COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Updates

Moving Forward In The Era Of Coronavirus

Aloha to all of our past, present and future guests. We’ve made some changes in this new era of COVID-19 and want to let you know what we’re working on.

COVID-19 has ushered in some interesting challenges for us all, but we’re up to the task. Our guests know us to go above and beyond and this is no different. Several things have changed regarding how we manage our vacation rental business.

These new changes are a result of a very fluid situation but what remains true is our commitment to guest safety and security. Below we’ve outlined some updates and changes we’re making;

We’ve updated our Short Term Rental Agreement with additional information on COVID-19

We do not issue refunds for COVID. Please plan accordingly and consider purchasing CANCEL FOR ANY REASON travel insurance. Please understand that we are a small business trying to stay afloat during these troubled times. For this reason, we cannot act as an insurance company for travelers. We have no control over  this pandemic and travelers assume all risks.

We’ve added enhanced cleaning protocol to our already stringent cleaning policies. We’re strictly following CDC and VRMA  (Vacation Rental Management Association) guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. For the safety of our cleaners and guests, we require a 24 hour changeover gap between guests. A PDF copy of the VRMA guidelines can be downloaded here. And the CDC website with more information is here.

Our cleaning staff have increased their rates to reflect the additional time required to safely sanitize our condo, all ‘high-touch’ surfaces using CDC approved anti-viral cleaning products, electrostatic fogger for all surfaces including soft surfaces such as upholstery fabric, rattan and wicker furniture and so on. This increase in cleaning fees is reflected on our Rates & Availability page

Introduced new Kihei Akahi complex pool rules and COVID-19 waiver. (these policies are put in place by our complex BOD and are subject to their jurisdiction) See below for additional pool rules.

Introduced CDC suggested safety protections (handwashing, social distancing, mask wearing)

Posted laminated copies of safety guidelines

Link to the State of Hawaii mandates for travel can be found here and updated COVID-19 specific info can be found here.

Hawaii Tourism update on Visitor Requirements can be found here

As we move forward toward opening Hawaii and our vacation rental for business, we will update any changes or additions here on this page. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates!

Moving Forward In The Era Of Coronavirus

 

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

 

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Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

The Best Macaroons On Maui

The Best Macaroons On Maui

You have to try some!

Nothing screams remote islands like coconuts and coconut palms. But it’s what’s inside those coconuts that are the heart of the very best Macaroons in all of Maui (and quite possibly anywhere.)

I love all things coconut! I mean, I really love coconut so it was with great pleasure that I discovered these amazing cookies while strolling around the Maui Swap Meet a few years ago.

Lori Steer, Maui Macaroon’s owner and creator sells her decadent cookies at the Maui Swap Meet in Kahului every Saturday. Her booth is easy to find, it’s the one with the line of people waiting to buy these little bits of paradise or for a taste of her free samples which are generously shared while you wait.

The Best Macaroons On Maui
Yummy free samples!!!

Lori hands out slightly larger than grape sized samples of the delicious flavored macaroons which she creates in her shop in Wailuku. The minute you pop one of these little coconut balls of bliss in your mouth, you are sold! BEST.MACAROON.EVER!

Imagine flavors like ‘Salted Heaven’, ‘Kona Coffee Dark Chocolate Pecan’ (I know right?!), Lilikoi (passion fruit), Fresh Pineapple and Double Mac Nut! Of course there’s also Classic Coconut which, as a macaroon connoisseur, I can assure you is the best classic macaroon I’ve ever tasted.

The Best Macaroons On Maui
Photo by Lori Steer via Facebook

Lori’s macaroons are baked fresh on Maui in her Wailuku factory. Pre-orders are encouraged and requested before you stop by.

View this post on Instagram

#lovehiking #lovemacaroons #balance

A post shared by Maui Macaroons (@mauimacaroons) on

Lori Ships to the Mainland!

Luggage too full to take some home? No worries! Lori will pack up a box of your favorite available flavors and ship them to your home at a date of your choosing. Have them shipped in time to meet you when you get home. Just about the time you’re sinking deep into Missing-Maui-Syndrome your box will show up and you’ll be transported back to the island we all adore so much!

The Best Macaroons On Maui

And don’t worry about them spoiling, put them into ziplock bags and freeze until you’re ready to eat them.

The Best Macaroons On Maui
Maccident!

You’ll also find that Lori accepts special orders. Perhaps you need some for wedding or party favors, fund raisers or a special event. Maui Macaroons will print custom labels for your order!!

The Best Macaroons On Maui
Photo by Lori Steer via Facebook

You can find Lori and her little coconut yummies at the Maui Swap Meet, Fourth Friday street party in Kihei (read more about those here), several locations in Lahaina and upcountry too. For a current list of vendors selling Lori’s macaroons, visit her website Maui Macaroons or just call 808-344-5465 or email info@mauimacaroon.com

You can also follow (and drool over) Maui Macaroons on Facebook and Instagram!

The Best Macaroons On Maui
The Best Macaroons On Maui brought to you by www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

 

 

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

 

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Auntie Snorkel. The Best Place To Rent Snorkel And Beach Gear On Maui

Auntie Snorkel. The Best Place To Rent Snorkel And Beach Gear On Maui
Where is the best place to rent Snorkel sets, Stand Up Paddle Boards, Bicycles, GoPro, Wetsuits and so much more in Kihei, Maui

Like many of our vacation rental owner neighbors, we provide a whole suite of beach gear for our guests. We offer the popular Tommy Bahama backpack chairs, 2 deluxe Tommy Bahama beach umbrellas, 3 different size/types of coolers, boogie boards, sand toys and beach games, big, thirsty cotton beach towels, a ‘sand free’ beach blanket and tote, pool noodles, a big folding wagon to tote all this stuff to the beach easily and so much more.

But with limited space we can’t offer it all. The good news is that if we don’t have it Auntie Snorkel does!

There are at least half a dozen activity rental stores within walking distance of our vacation rental condo in Kihei, but we think that the locally owned Auntie Snorkel is the best! Here’s why!

Personalized service, local knowledge, great selection, awesome prices!


Renting Snorkel Sets

Let’s start with snorkel sets. Many of our guests bring their own sets and at one point we had several sets available in our condo, but over time we felt that the generic ‘one size fits all‘ concept of outfitting a snorkeler was not the safest way to go and we removed the sets. Getting a mask to fit properly is best left to the experts. Having a leaky mask means no-fun as you constantly clear the fog or remove the water. All the while missing that turtle that just swam by!

If you don’t want to take up luggage space with snorkel gear, then renting is the way to go.

Photo by Auntie Snorkel

Auntie Snorkel offers a plethora of mask sizes and styles to fit all needs. The owners and staff will custom fit each person with their own gear. There’s even a 2 For 1 discount coupon, which at the time of this posting has a full dry snorkel set with fins renting for just $7.95 a day!


Stand Up Paddle Boards

Since Auntie Snorkel is literally just steps to two of Maui’s best beaches, Kamaole I and II, you can rent your SUP and walk it across the street and be paddling with turtles in mere minutes. * BONUS * Auntie’s is just a 5 minute walk from our vacation rental condo too!

Photo by Auntie Snorkel

Stand up paddle boards or SUP for short are in hot demand so be sure to pre-book online (don’t forget to use the 50% off coupon!)

The very best time to head out to the Kamaole beaches is early in the morning when the water is smooth and glassy. You want to venture out before the wind kicks up and makes paddling difficult. You’ll see lots of other paddle boarders doing the same thing. It’s a very popular activity on Maui! And with good reason. Both ‘Kam’ beaches offer amazing reef views and you’re sure to see a turtle or two swimming right beside you! (Photo by Auntie Snorkel)


Beach Cruisers

One of the best ways to see South Maui (the towns of Kihei, Wailea and Makena area) is by beach cruiser! Since Maui’s weather is wonderful year round, any day is a good day for a bike ride. At less than $20 a day you can cruise all over South Maui and have a blast doing it. Make sure to read our ‘Discover South Maui By Bicycle | Find Your Next Adventure On A Bike‘ post to get the most out of your rental!


Boogie Boards and Skim Boards

While we do offer a variety of boogie boards in the condo, we don’t have skim boards. Not to worry, Auntie to the rescue! Go get your skim on with one of theirs. According to Auntie’s website “If you’re looking for skim boards you probably already know what these are about. If not, skimboarding is a sport where you run down a wet beach, throw a flat oval wooden disk across the wet beach hop on and glide!! Skim boarding is like “the skateboarding” of beaches.

Best snorkel rental maui

Check out professional Skimboarder, Austin Keen skimboarding at Maui’s Makena Beach (aka Big Beach). Skimboarders are regulars at this beach and even if you don’t rent one and give it a try, this is a great beach for watching the locals – they’ll show you how it’s done local style!


Maui Island Activities & Tours

You’ll find a whole host of Island activities available on Auntie’s website. But stop by the shop and talk to the ‘Fun Specialists’ to see all of what is offered. You’ll find;

  • Luaus
  • Zipline Activities
  • Boat Tours
  • Helicopter Tours
  • Rafting Trips
  • and much more!
Auntie Snorkel is Maui’s Local Family Owned & Operated Beach Rental and Activity Shop, est. in 1985.

You can trust Auntie’s!

According to their website, “Auntie Snorkel shop has been serving Maui’s fun seekers for over 33 years, established in 1985. We are the original South Maui Snorkel Shop. When I bought the shop ten years ago from Auntie we decided to keep the name. The name Auntie is a term of respect here in Hawaii. I am living my dream. I get to meet awesome people from all over the world and share with them my love and knowledge of this magical island I get to call home. We know all the spots. I have lived here since 2001. We are the true definition of a family owned and operated shop. I answer the phones and work the shop along with my family. When you shop with us you are supporting my ohana and for that I thank you!! Why go anywhere else? We are the friendliest, fastest, cheapest and our location is the most epic!”

Owner Mark Noble is a certified ‘Fun Specialist‘ as is his co-worker Scott Johnson! On our most recent trip to Maui we were in need of a life vest for a quick fishing/kayak outing. Since we own our own life vests here in California and forgot to bring them over, we headed to our favorite rental spot and Scott hooked us right up! Auntie’s treated us like Ohana!

Guaranteed Lowest Prices

Great savings on rental prices means more money for Mai Tais!




