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

Best snorkel rental 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!


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! *
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

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

Discover South Maui By Bicycle

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

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! *

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
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

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

Eco-Tourism On Maui
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!

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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! *

Eco-Tourism On Maui- 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
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!

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 July - Special Events Calendar presented by www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental By Owner in Beautiful Maui

Get Dirty On An Island ATV Adventure In Lahaina Maui

Get Dirty On An Island ATV Adventure In Lahaina Maui
UPDATE 06/24/2020 This business has been closed. I’ll leave the post up for those who want to read or in the even that they re-open. Mahalo!
Get Dirty On An Island ATV Adventure In Lahaina Maui

If extreme adventure is your thing then you’ll find it on Maui and more specifically at Kahoma Ranch Tours where you can get dirty on their ATV adventure tours.

Photo via yelp

From their website;

Kahoma Ranch offers one of Maui’s most popular adventures, ATV tours! Experience the excitement of driving your own ATV through an active cattle ranch on private dirt roads and trails inaccessible to the general public. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Lahaina Town and surrounding Hawaiian Islands. Nestled in the picturesque West Maui Mountains above the town of Lahaina on 600 acres of unspoiled land, Kahoma Ranch provides the perfect playground for your Maui adventure.

This place was extremely fun. The staff was fun and knew what they were doing. Views are amazing and the trails were good for beginners to experts. Nicole R. via yelp.com

Our Experienced guides will take you on an exhilarating ride on your own 2 person Polaris ATV up into the pastures where you may come across cows, horses, and even peacocks or the occasional pig. Various weather conditions also add to the variety and fun factor of this ride, making it one of Maui’s favorite adventures in dry and wet conditions alike.

ATV riding, Maui

Ride your own ATV through the lush pastures of an active cattle ranch inaccessible to the general public.
Each tour begins with a safety briefing and vehicle orientation. Our guides will walk you through some of the potential hazards that you may encounter on the tour (such as hair pin turns, and livestock), familiarize you with the operation of our Polaris Ranger off-road vehicles, and will supply you with helmet, eye protection and bandana. Our ATVs are easy and fun to operate, even for the inexperienced driver.

Photo via yelp

Enjoy breathtaking views of Lahaina town, Kaanapali Resort, and the islands of Lanai and Molokai as you climb up to an elevation of 1,800 feet. Up here in “The Garden” time seems to have stopped. It makes you want to stop and turn off your engine for a truly tranquil and calming experience. Complimentary chilled, fresh local fruit and refreshments are included.”

Photo via yelp

For this extreme adventure you will want to wear ‘throw away’ clothing as the famous red dirt of Maui will stain and you are guaranteed to get dirty on your tour. Don’t worry if you didn’t pack for this adventure, there are numerous second-hand/thrift stores on Maui where you can pick up some ‘throw-away’ clothing and shoes.  Closed-toe shoes are required for your safety (Kahoma Tours provides mandatory eye protection and helmets.)

Depending on the amount of rain Maui has received, you could get muddy, real muddy! So arrive prepared.

Photo by Kahoma Ranch

Tour Times: Check-in time: 30 min prior to tour
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Tour Rates: (at the time of this posting)
Adult Solo – $222.29
Adult Shared Vehicle – $149.38
Child (5 – 12 years) – $82.71
Max. seats available: 20

Address:
305 Keawe St.
Lahaina, HI 96761

Phone:
808.667.1978

Check-In: Check in at the Kahoma Ranch Tours store at the Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center (Unit 106-B). The address is 305 Keawe St. Lahaina HI, 96761.
Kahoma Valley is a 5-10 min. drive from the store. We are located two valleys to the left of Mt. Ball (The mountain with the letter L on it). Guide picks up guests in a shuttle and shuttle them up to the barn in the mountain.

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! *

Get Dirty On An Island ATV Adventure In Lahaina Maui
- www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

7 Of The Best Maui Adventures You’ve Probably Never Heard About

Best Maui Adventures
7 Of The Best Maui Adventures You’ve Never Heard About

All the guide books tell us about the most popular Maui activities such as the Road to Hana, Snorkel Tours, Whale Watching and Biking Down A Volcano but have you heard that you can be a Mermaid For A Day?  How about Rappelling down a Waterfall or Jungle Wall? 

Today we explore 7 Of The Best Maui Adventures You’ve Never Heard About.

