Sights in Maui
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Keawakapu Beach
There's a lot to like about Keawakapu Beach, which stretches from the southernmost part of Kihei to Wailea's Mokapu Beach. Not only is Keawakapu Beach less crowded than Kihei's roadside beaches but it offers a stellar view, and during winter humpback whales come quite close to shore.
With its cushiony soft sand, it's a favorite place for people doing sunrise yoga and wake-up strolls and it's also a good spot for a sunset swim. Mornings are the best time for snorkeling; head to the rocky outcrops that form the northern and southern ends of the beach.
There are three beach access points, all with outdoor showers. To get to the south end, go south on S Kihei Rd until it dead-…
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Kahakuloa Village
Remote and quintessentially Hawaiian, Kahakuloa Village sits at the base of a tidy valley embraced by sea cliffs standing like sentinels on either side of the bay. Although it contains only a few dozen homes, Kahakuloa (Tall Lord) has two churches.
The little tin-roof Catholic mission sits hillside at the southern end of town, just off the road, and the Protestant church, sporting a green wooden exterior and red-tile roof, hunkers down on the valley floor further north. The town doesn't have any shops, but villagers set up roadside stands selling shave ice, fruit and 'ono (delicious) banana bread.
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Whalers Village Museum
In Kaʻanapali, visit the evocative Whalers Village Museum in the Whalers Village mall.
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Pipiwai Trail
The Pipiwai Trail runs up the 'Ohe'o streambed, rewarding hikers with perfect views of the upper waterfalls. The trail starts on the mauka side of the visitor center and leads up to Makahiku Falls (0.5mi/800m) and Waimoku Falls (2mi/3.2km). Or take a little shortcut by picking up the trail from the pedestrian crossing at the highway. To see both falls takes about two hours return. The upper section is muddy, but boardwalks cover the worst bits.
Along the path, you'll pass large mango trees and patches of guava before coming to an overlook after about 10 minutes. Makahiku Falls, a long bridal-veil waterfall that drops into a deep gorge, is just off to the right. Thick gree…
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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.
Haleki'i (House of Images), the first heiau, has stepped stone walls that tower above 'Iao Stream. The pyramidlike mound of Pihana Heiau (Gathering Place of Supernatural Beings) is a five-minute walk beyond, but a thick overgrowth of ki…
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Waikamoi Nature Trail
A half-mile past the 9-mile marker, a wide dirt pull-off provides space for a few cars to park below the Waikamoi Nature Trail. This peaceful 30-minute trail loops through tall trees with wonderful fresh scents and lots of birdsong. The grand reddish trees covered with climbing philodendron vines are Eucalyptus robusta. The ridge at the top of the trail provides a fine view of the winding Hana Hwy.
The next few sights come up quickly, so keep a keen eye out. Waikamoi Falls is at the bridge just before the 10-mile marker. The lower waterfall has a pool and it's possible to walk a short way up to a higher waterfall, but the rocks can be slippery, and the bottom waterfall is…
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Ko'olau Forest Reserve
Hold on to your hat - now the real fun begins! As the highway snakes along the edge of the Ko'olau Forest Reserve, the jungle takes over with a one-lane bridge and waterfall offering drama at every other bend. Ko'olau, which means 'windward,' catches the rain clouds and squeezes out about 80in of rain annually on the coast and a mighty 200in to 300in up the slopes. No surprise - that makes for awesome waterfalls as the rainwater rushes down the reserve's abundant gulches and streams.
Paralleling the highway is the Ko'olau Ditch, a century-old system that carries up to 450 million gallons of water a day through 75 miles of ditches and tunnels from the rain forest to the dr…
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Lindbergh's Grave
Charles Lindbergh, who relished his privacy during the final years of his life, moved to remote Kipahulu in 1968. Following his death from cancer in 1974, Lindbergh was buried in the graveyard of Palapala Ho'omau Congregational Church. The inscription he selected for his simple grave ('If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uppermost parts of the sea…') is taken from Psalm 139.
The church with its 26in-thick walls and simple wooden pews dates from 1864. Take a look at its window painting of a Polynesian Christ draped in the red and yellow feather capes that were worn only by Hawaii's highest chiefs.