Everything that Auntie’s Offers
RentalsDiscounts On
Weekly Rentals
Look For
Coupons Online
Retail
SUP PaddleboardsFull Face Snorkel Masks
Boogie BoardsPremium Snorkel Sets
Premium Dry Snorkel Sets with Bag, Fins and DefogPremium Fins
Beach ChairsSnorkels & Accessories
UmbrellasWaterproof Phone Bags
Keiki (kid) Snorkel SetsReef Shoes
Rubber Fitted FinsRash Guards
Flotation Belts & Life VestsReef-safe Sunscreen
CoolersSunglasses & Croakies
BicyclesStickers
GoPRo Camera & AccessoriesFrisbees
Skim BoardsBeach toys - Waboba*
Surf BoardsDisposable Cameras
Football, Volleyballs, Bocce Ball sets, TennisSD cards & Phone Cables
WagonGoPro Accessories
Binoculars (great for whale season)Floating Stick for Camera
Wet suit Shirts & ShortiesPostcards
Maui ActivitiesLogo Gear
Molokini Snorkel TripsHats
LuausShirts
Helicopter ToursRacerback Tanks
Hana Land ToursStickers
Jet Skiing
Whale WatchingR.I.P.E Juice Maui
Dolphin ExcursionsFresh Pressed Daily
Horseback RidesLocal Maui Juices
Surf Lessons
& More...

Hours

Monday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Friday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm

Contact: 808.298.3021

Business Info:

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Car Parking: Street
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
By Appointment Only: No
Offers Military Discount: Yes 👍🏻

Auntie Snorkel is rated 5-Stars on both Yelp™ and TripAdvisor™


Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do, come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!


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Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *
Auntie Snorkel. The Best Place To Rent Snorkel And Beach Gear On Maui. The best place to rent Snorkel sets, Stand Up Paddle Boards, Bicycles, GoPro, Wet suits and so much more in Kihei, Maui

Best Sushi Restaurant On Maui

Best Sushi Restaurant On Maui

Our pick for the best sushi restaurant on Maui, 1054Togoshi

We’re sushi fanatics. We’ve eaten sushi all over the world. We’re pretty darn picky when it comes to our sushi. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about our most recent discovery – Maui’s BEST sushi restaurant.

I’m hesitant to even let the (yoga) cat out of the bag (you’ll understand the ‘yoga‘ bit in just a moment.) I fear that once I click the publish button on this post that the -hard to get reservations- for this place will become even harder to get. But in the interest of spreading Aloha, I’m going to let you all in on our sushi secret.

No Sushi – No Life. Keep Calm & Eat Sushi!

I can’t remember how we found this place – probably Yelp or Google Maps, but it’s not in a place you’d expect to find (in our opinion) the very best sushi restaurant on Maui. The restaurant is located in a smaller strip mall off the main thoroughfare of South Kihei Road, on East Lipoa Street. None of this matters because this hidden gem will delight and you’ll believe you’ve been transported to a top Tokyo sushi restaurant decorated with a Jimmy Buffett-esque style beachy theme.

The owners clearly love the beach vibe the decor conveys and I must admit, that while it’s very busy, it does make this eatery feel less like a Japanese restaurant and more like a beach cabana! It’s fun, quirky, eclectic and very artistic, and I love it!

1054Togoshi is only open evenings and reservations are required. Seating is limited to about 9 at the sushi bar and there are only two tables (that I can tell) – one that seats four and the other up to 8. There are just the two owners, the sushi chef and his wife who is hostess, server and waitress.

This duo do a fantastic job! Warm Aloha is what you feel when you’re greeted at the door. Upon being seated you’re served water and given a hot, moist wash cloth to wash your hands with. That one feature places this restaurant high up on my authenticity scale. I absolutely love when Japanese restaurants provide this simple yet important and thoughtful touch.

The menu is perfectly adequate in it’s offerings but don’t expect to find off the wall rolls dripping in aioli sauces with crazy names like Mucho-Macho Roll or Batman Roll. Nope, here you’ll find a few of the ubiquitous rolls such as ‘Rainbow‘ and ‘Spicy Tuna‘ but the real gems on the menu are the Sashimi, Nigiri, the items on the Pupu list and appetizers.

Place your food order directly with the chef and be patient. This truly authentic sushi arrives only as quickly as the chef can prepare it and depending on the time of evening – how busy the restaurant is. Trust me, every bite will be worth any wait you might incur.

Menu!

Speaking of the menu, the rest of the menu offers Sake (listed considerately in order of dryness), Japanese beer, Wine, *Shōchū, Japanese Whisky, softdrinks and of course prepared ‘just right’ macha green tea.

*Shōchū is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. It is typically distilled from rice (kome), barley (mugi), sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo), buckwheat (soba), or brown sugar (kokutō), though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients such as chestnut, sesame seeds, potatoes or even carrots.Typically shōchū contains 25% alcohol by volume,[1] which is weaker than whisky or standard-strength vodka but stronger than wine and sake.

We tried the Takeno Tsuyu sake first – it’s delicious, unfiltered and very much on the sweeter side. Our second sake was the Tamano Hikari, much dryer and clear, crisp and smooth. I recommend both BUT not in the order that we tried them.

What we ordered!

Before this becomes the longest restaurant review in history, lets get down to business shall we. What we ordered!

We started off with the Yellowtail Carpacio with garlic, jalepeño, local greens, Yuzu soy and olive oil.

Next was traditional nigiri. But it was anything but run of the mill. The fish was as tender and flavorful as I’ve ever had and the sushi rice, perfectly formed was quite literally the best I’ve ever had. It was slightly warm, seasoned to perfection and just the right texture. Magnificent. I could have just eaten an entire bowl of just sushi rice! I also must say, that it is better than any I had in Japan.

My companion opted for the Rainbow Roll and for a standard roll, it did not disappoint.

I went back for more nigiri. Oh my!! Big pluses for me are the ginger, which doesn’t contain food dyes and the GENUINE wasabi the chef uses. More points in my book! All in all I tried the Hamachi, Kanpachi, Yellowtail and one other on the special menu that I don’t recall the name. Be sure to try something from the ‘Special’ menu!!

This is the 12 piece Sushi “A’ combination. Which my other companion had and said was amazing. It was so amazing that we didn’t get a photo of it before it disappeared. Photo by Wayde T. via Yelp.

And finally I opted for a spicy Hamachi roll. Decadent!


The Nuts & Bolts

We found the prices on par with the other sushi restaurants on the island (except for Morimoto Maui which is very expensive, though delightful but we left very hungry!). The portions were slightly on the smaller side but you are getting extremely high quality fish and the price reflects that.

The service is on par with what you’d expect for just two people working and doing it all. Some reviews online complain about this but I’m a ‘go with the flow’ type and it never bothered me as I didn’t find the service to be slow. In fact, the service we got was great, super friendly, we didn’t wait too long, and were generally very satisfied. This restaurant is clearly a labor of love for the owners and if you’re patient and adopt a ‘Maui Time’ mentality (I recommend that for ALL things on the island) you will greatly enjoy yourselves.

Reservations are a must! Fortunately we got in on the same day for our first visit (and yes, there was a second visit in the same week, it was that good)

Note that LAST CALL (for both food and beverages) is at 8:30 and they mean it. Though they did bend it a bit for a 2nd glass of Sake for us.

Overall, both of my dining experiences were great. The food was great and the prices what I’d expect for the quality.

Bottom line, WE LOVED IT!


So what’s the deal with the Yoga Cat?

My seat featured a very nice book entitled ‘Yoga With Cats’ which is hilarious, and propping it up is the cat, in (I believe) the forward fold position! Such a hoot!

Photos

Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (closed 4th Tuesday of each month)
Wed 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thu 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fri 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sat 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sun 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Contact: (808) 868-0307 (Call well in advance to make reservations, but DO make reservations. Walk-ins might not be seated)

Location: 95 E​.​ Lipoa St​,​​ ​S​ui​te A-104​, ​Kihei, HI 96753

Rating: ★★★★★

Prices: $$

More info here



Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do, come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!


Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

Best Sushi Restaurant On Maui - 1054Togoshi www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui #BookDirect

Native Intelligence – Where To Buy The Best Hawai’ian Made Goods, Souvenirs And Locally Crafted Gifts On Maui

Native Intelligence – Where To Buy The Best Hawai’ian Made Goods, Souvenirs And Locally Crafted Gifts On Maui

Native Intelligence – Maui’s best shopping for Hawai’ian cultural gifts.

Shopping for and bringing home gifts and souvenirs for friends and family members is often one of the best parts of a vacation. Your vacation to Maui is no exception!

But when you’ve seen all the run of the mill t-shirts, hats, and plastic tchotchkes (made in China) the idea of bringing home gifts not made in the Hawai’ian islands can lose it’s appeal.

That’s when a visit to Native Intelligence will inspire you! Native Intelligence is filled to the brim with authentic Hawai’ian culture, local artisan crafted goods and authentic Hawai’ian souvenirs you will be proud to own. Located in the quaint town of Wailuku, this one of a kind shop offers clothing, stationary, jewelry

From the owner’s website:

“About Native Intelligence (NI)

Based in Wailuku, Maui – Native Intelligence is more than a traditional retail establishment. The goal of Native Intelligence is to champion cultural traditions, craftsmanship and good designs while perpetuating Hawaiian values. By showcasing local artisans and creatives who strive to protect and evolve the culture, Native Intelligence is an advocate for both culture and community.

Our mission is to create a retail environment allowing customers to experience a wide selection of merchandise that is Hawaiian by definition. Neither a museum nor gallery, Native Intelligence strives to be a constantly evolving retail space that has something for everyone.

Through the various practitioners who try to perfect ancient skills; to new businesses that reflect a contemporary sensibility, Native Intelligence will present the spectrum of what is good in Hawaiian design. Working with community leaders and neighborhood schools, we hope to extend the educational programs and resources beyond our doors. As our name infers, Native Intelligence encourages the efforts of those who exemplify the best and brightest in Hawaii and Polynesia.”


NI is more than just a store filled with unique and locally made gifts, it’s a treasure and source of culturally inspired supplies used by the local community. Items such as Hula supplies, Kapa and fresh flower leis like no others!

Examples of Leis sold by Native Intelligence!

From L to R Kukunaokalā, Sea grape, Heʻe, and Kukui, Blue Jade Vine (center) and Kukunaokalā, Heʻe berry, Sea Grape, and Waimaka Gula (photos via NI Facebook)

Engage, enjoy and discover with the first ever NI ʻIke film featuring Kumu Kaponoʻai Molitau, as he discusses the sacredness of hula pahu and the profound meaning behind the mele ʻAuʻa ʻIa.

Artful Living!

Be sure to check out their Ni’ihau shell necklaces. These are genuinely one of a kind pieces of art. If you’re not familiar with Ni’ihau shell jewelry then you are in for a treat. According to Ni’ihau Cultural Heritage Foundation’s website; “Legally, this term refers only to shells actually gathered on the shores of the Forbidden Island. However, the term generally refers to three different shells that are commonly used to make Ni‘ihau shell lei:  kahelelani, momi, and lāiki, as well as a fourth one, kāmoa, which is frequently used to add contrasting color.” (p.s. you might have also recently seen actor and native Hawai’ian Jason Momoa wearing a Ni’ihau shell necklace during the week of his Aquaman premier – on the Jimmy Fallon show!)