 

1. Rappel A Waterfall! 

Get your helmet on and be brave! Take a tour with Rappel Maui and see what it’s like to “walk down walls of water and rock on Maui, one of the most remote places on Earth, it’s an activity that engages all the senses.”

From their website;

About Rappel Maui
Imagine the beauty, the wonder, the magic of Hawaii’s tropical rainforest and waterfalls. Now you can experience it all in the most intimate, thrilling way: Cruising down jungle canyon cliffs and natural waterfalls by way of rappelling. What is rappelling? It’s a practice used in the outdoor adventure sport of canyoneering to explore vertical terrain using fixed or anchored ropes and other equipment.

More info here: https://www.rappelmaui.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Make your own souvenir at Moana Glass Blowing.  Imagine making and taking home your own hand blown glass starfish, bowl, ornament or fish!  This is truly a great (5 Yelp Stars) and unique activity! 

More info here: https://www.blowglasshawaii.com/

 

3. Paddle with a local canoe club.

Kihei Canoe Club offers a visitor paddling program which includes an introduction to Hawaiian Culture, instruction in outrigger canoe paddling, and discussion of the local sea life. Paddling sessions usually begin with E Ala E, a traditional chant to welcome the rising sun. This is followed by paddling instruction. Canoes launch about 8:00am and return approximately 9:00am. Depending on conditions, we may paddle to an outer reef to see large sea turtles, venture out to observe whales or head north toward Kealia Pond and Sugar Beach. After returning we end the program with a Mahalo chant to give thanks to the land, the sea and to Hawaiian deities such as na kupuna (ancestors) and na aumakua (family gods.) 

The visitor program is offered on Tuesday and Thursday year round, conditions permitting. Adults and children over the age of 9 are welcome to paddle with experienced club members in single or double hull outrigger canoes. We do not take reservations, so plan to be at the club early. Sign-in begins at 7:00am. This is a very popular activity and is strictly first-come, first-served. No previous experience required.

A tax deductible donation of $40 per adult is suggested and is used to support the various education and paddling programs the club offers.

More info here: http://www.kiheicanoeclub.com

 

4. Be a Mermaid for a day. 

Mermaid tails are all the rage and for good reason- they are a fun and exciting way to explore the ocean! With Hawaii Mermaid Adventures, learn to swim like a mermaid while creating great memories on your Maui vacation.

Your swim instructors are certified lifeguards with years of experience. They will keep everyone safe while capturing great web-quality photos too. No extra charge!

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

More info here: https://hawaiimermaidadventures.com

 

5. Track the stars on a Volcano Summit. “Guided Sunset & Stargazing Tours at Haleakala Summit. Join Maui Stargazing for a stunning sunset at Haleakala Summit followed by a science-based, 60 to 90-minute guided telescope tour of the cosmos. Observe the most deep-sky objects through the largest portable telescope on Haleakala. Stay warm in our winter jacket and snowboard pants in sizes from toddler to 4-XL. This Haleakala National Park astronomy tour spans five hours.”

“Start with a breathtaking sunset at the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s 10,000′ dormant volcano. Before darkness settles, we move to a family-friendly observing site for a fascinating laser-guided tour of the constellations and unparalleled views in the field setting. You’re treated to telescope views of the visible planets and deep-sky objects of the Milky Way, including nebulae, star clusters, and the galaxies beyond through a 12-inch aperture Dobsonian telescope! Maui Stargazing supplies all the necessary warm clothing to keep you comfortable throughout the stargazing session.”

More info here: https://www.mauistargazing.com

 

6. Learn to play the Ukulele with Locals! Ever wanted to learn to play the Ukulele? It’s one of the top items in our Maui Bucket List. So why not take a free class with 808UkuJams?

ukulele lesson

We’ve covered this adventure in another blog post here, on Thursday evenings the Keolahou Hawaiian Congregational Church hosts 808Uke Jam, a wonderful class of ukulele enthusiast of all different levels hosted and taught by Jared Delos Santos.  It begins promptly at 7pm and ends at 9pm. This is open to those who love the ukulele and want to learn (or even if you just want to check it out).  Ukulele’s are available to rent – arrive early (give yourself at least 20 minutes to get a Ukulele, song book and music stand.)

Check out Google for some basic chords before arriving – it helps if you familiarize yourself a little.

