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Maui Highlights
Great Maui Attractions For $25 Or Less
Maui, the Valley Isle, is expensive, but worth it. There are some great activities available on Maui that
won't break the bank. They range from under $25 to free, with options for the whole family, from body surfing to free hula shows.
Try some of the following suggestions for a great and inexpensive time.
General: One great way to save money on Maui is to use the natural resources to your
advantage,
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* Swimming - All 81 of Maui's beaches are free and open to the public and many have showers, restrooms.
* Snorkeling - You can take a few hours or a whole day exploring Maui's sea life, up close and personal. Rent a set of gear from the Beach Shack and go on you own adventure!
* Sunbathing - Maui is perfect for sun worshipers. You can sunbathe anywhere from sunrise to sunset. Don't forget the sunscreen, though!
* Sunsets - There is nothing more spectacular than a Maui sunset. Sip in
a tropical drink (virgin or alcoholic) and enjoy Mother Nature's finest
work.
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More Maui Highlights
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* Reading - Bring your own reading material, or visit the historical public library and sit on the beach, by the pool or pick a nice shady spot.
* Picnicking - There are many beach parks that have picnic tables and barbeque pits.
* Stargazing - Hawaii's seclusion allows you to view the night sky unobstructed by big city lights and tall buildings. You can even go to the top of Haleakala Crater to view the stars. Join a group, with electronic telescopes, or do it on your own.
* Whale Watching - Watch the 400 humpback Whales that winter in Maui from the beach or your lanai.
* Beachcombing - Find seashells at Kanaha Beach Park or Waiehee Beach.
* Surf Watch - Watch the surfers from any shore.
* Scuba Dive - Introductory and experienced divers can take part in a myriad of dive locations from Kaanapali to
Makena.
* Body Surf - Let the cool blue water of the Pacific Ocean move you as you body surf in some of the most spectacular locations.
* Go Surfing - You can take a two hour surf lesson from an experienced instructor, or if you would rather just rent a board and head out on your own, there are many locations throughout Maui that can accommodate your needs and abilities.
* LOCAL EVENTS - Maui is famous for Halloween (also called Mardi Gras of the Pacific), The Taro Festival, The Makawao Rodeo,
and The Maui County Fair. There are way too many fun things happening year round to list. Check
a calendar of events to see if anything is going on during your stay.
* Playgrounds - Kihei's Kamaole and Kalama Parks have free swings, slides, and jungle gyms.
* Play Tennis - Find public courts in Wailuku, Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina,
Makawao, Pukalani, Haliimaile, and Hana.
* Go Camping - Kanaha Beach, Hosmer's Grove, Waianapanapa Park, Oheo Gulch.
* Go Hiking - Haleakala, West Maui Mountains, over fifty trails.
* Attend a Golf Tournament - Mercedes Championship (January), Ka'anapali Classic.
* Whale watch for free from the shore, or get on a boat. You might be able to save money by combining
two boat trips, like a whale watch and a cocktail cruise.
Iao Valley & lao Needle
* Iao Valley's sheer green walls are adorned with long, slender waterfalls. It is one of the most awe-inspiring sights on Maui.
* On the road up to it from Wailuku is the Tropical Gardens of Maui, (808/244-3085
http://www.tropicalgardensofmaui.com; open weekdays), where for $3 you can explore four acres of tropical plants, koi ponds, streams, and taro patches.
* Further into the valley, you will find the nonprofit Hawaii Nature Center, 808/244-6500,
http://www.hawaiinaturecenter.org.
* Rainforest Walks can be booked at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Cost for the Rainforest Walk is $24.95 for adults and $22.95 for children. The fee includes a visit to the museum.
Hana
* Hana is much more than just a destination, rather what counts on this trip is the spectacular scenery. The east side of Maui is what you would picture Hawaii to be: lush, tropical beauty.
* Pack a big lunch and stop at as many waterfalls and freshwater pools as you can. There are many flower and fruit stands and if you have the opportunity, you must try the banana bread.
TIP: Check out Hana's Red Sand Beach, which is a small crescent of sand in a collapsed volcanic dome. The snorkeling is unparalleled and you'll often have the entire place to yourself.
Upcountry
* Kula Botanical Gardens with more than 700 tropical plants on display with helpful tags explaining their types and uses.$4 adults, $1 kids 6-12 yrs.
* A&B Sugar Museum: Learn about the sugar cane, its impact on Maui and the history of the industry. The museum is open daily from 9:00AM to 4:00 PM. Non-profit, $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for kids (17-6), under 6 free.