I think my favorite purchase was this NI Designs Island Chain T-Shirt with the design in the form of a molecular structure. “Based off of a molecular structure, the design of “Island Chain” is united and bonded. Each island is unique, but Hawaiʻi is only Hawaiʻi when all the islands are connected. “All Hawaiʻi stand together.” -Mele by Liko Martin”

My other unique purchases include a gorgeous Koa wood hair stick and Breadfruit (or Ulu) block print note cards by Kanaka Prints. But there were so many wonderful items, it was hard to choose.

Visit The Store

Plan your visit to Native Intelligence while visiting Maui, but if you cannot, then be sure to visit their website. There you’ll find an assortment of items for sale as well as more information about their wonderful business. Wailuku is a sweet town in Maui that is worth strolling around. You’ll love getting out of the ‘busy’ towns of Kihei and Lahaina to enjoy the quieter life in Wailuku!

If you love regular doses of eye candy, then make sure and follow Native Intelligence on Instagram and Facebook!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqvaOLmgk3V/

Address: 1980 Main St #2 Wailuku, HI 96793

Phone: (808) 249-2421

Store Hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00-5:00, Saturday: 10:00-4:00, Sunday: Closed

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!


Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

Native Intelligence - Where To Buy Hawai'ian Made Goods, Souvenirs And Locally Crafted Gifts On Maui www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui #BookDirect

Discover South Maui By Bicycle | Find Your Next Adventure On A Bike

Discover South Maui By Bicycle | Find Your Next Adventure On A Bike

One of ways to get out and live like a local is to discover South Maui by bicycle. You’ll be having a great adventure and getting to visit spots that you might not necessarily see if you’re in your car.

Bike rentals are available all over South Maui from north Kihei to south Kihei and the types of bikes range from beach cruiser style to electric bikes to road bikes.

For the casual rider, a beach cruiser would be the way to go. For as little as $20 a day, you can pedal your way around Kihei and really live like a local.

Photo by Auntie Snorkel

If you’re an experienced cyclist you may want to look into renting a full performance road bike and take your adventure upcountry or to the west side.

Map of South Maui Bike Rental Shops

Resources

South Maui Bicycles http://www.southmauibicycles.com
Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, CLOSED SUNDAYS.
1993 South Kihei Road #5, Kihei, Hi 96753
Phone: 808.874.0068

Hawaiian Cruisers http://www.hawaiiancruisers.com
Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. CLOSED SUNDAYS. 1280 South Kihei Road, Kihei HI 96753.
Phone: 808.446.1111

Bike Ohana Hawaii Link
Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. CLOSED SUNDAYS.
1777 Piilani Hwy, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: 808.463.8369

Boss Frogs Adventure Rentals https://bossfrog.com/
Monday – Sunday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
2463 S Kihei Rd., Ste A-15, Kihei, HI 96753<
Phone: 808.874.5577

Auntie Snorkel  http://www.auntiesnorkel.com/
Monday – Sunday  7:45 am – 6:00 pm
2439 S Kihei Rd., Ste 101-A, Kihei, HI 96753
Phone: 808.298.3021

Maui Electric Bike Rental  http://www.mauielectricbikerental.com/
Hours Vary
Located in Haiku, but they deliver to Kihei. Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708
Phone: 808.250.8447

Pay close attention to your environment and heed local laws and etiquette.  According to West Maui Cycles the following are best practices while riding in Maui.

When riding on Maui it is always wise to assume that you don’t always have the right of way on the roads. This doesn’t mean it is not safe, just ride with more awareness of your space.  When out on some of the roads with little to no shoulder it is good practice to:

• Always move over as far as safely possible
• Ride single file unless the shoulder provides enough safe space
• Use hand signals especially when riding with someone behind you (sometimes it is hard to hear with the wind in your ears)
• Most importantly wave on cars that hesitate to pass, this will help alleviate traffic on narrow winding roads
• Always wave or “shaka” kindness goes a long way

Throw a ‘Shaka’ to share Aloha!

Other helpful tips from West Maui Cycles include;

• Expect to be hot (being in the equatorial zone it tends to feel warmer than it is)
• Expect to have some wind from every direction (you’re on an island and your direction changes)
• Expect to have some climbs (you’re on the side of a volcano)
• Expect to go home with a tan or a sunburn if you didn’t protect yourself
• Expect to see a rainbow
• Expect to take a lot of good pictures (both mentally and digitally)
• Expect see amazing sunsets/sunrises
• Expect to end your ride with a big smile on your face

Make sure to take plenty of water in a reusable water bottle. Make sure to stop along the way and try out local food trucks, shave ice spots or ice cream.

Respect local property owners and heed all ‘No Tresspassing’ signs.

Download a copy of the Maui County Bicycle Map from MauiBike.org


Michele Shapiro, a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle shares 3 epic rides to try in Maui, one of which is heading south from Kihei to La Perouse bay. According to Shapiro;

Ride 1: South Maui Bicycles (Kihei) to La Perouse Lava Fields (Wailea-Makena)<
How far: 21 miles round-trip, about 1.5 hours.
What bike: A hybrid (or electric)
Route: Want to know what it’s like to cycle on Mars? After passing numerous resorts along Wailea’s coast, follow the bike lane south to enter a dramatically different world of dark, jagged rock — the lava deposits from the East Mountain Volcano (a.k.a. Haleakala) — that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The bike lane ends past Makena Resort, making the final stretch of the ride a little bumpy. But it’s worth the saddle sores to catch a glimpse of a dolphin pod around La Perouse Bay.


Bike Safety

According to MauiBike.org; “…bicyclists are required to ride on the right side of the road in single file. A bicyclist is allowed to ride in the center of the travel lane when the lane is too narrow for both car and bicycle to travel safely side by side. This rules applies even when the bicycle is moving slower than traffic.”

and

Hawaii’s bicyclists are considered drivers of vehicles. Bicyclists have most of the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

According to HRS 291C-145(a)(2):
Bicyclists should not be expected to move off the road whenever a car is behind them. It is legal for the bicyclist to remain in the lane, even if they are slowing down or impeding traffic. Maui Bicycling League encourages bicyclists to think courteously of other road users, including pulling over occasionally when traffic is backed up behind them (when it is safe and convenient to do so, at the discretion of the bicyclist).

Motorists should pass bicycles with the same precautions used when passing other slower motorists. They should pass only in zones where there are no double yellow lines, and should wait until they can see that the oncoming lane is clear of approaching cars. The motorist should signal, then move cautiously into the oncoming lane (left of center) to pass the bicyclist. Motorists should give bicycles at least 3 feet of space between their vehicle and the bicycle. Let’s keep everyone safe!

Auntie Snorkel is just a 5 minute walk from our condo!

Maui cycling helmet law.

In Maui County, all juveniles under the age of 16 years old MUST wear helmets while riding a bicycle. Helmets are recommended for adults at all times but are not mandatory. Bicycle lights and bike reflectors are required by law for all riders at night including 30 minutes before and after sunset or sunrise.

Remember to share the road, spread ALOHA and be safe!

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

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Discover South Maui By Bicycle - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

What’s Happening On Maui In August – Special Events Calendar For 2018

What’s Happening On Maui In August – Special Events Calendar For 2018
What’s happening on Maui in August

We’ve got you covered for special events and what’s happening on Maui for the

Month of August.

Thursday August 2, 2018

Free Tahitian Dance Show – Lahaina. This ongoing event happens every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from 6-7pm. More info here.

What's Happening On Maui In July

Friday – August 3, 2018

Wailuku First Friday. We’ve blogged more about this town party here. You’ll find live street entertainment, amazing food truck food, souvinirs, local hand-made goods and more. Each Friday Town Party is hosted in a different city. Click the link above to find more info.

Maui Friday Town Party

Maui’s Finest Craft Fair – Free Craft Fair at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort. This free even showcases crafts, artists and more. This is an Ongoing Event occurring on Tuesday  & Friday of every week.

Lahaina Art Night – Friday Night is Art Night in Lahaina Town. Stroll through dozens of art galleries in LahainaTown each Friday from 7 to 10 pm for special gallery shows, featured artists-in-action, and refreshments, all free and open to the public! Lahaina has earned its nick-name of “The Art Capital of the Pacific,” due to more art galleries per capita than any other American town. A walking map of participating galleries is available in Lahaina Visitor Center (open daily from 9 am to 5 pm) This is an Ongoing Event occurring on Friday of every week.

Candlelit Tours at the Baldwin Home – Step back in time and visit the Baldwin Home Museum with a tour by candle light. Tours are held every Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Baldwin Home Museum is located on the corner of Front and Dickenson Street in the heart of historic Lahaina. $8 – Adults 13yrs +, $6 – Kama’aina, Senior Citizens (65+), Military, Children 12 years and under are FREE.  Please note that admission also allows entry to the Wo Hing Museum on Front Street.

The tours are led by experienced docents with refreshments following on the front lanai. For more information here or call 808.661.3262.

Saturday – August 4, 2018

Seed To Cup Coffee Festival At Maui Tropical Plantation. – The Maui Coffee Association will present their 11th Annual Seed to Cup Coffee Festival, Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu.  This event is FREE and open to the public!

Coffee Brewing and Roasting will be demonstrated throughout the day and the talented Chef’s at Mill House Restaurant will be serving up coffee inspired food for sale from 11:30 am – 2:00pm.   Kohola Brewery will also be selling their Mean Bean Brew – Beer made with 100% Maui Coffee!

There will be displays and demonstrations of coffee processing equipment and many award-winning coffee farmers selling their coffees.

You don’t want to miss the Barista Throw-down competition, sponsored this year by Maui Coffee Roasters.  The Throw-down takes place from 1:30 – 3:00 pm at Chef’s Table. Local baristas from across the state challenge one another in a head to head, free-pour latte art competition.  Lots of prizes and action!

The newest lineup of activities includes “Taste the Roast.” This interactive event was created to shed light on the many talented coffee roasters of Maui.  Attendees will gather to taste several roast profiles and vote for their favorite coffee.  All of the roasters will use the same coffee origin, just various roast profiles.

The finale is the popular Coffee Fashion Show, showcasing hand made coffee themed costumes.

Maui Swap Meet – Head to Kahului for the weekly Maui Swap Meet. 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Get there early!  This fantastic shopping market has everything under the Maui sun. Event is ongoing, this and every Saturday. More info here.

Up Country Farmers Market. visit www.upcountryfarmersmarket.com Or check out our Farmers Market Guide for the most extensive guide to Maui’s best Farmers Markets.

What's Happening On Maui In august

Leilani Farm Sanctuary Tours – (this and all Saturdays) Explore the farm and visit rescued animals. Kiss a Donkey, cuddle a chicken or feed the bunnies. Donation is $10. Starts at 10am More info here. Additional tours Mondays & Wednesdays at 4pm.