More info here: http://808ukejams.com/

 

7.  Learn about exotic fruits on a local Farm Tour.  Maui has numerous farms and many give tours. Here’s a list of Maui’s farms that showcase exotic and tropical fruits, nuts and vegetables that you might not ever find on the US Mainland.

O’o Farm’s Coffee tour – website link

Our Seed to Cup tour beings in the misting forest of Waipoli in Upcountry Maui where you will find O’o Farm. You’ll be greeted with french press coffee to start your day up on top of our farm. You will also discover with us as we take an inside look at the transformation from the fruit of a scraggly bush into the World’s second most sought after commodity. Participants connect with both agriculture history of coffee and the “seed to cup” process by strolling through our orchard and experiencing sight, sounds and smells a real roasting operation.

 

Hana Gold’s Cacao Farm Tour – website link

Made in Hana, Maui – from branch to bar. Ideally situated on the Hana Coast of Maui, Hana Gold is one of Hawaii’s first cacao plantations. The unique climate and fertile volcanic soil of Hawaii gives Hana Gold Cacao a rich and complex flavor that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Call ahead and take our plantation tour! $25 per adult, kids 14 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tour Time Is 2pm.

 

Ono Organic Exotic Tropical Fruit, Coffee and Chocolate Tasting Adventure – website link

Enjoy a fruit-filled “Garden of Eden.” Our Exotic Tropical Fruit Tasting Adventure includes samples of ten to twelve in-season fruits, our “ONO-licious” home grown coffee and home grown and roasted chocolate beans. Tours take place every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Same day reservations may be available if reserved prior to 12:30 p.m. HST.

 

Maui’s Only Dragonfruit Farm – website link

We blogged about this Lahaina farm recently.

Guided Farm Tours – “Our family friendly guided walking farm tour takes about one hour. You begin with a fruit tasting in the bamboo gazebo where you will taste exotic fresh picked fruit as seasonally available. Our main dragon fruit season is July to November. Our main pineapple season is June to July. Dragon fruit, pineapple, banana, papaya, sugar cane, passion fruit and more all grow at the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm.

After the tasting, our knowledgeable guides will take you on a stroll. You will get a closer look at the plants producing this excellent fruit. See first hand how dragon fruit, pineapple, sugar cane and papaya are grown here in Hawaii and learn about the organic practices that help the fruit taste so delicious! Discover some of the plants the Hawaiian people brought with them when they first came to these islands. All this while enjoying breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains.”

 

Punakea Palms Working Coconut farm tours -website link

Check out our blog post about Punakea Palms to read more. Coconut Farm Tasting Tour – With Aloha we welcome you to tour our farm. Experience the sights and tastes of a working coconut farm. Learn the usefulness of the coconut tree and discover how to extract its bounty. Participate in all the stages of coconut cultivation and consumption, all while basking in the natural beauty of our farm. Take home fresh, hand-made coconut products from a truly authentic experience. Pre-Booked Reservations Required

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

 

Have a great, yet hardly known Maui activity or adventure? Let us know in the comments below so we can share with our readers! Mahalo!

 

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 Maui Adventures - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui
Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

Check out Punakea Palms, and visit a working coconut farm on Maui. Head to Lahaina and learn everything you ever wanted to know about this amazing nut. Tours run by appointment only and can accommodate up to 10 guests. Morning tours start at 9 am and run approximately 2.5 hours. Private tours can be arranged at custom times. Visit their website for available dates and tour times.

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

From their website;

“Coconut Farm Tasting Tour
With Aloha we welcome you to tour our farm. Experience the sights and tastes of a working coconut farm. Learn the usefulness of the coconut tree and discover how to extract its bounty. Participate in all the stages of coconut cultivation and consumption, all while basking in the natural beauty of our farm. Take home fresh, hand-made coconut products from a truly authentic experience. Pre-Booked Reservations Required

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

“Cultural Significance
The coconut is iconic throughout Hawaiian history. We have been very connected to this miraculous tree in many aspects of life, from building and shelter material, to textile and weaving, to sport and entertainment. We promote coconut awareness and hope to share this connection with you. Our goal is to teach, inspire, create lasting memories, and share a deep passion for what this earth can provide.”

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

“Natural Farming
Plantation Style. Our tasting tour starts where everything on our farm starts, in the dirt! The most intriguing aspect of natural farming is how simple it is. We will show you how we make our own farming inputs to amend and maintain healthy living soil throughout our farm. You will also discover the life cycle of coconut trees and their unique evolution to become the most productive food crop on earth.”

