Maui is my favorite Hawaiian isle. I'm not sure why, i just love everything about it. Its got touristy towns, historic interest and those spots where you can sit and not have a single person around. Recently, a good friend was married near Makena Beach and I was a braidesmaid. This was the first Hawaiian trip I'd taken with my mother and the first time she had been since the late 1970's. That made it unique in itself but because I had been their more frequently and recently than she had, I was able to take her to some of my favorite places, tell her stories and could visit a few places my dad and I had never gotten to. Also, mom is more of a shopper than dad so we did a bit more of that as well.One of the best things about the island is a town called Lahaina. Its hard to explain, but it has everything; great views, fabulous dining, beautiful art galleries, the best shops for local and commercial items and you can never see all of it. Lahaina is also home to the largest and oldest Banyon tree on the island. It takes up nearly a whole city block, giving shade and great picture oppurtunities to the park underneath it. There are also several museums and an array of historic sites, all conviently numbered and mapped. I've spent days and days in this town and still leave having not gotten to everything i'd hoped for. One trip, Grace Slick was exhibiting her art and I was able to meet her and hear her sing in the gallery. Theres also a gallery which features only celebrity art, consisting of, to name a few; John Lennon's drawing, candid shots of diverse bands on tour, gold and platinum albums by famous artists, and many autographed items. Its one of my favorite storefronts to visit. Lahaina was once a very important seaport for Maui and the relects of it remain. The old cannery has been converted into a mall, various ships are still docked in the rundown marina and an old "pirate ship" lies on the rocks just a few yards offshore. The town as a very old feeling but hasn't lost track of time as it seems to grow between each visit.
If the temperature was ever too warm for us or we wanted a new jungle to stare into, we'd venture to the Iao Valley nestled deep between Maui's two inactive volcanoes. One special thing about the Iao valley is the Iao Needle. Basically, its a cylindrical peak that in ancient times, was used as a lookout and worshiped by the natives. Today the Needle is the centerpiece of the State Park which includes massive gardens and exquisite natural and man-made landscapes which can literally take your breath away. The first time I visited the Iao Valley, the group of us, my father, a friend and her husband and daughter and I, walked up the stairs to the viewing deck and were hit immediately with a hurricane-force wind. However, if we took one step back or strategically to one side or another, the wind didn't hit us. I was horribly sunburned that day and must say that the wind felt amazing. It was just as beautiful the second time I went, minus the wind. Wild cats are also prominent in the valley. Though they never come close enough to touch, their fur as the most unique and intricate patterns i've ever seen on a cat.
Although not part of Maui, one more aspect to love is the crater island of Molokini, which is about a 20-30 minutes boat ride off the southwest end of the island. Molokini is currently a bird and marine life sanctuary. It also offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving trips of the entire chain of islands. Many boat tours can be taken to it and although the actual land is offlimits, the water is really what we go for. The island is actually a 2.5 million year old crater which provides a beautiful, peaceful oasis in the middle of the enormous ocean. Sea turtles and hundreds of species of fish call it their home.
There is so much diversity on Maui. One day we'd be down in Lahaina, the next we'd find a gorgeous stretch of beach in the south and have 10 foot waves beating down, and after that we'd venture into wine country where its a good 10 degrees cooler and just seems like a different place all together. I think thats why I love it so much. Its so diverse. I plan to take as many more trips as i can.
