So you have less than a week on Maui, and while you are here you want to enrich your life and steer
clear of the super touristy stuff?
It is easy to fall in love with Maui. To see the island properly I definitely recommend renting a
car. It is a small island but not that small. If the prices at the familiar car rental companies are
feeling like a rip off, consider doing business with a locally owned car rental businesses. There
are quite a few Maui based car rental companies such as Maui Cars, Manaloha, and Kimo’s, I have
very little personal experience with these companies but they are very popular. We rented from
Kimo’s once, we had to vacuum the sand out of the car ourselves before returning it but we got the
car for half as much money as we would have paid, Enterprise, Alamo or Hertz.
Day 1
Road to Hana- You will want to take a day and drive to Hana. Before you go stop into Mana Foods in Paia and get some healthy snacks for the road. You can treat yourself to a delicious crepe breakfast across the street at Cafe des Amis, my personal favorite breakfast spot on the island.
Hana is beautiful and the focus of this trip is more about the drive than the destination. Be present and enjoy the journey. Hopefully we get some rain before you head out so you will be gifted with an abundance of waterfalls and rainbows. Although the road to Hana is only stretches about 35
miles give or take depending on where you start counting, it takes around 2 hours or so to get
there. It is a slow very very curvy drive. In some areas the speed limit is 5mph. If motion sickness
is an issue for anyone in your car, be sure to pick up some ginger ale, Gin Gins and some crackers.
It is also worth considering that Maui residents use this road to get back and forth to work so
please pull over frequently and let the cars go by. You will be more relaxed and safe not having
someone on your bumper the entire way. Do this and you may receive some appreciative shakas out the
window from locals thanking you for your consideration.
Twin Falls- On the way to Hana there is place called Twin Falls it is well marked and a bit touristy these days
but still worth checking out. Close by there is a bamboo forest hike with a stream. Proper hiking
shoes make it safer and more enjoyable. Sadly, some of us are less Aloha than others so lock your
stuff up and keep it out of view when you park your car.
Day 2
Haleakala- If you are hoping to catch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala you must make a
reservation. They only allow a certain number of cars, parking has become an issue in the early
hours with people parking on endangered plants etc. The reservation will cost a few dollars but
they say the money goes to good stuff, we will be keeping an eye on that.
Day 3
Lahaina- The west side is the place to catch a sunset. Lahaina has art galleries, restaurants, some
cute shops and its fair share of tourist traps but it is still a very lovely way to spend the day.
Lahaina Harbor is where you can find whale watching trips and dive or snorkel trips. Remember if you
wear sunscreen, bring your REEF SAFE sunscreen.
Ingredients to avoid because they kill the delicate marine life are:
-Oxybenzone
-Butylparaben
-Octinoxate
-4-Methylbenzylidine Camphor
I use coconut oil instead of sunscreen and maybe a little zinc on my nose once in a while if it will
be a long day in the sun. For me the sun exposure feels safer than a bunch of chemicals on my skin
and natural oils don’t pollute the ocean. But you have to do what feels right to you. If you
charter a boat, the crew will think you are awesome for protecting our ocean home while you are
here. Mahalo in advance, cause I know you will do the right thing. Here is a list of Reef Safe
Sunscreens and where to order them. Good ole Amazon.
Monk Seal- While we are talking about the ocean it is also worth mentioning, endangered species and
other wild life. Maui is home to the Hawaiian monk seals. They can be seen occasionally on our
beaches so be aware of where you are walking. Monk seals are peaceful animals in that they are not
going to chase you down the beach. The beach is their bedroom, they go there to sleep, swimming in
these waters is a lot of work and they need their rest. If you touch one it will react and they have
a strong bite. So it you are fortunate enough to spot one, please keep your voice low and and keep
your distance. They can hold their breath longer than you so if you spot on in the water it is best
that you stay on land. Remember, this is an endangered species we only have 1400 Hawaiian Monk Seals
left.
Sea Turtles- Sea turtles, we have a lot of them, and they deserve respect too. They are amazing to
observe and they photograph really well. The beach is where they sleep. Many of our turtles are
sick, you don’t want what they have. Keep your hands to yourself and let the sleepy turtle sleep.
Day 4
Iao Valley- Recently renovated, due to major flash flood damage caused last year. Iao Valley has been closed for almost a year and is now reopened for hiking, sight seeing. There is much to learn in the nature center I will not spoil it for you.
Maui Tropical Plantation
Enjoy the amazing gardens and ponds. There is a beautiful gift shop, restaurant, delicious coffee and ice cream offerings at the Maui Tropical Plantation. A beautiful place to relax in peace and quite while indulging in the food item of your choosing. Bring your camera as there are exotic flowers and birds you will want to remember and share with others. The gift shop even has some plants for sale that have been cleared by the department of Agriculture. This means you can safely take them home with you. One of my dearest friends purchased a few plants here and she is growing plumeria with flowers in Germany!
Day 5
Sacred Garden- Off the beaten path you will find The Sacred Garden of Maliko. This magical place is
absolutely amazing and a must see. Many people arrive confused by the place. Is this a garden, a
store, a place of worship? What is the Sacred Garden. The simple answer it is what you need it to
be. You will enter into the gift shop. From there you will step into a big beautiful greenhouse
full of plants and other creatively arranged items to admire and photograph. There are two
labyrinths one inside the greenhouse and one outside by a wild stream. The Sacred Garden is a quiet
place where people go to meditate, grieve, pray, study, create or just quietly look around.
Donations are greatly appreciated.
Meditation on Maui- Heal yourself and the world around you through meditation- Maui is said to be
the island of healing so while you are here join a guided meditation with Gabe. Gabe offers one of
Maui’s most amazing guided meditations, I highly recommend schedule some time with Gabe. Gabe’s
classes meet at the Sacred Garden and Lumeria. Here is Gabe’s website and schedule:
Energy Healing with Hoku- I am saving the best for last. You came all this way to Maui, take the
Aloha home with you by treating yourself to an energy clearing session with Hoku. Your friends and
family will wonder what happened to you when they experience the new you, we call this phenomenon
“The Hoku Glow!” Hoku offers sessions at the Sacred Garden and Lumeria. Here is a link to Hoku’s
website: http://www.reallifesupportmaui.com/
The best souvenir you can bring back from Maui is a clearer happier version of yourself! Take care
of Maui and Maui will take care of you. Have a wonderful vacation and we will see you soon.