* Tedeschi Vineyards on 20,000 acres of Maui's Upcountry (near
Ulupalakua) has been making their specialty pineapple wine since 1974. The history of the winery goes back to the legendarily wild parties held here by King Kalakaua
(aka the Merrie Monarch).
* The historic Iao Theater (circa 1928), located in the old section of Wailuku, hosts theater events for enthusiastic local crowds, like splashy Broadway-style revues and musicals. Best of all are the non-Broadway prices: Tickets for most shows start at only $18 (68 N. Market St., Wailuku, 808/242-6969,
http://www.mauionstage.com).
Central Maui
* Swap Meet, Kahului - $1 per person (Saturdays) : The Maui Swap Meet blossoms every Saturday from seven in the morning until noon, with island items like aloha shirts, fresh taro, fruit breads, tropical flowers, and more-all for an entrance fee of only 50 cents. Located on South Pu'unene Avenue, next to the Kahului Post Office. For more fresh Maui produce, check out the free Ohana Farmers Market under the monkeypod trees at the Kahului Shopping Center every Wednesday morning.
* The Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu offers visitors an opportunity to learn about all of the plants that grow on Maui. The plantation offers free admission, but the tram tour is $8.50 adults and $3.50 children
Lahaina
* Sugar Cane Train: although this trip is admittedly very touristy, the Sugar Cane Train from Lahaina to Ka'anapali is a pretty fun outing, along six miles of incredible scenery at the foot of the West Maui Mountains. The conductor even sings! You must note that there is no longer any sugar cane being grown on the West Side of Maui, but the golf
course views are just as pretty. A round trip costs $15.95 Adults, $9.95 Kids (3-12 yrs).
* Friday Night is Art Night, Front Street. Lahaina Arts Society, Lahaina voluntary donation for exhibit gallery: The old whaling streets of Lahaina are now filled with outstanding art. The galleries open their doors Friday Nights so you can meet the artists. Many galleries offer appetizers and beverages.
* There is a Complimentary Hawaiian Music and Hula Show, nightly held in the Tiki Courtyard of the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. The show is open to the public the Hawaiian music is played from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the hula show from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For Aloha Friday, there are local crafters making their products in the lobby and courtyard between 9 a.m. and noon, and at 11 a.m. on Fridays the staff gets involved by performing songs and hula, as well.
* The three-acre Maui Ocean Center at Ma'alaea Harbor is more than just an aquarium, it is also a cultural experience, with an exhibit called "Hawaiians
and the Sea," which features the bonds of the Polynesians with the Pacific. The exhibit displays authentic hooks, traps, and nets. The guides at the Maui Ocean Center even refer to the sea creatures by their Hawaiian names. Tickets are $19
at http://www.mauioceancenter.com
Contact the Online Concierge for tickets and more information.
Hula Shows
* The Arts and Craft Fair at the Lahaina Civic Center is a great place to buy souvenirs to take home for your friends and family, or for yourself - Sunday $1 admission. A great place to save money on Hawaii - made products.
* Take an Art Class at Kapalua Art School for adults and children, ages 4½ and up. Prices for classes range from $10 for ceramic painting to $110 for kids' all day programs. The Kapalua Art School also offers Yoga and dance classes. See
http://www.kapaluaart.com for a complete listing and schedule of classes.
* Cliff Diving Ceremony, Sheraton Maui. This dramatic sunset show features a lone male diver lighting torches atop Black Rock, then plunging 100 feet into surging Pacific waves.
South Maui
* Makena Beach (Big Beach) is one of the largest and prettiest beaches on the island. Makena is the last major undeveloped
beach on the south side of the island. This beach is now a state park. People enjoy the soft white sand and crystal blue waters. From the right side of the beach, you can take a short walk to an outcrop,
while on the other side of the outcrop is Little Beach, hidden from the road and often used by nudists (which is illegal in Hawaii, by the way).
* Walk the shoreline nature path between the Outrigger Wailea and the Kea Lani,
which also makes a great place for jogging.
* Tour the Art & Sculpture at the posh and exotic Grand Wailea Resort, a tourist
attraction all on its own.
* Go shopping at The Shops at Wailea (a shopper's paradise).
Written by Shannon Jennewein
Shannon Jennewein is the Internet Marketing Manager of http://www.mauiembassy.com, the official home page for the Embassy Vacation Resort, Kaanapali Beach. She is also the Internet Marketing Manager of
http://www.kauaiembassy.com, the official home page of the Embassy Vacation Resort, Poipu Point, located on Kauai.
Maui Banyan Condo Rental |
1215 South Kihei Rd. #O-432 | Kihei, Hawaii 96753
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