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

“Bottoms Up!
Besides sitting on a beach underneath a palm, there isn’t a better way to taste the freshness of a Hawaiian coconut than straight from our farm. You will learn how to open and taste coconuts at varying stages of maturity, as well as numerous health benefits and creative culinary applications. We will also offer seasonally fresh native fruits that grow across the property.”

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

Our favorite moment of our trip to Maui was at Punakea Farms. Kai is one of the most generous hosts we have encountered and want to thank him for the information as well as the experience we had on his farm. – Blake K. via Yelp

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

More information about Punakea Palms;

“Our Family Coconut Farm
Growing in our community since 2005. Punakea Palms is a family operated coconut farm in the foothills of the West Maui mountains.We promote natural farming and coconut information through educational and interactive tours of our daily operations. Our efforts are focused toward cultivating and promoting community awareness of this miracle plant.

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

Twelve years ago we planted over 250 sprouted coconuts that have now become fully mature fruit bearing trees. Maui’s climate hosts some of the most ideal growing conditions for coconut trees in the world with over 300 days of sunshine annually. Coconut trees produce fruit continuously year-round and these conditions bless our farm with a potential yield of over 10,000 nuts per year.

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

In addition to the coconut trees, we propagate many native tropical plants and fruits. Bananas, papayas, avocados, mangos, pineapples, and sugar cane are just some varieties that thrive across the property as well as an exotic citrus orchard.”

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

 

FAQ-

Will I get to climb a coconut tree?
There is only one way to harvest coconuts and that is to shimmy your way up to the top and claim your bounty. That being said, no, sorry. We will be doing all the climbing, but don’t worry the coconuts taste just as good on the ground.

What time of year are coconuts in season?
Now! A mature coconut tree flowers continuously throughout the year with the potential to produce hundreds of coconuts. There is always a fresh harvest to be found.

Is it possible to take coconuts back home on the plane?
Yes, it’s not a hassle at all. Just be sure to declare them when you arrive at the airport and a quick inspection will clear them for travel.

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

This is agro tourism at its finest. Not only was it a wonderful educational experience but it was a soulful one too. – Marie W. via Yelp

Travel Tip- Book this tour at the beginning of your trip so that you can enjoy the coconut milk you receive on the tour throughout your stay.

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui

Website: https://www.punakeapalms.com

Contact:  808.269.4455

Location: 225 Punakea Loop, Lahaina, HI 96761

 

 

Photos property of Punakea Palms, Mahalo!

 

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! *

Visit A Working Coconut Farm On Maui- www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

25 Of The Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui

Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui
The Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui

You come to Maui for the ocean, beautiful scenery, fantastic restaurants, relaxing atmosphere, amazing activities and to have a relaxing vacation. You most likely don’t expect it to rain!  But sometimes it does!  During this 2018 winter season, Maui has seen an unusual amount of rain. That much rain can put a hitch in your ‘sunny beach time‘ giddyup!  Not to worry, we’ve put together the most extensive Best Rainy Day Activities on Maui guide to help you find something wonderful to do while it’s raining!

We chose to buy our condo on the ‘dry’ side of Maui. Kihei is considered the desert area and though we do get rain, it’s generally short-lived. Even still, this year we saw some torrential downpours and I actually bought an umbrella on Maui for the first time.

It’s hard to rely on the weather forecast because the weather can change in a matter of minutes. You just have to adopt a ‘live in the moment‘ attitude and Ho’o Nanea or go with the flow.

Parts of Maui get rain every day, or nearly every day. The Hana side is the wettest side of the island and rain is expected over there. Maui is made up of hundreds of micro-climates and if it’s raining in one area, generally speaking one can find sunshine on another part of the island.

Let’s take a look at all the activities and adventures you can take in when it rains on Maui.  These are, of course, listed in no particular order.

1. Head to a sunnier part of the island.  Well seasoned Maui travelers know that if it’s raining in Lahaina, come to Kihei – it’s probably sunny. If your plan was to lay on the beach and soak up some rays or snorkel and play in the ocean and Mother nature has other ideas, then have a look at some of Maui’s web cams to see if there’s a dryer spot you can lay your towel down and have a swim. (TIP– when you’re homesick for Maui, you can visit the webcams while you plan your next trip!)

