But with so many places to see and activities to experience, narrowing down those to-dos can be tricky. Here are 27 of the best ways to spend your Maui vacation—and why they should ascend to the top of your bucket list:
One of the best and easiest ways to delight a lover of Maui is to get them a gift certificate for something fun. Below we’ve listed some awesome gift certificates that will save you shopping time!
An excellent luau option in South Maui, The Grand Wailea Luau focuses on Hawaii’s history and legends, including the voyages of La’amaikahiki and Moikeha to the area known as Honua’ula, as well as Pele, the Goddess of Fire & Volcanoes, Lilinoie, the Goddess of the Mist, and the mermaid of Maui, Kananaka, among others. Enjoy a delicious meal, and pre-show activities like Hawaiian lawn games, hula lessons, temporary tattoos, photos with the cast members and more. This relaxed, family-friendly luau is great for those staying near the golden shores of this beautiful area of Maui.
Read More
These ultra-entertaining feasts have their roots in ancient Polynesia, when the second king of the united Hawaiian Islands lifted the kapu that banned men and women from eating together—and royalty from dining with common subjects.
That groundbreaking event in 1819 became known not as a luau (indeed, in the traditional sense, “luau” refers to a cherished dish of chicken and taro cooked in coconut milk) but as an ‘aha‘aina—literally, a “gathering for a meal.”
But as stunning and powerful as the inaccurately-nicknamed Seven Sacred Pools (‘Ohe’o Gulch) might be, the Kipahulu hot spot doesn’t have the monopoly on Maui’s hallowed places. Indeed, beyond the postcard-perfection of the island’s beaches, Maui is home to a number of exquisite sites that have long been deeply revered.
But ferry on over to Lanai—literally—and you’ll get a glimpse of what Hawaii was like before widespread gentrification: There are no traffic lights on this gorgeous island, a single gas station (and a single poke shop) caters to its 3,102 residents, and shopping is largely reserved for trips to neighboring Maui. And while Oracle CEO Larry Ellison may own 98% of the island, its eighteen miles of rugged beauty can be relished by kama’aina and visitors alike.
Keen on seeing its golden-sanded beaches—or its stunning red-lava cliffs? Bust out your pen and paper because here’s the ultimate checklist for visiting the Pineapple Isle:
