Tag Archives: Maui

Hawaii Maui Kayaking
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaii’s Best Kayak and Snorkel Tours

 

The clear waters that wash the shores of Hawaii can seem very enticing when you are gliding across the surface in a kayak. So go ahead, jump in. But first, grab a mask and snorkel so you can fully appreciate the colors of the corals and follow the meanderings of the brilliantly hued tropical fish. If this sounds like your idea of a great day on the water, check out these seven combo trips that showcase the full beauty and diversity of the islands.

Visiting the Mokes

One of the most popular kayaking destinations in Oahu is a pair of small, deserted rock islands known as Na Mokulua, which locals refer to as “The Mokes.” The most popular starting point for the three-quarter-mile paddle to the site is Lanikai Beach, where there is no shore break to contend with. The smaller island, Moku Iki, remains off limits, and all landings happen on a beach on the larger island, Moku Nui. Snorkelers will find coral formations that begin in clear water right off the beach. Several tour companies run guided trips to the Mokes, and more paddlers make their own way in rented or personal kayaks, which means the place can get pretty busy on weekends and holidays.

Moku Iki Oahu

Moku Iki is one of a pair of small islands that lie off the east coast of Oahu. It remains off limits, but kayakers can paddle to a beach on nearby Moku Nui. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Where’s Gilligan?

Fans of vintage television may be thrilled to hear that a trip to Coconut Island lands them on the location once used in the show Gilligan’s Island. But the castaways wouldn’t recognize the island these days, as it is now home to a research center operated by the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Trips begin at Heeia State Park, and make a half-mile crossing of Kaneohe Bay, which is fully sheltered from offshore waves. After touring the research facilities, the next stop is Horseshoe Reef, where snorkelers can explore the coral formations of Oahu’s only true barrier reef. This area is often home to sea turtles and eagle rays.

Heeia Oahu Fish Pond

Kayak tours that begin at Heeia State Park pass by a historic fishpond before crossing the bay to Coconut Island and the snorkeling sites of Horseshoe Reef. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Maui’s Fishiest Place

The fish sanctuary at Maui’s Honolua Bay is one of the island’s best snorkeling venues. Due to limited and unsecured roadside parking and a lack of shore facilities, the site is best reached by water. As an alternative to big tour boats, several companies launch paddle trips from the nearby beaches at Kapalua, and head west along a shoreline of low cliffs and hidden bays. Tours usually include a stop on a small beach, and then head to the shallow western side of the bay where the best snorkel reefs are located. Summer is the best time for this excursion, as winter waves turn the outer reaches of the bay into a popular surf break.

Honolua Bay Maui

A paddle around the headlands of Maui’s north coast leads to the marine preserve at Honolua Bay, which is home to some of the island’s best coral reefs. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Touring Turtle Town

The section of Maui’s south coast between Makena and Wailea has earned the nickname “turtle town” for the large number of sea turtles that are seen year-round on coral formations close to shore. There are more than a dozen reefs in the area that are visited by tour boats, which can put dozens of snorkelers in the water at one time. To avoid the crowds, savvy paddlers go early and join a small group tour led by guides who know the area, and are able to seek out sites away from the crowds. As a bonus, the trip to and from turtle snorkels takes in big views of Mount Haleakala and the offshore profiles of Molokini and Lanai.

Hawaii Sea Turtle

Sea turtles can be found on coral reefs all around the islands of Hawaii, but tend to gather in greater numbers on the reefs along Maui’s south coast known as Turtle Town. Photo: iStock

History and Coral Reefs

The Big Island’s signature kayak and snorkel combo takes place in a marine preserve on the island’s west coast. History buffs will note that Kealakekua Bay is the site where the first westerner, lead by Captain James Cook, landed on Hawaii Island. The shores are also the site of the sacred temple, Hikiau Heiau, dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono. The bay is a favorite with both divers and snorkelers, as it is filled with vibrant coral reefs that are a home to a diverse range tropical fish, and often visited by schools of spinner dolphins. Permits are required for snorkeling or landing on the shores of the Captain Cook Monument, so it is best to book a trip with one of the several tour companies licensed to operate in the preserve.

