Some would say that Maui is made for Instagram. With world-class sunsets and ocean views, you can never go wrong with sunset shots from the shore. But if you want to spice up your Instagram with some killer shots that will leave your friends and followers in awe,...
Visiting Maui this summer and looking to try something new? Below you’ll find a schedule of this year’s Obon dance festivals. Similar to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, Obon is an annual Buddhist festival for celebrating one’s ancestors. It is...
After literally years of openings and closings, the Pools of ‘Ohe’o, AKA the Seven Sacred Pools, has re-opened to the public. One of the most popluar tourist destinations on Maui, the Pools had been closed while park staff made software updates and repaired the stream...
When you take a 10 day trip to Maui, you will spend most of your time at the leisure activity of your choice. Let’s face it, 10 days at the beach, on the golf course, at the pool, hiking in the mountains… is, well, paradise. But due to rapidly dropping...
Holy Poseidon, we’ve had a wild winter here on Maui. While Wailea, Kihei and Lahaina tend to be dry pretty much year-round, this winter has been something else. Normally, the rains come in the form of showers that last less than 10 minutes. But if you happen to...
If you’ve flown all this way to our humble little rock in the middle of the ocean, one thing you should definitely partake in is dinner with a view of… the ocean! While not all of Maui’s best restaurants have views, many do. But before we get to the...
The trail leading to Nakalele Blowhole is approximately 8 miles north of Kapalua. You will you are there when you see the 38.5 mileage marker. Park your car near the marker and make your way to the blowhole. The trail is only 0.8 miles long and has light to moderate...
Have you ever been hunting for sea glass? One of the best places to find some beautiful pieces to take home with you on Maui is in front of Cheese Burger in Paradise in Lahaina. By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner...
The holidays on Maui are a special time of year. While you probably won’t have white Christmas (unless you’re up on Haleakala during a rare snow day), another holiday tradition, fireworks on New Year’s Eve can be had. Beyond fireworks, there are fun...
Maui is truly a fantastic destination for the entire family. Sure, it’s great for honeymooners or couples looking to escape day-to-day life, but with safe beaches, plenty of condos and resorts with full kitchens that cater to children and a family-friendly...
Maui has a vibrant live music scene featuring many different styles of music. From Lahaina to Upcountry, you can find live music every night of the week. Here’s the top 10 countdown of our favorite places on Maui to experience live music and dancing. Cool Cat...
Just being on Maui can be pretty darn romantic. All you need to do is step outside and all five of your senses will light up. Hearing the ocean, smelling the flowers, seeing the palm trees, touching the sand and tasting the ono (delicious) food sets you up for a...
In a vacation paradise with some of the finest resorts in the world, finding a cheap place to stay on Maui isn’t always an easy task. If you’re traveling alone or with another person or even a small group, though, one cost-effective place to look is...
The number of movies set in Hawaii are numerous, but the actual number of films shot in Hawaii is enormous. Why the disparity? Many of the films shot here are using Hawaii as a fictional backdrop or stand-in for a different place. Using TV as an example, “Hawaii...
On Maui, we’re blessed with beaches for all occasions. Whether you like to body surf, build sand castles or play with your kids in the shallow surf, Maui has you covered. Here is a rundown of the best beaches for every type of beachgoer. Best Family Beach:...
Whether your on an iPhone or an Android phone, there are great apps to use while you’re visiting or living on Maui. We’ll assume that you have the national apps like Lyft/Uber, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Airbnb. Instead, we’ll focus on apps that are...
Maui, the Valley Isle, is blessed with many great hiking opportunities. Whether you’ve never hiked in your life, you’re hiking with small children or you’re a seasoned hiker, Maui has you covered. Going from easiest to hardest, here is a list of...
The banyan tree, the anchor of Banyan Tree Park on Front Street in Lahaina, might be the most iconic place on Maui. OK, the summit of Haleakala probably wins the prize, but the banyan tree rates a close second. As Front Street is a major tourist destination itself,...
According to the American Bird Conservancy, of the once 142 endemic birds to Hawaii, there remain only 44. Of those 44, 33 are listed as endangered, and of those 33, 10 have not been seen in years and are also thought to be extinct. That’s the bad news. In the...
Picnicking on Maui can be tricky. Though tradewinds are often a blessing, when it comes to picnics, they can be downright wicked. If you’re picnicking on a beach, for example, then the winds will flat out ruin your meal. But thankfully, there are plenty of...
Maui is fortunate to have a bookmobile that reaches people who would otherwise have a difficult time visiting the library. We are also fortunate to have librarian Jessica Gleason running the program. In accepting the job as the bookmobile librarian, Gleason needed to...
According to legend, the demigod Maui set out to capture the sun and slow it down for his mother, Hina. She was a talented woman who created cloth out of pounded bark (Kapa), but lamented that the sun moved across the sky too quickly for her cloth to dry. So Maui...
When people come to Maui, they mostly gravitate towards the ocean. And with good reason! Our beaches are some of the finest in the world. Going on whale watches and snorkel excursions are a blast. But Maui is also a great place for outdoor activities that are based on...
Depending on where you are on Maui, the weather conditions can be very different. It can be snowing in one area (OK, the summit of Haleakala, specifically) and 85 and sunny on the beach. That’s an extreme example. Less extreme is it can be pouring down rain near...
The “Deep Dive” series takes longer looks at some of our favorite places on Maui. Our first Deep Dive piece is on the beautiful, yet dangerous Olivine Pools, truly one of the most scenic places on the island. During whale season, you’re bound to see...