2. Take in a Free Hula/Polynesian Show. There are several places that offer free live Island style entertainment, not just hula but other types of free things to do such as Ukulele lessons, crafts etc. Check out these places for free activities Shops At WaileaLahaina Cannery MallQueen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center (Kahului).

Photo by www.hawaii.com

3. Shop Till You Drop.  There’s no shortage of shopping to be found on Maui and since we just mentioned three of the largest shopping malls on Maui, you might as well do a little shopping while you’re there. Look specifically for Maui Made products so that you’re supporting the local economy and artists. A few other places to take in some shopping is the open-air Kalama Shopping Market (Kihei), Kahana Gateway Shopping Center  (Lahaina) and Maui Mall (Kahului).

4. Island Art Party in Kihei.  Talk about a custom island souvenir! Get in touch with your inner artist. (From their website) Put on apron…Order a drink…have a seat…it’s time to paint and party! No experience necessary. Just follow along as a Partista ( Party Artist) provides step-by-step instructions in creating the featured painting. More info here.

5. Take in a movie.  Maui has 3 movie theaters (one in Lahaina and two in Kahului) and one slated to open soon in Kihei.  If you’re like me, you never seem to find time to make it to the movies at home. If it’s raining, go take in a movie and most likely by the time the show is over the rain will have stopped.

6. Visit Maui Ocean Center. Come face-to-face with sharks, stingrays, turtles, and thousands of vibrant tropical fish at Maui Ocean Center – The Aquarium of Hawaii!  Read our post on visiting the Maui Ocean Center.

7. Check out a live show.  Live entertainment can be a great way to ride out the rain storm.  One of my all time favorites is Ulalena (update 7/23 – Ulalena is no longer performing), Ulalena is a world-renowned Hawaiian theater production dedicated to telling the story of Hawaii’s people. Burn’n Love the best Elvis show this side of Las Vegas [Edited to say that Burn’n Love has closed it’s doors and is no longer, much to the sadness of the fans that truly loved the show – I’m leaving the video up for all to see how fun it was]! The Historic Iao Theater in Wailuku offers live plays and entertainment. If you dig magic, then go see Warren and Annabelle’s Magic Show.

https://youtu.be/8eMN4OlP284

8. Get the royal treatment at a Spa. Who doesn’t love a massage?  Go ahead and pamper yourself, you’re on vacation. (TIP– Check groupon.com for a coupon)

9. Try one of Maui’s Escape Rooms. What is an escape room you ask? An escape room is an interactive adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. Great activities for families, friends, birthday parties, celebrations and even businesses because they rely on team building exercises. At the time of this posting, there are presently 5 different escape rooms to try on Maui.

10. GlowPutt Golf. The original Glow in the Dark Miniature Golf Course.  A staple in the Hawaii entertainment landscape for more than 10 years. Check it out.

Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui

Maui is made up of hundreds of micro-climates and if it’s raining in one area, generally speaking one can find sunshine on another part of the island.

11. Wine Tasting and Winery Tour.  Head upcountry (drive safely) to Maui Wine and enjoy sipping some island made pineapple wine or try one of their sparkling wines!  We love Maui Winery and have posted about them before.  More info here.

12. Watch channel 7 – The Maui Visitor channel on TV.  If you’re the type that never can sit still, embrace the vacation mentality and why not just lay back and watch a little TV. The Maui Visitor Channel always has fantastic,  informative shows. Pour yourself your favorite beverage and kick back! It’s ok to be doing nothing, you’re on vacation!

13. Stay in, Play Games, Enjoy Family Time!  In our crazy-busy lives we don’t often stop to just enjoy family time. There are plenty of games in the TV cabinet so why not pull a few out and have some family play time.  You won’t regret it!

14. Read.  Along that note of staying in and just relaxing, why not pick up a book from our lending library (there’s one available at the lower pool), or from our condo selection of books (take one, leave one) and kick back and relax.  We have several guide books for you to read and you can spend the time planning your next Maui adventure.

15. Try your hand at GlassblowingMoana Glass in Lahaina. Wow, here’s a cool activity rain or shine. Check out the finest glass art and glassblowing experiences where you can blow your own glass pieces – now there’s a souvenir!  (TIP– Check groupon.com for a coupon, at the time of this posting there was a $50 off coupon)

16. Makai Glass. Speaking of glass blowing, if you’re upcountry doing one of the other rainy day activities, why not also try Makai Glass studio. They have a cool observation deck where you can watch the action take place below.