Big Island Hawaii Kealakekua Snorkeling

A snorkeler begins a free diving plunge into the clear waters of Kealakekua Bay, which is known for its abundant fish life and colorful coral formations. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Cliffs and Caves

Just outside the village of Kailua, paddlers can launch into Keauhou Bay, which is rimmed in sea cliffs riddled with blowholes, arches and lava tubes. On guided tours, kayakers can play follow the leader as they make their way through narrow rock-lined channels and into sea caves. A highlight of many tours is a float into a large cavern where mineral stained pink walls are reflected in the clear water. After touring the cliffs and caves, paddlers beach their boats in a calm cove and spend time snorkeling on nearby coral formations, exploring tidal pools or—for the adventurous—leaping into the water from surrounding cliffs.

Keauhou Bay Big Island Hawaii

The shores of Keauhou Bay are lined with rugged lava formations riddled with caves and tidal pools. These waters are ideal for exploration by kayak. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

From River to Reef

A favorite paddling trip on the island of Kauai begins on the banks of the Hanalei River. A short downstream paddle leads to the expansive semi- circular sweep of Hanalei Bay, which is surrounded by green mountain slopes and ringed by more than two miles of the island’s best beaches. If snorkeling is part of the plan, kayakers head toward Waikoko Reef, which lies on the northwestern edge of the bay. The entire reef can be explored during the calm conditions common in summer, but when winter swells roll in, the outer portion of the reef becomes a popular surf break, limiting snorkeling to areas closer to shore.

Kauai Hanalei River

Kayak trips that begin in the Hanalei River lead into the expansive bay of the same name. The eastern end of the bay holds excellent snorkeling reefs. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

St. Lucia Sugar Beach
Bahamas-Out Islands, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Islands, Maui, Mexico, Oceania, Play, Playa del Carmen, St. Lucia, Tahiti, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Supermodels and Sand: 10 Top Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Locations

Leave a comment

 

Sports Illustrated invented the swimsuit issue more than 50 years ago, tempting readers with images of bathing beauties vamping in some of the most scenic locations on earth. The supermodels may take center stage, but the resorts and beaches that provide the backdrop also draw oohs and aahs from readers and viewers. Here are some of the featured locations where you can indulge in an amazing beach vacation and maybe convince your mate to help recreate a few iconic poses from spots like the Pitons on St. Lucia. Photo: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Oahu Chinatown
Eat, Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Trip Ideas

Hawaii’s Best Street Parties

Leave a comment

 

 

Forget hotel floorshows and tourist-centric luaus. For an authentic take on Hawaii, do what the locals do and take to the streets. Street parties are a thing on each of the major Hawaiian Islands, and they happen on Friday nights. Stores and galleries put on special showings, food trucks and craft stands show up and live music is often in the mix. Here are the places to be if you want to party like a local.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Chinatown district comes alive on First Fridays, as thousands converge on the 12-block area around the Hawaii Theatre. This district is home to an eclectic mix of galleries, clothing boutiques and wine shops, many of which stay open late to host exhibitions, tastings and live entertainment. Some sweeten the offering with special deals. The mixing and mingling goes on from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m., then the parties continue at nearby restaurants and clubs.

Two weeks later, the action switches to Third Saturday and the Honolulu Night Market. This monthly happening is an indoor-outdoor event that takes place at the Cooke Street Warehouse in the Kaka’ako district. The program varies, but usually includes showings by local clothing designers and a mix of arts and crafts booths. To ramp up the vibe, there’s a skate ramp, live music, food trucks, drink service and a kid’s zone. The action starts around 6 p.m.

The final Friday of the month is the time to Eat the Street. Starting at 4 p.m., more than 40 of the island’s most popular food trucks gather on South Street. It’s best to come early if you don’t want to wait in line, because crowds of up to 7,000 show up to chow down. After sampling some of the unique culinary choices, diners linger for live performances and check out the offerings of street vendors.