Sunday August 5, 2018

Lahaina Craft Fair. Sundays. This weekly free event showcases artists, jewelry makers and local crafts people. Located at the Lahaina Gateway Center. More info here.

Friday August 10, 2018

Albatross – A One-Man Play – McCoy Studio Theater/Maui Arts & Cultural Center; times vary. Friday August 10-12, 2018

Written and performed as a rollicking sea yarn, Albatross is a fast-paced stage show that explores themes of regret, isolation, and the interconnected relationship between humans and the natural world. Taking inspiration from Coleridge’s “Mariner,” an 18th century sailor who is cursed with immortality and thrust into the modern world, the play delivers a profound message about the effect of our thoughtless actions on all living things.  Tickets: $25 (plus applicable fees)

More info here.

Lahaina Second Friday. Head to the Lahaina Town Party – more info here. You’ll find live street entertainment, amazing food truck food, souvinirs, local hand-made goods and more. Each Friday Town Party is hosted in a different city. Click the link above to find more info.

Keiki Hula Performance – Everyone loves a keiki (child) hula halau performance! And The Outlets of Maui is pleased to present our keiki hula show every 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.    The children of the Na Pua O Kapi`olani perform traditional hula. Accompanied by a live band and led by Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar, the keiki performers share their Hula as they dance their way into our hearts with the memorable stories and songs of Hawaii. More info here.

What's Happening On Maui In August
Image via Maui News

Sunday – August 12, 2018

Storm Drain Stenciling in Ma’alaea 9:00 am to 12:00 pm – Another opportunity for Eco-Tourism. Maui Ocean Center is gathering a volunteer team to spray paint informational stencils on storm drains surrounding the aquarium. The simple message lets people know that anything put down the drains goes straight into the ocean, while also highlighting the dangers of runoff on coral reefs. Teams of three or four will paint the stencils along the roads and around the harbor.

All are welcome! Snacks, water refills, and supplies will be provided, so bring your reusable water bottle. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. We will meet in the Maui Ocean Center parking lot nearest Hauoli Street. FREE event. More info here.

Friday – August 17, 2018

Makawao Third Friday – See listing above for Friday Town Parties

Saturday – August 18, 2018

3rd Annual Kite Festival – KAHULUI, Hawaii – The public is invited to the third annual Kite Festival hosted by the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui on Saturday, Starting at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Keopuolani Park Field #8, located right below the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

This event is Free. Kite kits to decorate with colored markers will be available for a $5 donation to JCSM. Prizes will be given to the best decorated kites and best kite fliers at 12 noon. Water will be provided. Attendees may also bring their own materials, chairs and snacks.

Anyone may bring their own kites – big or small, traditional or modern, and see them in action at the festival.

The mission of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui is to perpetuate the Japanese culture in the community. Kite flying in Japan dates back in the 16th century as a custom to pray for good health and a bright future.

For questions about the event, call Deron at (808) 298-3352 or email jcsmhawaii@gmail.com.

Maui Calls 2018 – Annual Gala Fundraiser – In Celebration of Hula MACC  6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s signature gala event begins with a fresh flower lei greeting and Hawaiian music serenade. Mix, mingle, and taste delectable pūpū created by chefs from stellar Maui restaurants and specialty food purveyors.

Enjoy premium wines served by vintners from boutique wineries around the world and dance the night away to live music. Silent and live auctions offer the chance to bid on hundreds of items, from fabulous Hawaii staycations to “uniquely Maui” items, such as special house parties and “uniquely MACC” items, like autographed music instruments & more!

Wrap up the evening with music & dancing under the glowing roof of the MACC’s Yokouchi Pavilion.

Event info here.

Sunday – August 19th, 2018

Beach Clean Up – Malama Land & Sea:  Join Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii and MOC Marine Institute to help up clean trash and litter from one of Maui’s beaches. The day may also include a volunteer snorkeling cleanup targeting marine debris such as discarded fishing line and weights, conditions permitting.

Questions/RSVP: afonarow@mauioceancenter.com or 808.270.7059  For beach location info visit their website

Help them make this cleanup a zero-waste event! Bring your own reusable coffee mug and water bottle to enjoy free coffee and water refills. Hearty snacks will be provided. Please bring your own bucket for trash, along with a pair of reusable gloves. Wear sturdy shoes, sun-protective clothing, and a hat. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

More information on participating in a Maui beach clean up, read our blog post here.

Friday – August 24, 2018

Into The Woods Musical presented by MAPA LIVE. at the MACC.  August 24 – September 02, 2018A story filled to the brim with a feast of fabled characters … a little mystery, a lot of irreverent humor, and touch of seduction. A journey into the woods — and into our hearts.

Edgy, whimsical, and wickedly funny, Into the Woods is an enchanting musical adventure that goes beyond “happily ever after.” Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children under 10.

Event info here.

Kihei 4th Friday – We’ve blogged more about this town party here. You’ll find live street entertainment, amazing food truck food, souvinirs, local hand-made goods and more. Each Friday Town Party is hosted in a different city. Click the link above to find more info.

Sunday – August 26, 2018

• Henry Kapono & Friends at the MACC – A&B Amphitheater, 5:00 pm show; 4:00 pm gates open.

Henry Kapono and a star-studded line up of Hawai‘i’s most popular entertainers will come together with an evening of music, laughter, and stories as they share the hit songs and celebrate the soundtrack of Hawaii. The evening features and epic lineup of Hawai‘i’s top entertainers: Kalapana, Jerry Santos of Olomana, Keola Beamer, Na Leo Pilimehana, John Cruz, Brother Noland, Robi Kahakalau, Alx Kawakami, Blayne Asing, Josh Tatofi, Kalani Pe`a, Kimie Miner, Landon McNamara, Mike Love, Paula Fuga, and Starr Kalahiki.

More info here.

• Traveling Plate Maui “In the Kitchen” – Guests will get to work side-by-side Maui’s favorite chefs as they help create a locally sourced dish. Guests will travel from chef station to chef station learning skills and having fun along the way. While the chefs put the final touch on their dishes guests will then enjoy a mixology demonstration. We will end the night savoring the fruit of their labor by sample each dish created alongside adult libations and a silent auction. For those who only want to join as “taste testers” we will offer a limited amount of “Taster” tickets that will include arrival at 5pm for the Mixology Demo and entry to the reception.

Event and ticket info here and here.

• Monthly Beach/Marine Debris clean up at Ka’ehu beach.  Wailuku, 9 a.m. to noon.. Join the SHARKastics for a memorable day of learning, sharing and cleaning up the island we love so much.

SHARKastics has been spearheading cleanups at Ka’ehu on the 4th Sunday of every month since July, 2012.  This bay and coastline are important for many species including nesting sea turtles! More and more debris is always washing ashore, so we need your help.  It’s heaps of fun!​ FREE event.

Read about our adventures volunteering with SHARKastics here.  For more info check out their webpage.

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

What's Happening On Maui In August - Special Events Calendar presented by www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

Fresh Baked Deliciousness From Maui Bread Company | Fabulous Bakery In Kihei

Fresh Baked Deliciousness From Maui Bread Company | Fabulous Bakery In Kihei
Fresh baked deliciousness from Maui Bread Company, a fabulous bakery in Kihei

While walking down the South Kihei promenade you might find yourself following your nose to the delicious aroma of fresh baked bread and pastries. And if you were to follow your nose you’d find yourself across from Kamaole I beach in the Dolphin Plaza where you’d find Maui Bread Company, Kihei’s own bakery churning out delicious baked goods.

Image by James M. via yelp

Get ready to carb load because Kihei’s newest bakery is dishing up a scrumptious ‘homemade’ cornucopia of baked goods including breads with flavors like Passion-Orange-Guava (Pog), Pineapple, Banana and ‘Hawaiian’ (coconut, macadamia nut, pineapple carrot).

But the menu doesn’t stop there. Be on the look out for Peanut Butter & Bacon cookies, Piña Colada sweet buns, chocolate croissants, Ube mochi (purple yam), savory rolls and more.

Cookies the size of your head! – Doreen B. via Yelp

Maui Bread is one of the few places to pick up some local style Manapua (you can rad more about Manapua in our Ultimate Guide To Hawai’ian Islands Local Foods) and Butter Mochi!

Image by James M. via Yelp

Maui Bread Co. arguably has the best selection of Gluten Free baked goods on Maui. And not just hockey puck style gluten free baked goods. Delicious, ‘come back for more’ type of GF goods! Gluten Free is a hard sell, but their items just can’t be beat.

Stop in and follow your nose to delectable baked good and give their coconut coffee a try too!

Visited three times in a week!
This place was amazing. The breads were fantastic. My picky husband loved the cookies. We tried all kinds of things, and everything we ate was amazing. – TripAdvisor Review

Image by Hamby A via Yelp

Where: 2395 S Kihei Rd, Ste 117, Dolphin Plaza, Kihei, HI 96753

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 Days/week

Contact: 808.757.8740

Website: https://www.mauibreadco.com/

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

Maui Bread Company - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

Eco-Tourism On Maui | How To Give Back To The Island That Gives So Much

Eco-Tourism On Maui | How To Give Back To The Island That Gives So Much
Giving Back To The ʻĀina

Eco-tourism is alive and well on Maui.  On my most recent trip I found myself wanting to give back to the island that gives me so much. How does an island ‘give’ me anything? Well, all you have to do is visit Maui and then you’ll know.

From the moment I step off the plane, my heart swells with the love I have for Maui. I hear the palm trees rustling in the island breeze, I see locals in flip flops, shorts and Hawaiian shirts (the only state in our country where you’ll find this kind of attire.) I hear Hawaiian music on the rental car radio. I ‘feel’ the Aloha Spirit embrace me from not just the land but the locals that call Maui their home. And then, my first step on the sandy beach puts me instantly into a state of  ‘Island Time’, the kind of relaxation we all hope for when we visit Maui, I exhale and feel my sense of place on this magical bit of land in the center of the great Pacific Ocean.

It’s just hard to explain. Those who’ve had the privilege to visit or live there know exactly what I’m talking about, those who haven’t will know when they step off the plane.

How do you go about ‘giving’ back to the ʻāina (earth or land, and pronounced eye-na) in a way that is meaningful?  For me it was easy. Volunteer on vacation.

Photo by Cheryl King, Ocean Warrior!

Volunteer On Vacation

Maui has a multitude of volunteer opportunities for those that seek them out. It wasn’t difficult to pick my activity as I walked on ‘our‘ beach, Kamaole II, each day and saw bits and pieces of trash. Trash on ‘OUR‘ beach! Who does this? So I started picking up cigarette butts, band-aids (yuck), empty plastic beverage bottles, kids sand toys, a snorkel flipper missing it’s mate, bottle caps, micro plastics (bits of plastic that have broken down over years and years), sparkling wine cage, food wrappers and more. Well, just have a look for yourself.  The photo below shows what I gathered in 5 minutes of walking on the beach.