17. Go Museum Hopping.  Maui has lovely museums and a rainy day is the perfect time to go explore them.

Makawao History Museum

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum

Old Lahaina Prison

Bailey House Museum

Baldwin Home Museum

Wo Hing Temple Museum –  858 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761

Hale Pa’i Printing Museum

Hāna Cultural Center

Another lesser known museum is the  ‘Story of Hawaii‘ Museum located at the Queen Ka’ahumanu shopping center in Kahului. More info on the museum here.

18. Visit Maui’s historic towns. Head upcountry and do some exploring around Maui’s quaint and historic towns. Visit Paia, Makawao, Kula.  Bring your umbrella and don’t worry if you get a little wet. You’re in Maui – and if you’re lucky enough to be in Maui, you’re lucky enough!  These sweet towns offer wonderful opportunities for strolling, shopping, and dining.

It’s raining and the kids are driving you nuts! Get out there and find an adventure. There’s no shortage of things to do on Maui even when it rains!

19. Visit Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center.  If you’re upcountry doing #18 on our list, then you’re just around the corner from the Hui No’eau VAC. Check out their art exhibitions, do a guided tour or pick up a handmade one of a kind piece in their artist’s shop.  Stop in for a visit. More info here.

Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui

20. Explore Front Street Lahaina.  Take your umbrella and head over to Lahaina to walk up and down Front Street.  Lahaina boasts many art galleries, restaurants, shops, museums and of course the Banyan Tree. You’ll find plenty to do even if you do get wet in the process. You won’t be sorry – Maui rains are like a warm shower.

21. Visit Dan’s Greenhouse.  If you’re in Lahaina, hey, why not hit up Dan’s Greenhouse for a live souvenir! Dan’s is located across from the south-east corner of Lahaina’s famous Banyan Tree and sells exotic plants. But the fun comes in the form of parrots and pigs! Dan’s specializes in exotic flora and fauna! More info here.

22. Take a submarine ride adventure. Lahaina is home to Atlantis submarine – if the weather isn’t too bad and just drizzly, then this might be a good option. Not so good if it’s storming.

Atlantis Submarine Ride Maui

23. Try out a new cafe or restaurant.  Maui has no shortage of great cafes and restaurants and a rainy afternoon is a perfect time to venture out and eat. Here’s your chance to go visit a restaurant, either nearby or across the island that you’ve never tried before.

24. Go visit the penguins at the Hyatt Regency.  The Hyatt in Lahaina is host to half a dozen African black-footed penguins and they’re quite a site. Daily penguin feedings happen every morning at 9:30 am in the Penguin Habitat in the Atrium Lobby More info here.

25. Chase a Rainbow!  The saying goes ‘No rain, no rainbows’ so why not make the best of the rain and find a rainbow. Maui is know for it’s stellar rainbows and the pot of gold at the end IS the island of Maui!  Go out and chase!

Maui rainbow with Palm Tree

Bonus Activities & Updates

We’re bringing you updates to the list as we find more fun stuff to do while you visit Maui – And.It.Rains!

Bonus #1 – Let the kids (big kids too) bounce off some of that energy at Ultimate Air Trampoline Park. An indoor trampoline bounce-o-rama! More info here.

Do you have a favorite rainy day activity for Maui? Leave us a message in the comments section below and let us know!

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 Rainy Day Activities On Maui - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

Visit Maui’s Only Organic Dragon Fruit Farm

Organic Dragon Fruit Farm
Visit Maui’s Only Organic Dragon Fruit Farm

Here’s a unique thing to do while visiting Maui. Visit Maui’s only organic Dragon Fruit Farm.

Organic Dragon Fruit Farm

Located just up the road from Lahaina town, you’ll find the only farm that grows organic dragon fruit. What’s a dragon fruit you ask? Well according to Maui Dragon Fruit;

“Native to South and Central America, where it is called Pitahaya, dragon fruit is cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Currently most dragon fruit are commercially grown in Vietnam, Thailand, and south China. However, production is rapidly increasing with dragon fruit being grown in the Philippines, Micronesia, Israel, Australia and also in Hawaii which has an ideal climate for dragon fruit production.”

