Want to know one of the world’s consistently top rated islands in the state of Hawaii? known as the ‘Valley Isle’, Maui for many years has been one of the best islands to visit in the world.
This popular island is a romantic getaway, a place for family activities and a preferred destination for watersports. With breathtaking landscapes and great food that celebrates the diverse modern culture in Maui, this island is definitely for everyone!
In the west, the Iao Valley and Kapiwani Gardens contains vibrant displays of wildlife and vegetation. Makena beach, located the South has many golf resorts, is popular for divers and kayaking activities. Haleakala National Park, located in the east of the island is the scenic park known in Hawaiian as the ‘house of the sun’ with rainforests, deserts places and tropical beaches. Located in the north are the twin towns of Wailuku and Kahului – great shopping destinations, in addition to culture and recreation.
One of the most popular attractions in Maui is the Haleakala National Park where the majestic Mount Haleakala resides on the east of the island as one of the world’s tallest mountains.
For those wanting to experience views of undoubtedly one of the best sunrises on the earth, prearranged coach tours take tourists from the base to the summit at the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,740 feet. At the summit, spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset can be seen, on a clear night the stars and even galaxies can be seen.
According to legend, Hawaiʻiloa named the island of Maui after his son. The demigod Maui, lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to make the day last even longer, an advantage for those wanting to experience the breathtaking views from the mountain peak in order to relive and retell of this unforgettable experience.
On these magical tours, the journey on the long winding route up the mountainside trail allows for views of its most beautiful vegetation. The blossoming blood red ahinahina plant takes 25 years to grow into a metallic looking leafed plant and then dies! You may catch a glimpse of the Nene, the Hawaiian state bird, an endangered goose with a peculiar bark cry, which has been close to becoming extinct. Expert tour guides from visitor centers can assist to give insight and guidance into exploration of the upcountry landscape.
Along the trail ‘Peles Paint Pot’ named after the goddess of fire and volcanoes has mineral deposits which reveal an array of colors and hues on the crater floor – with peculiar landscapes and lunar like qualities shaped by lava, the atmosphere is far from what the imagination may conjure up – the air filled with a dense silence that is unlike the rest of the island that powerfully activates the senses, is none the less a unique part of the mountain.
Three airports provide scheduled air services to Maui, Hana, Kapalua and Kahului, the busiest out of the three. The Maui Public Bus Transit System provides transportation with fares costing around $ 2 per ride.