Each day I found more and more. On days when we’d have a good ocean swell, more flotsam and jetsam would wash up and I could just walk the high tide line and find things like this.

I’m not oblivious to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch but it has always seemed so obscure to me. I have trouble fathoming a gyre of garbage – somewhere, out ‘there’. But seeing this trash on the beaches of Maui that I’ve been visiting for well over 20 years and seeing the increase in the volume of garbage polluting what was once so pristine really punctuated what I needed to do to give back.

Inspired and motivated to keep Maui as free of marine debris as I could, I began searching online for locally organized beach clean-ups. Sadly beach clean-ups happen often and by various environmental and volunteer groups. I say ‘sadly’ because I find it terribly sad that beach clean-up are part of our vernacular. These beach clean-ups happen for a variety of reasons. The majority of what I picked was deposited on the beach by careless visitors both local and non-local alike. But depending on what part of the island you are on, much of it washes ashore with the tides and currents.

I found one particular beach clean up happening on the last Sunday of each month and it luckily coincide with my visit. So at 8:15 a.m. I left Kihei and headed to the Ka’ehu Beach on the North Shore to meet with the group called SHARKastics to join in their monthly clean up effort.

I really had no idea what to expect.  I brought a hat, backpack, my reef-safe sunscreen, sturdy shoes and sunglasses.  But darn! Halfway there I realized that I forgot my water. No worries, I just stopped and bought two bottles of water at a gas station on the way. Little did I know what a faux pas I was committing. Bringing single use plastic bottles to a beach clean up where we’d be cleaning up –you guessed it- single-use plastics of all kinds. Oh the irony of it all and yes, I felt like a dork doing that but embraced it as a learning moment and as a personal reminder why I needed to ALWAYS bring my own reusable water bottle. Of course there was no judgement passed by our group (they were filled with the Aloha spirit!) and there was a water station available to refill reusable water bottles when needed!

As I arrived at Ka’ehu beach, I was a little unsure that I was in the right place – this isn’t a beach that looks to be popular with visitors, but I was met at the county gate and let in by a cheerful Sharkastic crew member. I drove over to the beach and met up with over two dozen other volunteers, half a dozen Sharkastics crew plus one amazing Honu (sea turtle) sniffing pup! But more about Tauzer the Honu Hound in just a bit.

Ka’ehu Beach image by Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, via Facebook

Volunteers are given gloves, 5-gallon buckets and an introduction to the day’s tasks. Ka’ehu beach is long stretch of black lava rock and black sand beach located to the north-west of Kahului Airport and to the east of Waihee/Waiehu area. According to www.wildhawaii.orgWaiehu’s Ka’ehu Beach on the northwest coastline of Maui is one of the few nesting beaches for green turtles. It also happens to be one of the major marine debris collections zones of Maui.

According to our fearless leader for the day, Cheryl King, the ocean swells and currents make Ka’ehu beach a plastic magnet and the local dumping zone for the flotsam and jetsam of the ocean. Marine debris is deposited daily in vast amounts.

Due to consistent trade winds and currents plus the close proximity of a bustling human population, Ka’ehu collects local land-based plus foreign marine debris. – C. King via Facebook

Cheryl King, a woman of many talents and one that wears many hats including Marine Biologist,  spearheads the Sharkastics.org group of like minded volunteers. Their mission, to clean up Maui beaches, provide safe turtle nesting habitat and to educate the public on the threat that Marine Debris has on our oceans, beaches, marine wildlife and human health. But what the heck is a Sharkastic anyway?

Glad you asked!  Sharkastics are animal-bitten plastic, a phenomenon and are commonly found during their marine debris cleanups in Hawai’i. Many animals make these marks, not just sharks.

The very recognizable bite marks can be seen here in this flip flop. (image below via CRE8 Magazine, Issue No. 4, an article about Sharkastics, and can be found here.)

The Beach Clean Up

On to the beach clean up.  We were instructed to start at the far, north end of the beach and work our way back so as to not have to carry debris to the end and back. And so we eagerly set off with our buckets.  Within literally seconds, I found bits and pieces of plastic, garbage of all kinds. I looked around, bewildered. Where does it all come from? How did it find it’s way to beautiful Maui? It pained me to walk past it and toward the piles and piles that lay ahead so I stayed in the same general area and found more than I cared to see.

A few hundred yards down the beach I find Lauren and her husband Kyle (two amazing and local volunteers, Lauren also happens to be a marine biologist and ecologist) feverishly working with another Sharkastic crew member to dislodge an enormous ghost net that was well embedded into the sand bank.  I put down my bucket that was nearly full and began to dig and tug and dig and tug. But this huge net was not giving up it’s grip. We worked for over an hour and a half to remove just a portion. Sadly, it was so deeply embedded into the sand and rocks that we were only able to retrieve part of it. But I’m hopeful that the next batch of beach cleaners were able to retrieve the rest.

https://www.facebook.com/sharkastics/videos/1016417468521146/

Ghost nets like these ensnare marine life such as sea turtles, sharks, whales and dolphins, seals and so much more. One might think that fishing boats would be more responsible and remove their own debris rather than leave these nets to float and entangle marine animals. But as Cheryl explained to us, it is not uncommon for fishermen to put location devices on ghost nets like these to track them at a later date.  You see, small fish and marine life congregate under these floating nets for protection. The small fish attract big fish and so on down the line. The fishermen locate the floating net using GPS and then fish nearby to catch the larger fish. Sadly, the ‘bycatch’ gets innocently tangled in the mess.

‘Honu’ Sea Turtle caught in derelict fishing net

And

Hawaiian Monk Seal caught in marine debris. Photo by Michael Pitts

Moving Forward

All of this debris, trash and waste, where does it originate?  Well, we can point fingers at our consumption of single use plastics, or we can blame third world countries for not having the infrastructure to process their waste, or we can look at events such as the Fukushima disaster and recall all of the debris washed out to sea by the tsunami.

And the truth is it’s all of the above and at least one other critical factor. Manufacturers and lobbyist protect the industries that produce much of the items that are soon to become waste.  As Matt Wilkins points out in his article in Scientific American entitled ‘More Recycling Won’t Solve Plastic Pollution‘,  “Because of a legal system that favors corporate generation of plastic, plus public acceptance of single-use items as part of the modern economy, consumers who want to reduce their plastic footprint are faced with a host of challenges.

Those challenges include confusing recycling rules, lack of infrastructure to recycle waste appropriately and the shear volume of single use plastics that abound.

Maui has an especially large challenge, this small island lacks the proper recycling facilities needed to process all the waste.  In January of 2018, China halted all shipments of recyclables being imported. Most of Maui’s and west coast states sent their waste to China for processing. (More here.)

Now, I can’t say I completely agree with the title and subtitle of Wilkins’ article because I believe we can, as consumers, both change our habits and vote with our dollars to stop the flow of single use plastics into and out of our homes. Corporations begin to notice when their bottom line is threatened.

One example of a corporation paying attention to consumer pressure, Starbucks just announced that they will be “removing plastic straws in our stores globally by 2020—reducing more than 1 billion plastic straws per year.”

In addition, Seattle has banned plastic drinking straws and plastic utensils by next year. Both California and Hawaii have banned plastic shopping bags which often end up in the ocean. And California has just announced that it is banning plastic straws in restaurants. All great steps forward.

Image via Greenpeace UK Twitter

And in April of 2018, the Minister of the Environment and Housing of The Bahamas, Romauld Ferreira has announced that in an effort to simultaneously address marine pollution and waste management, single-use plastics – such as shopping bags, food utensils, straws and Styrofoam food containers – will be banned by 2020. [They] will also move to make the release of balloons into the air illegal, as they end up in the oceans, releasing toxins and injuring marine life.

It’s Not Just Maui

I felt incredibly inspired by the Sharkastics crew who were so optimistic  despite the incredible volume of marine debris we gathered. Their outlook was positive and inspiring and they’re using this ‘opportunity’ for lack of a better word to educate and bring people together to tackle a global problem.

There are numerous groups that do beach and ocean clean-up throughout Hawaii.

It’s going to take more than banning straws to fix this one!    -Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii

It isn’t just Maui that is being inundated with ocean trash and marine debris.  Just recently, a clean-up was underway on the island of Molokai.

We found dvd movies, cleaning supplies, tooth brushes, cosmetics, baseball bats, balls, shower heads, toilet seats, Nestle coffee lids (like 100 of them! @roscoefarian ) oyster spacers, helmets, perfumes…. the list doesn’t end! Basically a large percent of anything you throw away anywhere in the world ends up in our ocean and on beautiful un habitant beaches such as #Molokai #Kalaupapa #kalawao Thank you @sustainablecoastlineshawaii for the amazing experience, I’m happy I could make a small difference in this world 🌍 change starts in us! awesome team❤️❤️❤️ @avaglows @_jennymay_ @piratenectars @hkimukai @kalaupapanps #knowyourfisherman h#plasticpollution#nationalpark#rethinkplastic #avoidsingleuseplastic #stopsingleuseplastic

A post shared by Danielle Shemesh (@datsunn_) on

Images via Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Facebook.

And on the Big Island, Kamilo Beach is a marine debris magnet. Regular beach clean-ups occur and are ongoing.

Kamilo Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. Photo by Jen Miller via Facebook


At the end of our beach clean up our group was invited to a free screening of  ‘Albatross, The Film’ at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.  This poetic documentary tells the story of the majestic Albatross on Midway Island. Midway island is at the far end of the Hawaiian Island archipelago.  Seeing the devastation caused by marine debris is a tragic eye opener. There was not a dry eye in the house.  And all of this information is not to shame or guilt us, it’s to bring awareness to a global issue that has had a profound impact on the island that we all love so dearly, Maui.

‘Albatross, The Film’ is now free to watch for all. I cannot recommend it enough!

Images like the one below, of the stomach contents of an albatross drive home the fact that trash and plastic doesn’t really ever get thrown ‘away’. There is no ‘away’, it ends up in landfill, in our waterways, and for a small percentage, recycled.

Stomach contents of a seabird. Plastic!!!!

Garbage Stats

Here are some stats from our day of picking trash;

We removed, sorted and counted 8,274 pieces of marine debris. Here are the broad category results:⠀⠀
⠀⠀
*Plastic: 7,048 (85.2%)⠀⠀
*Polystyrene foam: 429 (5.2%)⠀⠀
*Rubber: 180 (2.2%)⠀
*Fabric/clothing: 286 (3.5%) ⠀⠀
*Processed wood: 93 (1.1%)⠀
*Metal: 193 (2.3%)⠀
*Glass: 45 (0.5%)⠀

For this particular clean up, the items were trucked to Maui Ocean Center for their new marine debris exhibit. But most often, the crew sorts and recycles as much as can be, some gets stored until enough is gathered to ship to Parley For The Ocean, for ‘reinvention’ into items such as ADIDAS sneakers.