 

Dragon fruit

 

“Dragon fruit is beautiful, delicious and nutritious. Its juicy pulp is refreshing and ranges from subtly sweet to tart. It is rich in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins. The health benefits of eating dragon fruit are many and varied. It is believed to prevent colon cancer and diabetes, neutralize toxic substances such as heavy metals, reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is also reported to control high blood sugar levels, prevent bleeding and promote dental health. It is high in vitamin C, phosphorus and calcium, and so helps to develop strong bones, teeth and skin. It is a true “health fruit”.”

Organic Dragon Fruit Farm

Maui Dragon Fruit farm tours run daily from 10a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with extend hours on Friday and Saturday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Guided Farm Tours
“Our family friendly guided walking farm tour takes about one hour. You begin with a fruit tasting in the bamboo gazebo where you will taste exotic fresh picked fruit as seasonally available. Our main dragon fruit season is July to November. Our main pineapple season is June to July. Dragon fruit, pineapple, banana, papaya, sugar cane, passion fruit and more all grow at the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm.

After the tasting, our knowledgeable guides will take you on a stroll. You will get a closer look at the plants producing this excellent fruit. See first hand how dragon fruit, pineapple, sugar cane and papaya are grown here in Hawaii and learn about the organic practices that help the fruit taste so delicious! Discover some of the plants the Hawaiian people brought with them when they first came to these islands. All this while enjoying breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains.”

Prices: $15.00 per person

Tour Includes:

  • Fruit tasting
  • Dragon fruit season is July to November
  • Guided farm tour
  • Bottled water provided

What to bring:

  • Close toed shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera

In addition to the farm tour – which is unique in and of itself, Maui Dragon Fruit also offers several adventure tours including the giant Aqua Ball which is way kooky and a Zipline.

For more info visit their website http://www.mauidragonfruit.com/

 

 

* Header fruit photo by Carlos Blanco

 

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! *

Organic Dragon Fruit Farm - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

Experience A Traditional Hawai’ian Welcome With A Maui Airport Lei Greeting

Maui Airport Lei Greeting
Experience A Traditional Welcome With A Maui Airport Lei Greeting

Maui Airport Lei Greeting
Vintage United Air Lines Lei Greeting Advertisement

Nothing says you’ve arrived in Hawai’i like a traditional Hawai’ian lei greeting!  Why not have your vacation start with being warmly greeted with a Maui Airport Lei Greeting as you arrive?

Many visitors to Maui travel from long distances to check Maui off their bucket list. For many, this is a once in a lifetime vacation so make sure you experience the luxury of a traditional lei greeting as you land in this tropical paradise.

Fragrant flower leis can last for days and their intoxicating scents can keep your condo smelling like you’re immersed in a tropical garden.

Here’s a list of a few companies* that offer lei greeting for your Maui airport arrival are;

Discount Hawaii Activities & Tours – (also listed as Get Leid Hawai’i) their lei greetings range from $20-$40 depending on the type. Certain types of floral leis need to be ordered several days in advance.

From their website;

Experience a traditional welcome to the Islands with a Hawaiian flower lei greeting at the Kahului Airport! Your friendly lei greeter will wait for you at the bottom of the escalators prior to entering baggage claim at the Kahului Airport and welcome you with a fresh flower lei. Reserve a Hawaiian lei greeting for yourself, or make a special gift for a family member or dear friend. This is also a great gift idea for honeymooners or first-time visitors to Maui.

You can choose between a variety of leis, including standard leis, leis for men or very fragrant tuberose leis. We only use the best flowers available – dendrobium orchids, carnations, plumerias, tuberose or superior combinations of these flowers. The type of flower used on any lei is subject to season and availability.

A lei greeting is a warm and wonderful way to begin a Hawaiian vacation and experience the aloha spirit. Reserve your lei greeting at the Maui Airport today and enjoy this special Hawaiian custom.

For more info visit https://www.hawaiidiscount.com or http://www.getleidinhawaii.com


Maui Airport Lei Greeting

Greeters Of Hawai’i – Offers standard orchid to Exotic lei greetings at all island airports.  Certain leis are available for Kahului Airport in Maui.  Prices range from $25-$50 and can include Keiki (children/candy) leis to the traditional men’s ti leaf (pronounced like ‘tea’)

From their website;

One of the joys of visiting Hawaii is taking part in the custom of wearing flower garlands or leis.