Lindbergh's spirit (and his desire to be out of the public …
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Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
A bird-watcher's oasis, the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge harbors native waterbirds year-round and hosts migratory ducks and shorebirds from October to April. In the rainy winter months Kealia Pond swells to more than 400 acres, making it one of the largest natural ponds in Hawaii. In summer it shrinks to half the size, giving it a skirt of crystalline salt (Kealia means 'salt-encrusted place').
You can view the pond from the boardwalk on N Kihei Rd, as well as from the refuge's visitor center off Mokulele Hwy at the 6-mile marker. In both places, you're almost certain to spot wading Hawaiian black-necked stilts, Hawaiian coots and black-crowned night herons - all …
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Wo Hing Temple
The two-story Wo Hing Temple opened in 1912 as a meeting hall for the Chinese benevolent society Chee Kung Tong. It provided Chinese immigrants a place to preserve their cultural identity, celebrate festivities and socialize in their native tongue.
After WWII Lahaina's ethnic Chinese population spread far and wide and the temple fell into decline. It was restored and turned into a museum in 1984. Inside you'll find period photos, a ceremonial dancing-lion costume and a Taoist shrine.
Whatever you do, don't miss the tin-roof cookhouse out back, which holds a little theater showing fascinating films of Hawaii shot by Thomas Edison in 1898 and 1906, soon after he invented th…
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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.
In the late 1960s this was the site of an alternative-lifestyle encampment that took on the nickname 'Hippie Beach.' The tent city lasted until 1972, when police finally evicted everyone. More than a few of Maui's now-graying residents can trace their roots on the island to those days. The turnoff to the main p…
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'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.
Whether you believe in legends or not, this place looks like something torn from the pages of a fairy tale. Clouds rising up the valley form an ethereal shroud around the top of 'Iao Needle. With a stream meandering beneath and the steep cliffs of the West Maui Mountains in the backdrop, it's a picture-postcard scene. Just a few minutes' walk from the parking lot, you'll reach a bridge wh…
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Makaluapuna Point
Makaluapuna Point, the northwest point of Oneloa Bay, is topped by a curious formation known as the Dragon's Teeth. The lava rock here has been cut by whipping surf into 3ft-high spikes that bear an uncanny resemblance to pointed teeth. It's a fun site to walk to and only takes about 15 minutes return.
En route you'll pass the Honokahua burial site, a 13.6-acre native burial ground; you can skirt along the outside of this area but don't enter any sites marked 'Please Kokua,' which are easily visible islets of overgrown native vegetation bordering manicured golf greens.
To get to the Makaluapuna Point end of the beach, drive north to the end of Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd, past …
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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.
The beach is also one of Maui's prime surfing spots. Winter sees the biggest waves for board surfers, and summer has the most consistent winds for windsurfers. To prevent intersport beefs, surfers typically hit the waves in the morning and the windsurfers take over during the afternoon.
The action in the water is suitable for experts only. But a hilltop perch overlooking the beach offers spectators a bird's-eye view of the worl…
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Old Courthouse
Seaside of the banyan tree stands Lahaina's Old Courthouse, built in 1859. The location overlooking the bustling harbor was no coincidence. Smuggling was so rampant during the whaling era that officials deemed this theideal spot to house the customs operations, the courthouse and the jail - all neatly wrapped into a single building. It also held the governor's office, and in 1898 the US annexation of Hawaii was formally concluded here.
The old jail in the basement has been turned into the Banyan Tree Gallery and the cells that once held drunken sailors now display fine artwork. It's a fun place to walk through. One of the cells displays fascinating period photos showing t…
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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.
But it's the Hawaiian section on the ground floor that's the real prize. The museum boasts a superb collection of handcrafted bowls made from native woods and other ancient artifacts, including stone adzes, feather lei and tapa cloth. There's also a display of spears, shark-tooth daggers and other weapons similar to those used in the bloody battles at nearby 'Iao Valley. Don't miss the 10ft redw…
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La Perouse Bay
In addition to the raw natural beauty of this place, La Perouse Bay has a rich history. It was at La Perouse that the first Westerners set foot on Maui. When the French explorer Jean François de Galaup La Perouse landed here in 1786, scores of Hawaiians from the village of Keone'o'io came out to greet him.
