SOUTH MAUI

KIHEI & WAILEA - MAKENA

Sharing the sunniest, driest end of Maui with Wailea and Makena is the community of Kihei.  Once a long stretch of wild scrub land used for grazing cattle, Kihei has grown in the past decades to become home to Maui islandeers and now includes shopping malls, golf courses, park & recreation areas and the Maui Research & Technology Center hosting Maui's growing technology companies.  

The brilliant feature of this seaside town is its six-mile long stretch of sandy beaches with views of Kaho'olawe, Molokini and Lana'i  outer islands and the West Maui Mountains.  These are the best areas in South Maui to purchase your oceanfront property or beachfront condo across from white sandy beaches, each one open to the public for swimming, watching whales, snorkeling, surfing or watching sunsets.   From this vantage point, the West Maui Mountains appear to be a separate island, a mysterious Shangri-La in the distance and for those seeking the conveniences of modern life while enjoying closeness to some of the world's best beaches, KIHEI is a wonderful choice.

Kihei's Kalama Beach Park has shady lawns and palm trees dotting its 36 oceanfront acres. A blink away are Kalepolepo, Waipu'ilani, and the three beaches of Kama'ole. One may be favored for swimming, another for body surfing or simply sunbathing. Each one is wide, sandy and sunny - a perfect postcard, the quintessential tropical beach...  Across these beaches I'm confident there is one oceanfront property that is meant for you.

  People come to Kihei for the beaches and stay for weeks at a time in well appointed beachfront condos. Many stay a lifetime... and finally buy their own oceanfront property.  Some of the best bargains in accommodations can be found among the condominiums, small hotels and cottages (ohana) along South Kihei's beach road.

A string of sleepy Hawaiian villages with outrigger canoes once lined the shore. King Kamehameha had an ancient fishpond at Kalepolepo restored for his use and enjoyment. According to Hawaiian lore, it took 10,000 men to complete the project. Hawaiian royalty sojourned regularly at Kihei, basking regally on the breeze-swept shore.  There's nothing sleepy about this coast now, nor will it cost a king's ransom to visit.

Wailea Gold Golf Course

Small shopping malls, a bustling farmer's market, activity centers, and a spate of restaurants and sundown mai-tai spots enliven the Kihei scene.  Everyday good things abound here, from health food stores to supermarkets and a fish & chips restaurant or two.  Everyone eventually ends up at the modernized Azeka's Shopping Center to buy old-fashioned Maui potato chips or Huli Huli chicken on the parking lot of Long's Drug, or to shop for sunglasses, books, suntan oil and beach towels or slippah's.   There is also a public golf course in Kihei, Elleair, where players of every handicap will find a challenge.  A new development is under construction adjacent to it.  These single-family residences may not be oceanfront properties but they may well have ocean view!

But the fun does not stop with the setting sun.  Kihei's nightlife includes a few sports bars & karaoke spots

Birdwatchers and nature lovers have their own adventures too.  At the North end of Kihei is the National Wildlife Conservation District named Kealia Pond where endangered Hawaiian stilts and coots thrive in a salt-water marsh that is easily visible from the road or from the brand new promenade built in the middle of it.  A handful of beachfront condominiums are available for sale in the complexes stretching along Sugar Beach.  No single-family oceanfront property is available on that beach.  Walkers adore the 2 miles long beach along Kealia Pond.  If you go early enough, you may be as lucky as I was by encountering a sea-monk sun-tanning on the beach.

Nearby, the harbor at Maalaea is the launching site for an armada of pleasure boats taking visitors on charter fishing excursions, whale watching expeditions, sunset & dinner cruises or snorkel trips to the Molokini crater which is about 2 hours offshore and the Maui Ocean Center has been ranked visitor's activity #1 for many years.

At this end of Maui, anyone on any budget can enjoy the sunshine, surf and sand that are ubiquitous in Kihei.  The magical Maui nights are available to everyone, and anyone can feel like a king here.  During our whale season (mid December till mid April) those who listen carefully may hear the song of the whale - even while floating in the ocean - and see the great humpbacks frolicking in the waves.

