Things to do on Maui
by Eric Newman

In the 20+ years that the readers of Conde Nast have been presenting the award, Maui has won "Best Island in the World" 19 times, and has been the top island in the Pacific every single year.  Maui is diverse and there are tons of things to do, so get out of your hotel room or condo and see what Maui has to offer.  Here are some suggestions:

· Luau with dinner and Hawaiian show (Old Lahaina Luau best, Feast at Lele second best)

· Romantic Dinner out (Mama's Fish House best, Hali'imaile General Store 2^nd, Pineapple Grill 3^rd,
  Merriman's Kapalua 4^th)

· Staying in a condo and eating in? Stock up at Costco, near the airport. So much less expensive than
  grocery stores. Buy some local apple bananas from Costco or a grocery story. They're delicious.
  Want a good hamburger? Longs Drugs stores sells grass-fed hamburger and steak from cattle
  raised on the slopes of Haleakala. Stay in and grill your own.

· Planning activities? Costco has discount passes.

· Eating out? Costco has discounted gift cards to local restaurants.

· Eat a great breakfast at the Gazebo Restaurant at Napili Shores (Expect a line)

· Locals grab a great breakfast at the Tasty Crust Restaurant in Wailuku (Expect tacky atmosphere)

· Relaxing Drive through Upcountry (Kula, up to the Tedeschi Vineyards winery)

· Go to the Beach (Baldwin Beach, Ho’okipa Beach Park, Launiupoko Beach Park, Ka'anapali Beach,
  Kapalua Bay, D.T. Fleming Beach, Beach by the Grand Wealea, Big Beach, aka Makena Beach
  [No valuables in car], Charlie Young Beach, Wai’anapanapa State Park, and Hamoa Beach)

· Drive to Hana (Take your time and stop at the waterfalls)

· Easy hike to Twin Falls on the road to Hana

· Hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls in Southeast Maui within Haleakala National Park

· Walk the tide pools and look for shells at the Black Sand Beach in Wailea

· Swim in the seven pools at Oheo Gulch (Please don't call them the Seven Sacred Pools - very tacky)

· Whale Watching from boats, or scenic lookout at mile marker 9, east of Lahaina Tunnel (Dec. - Mar.)

· Snorkeling on your own or from a boat

· Go to Makena (South of Wailea)

· Maui Van Tours - guided tours by van to Maui sights (Good way to go to Hana)

· Learn to surf or windsurf

· Golf - Many golf courses to choose from

· Go to the Maui Tropical Plantation in Wailuku. Now greatly improved with the magic touch of
  Bill Kohl, the designer from Mama's Fish House.

· Visit the Kula Botanical Gardens

· Go to the Lavender Farm in Kula

· Visit the Surfing Goat Dairy in Kula for a tour with cheese tasting

· See the Nakalele Blow Hole (Highway 30 between mile marker 38 and 39 - Don't be a fool and jump
  around on the slipery rocks - people have died there)

· Helicopter Tours to see Maui and neighboring islands (Great fun, wear black shirt if taking pictures)

· Maui Ocean Center, in Maalaea

· Go Hiking - by yourself or in a tour

· Say hello to a celebrity living on Maui

· Shopping: Lahaina, Paia, Makawao, Shops at Wailea, Whaler's Village, and Maalaea Harbor

· Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert (Excellent - Wed. nights, Napili Kai Beach Resort)

· Front Street in Lahaina on Friday night for Art Night

· Miniature Golf in Maalaea: Bumper Boats, Rock Wall Climbing, Trampoline for kids

· Horseback Riding with beautiful scenery

· ATV Tours All-Terrain-Vehicles

· Dinner Cruises combine sightseeing and food

· Parasailing dangling over the ocean

· Maui Fishing by charter boat or shared boat

· There are large Zodiacs that leave Kihei Boat Harbor that have great snorkeling tours of Maui
  South Coast, Caves, Turtle Town and Molokini. They supply everything so just show up.

· Zipline zooming through the air hanging from a wire

· Biking Down Haleakala Volcano (A lot of fun and beautiful)

· Sunrise (or sunset) at Haleakala (Bundle up - it's cold)

· Rafting in Kanaio and sea caves

· Take a pineapple or some Maui onions home (pineapples and Maui onions from Costco or
  grocery stores get through Agriculture Inspection)

· Get the best Maui Guide Book:

Map of Maui

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover

— Mark Twain