Exploring West Maui

Hawaii Activities Sep 11, 2012 No Comments

Here’s a nice side trip that you can take any time during your vacation. However, since most flights leave the island late in the day, and you have to check out of most hotels and resorts in the morning, this is a great way to pass the few hours in between.

Leaving the Kaanapali Beach area, take a left onto Highway 30 West. Past the resort area of Kapalua is Lower Honoapiilani Rd. There is a very nice beach here, DT Fleming Beach Park. The public beach is shared with the adjoining Ritz Carlton Hotel. You will find anyone from a prince to a pauper on this beach. It is a great place for a picnic with many tables.

Back on the highway, the next several miles will offer many turnout locations for pictures, hiking, snorkeling activities. At mile marker 38 there is the world famous Nakalele Blowhole. Mile marker 40 is another stop where the Ohai Trail is located. Down the road you will see a sign Banana Bread 3 miles ahead. At this point the road becomes just a single lane. On this 10 mile stretch of single lane, you will have to juggle with the cars from the other way, sometimes having to back up or wait in order to pass. (Some people choose to turn around and go back at this point.) After 2 miles on this narrow stretch you will reach Old Kahakuloa Village. There are a few road side stands here — Julia’s advertises here the banana bread as best on the planet. Following the road up and out of the village you will now go past ranch land. Soon, State highway 340 will begin the road will widen and take you into Kahului. This trip can be done in a few hours with minimum stops,  or you can spend the whole day on this route.

Snorkeling at Honolua Bay

Hawaii Activities Jun 08, 2012 No Comments

While on Maui, take a little time for a snorkel trip. While opportunities are abundant (Molokini seems to get most of the attention), one of our favorite locations is Honolua Bay, on the NW shore of Maui. Better protected from the winds and waves than most beaches, it’s the perfect setting for a calm snorkel among the abundant sealife and catch a glimpse of a humuhumunukunukuapua’a (the official state fish of Hawaii, and more fun to say than its common name, the reef triggerfish)! Turtle sightings are common in the late afternoon, too!

You can sign up with any of the many snorkeling cruises. But if you’re staying in West Maui, you can just take the scenic drive north of Kapalua on Highway 30. There is a parking area between mile marker 32 & 33 (see map below) where you can take a short walk through the jungle (don’t be surprised to see — and hear — roaming wild chickens) and enter the water from the shoreline.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • This isn’t your typical sandy Maui beach. The shoreline is rocky, so bring appropriate footwear.
  • No taking of marine life, coral, or rock.
  • Pack out what you pack in! There are no garbage cans, so please keep Honolua Bay beautiful!

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Spend 4th of July in Maui!

Hawaii Activities, Hawaii Vacation Rentals May 03, 2012 No Comments

We have rented all our weeks around the Memorial Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have a star-spangled vacation in Maui this year. As of this moment, we still have 3 Ocean View rooms available at the Ka’anapali Beach Club around the 4th of July.

Maui activities around Independence Day are plentiful, but the highlight for many guests is the opportunity to watch the dazzling fireworks rise over the Pacific.

  • The Maui Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 12th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in Lahaina. Music and activities will take place all day, and fireworks will commence at 8pm.
  • Pride of Maui will host their annual “Fireworks Over the Pacific” dinner cruise, departing from Maalaea Harbor at 6:30PM and returning at 9:45PM.
  • Closer to the Ka’anapali Beach Club, the highly respected Trilogy will offer a more casual (and therefore, easier on the wallet!) cruise with a great view of the Lahaina fireworks celebrations, departing at 6:30PM from Lahaina Harbor, serving burgers (build your own), snacks, and refreshments (2 alcoholic drinks for the adults are included in the price).

Check our Rental Calendar and reserve your stay now!

Performance Sailing America II

Hawaii Activities Apr 18, 2012 No Comments

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and adventure you’ll share with friends long after you leave the islands. Live the adventure, capture the romance and feel the thrill of sailing Maui’s blue water on an actual America’s Cup Contender — the AMERICA II!

This was a fun little boat ride I took this afternoon. It lasts for a couple hours. Plan on holding on tight and getting very wet!

They’re conveniently located at Lahaina Harbor. Check them out and book online at http://www.sailingonmaui.com/.