Kihei real estate is one of the more diverse on Maui. The Kihei area is divided into 4 regions: North Kihei, Central Kihei, South Kihei and Maui Meadows. As one enters Kihei on the Piilani Highway or through South Kihei Road the first region that you come to is North Kihei.

North Kihei has numerous residential areas as well as commercial/industrial areas. There are condominium complexes, such as Kihei Villages, Southpointe, The Villas at Kenolio, that offer long-term rentals and owner occupied condos.

A few words about the other areas and things to do on Magical Maui! Head for the Hills, Quintessential Experiences: Upcountry Maui  Even if you're mainly in the mood for a beach vacation, consider setting aside a day to explore the cooler highlands on the flanks of Haleakala, an area locals call “Upcountry”. From Kahului in Central Maui, drive up Highway 37 toward Pukalani and you'll enter a pastoral realm of ranches and farms, appealing small towns and some unusual tourist attractions you won't find at sea level. First stop after Pukalani is the town of Makawao, an old ranch town that retains the look of a Wild West outpost. Take a closer look and you'll see that many of the quaint storefronts house high-end galleries, funky boutiques and trendy cafes, reflecting a recent influx of artists and other creative types. After exploring Makawao on foot, retrace your route to Pukalani and take Highway 377 to nearby Kula, where numerous flower farms raise proteas, carnations and other ornamental plants. Several farms are open to visitors, and south of town you can stop for a stroll through the Kula Botanical Garden and don't forget to stop at the newest attraction upcountry: Kula Ali'i Lavender Farm and its lavender honey, lavender cookies, lavender lotions and much more relaxing goodies! Back on Highway 37, continue south to Ulupalakua Ranch, home of the surprising Tedeschi Vineyards. The winery, which dates back to 1974, produces several red and white wines from grapes, as well as still and sparkling pineapple wines. Tours and tastings are offered daily except major holidays. Somewhere along the way, be sure to stop for what locals call a "plate lunch." These humble meals usually include rice, macaroni salad and some kind of meat dish, typically dished up in homey, small-town diners that will give you a true taste of rural island life.

Saddle Up Quintessential Experiences: Horseback Heaven With the introduction of cattle ranching here in the 19th century, local wranglers known as paniolos began to develop a colorful Hawaiian cowboy culture that is unique to the islands. Ranching no longer plays a major role in Hawaiian agriculture, but the state still has vast tracts of open range that are ideal for recreational trail rides, with plenty of modern-day paniolos on hand to serve as equestrian guides. On Maui, Pony Express Tours (www.ponyexpresstours.com) offers guided excursions through the 32,000-acre Haleakala Ranch on the northern flank of Haleakala, as well as exhilarating rides into the crater at the top of the volcano. Piiholo Ranch near Makawao is a working ranch where riders can join in a real cattle drive. Kula-based Maui Stables (www.mauistables.com), owned and operated by native Hawaiians, emphasizes local lore and cultural traditions. And Makena Stables (www.makenastables.com) offers various rides through Ulupalakua Ranch, with views over the southwestern coastline and La Perouse Bay (sunset rides are particularly scenic here). Other options include Charley's Trail Rides (www.tropicalgardensofmaui.com/trailrides), which operates excursions at Kaupo on the southern coast; Mendes Ranch in Central Maui (www.mendesranch.com) for rides along the north shore; and Ironwood Ranch near Napili Bay (www.ironwoodranch.com), which offers several unusual itineraries in West Maui. For an alternative to ordinary trail riding, check out Franklin Levinson's Maui Horse Whisperer Experience (www.mauihorsewhisperer.com), a full- or half-day program in which participants are taught to communicate with horses in a manner made famous by the 1998 film starring Robert Redford. Actual riding is optional. If you're not too saddle-sore after your ride, consider joining the Maui Paniolo Dance Association's weekly cowboy dance at the community center in the Upcountry town of Pukalani. Free lessons are offered most Thursdays from 7 to 7:30 p.m., with open dancing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. See www.maui.net/~mpda for details.

