a couple of chords on the ‘Ukulele’. Then it was time to go back to O’hau.

Maui has something for everyone – pristine beaches, beautiful coastline, great drives, lush parks and trails, waterfalls, great snorkeling and scuba opportunities, shopping, cultural activities etc. The only minus to our trip was the hotel. Despite being one of the better properties in the resort we still don’t recommend this hotel because of the highhanded attitude of the management and staff.
Ka'anapali beach from the air, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Ka'anapali beach from the air, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 View from our room - out into Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA
View from our room - out into Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Black Rock jutting into the Pacific, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Black Rock jutting into the Pacific, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Lonely sailor between the trees, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Lonely sailor between the trees, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui mountains, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui mountains, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Waterfall pools in the Sheraton Maui Resport and Spa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Waterfall pools in the Sheraton Maui Resport and Spa, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Cliff Diving from the Black Rock - Maui's most inviting photo, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Cliff Diving from the Black Rock - Maui's most inviting photo, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Show off cliff diver, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Show off cliff diver, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Castles in the beach, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Castles in the beach, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Paia, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Paia, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Surfing in Ho'okipa Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Surfing in Ho'okipa Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 View inland from Ho'okipa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
View inland from Ho'okipa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Punishing waves at Ho'okipa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Punishing waves at Ho'okipa, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Ho'okipa - the Mount Everest for surfers, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Ho'okipa - the Mount Everest for surfers, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Watch him ride that wave, Ho'okipa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Watch him ride that wave, Ho'okipa, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 View of the Pacific from the Garden of Eden, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
View of the Pacific from the Garden of Eden, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Nahiku landing, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Nahiku landing, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Nahiku Landing, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Nahiku Landing, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Waves crashing and tearing into the rocks, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Waves crashing and tearing into the rocks, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Wainapanapa State Park, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Wainapanapa State Park, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Wainapanapa State Park, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Wainapanapa State Park, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Pua'a Ka State Wayside Park, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Pua'a Ka State Wayside Park, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Waikamoi falls, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Waikamoi falls, Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Dawn at 10000 feet, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Dawn at 10000 feet, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Blue dawn gives way to yellow light, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Blue dawn gives way to yellow light, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The red fire clouds float away, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The red fire clouds float away, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Clouds flowing over the peaks, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Clouds flowing over the peaks, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
There is it is! Sunrise at Haleakala - 6:37am, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
There is it is! Sunrise at Haleakala - 6:37am, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The craters of Haleakala get lit, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The craters of Haleakala get lit, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The steep cliffs burn in the sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The steep cliffs burn in the sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Bringing a new day in with a song, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Bringing a new day in with a song, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sunrise, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The peak of Haleakala Red Hill - 10023 feet, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The peak of Haleakala Red Hill - 10023 feet, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The shadow of Haleakala streches far, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The shadow of Haleakala streches far, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Early morning, the sky turns a beautiful blue, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Early morning, the sky turns a beautiful blue, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Moon like crater in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Moon like crater in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 View of the bay on the leeward side,Maui, Hawaii, USA
View of the bay on the leeward side,Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Humpback Whale first sighting - always look for the blow, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Humpback Whale first sighting - always look for the blow, Maui, Hawaii, USA
West Maui mountains, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
West Maui mountains, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Humpback whale comes up, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Humpback whale comes up, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Another sighting of the Humpback whale, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Another sighting of the Humpback whale, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Valleys and mountains of West Maui, Hawaii, USA
Valleys and mountains of West Maui, Hawaii, USA
Jets landing in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Jets landing in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Waves approaching Kanaapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Waves approaching Kanaapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Have you ever seen rain at a distance?, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Have you ever seen rain at a distance?, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Skies above Lanai, Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Skies above Lanai, Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The ocean simmers in evening glow, Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The ocean simmers in evening glow, Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Kanaapali beach with Lanai as the last light fades, Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Kanaapali beach with Lanai as the last light fades, Sunset, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Hawaiian palms in the sunset, Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Hawaiian palms in the sunset, Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Evening show at Whalers Village, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Evening show at Whalers Village, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Hawaii is part of Polynesia, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Hawaii is part of Polynesia, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The charming Hula, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The charming Hula, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Maori dance, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maori dance, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Crystal clear waters of Molokini, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Crystal clear waters of Molokini, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Molokini island - snorkeling paradise, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Molokini island - snorkeling paradise, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Green sea turtle - first sighting, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Green sea turtle - first sighting, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Snorkelers in Molokini, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Snorkelers in Molokini, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Iao Valley State Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Iao Valley State Park, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 The Iao Needle, Maui, Hawaii, USA
The Iao Needle, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 River, Bridge and the Iao Needle, Maui, Hawaii, USA
River, Bridge and the Iao Needle, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Black Rock Cliffs - grabbing the last light, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Black Rock Cliffs - grabbing the last light, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sheraton Maui resort and spa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sheraton Maui resort and spa, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Pool at Sheraton Maui resort and spa, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Pool at Sheraton Maui resort and spa, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Ka'anapali beach from Black Rock, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Ka'anapali beach from Black Rock, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Final fly over Maui, Hawaii, USA
Final fly over Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sunset in Maui panorama, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Sunset in Maui panorama, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Time to dive in to the water - Yellow Tail, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Time to dive in to the water - Yellow Tail, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 There it is, the Green Turtle, Maui, Hawaii, USA
There it is, the Green Turtle, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Green Turtle peacefully swims below us, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Green Turtle peacefully swims below us, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Watch out! Turtle in your face, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Watch out! Turtle in your face, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 A small school of fish, Maui, Hawaii, USA
A small school of fish, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Can you spot the sea urchins?, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Can you spot the sea urchins?, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Coral reefs under Molokini, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Coral reefs under Molokini, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Typical Hawaiian dance, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Typical Hawaiian dance, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Hawaiian girl shows off her skills, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Hawaiian girl shows off her skills, Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Palm trees of Maui, Hawaii, USA
Palm trees of Maui, Hawaii, USA		 Wainapanapa panorama, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Wainapanapa panorama, Maui, Hawaii, USA

comment | share
Long Bach Nguyen13-Jun-2013 04:45
excellent series of images from Maui
Guest 29-Mar-2011 00:28
excellent photo......u had a great time...thank for such detailed information.
susanta 11-Jan-2009 12:22
fabulous
susanta 11-Jan-2009 12:22
fabulous
Gee 05-Jan-2009 11:04
Today only I saw photos in detail...awesome..love almost all the sunset photos, the panaroma, the surfers. The sunrise at haleakala is just amazing. Did you take photos underwater?
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