The remains of the ancient village - mainly house and heiau platforms - can be seen scattered among the lava patches. A monument to La Perouse, for whom the bay is named, is at the end of the road.
This is also a great place to see spinner dolphins, which commonly come into the bay during the early part of the day. The waters are rough and challenging, but expert kayake…
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Kapalua Beach
The picture-perfect Kapalua Beach gets the seal of approval! Not only do tourists sun on the beach here, but endangered monk seals sometimes haul out to snooze the afternoon away on the soft white sand.
And what good taste they have. This crescent-shaped beach, with its clear view of Moloka'i across the channel, offers everything you need for a day at the beach. Long rocky outcrops at both ends of the bay make Kapalua Beach the safest year-round swimming spot on this coast. You'll find good snorkeling on the right side of the beach, with lots of large tangs, butterfly fish and orange slate-pencil sea urchins.
Take the drive immediately north of Napili Kai Beach Resort to g…
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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.
Most interesting, however, are the images of people. The museum traces how Samuel Alexander and Henry Baldwin gobbled up vast chunks of Maui land, how they fought tooth and nail with an ambitious Claus Spreckels to gain access to Upcountry water, and how they dug the extensive irrigation systems that made large-scale plantations viable. Representing the other end of the scale is a turn-of-the-20th-century labor contract f…
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Waine'e Church
The first stone church in Hawaii, Waine'e Church was built in 1832 and cursed with a run of bad luck. First the steeple collapsed in 1858, then in 1894 royalists enraged that the minister supported Hawaii's annexation torched it to the ground. A second church, built to replace the original, burned in 1947, and the third was blown away in a storm a few years later. One might get the impression that the old Hawaiian gods didn't take kindly to the house of this foreign deity!
The fourth version, however, has been standing since 1953 and still holds regular Sunday services.
The adjacent cemetery holds as much intrigue as the church. Here lie several notables: Governor Hoapili,…
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Maui Agricultural Research Center
The 20-acre Maui Agricultural Research Center perched above Waiakoa village is under the jurisdiction of the University of Hawai'i. It's here that Hawaii's first proteas, natives of South Africa, were established in 1965. You can walk through rows of their colorful descendants, as well as new hybrids under development.
Named for the Greek god Proteus, who was noted for his ability to change form, the varieties on display here are amazingly diverse - some look like oversized pincushions, others like feathers and still others have spinelike petals. Nursery cuttings from the plants here are distributed to protea farms across Hawaii, which in turn supply florists as far away …
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Pu'u Keka'a
You'll find the best underwater sights off Pu'u Keka'a, also known as Black Rock, the lava promontory that protects the beach in front of the Sheraton. First-time snorkelers will be happy with the coral and fish at the protected southern side of Pu'u Keka'a, but the real prize is the horseshoe cove cut into the tip of the rock, where there's more pristine coral, abundant tropical fish and the occasional turtle.
There's often a current to contend with off the point, which can make getting to the cove a little risky, but when it's calm you can swim right around into the horseshoe. Pu'u Keka'a is also a popular shore-dive spot. If you want to see what the horseshoe cove look…
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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.
The buildings are authentically constructed of ohia-wood posts, native pili grass thatch and coconut-fiber lashings. The grounds are planted in native flora that Hawaiians relied upon for food and medicinal purposes. Each hale (house) had a different function; one was used as family sleeping quarters, one as a men's eating house, and the third as a workshop where women made tapa. Inside you'll find …
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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.
Think your flight to Hawaii was long? It took the Baldwins 161 days to get here from their native Connecticut. These early missionaries traveled neither fast nor light, and the house still holds the collection of china and furniture they brought w…
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Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens Park
Two miles west of Wailuku, the family-oriented Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens Park pays tribute to Hawaii's varied ethnic heritage. Among the highlights are a traditional Hawaiian hale, a New England-style missionary home, a Filipino farmer's hut, Japanese gardens with stone pagodas and a Chinese pavilion with a statue of revolutionary hero Sun Yat-sen (who, incidentally, briefly lived on Maui).
'Iao Stream runs through the park, bordered by picnic shelters with barbecue pits. The place is cheerfully alive with families picnicking here on weekends.
At the west end of the park is the Hawaii Nature Center, a nonprofit educational facility with kid-oriented exhibits. The center a…
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