Take a Hike at Haleakala National Park

                                   Maui has plenty of trails for hikers of all skill levels.

Maui owes its very existence to Haleakala, the dormant volcano that dominates the island. The two-hour drive from Kahului to the crater rim is an extraordinary journey that leads from sea level to the 10,023-foot summit in just 37 miles. Many people make the drive only to gaze into the crater from a series of scenic overlooks, but if you come prepared for a rugged hike, you'll be in for a truly remarkable experience and a terrific workout.

The Sliding Sands Trail descends from a trailhead near the summit visitor center into a lunar-like landscape dotted with cinder cones and weathered lava flows. For a short day hike, follow the trail for a mile or two before returning the way you came, bearing in mind that the uphill leg will be made more difficult by the thin high-altitude air. If you're feeling fit and are prepared to devote a full day to the undertaking, continue down to the crater floor and return via the Halemau'u Trail, a strenuous 11-mile trek.

Either way you'll need sturdy hiking shoes, weatherproof clothing, high SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and a good supply of drinking water. Guided hikes are organized by the National Park Service (www.nps.gov/hale) and by several private outfitters, including Hike Maui (www.hikemaui.com), Maui Eco-Adventures (www.ecomaui.com) and Maui Troopahz www.mauitroopahz.com).

For an inspirational prelude to your day on the trail, plan to reach the summit in time for sunrise. A very early departure is required, and you'll have to bundle up against the cold night air, but the sublime sight of daylight breaking over the crater is an experience you'll never forget.

HEAVENLY HANA

I still need to write about the 617 turns on the road to Hana !!!!

Back to the South... 

A Good Padling: Kihei Canoe Club Outrigger canoes have been an important part of Hawaiian culture ever since the islands were settled centuries ago by Polynesian mariners who traveled astonishing distances across open ocean in these small, light-weight craft. Beach resorts often have modern outriggers on hand for their guests, but a better option is to join members of the Kihei Canoe Club for one of their Tuesday or Thursday morning recreational paddling sessions. The club provides canoes, equipment and basic training for an optional $25 donation, and the excursions are a great way to meet some Maui residents on their own turf. If you're lucky, you might see dolphins, sea turtles or even humpback whales while you're out on the water. Plan to arrive at the club site in Kihei, South Maui, by 7:30 a.m. to register. Paddling begins at 8 a.m. and lasts about an hour. See www.kiheicanoeclub.com/recreational.html for more information.

A Real Dive: Scuba for Beginners

If you've ever considered giving scuba diving a try, a vacation on Maui is a perfect opportunity to take the plunge. Numerous dive outfitters on the island offer guided introductory dives (no experience necessary), as well as entry-level certification programs that can be completed in less than a week. Or you can get the classroom and swimming pool portions of a certification program out of the way at a dive school close to home, and ask for a referral to a Maui-based instructor who will take you out for the open-water dives that are required to complete the course.

The waters off Maui have plenty of sheltered dive sites that are appropriate for novices, and the presence of green sea turtles in relatively large numbers can make your time in the water particularly exciting. It's not uncommon to see several of these endearing creatures during and easy, shallow beach dive on the leeward coast, even in more developed areas like Kaanapali Beach. Just remember that sea turtles are protected by Federal law, so keep your distance and never touch or harass them in any way.

Perhaps the most famous dive site off Maui is Molokini Crater, an offshore volcanic cone that has eroded over time leaving a crescent-shaped island a few miles west of Makena. The area has been designated as a marine sanctuary, and divers may encounter all kinds of sea life here ranging from colorful reef fish to manta rays and massive (yet entirely harmless) whale sharks. The site is an extremely popular day trip, however, and at times can feel more like Grand Central Station than an underwater wilderness, so it's best to find an outfitter who will take you there early in the morning when most excursion boats are still at the dock.

... hope to see you soon in Hawai'i and remember: Maui No Ka Oi!  (Maui is the Best!)