Top 10 Ways to Experience Hawaiian Culture when Visiting Maui
If you crave a more authentic experience when visiting Maui, try immersing yourself in the history and culture. Many of the traditions brought here by Polynesian voyagers over 1000 years ago are still evident today. Hawaii remains the only state in the U.S. once ruled by a monarchy. Woven into this rich history is the arrival of wh[...]
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Is Old Lahaina Luau Worth the Price?
If you are looking to embrace the culture and atmosphere of Hawaii, one of the best experiences is a luau, and one of the best luaus is the Old Lahaina Luau. It is steeped in authenticity and worth every penny. That is, depending on your expectations.
Just like driving the Road to Hana is about the journey, scenery and stops along[...]
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The Best of Maui in Five Days
If you’re headed to Maui for a short visit, this itinerary will show you the absolute best of the island in just five days! You will take in Maui’s majestic volcano at sunrise, snorkel with rare sea life, travel the famous Road to Hana and taste the best shave ice anywhere. This island has both white and black sand beaches, a cooli[...]
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Day Trippin’ to Lanai
The island of Lanai is just 16 miles off the coast of Maui, but has a much different island feel. Day-visitors can take a short walk from the harbor to Manele Bay, a golden sand beach and bay frequented by dolphins. Others love nature-based activities on an uncrowded island, or take time to explore quaint shops in the tiny isle’s o[...]
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Wet and Wild Maui
While you are visiting the tropical island of Maui, you may not know about some wet and wild connections. Our moist story begins in the two mountain regions—Pu'u Kukui, in the West Maui mountains gets an average of 366 inches of rainfall a year, while "Big Bog" in East Maui gets drenched with over 404 inched of rain per year. These[...]
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Maui's Magical Moon Phases
Most nights on Maui there’s a stunning show going on above us in the night sky. From a sliver of moon and a sky filled with stars in a dark sky, to the powerful draw of a full moon rising, awe inspiring nocturnal beauty awaits us. In Hawaiian culture, there are many descriptions of the moon, or mahina, including a name for every da[...]
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Vacation Like a Local
When our friends and family visit Maui, we not only share the best things to do, but when and how to do them. This includes some touristy things that we definitely think are worth doing, and tips you won’t find in a guidebook. These are activities we enjoy ourselves. So ready for a local tour? Here we go!
Don’t go to Haleakalā f[...]
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Maui Flowers and Their History
It’s hard to imagine when the Hawaiian islands erupted from the sea, that one day they would support lush and diverse biological species. It's even more suprising to learn some iconic tropical flowers you see today are not native to the islands.
At first, there was only rock in Hawaii's evolution. The true native species arrived b[...]
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Exploring Maui Ocean Center Aquarium
We love sharing some of the best island experiences, like a visit to Maui Ocean Center. When family and friends arrive, we get to go along and play unofficial tour guide.
The day we visited was pleasantly warm. Since the park is spread out over three acres, there is plenty of space to see marine life outdoors, like at turtle lagoo[...]
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Exploring Hawaiian Kalo (Taro)
Kalo, the Hawaiian word for Taro, is not only a plant used in many dishes in Maui, it has deep roots in Hawaiian culture.
Kalo is one of over 24 “canoe plants,” which were carried to the Hawaiian islands by Polynesian voyagers hundreds of years ago. In addition to edible plants, helpful and ceremonial plants were brought as well. [...]
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