Amazingly, this beach that we cleaned had been cleaned the day before by another group of volunteers! Imagine that.


Take Action – Volunteer Opportunities

In reflection of this amazing adventure and educational day I had, I’ve made some positive changes here at home and when I’m on Maui visiting.

4Oceans has a great list of things we can all do to reduce our plastic waste. All of these ideas are easy enough to implement and the fact is we can no longer wait for ‘someone’ to clean up this pollution, we must end it before it even gets started!

If you’d like to take part in a Volunteer On Vacation trash clean up then join the SHARKastics group the 4th Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. at Ke’ahu Beach in Waihee.

What: Ka’ehu Beach Cleanups

When: 4th Sunday of Each Month

Details: Meet at the beach at the end of Kukona Place in Wailuku. All supplies provided

Where: Ka’ehu Beach

More information: visit the Sharkastics web page or find them on Facebook


If you’re unable to make their once a month clean up, you can participate in your own self-guided clean up by working with The Pacific Whale Foundation’s Volunteers On Vacation

Volunteers on Vacation is a free program offered by Pacific Whale Foundation to help you easily find meaningful service projects to benefit Maui’s environment. Visitors and residents can spend a few hours giving back to the local community while enjoying access to “off the beaten trail” places and learning about the history and natural ecosystem of the area. Plus, you’ll receive a free tote bag made of recycled materials when you volunteer for 3 hours or more. 

Participate in Pacific Whale Foundation’s marine debris citizen science project when you select a beach of your choosing to clean up and fill out a data sheet recording what debris items are present. This allows our researchers to expand their data set and analyze the trends and patterns of debris on Maui’s beaches and shores as part of our Coastal Marine Debris Monitoring Program. Pick up your supplies (gloves, recycled bag, datasheet) at Pacific Whale Foundation in either Lahaina or Ma’alaea.

Signing up is easy. Just call Pacific Whale Foundation at least 24 hours in advance at (808) 249-8811 ext. 1 between 6am and 9pm (HST).


Volunteer with Mālama Maui Nui – Mālama Maui Nui is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, inspire, and empower individuals and communities to beautify and maintain Maui Nui’s environment, thereby supporting its economy, quality of life, and unique Hawaiian culture. Through litter pickups, marine debris cleanups, recycling events, and more, MMN brings individual volunteers, local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies together to promote the environmental health of Maui County.

Check out their ongoing list of volunteer opportunities here.


Volunteer with NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program.

NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program does not offer any established, regular volunteer opportunities. However, many of their sister programs do. Explore some of those below.

Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Volunteer Program: Volunteers help ensure national marine sanctuaries remain America’s underwater treasures for future generations. Volunteers participate in a wide variety of activities including diving, whale identification, beach cleanups, water quality monitoring, collecting field observations and surveys, acting as visitor center docents and wildlife monitoring. Five sanctuaries in the U.S. contain coral reefs and several others contain deep-sea coral. See what’s available in your area.
Protected Resources Volunteer Opportunities: Help protect sea turtles, monk seals and other protected resources by volunteering with NOAA offices in Hawaii.
Volunteer to Clear Marine Debris: Start your own volunteer beach clean up group, or find a local beach or neighborhood cleanup group. Track your trash using the Marine Debris Tracker app.


Volunteer on your own with the Ocean Conservancy. Join the wave. Next time you’re headed out to the beach or a nearby park, download Ocean Conservancy’s app, Clean Swell and take along a trash bag to collect and document the debris you find.

More info here.


Volunteer with the Turtle Island Restoration Network on the islands of Maui and Lanaʻi, Opportunities include;

  • Snorkel with us, documenting the distribution, abundance and health of sea turtles and manta rays
  • Free diving to clean reefs of abandoned fishing gear
  • Beach cleanups on the 4th Sunday of every month to remove and document marine debris
  • Beach surveys for nesting and hatching sea turtles (May-December)
  • Dune restoration activities
  • Coastal surveys for basking sea turtles
  • Office duties (photo and data analyses) and outreach events

More information here.


Volunteer with Maui Ocean Center for their monthly beach clean up. An example is the clean-up which happened July 21, 2018 “Join Maui Ocean Center and Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute to help care for the longest stretch of sandy coastline on Maui – Oneloa (a.k.a. Big Beach). After the cleanup, learn about the rich history of Makena State Park with Lucienne de Naie – President of the Maui Tomorrow Foundation and a Founding Member of Maui Cultural Lands, Inc.”

More info here. Or contact for Questions/RSVP: afonarow@mauioceancenter.com or 808.270.7059


Take The Pledge! Maybe your Maui vacation schedule doesn’t allow enough time to do a full day of volunteering. One option is to take the pledge. National Geographic encourages each one of us to take the pledge. The plastic pollution problem is in plain sight. It affects us all. Together we can reduce single-use plastics and make a lasting impact. Take the pledge here.

Surfing in a wave of trash, Photo by Zak Noyle


Super Pup

Oh, and what about Tauzer The Honu Hound?  ‘Tau’, an Australian Cattle dog has been specially trained on the Mainland to detect endangered Sea Turtle nesting sites like those found on Ke’ahu beach.  Tau helps Cheryl locate sea turtle eggs on the beaches in Maui. You can read more about Tau’s amazing story on here ! Tau’s partner is none other than Cheryl King, who aside from being our fearless beach clean-up leader wears the hat of Hawaii Program Director for the Turtle Island Restoration Network.  Read more about Cheryl here.

Image via Tauzer’s Facebook page

Gallery

Want to see all the marine debris & garbage we picked up?  View the gallery of photos taken on my beach clean-up day.

This adventure has taught me so much. I’ve taken away so much information and learning about the global garbage and plastic crisis. I cannot emphasize enough just how fulfilling it was to participate in a local beach clean-up.

I also never leave home without my reusable water bottle, complete with my very own SHARKastics sticker! Thank you Cheryl!!!!!

Have you participated in a beach clean up in Maui or elsewhere? Or, do you have another Maui Eco-Tourism volunteer opportunity that you want to share? Leave us a comment below and let us know.

Additional Resources

Hawaiian Hawksbill Conservation – http://www.hihawksbills.org/

Turtle Island Restoration Network – https://seaturtles.org

Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii – http://sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org

Parley For The Oceans – http://www.parley.tv/

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

Eco-Tourism On Maui- www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

Last Day On Maui? What To Do, Where To Go, Things To See

Last Day On Maui? What To Do, Where To Go, Things To See
Last day on Maui? What to do, where to go, things to see.

Wondering what to do on your last day in Maui? Often folks traveling to Maui plan their whole vacation except for what to do on the last day, the day you have to check out of your vacation rental. Several of the airlines offer late evening fights and many travelers opt to take that late flight to eek out every last hour on the island that they can. Do you blame them? No way, Maui is so amazing and fantastic that we all want to stay as long as we can.

Last Day On Maui

But the problem arises when check out is at 11 a.m. and your fight doesn’t leave until 10 p.m. What do you do in between checking out of your condo and checking in at the airport?

In today’s post we’ll give you lots of ideas of activities, places to visit and things to see on your last day in Maui.

Extra Day & Late Check-Out Options

The first and best option is to purchase an extra day at your condo if it’s available. There will be times when it won’t be as new guests will be checking in but if it is, I highly recommend this option. Of course this will have to be planned well in advance with condo owners to ensure you can take advantage of this convenience.

By doing this you have the convenience of taking your time to get ready for your flight and you keep your luggage with you in the condo. You can do day activities like go to the beach one last time, golf, swim at the pool, shop for last minute gifts and souvenirs and so one. It’s definitely worth the price of one night’s stay for all of this convenience.

When it’s available we offer late check-out for a nominal fee, as do many condos. This must be arranged in advance.

If either the extra day option or late check-out aren’t available due to budget restrictions, or if the condo is just unavailable the list below will help in planning your last day on Maui.

Luggage?

Last Day On MauiSo it’s 11 a.m. and you have to vacate the condo you’ve been enjoying. What to do?

Let’s start with planning your day by finding a safe option for storing your luggage while you adventure out.

It is generally considered a bad idea to leave your luggage or any valuables in your car if it is unattended. Unfortunately petty theft and car break-ins are all too common, even in the land of Aloha and the last thing you want to do is lose your luggage and valuables after a wonderful trip to paradise.

One option for our Kihei Akahi guests (and I suspect many other condo complexes as well) is to leave your luggage safely in the office until 5pm. If you plan on staying at the condo property for the day, you can leave your luggage in your rental car trunk – it should be safe so long as it’s not in plain sight. However, if you have souvenir chocolates or any other item that might not do well in the heat of the trunk, consider leaving it in the office.  The Kihei Akahi staff leave promptly at 5pm so make sure not to be late in retrieving your bags. Our guests can also ‘borrow‘ a key for the condo pools and tennis court for the day but we’ll get to that in a moment.

Another option is to call the airlines to see how early you can check your luggage. If you can drop your checked-baggage early, then you can play for the day worry free. This option, of course, only applies if you are checking baggage. What if you have only carry-on luggage?

A final option for luggage storage is to take advantage of the Queen Ka’ahumanu shopping center’s free luggage storage option. They have a guest services center where you can check your baggage in for the day while you play. They even offer free luggage tags and coupons for shopping in their shopping center!

The one small disadvantage to this is the shopping center’s location. It’s in Kahului, about 35 minutes from our condo in Kihei (and about 15 minutes from the airport). Not an issue if you plan to visit Iao Needle, or Wailuku museums, or Paia and the upcountry area, but might be a bit of a timing issue if you head out to Lahaina. For more information visit Queen Ka’ahumanu’s web page.

What to do!?

Now that you have your luggage dealt with, you can decide how to spend your last day on Maui! Here’s a list of ideas!

■  Relax at the condo pools, guests of Kihei Akahi can ‘borrow’ a key for a $10 fee, return it before the office closes at 5pm and guests can get their $10 deposit back. If you didn’t bring a towel with you, you can purchase inexpensive beach towels at ABC, Walmart or Whaler’s General Store.

Last Day On MauiI’ve often just used my sarong (also inexpensive at ABC), they dry you off fairly well and they dry out pretty quickly, and if it’s not dry by the time you need to leave for the airport, it can just go in your luggage in a plastic bag. They don’t take up much space.

Another option is to pack a Turkish towel, they’re absorbent but thin and don’t take up much room in your baggage. (I have no Amazon affiliation, the links are just examples, I’ve also seen some very nice ones on Etsy.com Use keyword search ‘Turkish towel’ as well as SandCloud.com)

For our Kihei Akahi guests, showers are available at the lower pool as well as a refrigerator to keep your lunch or snacks for the plane.