Oahu Chinatown

Galleries in Honolulu’s Chinatown district often stage special events, showings and wine for First Fridays, which bring thousands downtown to mix and mingle. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Maui

Pau hana is the Hawaiian expression for the end of the workday spent relaxing with family and friends. The island of Maui enjoys some pau hana time each week with Friday Town Parties. Held in one of four different historic downtowns each week, these gatherings combine live musical performances with featured artists, food and drink, children’s activities and a bit of strolling, shopping and conversation. The party rotates around the island, with Wailuku First Friday, Lahaina Second Friday, Makawao Third Friday and Kihei Fourth Friday. Months that have a fifth Friday provide an excuse to carry the festivities to the ferry for a trip to the nearby island of Lanai. The evening gathering centers around Dole Park, and spreads to the streets of downtown Lanai City to include live performers, food vendors and special discounts and prizes at local merchants.

Lahaina Maui

The historic seaside village of Lahaina is one of four towns on the island of Maui that hosts a revolving series of Friday evening festivals throughout the year. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Kauai

The normally quiet town of Hanapepe turns lively for Art Night, which takes place every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Maui Street. A dozen of the town’s galleries stay open late for showings, and local artists and artisans set up in curbside kiosks. Food trucks provide refreshment, while street musicians perform both contemporary and traditional Hawaii tunes. It’s a family friendly affair with the sort of small town vibe not found on other islands.

Kauai Hanapepe

Galleries and shops in the town of Hanapepe stay open late for the town’s Friday Night Festival and Art Walk, which is one of the favorite gatherings on the island of Kauai. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii Island

The Big Island’s take on Friday parties happens on the east coast town of Hilo. Aloha First Friday delivers the requisite combination of arts and crafts displays, live music, food and family activities. This gathering often has a local vibe, as townsfolk come to mix and mingle. But visitors are always welcome, and vacationers staying at west coast resorts will sometimes make the cross-island drive to join in the festivities.

For west coast residents and visitors wanting to stay closer to home base, the seaside town of Kailua stages the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll one Sunday each month. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., a portion of Ali’i Drive is blocked off for the gathering, and more than 100 vendors set up shop on the street and sidewalks, offering everything from tie-dyed t-shirts and handmade jewelry to fine works of art. There’s plenty of food and a concert that often features native Hawaiian music.

Hilo Old Town Big Island Hawaii

Hilo’s historic downtown district is the setting for the monthly First Friday gathering, which brings locals and visitors into the streets for food, music and fun. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Maui Mermaid Adventures
Hawaii, Maui, Play, Trip Ideas

Maui’s Mermaid Magic

Leave a comment

 

Forget whales and dolphins. The most unusual marine mammals you may discover in the waters around Maui are mermaids. Yep, as in women with tails. Make that women wearing tails. A mermaid suit may seem like a costume, but it’s actually an innovative type of diving gear that has spawned a new sport. Built into the tail is a special swim fin that resembles the tail fluke of a whale. Known as a mono fin, it holds the user’s two feet inside one fin to create a powerful whale-like swimming motion. Mono fin swimming first gained popularity in the sport of free diving, and it was only a matter of time before imaginative innovators added the fabric sheath to create the appearance of a tail.

three mermaids

A trio of breath-holding free divers wearing special mono fin-equipped mermaid tails descends onto a coral reef on the western shore of Maui. Photo: Hawaii Mermaid Adventures

Swimming with a mermaid tail takes a bit of practice, which is exactly what is offered at Hawaii Mermaid Adventures. Located in the Kihei region on Maui’s west coast, this school for aspiring mermaids offers training sessions that prepare participants for supervised swims on nearby coral reefs. Instructors are certified lifeguards with years of experience. In addition to teaching the techniques of monofin swimming, the program delves into mermaid mythology and sailors’ tales, along with fascinating facts on marine life and underwater environment. A high point of the two-hour swimming session is an underwater photo shoot that captures mermaid memories with images that can be shared as proof that mermaids really do exist.

Hawaii Luau Buffer
Eat, Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Trip Ideas

Favorite Hawaii Luau Foods

 

Any visit to Hawaii should include a luau. These traditional island-style parties are part feast, part performance and all about having a good time. Though menus sometimes vary, there are favorites that almost always show up on the table. Here are some of the savory staples that you can expect to enjoy.

Poke

A favorite luau appetizer is poke, which is the Hawaiian word for cutting or slicing. Dishes that go by this name are made from chunks or slivers of raw fish marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil and seasonings. Traditional versions include aku and he’e, which are made from yellow fin tuna or octopus, respectively. Creative chefs may substitute salmon or shellfish, and garnish with chopped onions, chilies, seaweed, fish eggs and wasabi.

