Maui What Is Known For
Fly from Los Angeles to Kahului on American Airlines. aa.com
Stay at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, which recently reopened after a $130 million renovation, is a destination in itself: The mauka-to- makai (mountains to the sea) property encompasses 100 square miles of rainforest with mountain hiking trails & eight zip lines, plus spectacular white-sand beaches. Rates from $599, ritzcarlton.com. Hotel Hana-Maui's expansive bungalow-style cottages have garden views while the seaside cottages resemble plantation houses, and many overlook Hana Bay's dramatic eastern coastline. Rates from $425, hotelhanamaui.com. Even though it's the perfect launch point for the Road to Hana and Maui's upcountry, you'll probably want to linger at The Inn at Mama's Fish House in Paia, a secret here on the shores of Kuau Cove. Its large, one- or two-bedroom beachfront cottages have full kitchens and tide pools are only a step away. But you'll want to wander a few feet from your patio to the inn's famous restaurant. All the fish are caught daily by local fishermen whose names appear on the menu. Rates from $225, mamasfishhouse.com.
Eat the macadamia-nut pancakes at Gazebo Restaurant in Lahaina. While in Kahakuloa, do not pass up the dried mango — with jut the right amount of red li hing mui — at Julia's Best Banana Bread in the bright green treehouse overlooking a wet taro patch.
Tour down 38 miles of winding road from the 10,000-foot summit of Haleakala to the seaside town of Paia. Be prepared to wake up early, though. Most tours depart between 2 and 3 a.m., so do this trip before your inner clock has adjusted to Hawaii time. Rates from $135 per person, including transportation, breakfast and bike rental. adventuremaui.com
Ride a horse at Piiholo Ranch, which has been in operation for more than 100 years. Through the spectacular vistas of the Maui upcountry, you couldn't find a more authentic, working Hawaiian ranch. And you'll get to ride up to your experience level. Local paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) tell you stories about the land and Hawaiian culture you won't soon forget. The views are breathtaking. Bring a camera. Rates from $120 per person. piiholo.com
See the summit of Haleakala volcano to witness the spectacular sunrise, but take two cars: Leave one at the well-marked Halemauu trailhead on the summit road. From there, drive the other to the summit parking lot; then start down into the crater along Sliding Sands Trail. The trek is about 12 miles long, and the air is thin (take food, water, a hat, and sunscreen). You'll be cold early (at night the temperature is near freezing) and hot later on. The reward: stunning views of the rare and beautiful silversword plants, cinder cones and old lava flows.
Drive a rental car through the breathtaking upcountry along the Kula Highway.
Sip some of the local vintages at the Tedeschi Vineyards.
Indulge in an E ola hou (Hawaiian healing wrap) at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. fourseasons.com/maui
Learn more at visitmaui.com.