■  Go check out a new restaurant that you’ve been wanting to try (plan in advance for Mamas, The Millhouse or other popular places) There are many wonderful places to try upcountry, in Lahaina, Kahului, Wailuku and Kihei and – below you’ll find a list of suggested eateries near the airport.

■  Bliss out at a local spa. Make a spa appointment at one of the nice Wailea hotels. They will have showers, generally offer pool and facilities use and may even store your luggage while you’re getting pampered. Call around to the hotels in advance to book and ask what they can offer.Last Day On Maui

■  Visit Maui Tropical Plantation – Maui Tropical plantation offers 45-minute tours, guests are led through private Plantation grounds aboard their tram vehicle. Tickets are $10-20.  More info here.

■  Visit Maui Ocean center – great way to spend the afternoon filling your heart with all things ocean! More info here

■  Head Upcountry to see;

  • Surfing Goat Dairy offers 30 minute tour includes feeding the goats and cheese sampling, Mon-Sat Every half hour, 10am – 2:30pm, Sunday Every half hour, 10am – 1pm ($8 for kids $12 adults) More info here.
  • Hali’imaile Distillery – Makers of Pau Vodka, Fid St. Gin, Paniolo Whiskey and Mahina Rum*  Tours
  • Ocean Vodka Distillery – Makers of Ocean Vodka, in the nifty blue bottles* – Tours
  • Maui WineryVisit MauiWines & Ulupalakua Vineyards and Ulupalakua Country Store
  • Pineapple plantation tours – multiple tours available, check out how pineapples are grown and what happens to them once they’re harvested.
  • Shop in Makawao Town, check out the bucolic town of Makawao, Paniolo town and artist community. Lots of shopping or ‘window’ shopping. Great spot to grab lunch too.
  • Visit Hui No’eau Visual Arts Centerself guided tours of this artist community
  • Farm To Table lunch tour or Seed to Cup Gourmet Coffee Breakfast Tour at O’o Farms
  • Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm – offers walking, guided card tours and picnic lunch
  • Head to Haleakala Summit – It may not be sunrise or sunset, but the view is amazing and the Mars like landscape is stunning. Park entrance fees apply.

Most if not all will require advance booking so plan accordingly and book as early as you can.

*Please drink responsibly and elect a designated driver when wine or spirit tasting.

■  Head to Hookipa beach to see the turtles. They often hang out at the far east side of
the beach and often there are more than a dozen beauties dozing in the sunshine. Be sure to practice Pono (do the right thing), sea turtles are federally protected and harassing, touching or getting too close is against the law. Keep at a distance, take lots of photos and enjoy.

Hawaii MAUI | Hookipa Beach Park | Resting Turtles_14DEC2016.v2
Sea turtles basking on the beach in Ho’okipa.

■  Go play miniature golf near Ma’alea Harbor – They also offer bumper boats, rock climbing and extreme trampolines. More info here.
Last Day On Maui
■  Spend the day in Lahaina, go early in the day and make sure to leave plenty of time to beat the evening traffic.

■  Commemorate your trip with a Tattoo. If you want a tattoo to memorialize your Maui vacation, this is the day to do that. Plan well in advance, make an appointment – since tattoos need time to heal out of the ocean and sun, it’s recommended to get one at the end of your vacation rather than the beginning. Tattoos done at the beginning of a vacation will preclude you from enjoying the ocean and sunshine.

■  Take a morning kiteboarding lesson at Kanaha beach park by the airport. More info here.

■  Try a helicopter tour. AirMaui offers flights from 45-75 minutes long and many options to view different parts of the island.

■  Go beach exploring, Maui has so many fine beaches, find one that you haven’t been to yet and head out. If the beach doesn’t have a shower/bathroom you can stop back at Kamaole I or II and rinse off there before your flight. No towel? Use a sarong and pack a small bag to use to shower up.

■  Visit one of Maui’s escape rooms. What’s an escape room you ask? Wiki describes as; “An escape room, also known as an “escape game”, is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. Players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms.”

■  Walk through Iao Needle State Park. A .6 mile walk through this scenic and beautiful park is well worth the visit. This park is steeped in rich Hawaiian history. Have lunch in Wailuku. More info here.

Last Day On Maui

Restaurants near the Airport

■  Cafe O’Lei at the Dunes – American style with island influence. $$ 15 minutes +/- to the airport.

■  Mama’s Fish House – Seafood/Hawaiian influence, local foods. $$$$ +/- 24 minutes to the airport. Perfect for lunch on your last day. (reservations required well in advance)

■  Zippy’s – Fast Food, Hawaiian/Comfort Food – local favorite (think Denny’s) $$, +/- 15 minutes to the airport.

■  Marco’s Grill & Deli – Italian, American Deli – especially popular with the breakfast crowd on their way to the airport $$, +/- 8 minutes to the airport.

■  Da Kitchen – Hawaiian, Fish & Chips, Burgers – local style,  $$, +/- 8 minutes to the airport.

■  Bistro Casanova – Mediterranean, Italian, Tapas Bars, $$ +/- 12 minutes to the airport.

■  Paia Fish Market – Local Seafood, Fish & Chips, Salads Pasta, $$, +/- 20 minutes to the airport. A little further out, but well worth it (personal favorite) and take advantage and tour Paia town.

■  Acevedo’s Hawaicano Cafe – Mexican/Hawaiian – grab and go and head to beach, (5 stars on Yelp), $$ +/- 10 minutes to the airport.

■  Poi by the Pound – Local style Hawaiian Grinds, $$ +/- 8 minutes to the airport.

■  Fork and Salad – Freshest Fast Food, Salads, Sandwiches, Soups, $$ +/- 10 minutes to the airport.

■  Tin Roof Maui – Hawaiian/local, comfort food. Local favorite/local gem. Closes by 2pm, sells out fast, order online as the line will be out the door. Take away or eat at their picnic benches. Or order out and head to the beach in Paia.  Award winning chef. $, +/- 10 minutes to the airport.

■  Polli’s Mexican Restaurant – Popular local following. $$, +/- 30 minutes to the airport. This one is a little further out, but worth the drive -or if you’re already in Makawao doing an upcountry tour, add this restaurant to your list.

Timing – Rental Car Return,  TSA/Security and Agricultural inspection

Plan enough time to drop your rental car off, get through the ag inspection and  TSA security lines. They can be long.

Arriving at the airport

You’ll need to leave yourself a good window of time to return your rental car. Since all rental car returns are off site for now (the construction of the new on-site airport car rental facility is due for completion in May of 2019) be sure give yourself time to wait in the drop off line and catch the shuttle back to the airport.

TIP- If you’re traveling with a group and have multiple pieces of luggage, drop everyone and all the luggage at the airport and send one person with the car to the rental car return.

If you dropped your luggage early, then you’ve already likely sent your checked bags through the ag inspection station. If not, then you need to, all checked bags must be scanned through the Agricultural Inspection Station and receive a sticker stating that they’ve passed inspection. Make sure to declare any agricultural products.

If you haven’t checked in via your smart phone app and if you’re checking baggage, you’ll need to wait in line at the airline counter or self check-in. On busy days, lines can be long.

Next is the TSA security line. It is often very long.  Kahului Airport was never really set up to handle the post 911 TSA security checks so the airport line snakes through a long section of the airport’s corridor.  Recently, this line took me approximately 30 minutes to get through.

Be prepared for Maui’s own version of TSA security. ALL food must be taken out of your carry on bags.  This is in addition to the standard measures that all travelers must take such as removing any electronic item larger than a cell phone from carry-ons, shoes, belts and jackets off etc. For a full list of what is allowed in your carry on luggage visit the TSA’s website.

Maui Travel Packing GuideTIP – carry a Reusable/packable shopping bag (as mentioned in our Ultimate Maui Packing Guide – the kind that folds into it’s own pocket like Chico Bags do. You can put any food souvenirs and plane snacks in the bag to make it fast and easy to get through the TSA line. Once you’re through and waiting at the gate, you can repack these items into your carry-on bag.

After you’ve passed through the TSA security line, you can expect to encounter one more Agricultural Inspection.  This is for your carry on bags. Be sure to declare any agricultural items including food or snacks like fruit salad or any fresh fruit, plants, leis etc. This inspection station is generally very quick with little or no line.

Best To Avoid

Things I don’t recommend doing on your last day.

Don’t make the drive all the way to Hana either the front side or back side. Traffic can be an issue and you could be delayed getting back. But there are some stops along the road to Hana where you can hike to waterfalls, get some great photos. and see some amazing things that don’t take you all the way to Hana town.

I don’t recommend getting a late start back to the airport if you’ve gone to Lahaina for the day. Traffic in the afternoon, early evenings can be bad coming and going to Lahaina, even with the new Lahaina Bypass road. Make sure to leave enough time if you’re traveling at peak commute hours.

It’s best not to go to the far west side of the island or try to drive around that way. The road is harrowing on a good day and should always be driven slowly with plenty of time allowed to go all the way around. Your last day is not the best day to attempt this trip.

Don’t go scuba diving. Experienced divers know that you don’t dive and fly within 24 hours. Your last day is not the day to take a scuba class. The commingling of these activities, when not planned for properly, can be physically dangerous and even fatal.

Do you have a favorite ‘Last Day On Maui‘ activity? Share it with us in the comments below.

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

Last Day On Maui? What To Do, Where To Go, Things To See - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

What’s Happening On Maui In July – Special Events Calendar For 2018

What’s Happening On Maui In July – Special Events Calendar For 2018
What’s happening on Maui in July 2018

We’ve got you covered for special events and what’s happening on Maui for the Month of July

Wednesday, July 4th

Celebrate in Lahaina – with fireworks in this historic town. The fireworks will begin at 8pm. The event is FREE. Bring lawn chairs. More info here.

Pride of Maui offers a 4th of July Cruise. Pride of Maui offers their ‘Fireworks over the Pacific’ boat cruise, hosted aboard Maui’s famous Maxi-power Catamaran. Offering 1500 square feet of unobstructed viewing from the sprawling upper deck. Delicious entrees, Pupus, beer and cocktails. For details and reservations visit www.prideofmaui.com

Party down at the Lahaina Loft. Live DJ music , dancing, light pups, a photo booth and more. Tickets are $25-50 per person.

Get your Jazz on at the Lahaina Library. Jazz Maui presents this FREE music extravaganza.

Thursday, July 5

Free Tahitian Dance Show – Lahaina. This ongoing event happens every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from 6-7pm.

Friday, July 6th

Makawao Rodeo(July 6 to July 8) A rodeo in Maui? You bet! Maui has a rich Paniolo history and you can celebrate this long history at the Makawao Rodeo.

Wailuku First Friday. We’ve blogged more about this town party here. You’ll find live street entertainment, amazing food truck food, souvinirs, local hand-made goods and more. Each Friday Town Party is hosted in a different city. Click the link above to find more info.