Hawaii Poke

The raw fish dish known as poke is believed to originate with fishermen who marinated trimmings from their catches in soy sauce and spices to create a tasty appetizer. Photo: iStock

Luau Stew

Locals love a savory bowl of Hawaiian oxtail soup, and will debate which island kitchen turns out the best recipes. Also known as luau stew, this hearty broth is created by stewing the namesake beef tails in their own juices until tender. Steamed taro leaves and a dash of coconut milk go into the pot, along with savory accents such as ginger, anise, orange peel, peanuts, chili and mustard.

Hawaiian Stew

Hawaiian luau stew is an island favorite. This version of oxtail soup is made by simmering the meat until tender, then adding spices and steamed taro leaves. Photo: Leigh Anne Meeks/ iStock

Hawaiian Pizza

Though not a traditional food, Hawaiian Pizza has found its way onto many luau buffet tables. Both the name and the idea of combining ham and pineapple on a pizza crust are actually credited to a Canadian baker. The recipe spread across North America before arriving in the islands. Local versions may substitute a Hawaiian favorite, spam, and include additional garnishes such as red onions and green bell peppers.

Hawaiian Pizza

Despite the name, Hawaiian pizza is actually an import first created in Canada. When it appears on luau menus, it is often with a nod to the local preference for spam rather than sliced ham. Photo: NA Grittsaom/iStock

Huli Huli Chicken

Luau guests are often treated to the enticing scent of grilling huli huli chicken. What sets this version of the barbecue favorite apart is the constant basting and turning the birds receive while on the grill. In the Hawaiian language, the word “huli-huli” means turn, turn. It is this constant attention and the frequent basting that keep the meat juicy and tender. Purists say that this dish is best when made from local fowl that are a cross breed of domesticated chicken and the red jungle fowl that roam the islands.

Huli Huli Chicken

Grill masters baste huli huli chicken in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, fresh lemon and pineapple juices, with accents of ginger, garlic, brown sugar and sherry. Photo: Robson Abbot/ iStock

Poi

Poi is the original Hawaiian comfort food, and a long-time staple starch of the native island diet. This porridge-like dish is made by mashing the cooked root of the taro plant into a pasty liquid, and then adding water before it is served. Depending on the amount of water added, it can take on consistencies from liquid to dough-like. When served fresh it is known as sweet poi, and when left standing to ferment, it becomes sour poi.

Poi

Depending on consistency, the starchy dish made from crushed taro root may be called “one, two or three-finger” poi, referring to the number of fingers required to scoop it up. Photo: iStock

Kalua Pork

A Kalua pig is often the centerpiece of a luau. The traditional Hawaiian cooking method known as kalua begins by digging a dirt pit known as an imu, where rocks are heated by an open fire. A pig wrapped in wet burlap and layered with banana leaves is then placed in the pit, along with more hot rocks. The pit is covered and left to slow cook for six to eight hours. The result is meat that is uniformly juicy and tender, embellished by the smoke flavors of hardwoods. It is usually served shredded, and is delicious without the need for any additional sauce.

Hawaii Roasted Pig

The pit cooking methods of Kalua allow steam and smoke flavors from koa wood, ti and banana leaves to infuse the meat with a mild yet distinct flavor. Photo: iStock

 

 

Kauai Aerial
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaii by Helicopter

Leave a comment

 

Few other places in the world can match the scenic beauty and diversity of the Hawaiian Islands. From towering sea cliffs and thundering surf to waterfalls, rainforests and active volcanoes, it’s all here. And one of the best ways to experience this enticing visual smorgasbord is by air. Helicopter tours of the islands rank high on most visitors’ bucket lists, and can be booked at each of the four major islands. Here’s what to expect.

