-
'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve
This 818-hectare (2045-acre) reserve is a distinctive marine life habitat with unique geological features, including anchialine pools and kipuka (mounds of earth encircled by lava from Maui's last flow in 1790). The remains of a coastal Hawaiian village - its old sites marked by walled and terraced platforms - sit between lava flows at 'Ahihi Bay. Snorkellers at 'Ahihi Cove are treated to dazzling coral, parrotfish and sea turtles.
Between August 2008 and August 2010, much of the reserve will be closed off to the public, in an attempt to protect and repair its fragile natural resources, which have taken a beating from increased numbers of visitors to the site. Northern areas of the reserve most popular with the public - such as Waiala cove and the 'Dumps' surf break - will remain open during visiting hours.
-
'Iao Needle
'Iao Needle, the rock pinnacle that rises straight up 2250ft, takes its name from 'Iao, the beautiful daughter of Maui. 'Iao Needle is said to be 'Iao's clandestine lover, captured by Maui and turned to stone. A monument to love, this is truly the big kahuna, the ultimate phallic symbol.
-
'Iao Valley State Park
If you've seen just one photograph of Maui's lush interior, odds are it was of 'Iao Needle, the green pinnacle that provides the focal point for 'Iao Valley State Park. Nestled in the mountains, 3 miles west of central Wailuku, this park extends clear up to Pu'u Kukui (5788ft), Maui's highest and wettest point.
-
'Ulupalakua Ranch
A holdout from an earlier era, 'Ulupalakua Ranch was established in the mid-19th century by James Makee, a whaling captain who jumped ship and befriended Hawaiian royalty. King David Kalakaua, the 'Merrie Monarch,' was a frequent visitor who loved to indulge in late-night rounds of poker and champagne.
-
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum
Pu'unene's main attraction is the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, an intriguing little collection in the former home of the mill's superintendent. Exhibits give the skinny on the sugarcane biz and include a working scale model of a cane-crushing plant.
-
Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm
Up for a little aromatherapy? Maybe it's time to immerse yourself in the soothing scents at Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm. More than 30 varieties of lavender blanket the hillside - stroll the garden paths and feel your whole body relax. Then sit for a spell with a glass of lavender lemonade (around US$3 ), or browse the gift shop for lavender-scented bath gels and creams.
-
Bailey House Museum
The 1833 home of missionary Edward Bailey has been converted into the Bailey House Museum highlighting local history. The second storey remains much the same as it was in missionary days, decorated with antiques and some of the works that Bailey, an accomplished engraver, created.
-
Baldwin House
The oldest Western-style building in Lahaina is the Baldwin House, erected in 1834 by Reverend Dwight Baldwin, a missionary doctor. It served as both his home and Lahaina's first medical clinic. The coral and rock walls are a hefty 24in thick, which keeps the house cool year-round. The exterior walls are now plastered over, but you can get a sense of how they originally appeared by looking at the Masters' Reading Room next door.
-
Banyan Tree Square
You know a tree has stature when throngs of townsfolk gather each year to celebrate its birthday! Banyan Tree Square marks the center of Lahaina, where the awesome banyan tree sprawls across the entire square and ranks as the largest banyan tree in the USA.
-
Big Beach
The Hawaiian name for Big Beach is Oneloa, literally 'Long Sand.' And indeed the golden sands stretch for the better part of a mile and are as broad as they come. The waters are a beautiful turquoise. When they're calm you'll find kids bodyboarding here, but at other times the breaks belong to experienced bodysurfers, who get tossed wildly in the transparent waves.
-
Advertisement
-
HA Baldwin Beach Park
Bodyboarders and bodysurfers take to the waves at HA Baldwin Beach Park about a mile west of Pa'ia, at the 6-mile marker. The wide sandy beach drops off quickly and when the shorebreak is big unsuspecting swimmers can get slammed soundly. If you see lots of bodysurfers in the water, it's probably big! Showers, rest rooms, picnic tables, and a well-used baseball and soccer field round out the facilities.
-
Hale Kahiko
The three thatched houses at Hale Kahiko replicate part of an ancient Hawaiian village. The location at the back of a shopping center isn't without its irony, but the site nonetheless offers an insightful glimpse of Hawaiian life before Western development swept the landscape.
