Maui: Vacation Destination

A+midsummer+sunset+viewed+from+the+Napili+Sunset+Resort+on+Napili+Bay

Colleen Albert

A midsummer sunset viewed from the Napili Sunset Resort on Napili Bay

Colleen Albert, Journalist

Hawaii is one of the worlds most popular vacation spots. Over 8 million people visit the islands annually by cruise or by air, staying for an average of 9 days. All of the islands feature luscious scenery, endless wildlife, and at least a few tourist traps, however each island is very different and which one you stay at comes down to personal preference. While Kauai has the most untouched scenery and the extremely popular Island of Oahu is the home of the famous city, Honolulu, Maui is my personal favorite. It’s much like Oahu but with only 2 million visitors annually rather than 5 million.

The beaches are pristine, the scuba diving is the best i’ve experienced, and the island as a whole is very affordable as long as you don’t go overboard with shopping. If Maui is your island of choice I recommend staying on the west coast, especially in Napili. Not only are many of the most popular tourist attractions located close to the town, if you stay on the coast you have a clear view of Maui’s neighboring Island, Molokai. The sunsets seen from this side of the island are stunning; the sun sets behind Molokai creating an incomparable silhouette.

Maui is most famous for the town of Lahaina. With countless art galleries, popular name brand stores like Quicksilver, and amazing restaurants with both the best ice cream and snow cones i’ve ever tasted, the town is a must see. Lahaina is also the home of a massive Banyan tree. It is one of the largest in the United States, standing 60 ft tall and covering .66 acres. Lahaina is the location of many of Maui’s surf and scuba shops. Outrageous surf offers lessons from locals who have been surfing since they were kids. Dreyson, one of their instructors, has been surfing all over the world for 20 years. The scuba shops, like Lahaina Divers Inc. take visitors out to several locations like the Mala Pier and the Molokini Crater. Spotted Eagle Rays and Green Sea Turtles are guaranteed sights. You can also complete a certification course with them.

The best snorkel spots are far outside of Lahaina however. Kapalua Bay and, in the Summer, Honolua Bay, are two of them. Both are located on the west coast. The bays feature endless arrays of tropical fish, from barracudas to puffers. Sea Turtles are common in Honolua as well.

For those who want to catch some air, two popular Maui attractions are zipline tours and parasailing. Whether you want to see the land of the island from greater heights or wish for a more oceanic experience, you’re going to be flying through the air pretty quickly. These are some of the best ways to see the island as a whole rather than what is visible during a hike.

If you don’t like the experience of leaving the ground then hiking Haleakala Crater is for you. One of the popular tours is 7 hours long; you climb one side for 10,000 ft and the other for 8,000. On clear days you can see to the coast line, but even when it’s cloudy the view is spectacular as you’re often above the clouds. If this still doesn’t appeal to you, another way to see the island is on horseback. Ironwood Ranch offers guided tours through trails on the island on horses named after celebrities. From Sandra Bullock to Will Smith, they will take the time to match you with a horse suited to your personality ensuring the best experience possible.

Maui offers the best of every island. A wide spectrum of shopping like Oahu, Beautiful beaches like Kauai, and adventures like the big island. Maui’s volcano may be dormant but it is still a sight to behold. The island offers divine food, luxurious resorts, and unforgettable experiences, including a surprising large population of wild chickens.