Hawaii by helicopter

Tour companies such as Blue Hawaii carry passengers in fast, turbine- powered helicopters that can reach all corners of the islands in comfort and safety. Photo: Marek Sluzarczyk/iStock

Oahu

An aerial view of Oahu takes in famous landmarks and also reveals a very different side of the island. Tours may begin with an overflight of Pearl Harbor for a bird’s eye view of the Arizona Memorial, the battleship Missouri and the historic Aloha Tower. Next comes bustling downtown Honolulu and overflights of the iconic beaches of Waikiki, Diamond Head and the glittering shallows of Hanauma Bay. Then, as the pilot heads farther east, a very different side of Oahu is revealed. The island’s interior is a realm of towering mountains, lush rainforests and hidden valleys. A soaring flight over the Pali cliffs leads to a windward coastline lined with spectacular beaches and colorful coral reefs, all set against sea cliffs where waterfalls spill from the heights. In winter months, passengers have a grandstand seat for the North Shore’s surf scene, where the best wave riders in the world gather to challenge monster swells.

Oahu Aerial

A birds-eye view of Oahu’s eastern shore, where the Kamehameha Highway runs beachside. Nearby Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park offers camping and hiking trails. Photo: Slobo Mitic/ iStock

Kauai

More than half of the Garden Isle can’t be reached by road, and there’s a lot to see on this greenest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai’s deep canyons, towering sea cliffs and majestic waterfalls deliver cinematic grandeur, and have been a favorite of filmmakers from South Pacific to King Kong and Jurassic Park. A typical tour route will swoop through the expansive Hanapepe Valley en route to the cascading waters of Manawaiapuna, aka Jurassic Falls. Anywhere else, the razor-thin ridges and deep clefts of Olokele Canyon would be the main attraction, but on Kauai, this remote valley is just a warm up for the even grander vistas of Waimea Canyon, the so-called “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Next up are the sculpted sea cliffs of the NaPali Coast, and the pristine blue waters of Hanalei Bay. For a spectacular finish, pilots head for Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot on Earth, where 3,000-foot waterfalls spill down the towering mile-high walls of an ancient crater.

Kauai Napali Coast Aerial

There are no roads on the rugged sea cliffs of Kauai’s Napali Coast. Hikers follow demanding cliffside trails to hidden valleys, but helicopter flights provide much easier access. Photo: Andrea Izzotti/iStock

Maui

An aerial tour of Maui begins with a decision: east, west or both. A flight over the West Maui Mountains takes in views of one of the wettest places on earth, with plenty of waterfalls and greenery. Also on the route are the isolated beaches of the north shore, expansive sugarcane and pineapple fields, the historic town of Lahaina and the scenic shores and resorts of Kaanapali and Kapalua. Some tours take to the sea to reach the world’s highest sea cliffs on neighboring Molokai Island. In winter and spring, there is a chance of seeing breaching humpback whales during the crossing. A circumnavigation of east Maui begins with a climb to the lunar-like landscape Haleakala Crater, Hawaii’s largest dormant volcano. Descending eastward, flights then follow a lush coastline where waterfalls sparkle amidst rainforest greens. After passing the village of Hana, the scenery changes once more to the open plains of the island’s seldom-visited southern shore. For the ultimate Maui tour, some operators offer an all- island route that showcases the full spectrum of the Valley Isle’s scenic treasures.

Maui Aerial

Maui’s surf-washed northwestern coast is flanked by tall sea cliffs. The only land access to this sparsely populated region is via a narrow, one-lane road that often hugs the cliffs. Photo: iStock

Hawaii

The Big Island is a land of contrasts and extremes. In winter, the soaring peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are often covered in snow. A few miles to the south, the smoke and fire of Kilauea are proof that this is a young volcanic island, still rising from the sea. Overflights of this active volcano are a staple of helicopter tours originating on the east coast town of Hilo, providing passengers with a rare opportunity to witness active lava flows and massive steam clouds created when the molten rock meets the sea. These same routes also take in black sand beaches and the island’s oldest landscapes: the deep valleys and rain forests of the Kohala mountains. Longer flights originating on the island’s western shore provide a dramatic look at up to eight distinct climate-zones, included the arid coastal plains of Kohala, the ranches of the Waimea highlands and the verdant coastal landscapes of the Waipio valley and the Hamakua Coast.

Big Island Hawaii Aerial

On the south coast of the big island of Hawaii, helicopter flights provide a rare chance to witness the steam clouds created when lava flowing from Kilauea Volcano meet the sea. Photo: iStock

Maui Kaihalulu Beach
Hawaii, Maui, Plan

Hawaii Snapshots: Kaihalulu Beach, Maui

Leave a comment

 

There are only a handful of red sand beaches in the world. Without a doubt, the most photographed is Maui’s Kaihalulu Beach. Located on the island’s east coast, this small stretch of iron-rich volcanic sand is surrounded by rugged black lava cliffs which make access challenging.