Maui Mike’s Beach House: Of Surfboards and Shaved Ice

Hawaii Dining Apr 15, 2012 No Comments

Maui Mike’s Beach House looks like a regular surf shop as you are driving down the main highway in Lahaina. But if you pull in around the back of the building you will see a little window where they sell shaved ice. My friend Forrest (who is sort of an organic nut) stops here every day with his girl Amy. They buy their sugar direct from the sugar mill. They only use preprocessed sugar. The blades on their machine are sharpened every 3 weeks, making the ice come out so soft there is no need to punch holes in it to get the topping through. Try it island style (scoop of ice cream on the bottom), then a little tigers blood, coconut, orange dream and top it off with a little sweet cream.

Memorial Day Week at the Ka’anapali Beach Club

Hawaii Vacation Rentals Apr 08, 2012 No Comments

We’ve just secured a batch of weeks at the Ka’anapali Beach Club, with various check-in dates between May 25 and June 3, both Ocean View and Deluxe Ocean View rooms.

Mid-April to mid-June is considered part of the off-season on the islands, so you’ll beat the summer crowds while enjoying consistently splendid weather.

Here are the weeks currently available as of 4/8/2012:

Check-In Check-Out Property Size Type Status Book It
2012-05-25 2012-06-01 Ka’anapali Beach Club 1BR Ocean View Available Book the Ka'anapali Beach Club
2012-05-26 2012-06-02 Ka’anapali Beach Club 1BR Deluxe Ocean View Available Book the Ka'anapali Beach Club
2012-06-02 2012-06-09 Ka’anapali Beach Club 1BR Ocean View Available Book the Ka'anapali Beach Club
2012-06-03 2012-06-10 Ka’anapali Beach Club 1BR Ocean View Available Book the Ka'anapali Beach Club

Lava Fields at Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve

Hawaii Activities Apr 05, 2012 No Comments

If you’re on Maui and taking a day trip to Kihei or Wailea, here is a little side trip to the Lava Fields, just south of the Ahihi Kina’u Natural Area Reserve and La Perouse Bay. Continue on the road where the Shops of Wailea are located. Go past all the resorts. The further down this road you go, the more it seems as if you are on another planet. There are not many places to park along this stretch, but you will find areas where people have stopped to snorkel in little coves. Once you reach the end of the road, the Makena Stables will be on the left. There is parking right beyond this point and you will be at Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve.

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What’s Cooking at Monkeypod Kitchen?

Hawaii Dining Apr 05, 2012 No Comments

Right now Monkeypod Kitchen (10 Wailea Gateway Place in Kihei) is featuring a pan-seared Hawaiian Snapper nestled on top of a coconut ginger and carrot risotto, surrounded by a big island honey butter glaze and a balsamic drizzle. They top the snapper with a delicious lobster and baby bok choy salad.

Visit for Happy Hour daily from 3pm to 6pm. Most appetizers are 1/2 price, and of course fantastic specials on beers and drinks!

 

Jen’s Thai Food: Roadside Dining Off the Beaten Path

Hawaii Dining Apr 02, 2012 No Comments

Took a little all day road trip from Lahaina to Hana and back. Right before the town of Hana there are several road side restaurants grouped together on the left side of the road. They all have little picnic bench style seating. On our way back we stopped here at Jen’s Thai Food. At the time we arrived, all the other stands were closed, and so was she, as she was packing up to leave for the day — but she reopened her kitchen for us! The menu has maybe 10 items on it. We ordered 4 of the items on the menu, consisting of a 2 types chicken, beef, and a shrimp dish. They all came with rice and salad. The 4 of us ate this meal family style. Everyone was quite pleased with what we had. There was plenty of food and the price was very reasonable. The total came out to about $56.00 including drinks, which she went and got us at the little store that was closed next door.

Star Noodle’s Sheldon Simeon Wins Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef” Award

Hawaii Dining Mar 22, 2012 No Comments

If you’re not a Maui local or frequent visitor, you would be excused for not having heard of Star Noodle. But since opening in Lahaina in 2010, the restaurant has earned a steady and loyal following of locals and tourists alike, and the buzz has transcended the island culinary scene. Just this month, Food & Wine magazine awarded Star Noodle Chef Sheldon Simeon with the coveted title of “Best New Chef” in the Northwest and Pacific category.
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