There are many fun things to do on Maui, but most involve the ocean. Whether you go on a whale watch, a snorkel tour or just hang out the beach, you’re bound to be having a fun time. But if you’re looking for a little more adventure, have you thought about...
Just for kicks, we thought we’d compare the high-end suites and villas at Maui’s finest resorts that are available to the general public. We know resorts hold back certain suites to VIP’s and dignitaries, but these are all available for booking by us...
Whether you bring or rent a bike, there are many options for those looking to bicycle on Maui. For the best mountain biking, you’ll want to head upcountry. For road biking, you’ll find plenty of bike paths or roads with wide shoulders to accommodate you....
Maui is a featured destination for weddings and honeymoons. But its beauty and romantic settings aren’t just for newlyweds. One doesn’t need to be married to explore Maui like a newlywed. Sure, a romantic sunset dinner on an outdoor patio is always nice....
(Complete listing of all forms of Maui transportation is at the bottom of the article) Often the first thing a person does when landing on Maui is head to the car rental station and hop on a shuttle to pick up a car. This part of the rental car journey is fairly...
There’s really no such thing as a bad waterfall. And choosing the “best” waterfall is completely subjective. How does one rate a waterfall? For this article, we’re going to judge the waterfalls based on beauty (again, subjective) and ease of...
One of the true pleasures of being on Maui is being able to go on early morning walks surrounded by nature, delicious food and beautiful views. Unlike hikes, which require some planning and frankly, some endurance, these walks are all relatively short and simple, with...
Coming to Maui and need to do a little research? The guidebooks presented here are all fantastic. For some visitors, a general guidebook is perfect, for others a specialized guidebook focusing on hiking or beaches might be better. We’ll include a little of each...
Did you know Hawaii Ocean Project also owns a cafe on Front Street in Lahaina? It’s called Ocean Cafe and it sits across the street from Banyan Tree Court Park. We chose this location because it’s perfect if you’re riding on a boat docked at Lahaina...
While Wailea, Kihei and Lahaina tend to be dry pretty much year-round, there are still days when it rains. Normally, the rains come in the form of showers that last less than 10 minutes. But if you happen to be here during those rare times when the rain clouds park...
Did you eat a little too much over the holidays? Maybe you want to hit the new year running. With ample swimming and hiking options, staying active on Maui is easy. But sometimes you might want to visit a gym. Here are three gyms around Lahaina and three around Kihei...
So you want to get married on Maui? First, let us say a hearty congratulations! Finding the love of your life is no small feat. Maui is a lovely place for a wedding. While we aren’t wedding experts, we are frequent guests to weddings and can help you out by...
For your little mermaids and mermen, Maui’s coastlines provide ample child-friendly beaches. No matter what part of the island you’re on, you will find a wonderful beach for your family. Here are the six beaches we think are best for families with children...
When booking a trip to Maui, one thing people often consider is a luau. But which luau is best for you? Luaus on Maui are often ginormous parties with hundreds of people. For those looking for a large party, these luaus are perfect. Others prefer something more...
Sure, you can easily spend your entire family vacation at the pool or at the beach. There’s nothing wrong with that, and if your kids are like ours, they will be perfectly happy with that. But if you want to shake things up a bit, here are five more family...
Planning a trip to Hana takes, well, some planning. What follows is a simple list of recommended items you’ll want to bring along for drive on the Road to Hana. Hana Day Trip Planning Guide: 12 scenic spots to visitHana Day Trip Planning Guide: Where to eat What...
When driving to Hana and following directions, it’s all about the mile markers. For most of us, mile markers are nearly always looked over. For this trip, though, keep an eye out for them! Before you begin your trip, make sure you check out our What to Pack...
On a day trip to Hana, you will probably be on the road for at least 10 hours. During this time, you’ll probably want to stop for at least one “big” meal, as well as for snacks. Here are our recommendations on where to eat on the Road to Hana. Hana...
The state of Hawai’i imports roughly 85% – 90% (by most estimates) of its food. This leaves Maui in a somewhat precarious situation. First, if for some reason we were cut off from the mainland, it wouldn’t take long for there to be massive food...
Maui is home to many fine golf courses, far more than the five listed here. With the exception of one, all of the courses here are public. The one club that is private offers one-day guest memberships for visitors. From courses that double as PGA stops to municipal...
While it seems odd to spend money to see plants and flowers on Maui when they are so prevalent for free, sometimes it’s helpful to see all the different types of flora in one location. For you Instagrammers, tropical gardens present excellent flower photo and...
Let’s be clear, this is not a Best Beach Movies list. Nope. Not even close. This list is all about fun. None of these movies will make you use your brain, but when you sit down to watch them, you’ll probably keep a stupid grin plastered on your face. If...
Riding can be a lot of fun for the whole family, if you’re adventurous and looking for unique perspectives on Maui sightseeing. Most sightseeing is done via car, or helicopter, or boat (in our case). Each option has its own enticing qualities. What makes...
Maui is one of the most scenic vacation destinations in the world, which is why we get so many returning visitors. If you’re tempted to spend most of your vacation lounging by the pool at your hotel or spending your days on the beach, that’s...
Maui is blessed with the best beaches in the world. A unique thing about our beaches is the variety of sands you can discover. Here’s a quick primer on three different types of sands and where you can find them on Maui. Plus, we’ll point you to two more...