The short but unmarked trail to Kaihalulu Beach requires good shoes and careful footing, as it traverses a slope of loose cinder where one slip could send a hiker into the rocks below. Those who do negotiate the narrow descent can cool off in a sheltered tide pool. Due to its isolated setting, many visitors to Kaihalulu Beach feel comfortable shedding their swimwear, making this a destination that is neither for the timid or the inhibited.

Maui Waianapanapa State Park
Hawaii, Maui, Plan

Hawaiian Snapshots: Waianapanapa State Park, Maui

Leave a comment

 

Sightseers driving the coastal road to Hana often stop to snap a few photos of the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park. But there’s more to this park than just a scenic overlook.

Visitors with more time to spare can follow a coastal hiking trail that leads along dramatic sea cliffs to lava tubes, an ocean blowhole and pictographs created by ancient Hawaiian people. A highlight of the walk is a collection of freshwater-filled caves, where hikers can wade or swim in cool grottoes. Admission is free, and there is rarely a crowd.

Hawaiian Shirts
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Plan

The Original Hawaiian Shirt

Leave a comment

 

Like the islands themselves, the modern-day Hawaiian shirt is the product of a mixing pot of cultures and traditions. The colorful, casual designs of today represent a convergence of influences, with its deepest roots in the colorful patterns of kapa cloth. This traditional Hawaiian fabric was usually dyed in bold geometric patterns, and worn as loincloths known as kapa malo, or sarong-like wraps known as kapa pa’u.

The arrival of European missionaries heralded a new era of conservative western-style dress through much of the 19th century, but dress codes began to relax and expand in the early 20th century, when migrants from the east came to work the sugar plantations and pineapple fields. The Chinese brought brightly colored and loose fitting silk garments, while workers from the Philippines favored the relaxed feel of the untucked and cool-wearing barong tagalog. At around the same time, Japanese immigrants transformed the cooling fabrics and loose fitting style of the kimono into a short-sleeved work shirt that would become known as the palaka. The traditional palaka sported a checkerboard design, but it wasn’t long before the cultural mingling lead to bold new interpretations that also tied into Hawaiian kapa cloth designs.

Most historians give credit to a merchant named Ellery Chun for popularizing the first modern version of what we now call the Hawaiian shirt. In the 1930s, his dry goods store in Honolulu began selling a garment he labeled the Aloha Shirt. It wasn’t long before other tailors began creating their own versions of these loose-fitting, brightly colored shirts. As the first wave of vacationers arrived from the United States, many returned home with bright Hawaiian shirts as reminders of their time in the islands.

Following World War II, the Hawaiian shirt became the unofficial symbol of a new cultural attitude that embraced a more relaxed dress code and lifestyle, and these shirts would eventually become accented business attire. Hollywood popularized the style, and by the 1960s, the Hawaiian shirt had made its way into mainstream American culture. There have been a number of subtle variations in style, materials and colors in the years since, but one thing remains unchanged: put on a Hawaiian shirt, and you are almost guaranteed to take life just a little bit easier.

 

 

Spreckelsville Beach Maui
Hawaii, Maui, Plan, Trip Ideas

Hawaii Snapshots: Spreckelsville Beach, Maui

Leave a comment

 

Most visitors to Maui will only see the Spreckelsville coastline from the air, as it is located just beyond the end of the runway at Kahului Airport. This two-mile stretch of less visited waterfront actually includes five individual beaches set in coves separated by headlands.

The distinctive red lava bluffs seen here are located just to the west of the stretch of sand known as Sprecks Beach or Euro Beach. Often buffeted by trade winds and washed by surf, this undeveloped beach is better suited for long walks or shore side relaxation rather than swimming.

But the same conditions that might discourage bathers attract windsurfers, and when conditions are right, some of the world’s best congregate here to harness the winds and ride the waves. Those seeking calmer waters can travel a half-mile to the east, where more benign conditions prevail at aptly named Baby Beach.