Maui’s Finest Craft Fair – Free Craft Fair at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort. This free even showcases crafts, artists and more. This is an Ongoing Event occurring on Tuesday Friday of every week. More info here.

Saturday, July 7

Head to Kahului for the weekly Maui Swap Meet. This fantastic shopping market has everything under the Maui sun. Event is ongoing, this and every Saturday. More info here.

Lanai Pineapple Festival. Catch a ride on the ferry to Lanai and celebrate the Lanai Pineapple Festival. Enjoy crafts, games, food booths, prizes and more. The parade begins at 2pm and ends at 9pm with a crescendo of fireworks. A special 9:30 pm return to Maui ferry will be offered. Book in advance. More info here.

Up Country Farmers Market. visit www.upcountryfarmersmarket.com Or check out our Farmers Market Guide for the most extensive guide to Maui’s best Farmers Markets.

Makawao Parade Get there early for the parade that starts at 9am down Baldwin Avenue. Bring lawn chairs.

Leilani Farm Sanctuary Tours – (this and all Saturdays) Explore the farm and visit rescued animals. Kiss a Donkey, cuddle a chicken or feed the bunnies. Donation is $10. Starts at 10am More info here. Additional tours Mondays & Wednesdays at 4pm.

Sunday, July 8

Lahaina Craft Fair. Sundays. This weekly free event showcases artists, jewelry makers and local crafts people. Located at the Lahaina Gateway Center. More info here.

Makawao Rodeo continues. See above.

Tuesday, July 10

Maui’s Finest Craft Fair – Free Craft Fair at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort. This free even showcases crafts, artists and more. This is an Ongoing Event occurring on Tuesday Friday of every week. More info above.

Friday, July 13

Lahaina First Friday. Head to the Lahaina Town Party – more info here. You’ll find live street entertainment, amazing food truck food, souvinirs, local hand-made goods and more. Each Friday Town Party is hosted in a different city. Click the link above to find more info.

Hawai‘i’s force of Creation, Stories, Chants, Songs & Hula with George Kahumoku Jr.  Join Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner George Kahumoku Jr. for this special event in Paia at Island Fresh Maui.

Thursday, July 19

Free Tahitian Dance Show – Lahaina. This ongoing event happens every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from 6-7pm. More info here.

Friday, July 20

Lahaina Art Night – Friday Night is Art Night in Lahaina Town. Stroll through dozens of art galleries in LahainaTown each Friday from 7 to 10 pm for special gallery shows, featured artists-in-action, and refreshments, all free and open to the public! Lahaina has earned its nick-name of “The Art Capital of the Pacific,” due to more art galleries per capita than any other American town. A walking map of participating galleries is available in Lahaina Visitor Center (open daily from 9 am to 5 pm) This is an Ongoing Event occurring on Friday of every week.

Candlelit Tours at the Baldwin Home – Step back in time and visit the Baldwin Home Museum with a tour by candle light. Tours are held every Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Baldwin Home Museum is located on the corner of Front and Dickenson Street in the heart of historic Lahaina. $8 – Adults 13yrs +, $6 – Kama’aina, Senior Citizens (65+), Military, Children 12 years and under are FREE.  Please note that admission also allows entry to the Wo Hing Museum on Front Street.

The tours are led by experienced docents with refreshments following on the front lanai. For more information here or call 808.661.3262.

Makawao Third Friday – See listing above for Friday Town Parties

Saturday, July 21

Head to Kahului for the weekly Maui Swap Meet. This fantastic shopping market has everything under the Maui sun. Event is ongoing, this and every Saturday.Link for more info above.

Maui Swap Meet

Keiki Hula Performance – Everyone loves a keiki (child) hula halau performance! And The Outlets of Maui is pleased to present our keiki hula show every 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.    The children of the Na Pua O Kapi`olani perform traditional hula. Accompanied by a live band and led by Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar, the keiki performers share their Hula as they dance their way into our hearts with the memorable stories and songs of Hawaii. More info here.

Image via Maui News

Saturday, July 28

MayJah RayJah – The annual “must experience” reggae music festival returns with an all-star lineup. Established in 2009, The MayJah RayJah music festival has become a true staple in Hawaii’s island music scene. Since its inception, this annual festival has delivered over 30 festivals on four different islands attracting tens of thousands of loyal island music fans! This year they are taking it up a notch with the biggest line-up in its 9-year history. Featuring one super solid night of premiere island entertainment with New Zealand’s reggae heavyweights, Katchafire, reggae fusion sensation Magic!, and American reggae singer/songwriter Josh Heinrichs and more surprise guests to be announced for one amazing night!! More info and tickets here.

Have a safe and fun 4th of July and every day while in Maui!

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

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What's Happening On Maui In July - Special Events Calendar presented by www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

5 Places To Grab A Great Breakfast In Kihei Maui

5 Places To Grab A Great Breakfast In Kihei Maui
5 Places To Grab A Great Breakfast In Kihei Maui

Good Morning Maui!!  You’re here finally and are up with the birds. Time for a yummy breakfast but not sure where to go for the best island breakfast?  We’ve got you covered in our breakfast guide with 5 places to grab a great breakfast in Kihei.

Does the sound of banana macadamia nut pancakes make your tummy grumble? How about a bowl of fresh fruit salad, island style? 

image by Kihei Caffe – Instagram

 

Let’s start with a quick and light breakfast version for those on the go or in search of a healthy start to their day –

Quick, Healthy & Light

Brekkie Bowls

Images via Brekkie Bowls Instagram

Located in a non-descript light industrial park near two fitness centers, Brekkie Bowls food truck serves up  healthy Açaí or Pitaya (dragon fruit) bowls to locals and visitors ‘in the know’.  Here’s the inside dish, pick your base (Açaí or Pittaya), pick two fruit toppings, add some toppings like almond butter, chia seeds, hemp seeds or gogi berries and head to the beach to watch the day get started.  Don’t forget your kombucha, coffee or fresh smoothie!!  Brekkie Bowls are all organic, no added sugar and ono delicious.

What is Açaí you ask?  Açaí berries come from the Acai palm.  They’re small grape sized berries that pack a nutritional punch of antioxidants, beneficial fiber and heart-healthy fats. How about Pitaya? Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit is the fist sized fruit of the Cereus pitahaya plant that also boasts powerful nutritional benefits. Check our our post on visiting Maui’s only Dragon Fruit Farm!

Brekkie Bowls

Website: http://www.brekkiebowlsmaui.com/

Location: 300 Ohukai Rd B2 -202, Kihei, HI 96753 (In front of Makena Crossfit)

Hours: 7:30 am to 1 pm

Follow: Brekkie Bowls on Instagram

 

Hearty or Healthy

Nalu’s South Shore Grill

Images by Nalu’s South Shore Grill via Instagram

Next up on our breakfast tour of Kihei is Nalu’s South Shore Grill.  Nalu’s is known for their fantastic night entertainment and dinners but they serve up a mean breakfast too! They serve up Loco Moco all day so those who want to really fuel up are all set! Not sure what Loco Moco is all about, check out our Ultimate Food Guide To Hawaiian Local Foods and read all about it.

Nalu’s also serves up Açaí and Pitaya bowls but you might want skip the bowls and give their signature pancakes served with a homemade rum syrup, Maui Gold pineapple, bananas, and mac nuts a try. Yum! Maybe add a side of Malasadas? eh?

It’s very casual here, order at the counter and seating is open.

Nalu’s South Shore Grill

Website: https://nalusmaui.com

Hours: 8:00 am – 9:30 pm

Location: 1280 S Kihei Rd Ste 132, Kihei, HI 96753

Follow: Nalu’s On Instagram

 
Something For Everyone

Kihei Caffe 

Images by Kihei Caffe via Instagram

Next up is by far one of Kihei’s most popular breakfast spots and the line out the door is testimony to just how popular this beach cafe is.  Situated right on South Kihei Road, for years, Kihei Caffe has been dishing up delicious breakfasts to locals and visitors alike. If eating hearty breakfast while sitting outside and watching the world go by sounds good to you then this is the spot. Breakfast is served all day, no problem if you sleep in!

Remember those banana macadamia nut pancakes I mentioned earlier (you can get mac-nut French toast too)? Yep, you can get them here along with all of your traditional breakfast favorites and a few new local style dishes.

Tip – Get there early to avoid the line and to grab one of the outdoor seats. Also go early if Pecan Sticky Buns is your thing, they sell out early. Or grab your food to go and head to the beach across the street.

Kihei Caffe

Website: http://kiheicaffe.com/

Hours: 5:00 am – 3:00 pm

Location: 1945 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

Follow:  Kihei Caffe on Instagram

 

Hearty and Local

808 Grindz Cafe

photos by Annie-N, Tea-A and Robert E. via Yelp

This hidden gem is tucked back in the Safeway shopping mall. Famous for their Mac-Nilla sauce for their pancakes and waffles but they have just about everything under the breakfast sun as well. Casual atmosphere, order at the counter and all food is ‘to-go’ – you can take it to the beach, back to the condo or sit at their outside tables.  Since the weather in Maui is lovely most any time of the year, you can’t go wrong no matter where you choose to sit and eat.

You’ll find a lot of local-style influence in their menu (like Loco Moco, fried rice or Kalua pork hash).  How about trying the Kawabanga Breakfast with ubiquitous Spam on the side! Hows that for local-style!!

Where does 808 and Grindz come from?  808 is the local area code, and grindz is the local Pidgin term for food, good food.

808 Grindz Cafe

Website: http://www.808grindzcafe.com

Location: 225 Piikea Ave, Kihei, HI 96753

Hours: 7:00 am – 2:00 pm (breakfast and lunch all day)

 

Fancy Schmancy

Ka’ana Kitchen at the Andaz Hotel

Images by Andaz Maui via Instagram

Our number 5 pick goes all out. If you really want to treat yourself to an elegant breakfast at one of Maui’s premier fancy schmancy hotels then Ka’ana Kitchen is the place. The breakfast buffet will set you back roughly $50 per person (excluding gratuity) and for the buffet, it’s best if you arrive earlier rather than later, they seem to slow down stocking the breakfast bar around 10am. Breakfast can also be ordered off the menu, of course, and items such as Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with coconut creme, macadamia nuts and pineapple compote or Poached Eggs and Sweet Potato cake intrigue the palate.

Free Valet Parking can be validated at the restaurant.

Ka’ana Kitchen

Website: https://bit.ly/2IlBmUz

Location: 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, HI 96753 

Hours: 6:30 am – 11:00 am

Follow: Andaz Maui on Instagram

 

Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

 

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Maui Travel Guide to receive the latest travel tips, special events and to find out what's happening in our Island Paradise! * Your privacy is paramount to us. We will never share or sell your information! *

5 Places To Grab A Great Breakfast In Kihei Maui- www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

 

 

 

 

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