-
Hale Pa'ahao
Hale Pa'ahao (Stuck-in-Irons House), Lahaina's old prison, was built in 1852 by convicts who dismantled the old harborside fort and carted the stones here to construct the 8ft-high prison walls. Inside one of the whitewashed cells you'll find an 'old seadog' mannequin spouting a recorded description of 'life in this here calaboose.'
-
Hale Pa'i
The cottage at the side of Lahainaluna High School, Hale Pa'i, housed Hawaii's first printing press. Although its primary mission was making the Bible available to Hawaiians, the press also produced other works, including the first Hawaiian botany book and, in 1834, Hawaii's first newspaper. Heavily used, the original Ramage press wore out in the 1850s, but several of the items printed from it are still on display.
-
Haleakala National Park
Get ready for an otherworldly experience at Haleakala National Park. It's astonishing volcanic landscape so resembles a lunar surface that astronauts practiced mock lunar walks here before landing on the moon.
-
Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau
One of Maui's most important historical sites, Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau holds the remains of two adjoining temples atop a knoll with a commanding view of central Maui.
The site was the royal court of Kahekili, Maui's last ruling chief, and the birthplace of Keopuolani, wife of Kamehameha the Great. After his victory at the battle of 'Iao in 1790, Kamehameha came to this site to worship his war god Ku, offering the last human sacrifice on Maui.
-
Hamoa Beach
Hamoa Beach has lovely gray sands, and is used by Hotel Hana-Maui, but open to all. Author James Michener once called it the only beach in the North Pacific that actually looked as if it belonged in the South Pacific. When surf's up, surfers and bodyboarders flock to the waters, though beware of rip currents. When it's calm, swimming is good in the cove.
-
Hana Cultural Center
Absorb a little local history at the down-home Hana Cultural Center displaying Hawaiian artifacts, wood carvings and quilts. And don't miss the four authentically reconstructed thatched hale at the side of the museum, which can be seen even if you arrive outside of opening hours.
-
Hasegawa General Store
In its previous incarnation, the century-old Hasegawa General Store was Hana's best-known sight. After the original place burned down in 1990, it relocated under the rusty tin roof of the town's old theater building. Some of its character was lost along with its eclectic inventory, but the store still haphazardly packs just about everything from bags of poi and aloha dolls to the record that immortalized the store in song.
-
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Headquarters
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Headquarters is a great place to get acquainted with Hawaii's spectacular marine life. The building overlooks an ancient fishpond that's under restoration and the oceanfront lookout is ideal for sighting the humpback whales that frequent the bay during winter. There's even a free telescope set up for viewing.
Read more about Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Headquarters
-
Advertisement
-
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Ho'okipa Beach Park reigns supreme as the world's premier windsurfing beach, with strong currents, dangerous shorebreaks and razor-sharp coral offering the ultimate challenge. Ho'okipa is to topnotch windsurfers what Everest is to mountain climbers.
-
Holy Ghost Church
The octagonal Holy Ghost Church, a hillside landmark in Waiakoa, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1895 by Portuguese immigrants, the church features a beautifully ornate interior that looks like it came right out of the Old World, and indeed much of it did. The altar was carved by renowned Austrian woodcarver Ferdinand Stuflesser and shipped in pieces around the Cape of Good Hope.
-
Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center
Past Hali'imaile Rd, just after the 5-mile marker, is Kaluanui, the former plantation estate of sugar magnates Harry and Ethel Baldwin, which now houses the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center. Famed Honolulu architect CW Dickey designed the two-story plantation home with Spanish-style tile roof in 1917.
-
Ka'ahumanu Church
The oldest Congregational church in Maui, Ka'ahumanu Church dates to 1832 and takes its name from Queen Ka'ahumanu, who cast aside the old gods and burned temple idols, allowing Christianity to flourish. She visited Wailuku and in her ever-humble manner requested that the church bear her name.
-
Ka'eleku Caverns
You don't need to be a geology buff to get off on the mammoth Ka'eleku Caverns, formed by ancient lava flows. The caves are so formidable that they once served as a slaughterhouse - 17,000lb of cow bones had to be removed before they were opened to tourists! Winding your way through the extensive underground lava tubes you'll find a unique ecosystem of stalactites and stalagmites.