The custom of wearing leis was brought to Hawaii centuries ago by the Polynesians. But some archaeologists and historians believe leis predate the Polynesians, perhaps originating 17,000 years ago with primitive humans, who wore necklaces of bone and probably wore others made of flowers, fruits or foliage.

Because flowers were closely associated with their gods, the early Hawaiians believed leis of flowers or leaves were always appropriate gifts for supernatural beings — and for one another. The gift of a lei conveyed greetings, love, admiration, cheer and good wishes.

WELCOMING VISITORS

The tradition of presenting leis to visitors started in the steamer days, when people came to the Islands on ships. Disembarking visitors were greeted by a riot of colorful leis and lei vendors. New arrivals selected leis as their first symbol of Hawaii’s beauty and friendliness. It is said that many departing visitors would throw their lei into the sea as their ship passed Diamond Head in hopes of the lei floating back to the beaches of the Island. This would signify that he or she would surely return to the Islands someday.

As time went by, Greeters of Hawaii extended its reach well beyond the airport greetings, diversifying into flower farming, retailing at airports throughout the state and mail order gifts.

SAY IT WITH LEIS

Men wear leis almost as frequently as women in Hawaii. Special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, marriages, holidays and feasts call for leis. But leis also are worn merely for the pleasure of their beauty and fragrance. It’s acceptable to buy a lei for yourself.

For more information visit https://www.greetersofhawaii.com

Maui Airport Lei Greeting


Maui Airport Lei GreetingLeis Of Hawai’i – Has been in business since 1984 and their website looks to be from the same year, but all kidding aside they also offer all island airport lei greetings. Prices range from $25 on up

From their website;

It is our pleasure to introduce LEIS OF HAWAII, a specialized Airport Lei Greeting Service in business since 1984. We service all major Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu International, Maui Kahului, Kona Keahole and Kauai Lihue for arrivals or departures from areas such as airports, cruise ships, hotels, luau functions, and convention meetings.

Our courteous uniformed greeters will help create a perfect first impression to start your Hawaiian vacation.

After deplaning, clients should recognize their name sign. In the traditional way of saying Aloha, a lei, specially selected from one of our four service categories, will then be presented.

For more info visit http://airportleigreeting.com


Maui Airport Lei Greeting

LeiGreeting.com –  The image of Hawaiian lei greeters welcoming visitors with outstretched arms, holding beautiful flower leis, has become an iconic symbol of the Islands. In fact, since the dawn of tourism in Hawaii, lei greeters have been an integral part of the Hawaiian experience. Hawaii greeters are responsible for giving malihini (visitors) their first taste of the aloha spirit as they arrive in the Islands.

From their website;

Experience true Hawaiian hospitality as you are greeted with a fresh flower lei and a warm “aloha!” An airport lei greeting sets the tone for your entire Hawaiian vacation. It’s a tradition you won’t want to miss!

LeiGreeting.com, a Hawaii Flower Lei company, has been Hawaii’s most trusted airport lei greeting company since 2001. You’ll feel like you have a friend in the islands as you are offered assistance to baggage claim or directions to your connecting inter-island flight. Arrange your traditional airport lei greeting for arrival on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or Hawaii Island now!

Delivering Aloha!
We also deliver fresh leis, flowers, and gifts to your Hawaii hotel or residence. Have a special Hawaiian care package delivered for your arrival! We make it easy to pre-arrange lei delivery for your special event, night on the town, anniversary, or just for fun while you’re visiting the islands.

For more information visit https://www.leigreeting.com


Hawaiian Airlines offers a Lei Greeting as one of their premium services, so if you are flying Hawaiian (and it’s our personal airline of choice, though we have no affiliation with them) check out their options.

More information here https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our-services/products-and-programs/lei-greetings


Maui Airport Lei Greeting

TIP – NEVER throw your lei into the ocean. The string used to make your lei can strangle and injure aquatic life (think sea turtles, dolphins, fish etc) – BEST practices are to remove the flowers first and then toss the flowers into the ocean. Mahalo!

TIP – Groupon often has coupons or deals available for Maui Kahului Airport Lei Greetings (and many other activities) Price shop! Some of the lei greeting offers are more expensive than the standard lei greetings offered by the companies above. Check them out https://www.groupon.com

TIP – These are but a few of the many companies that offer a lei greeting service. Search Google for more.

Maui Airport Lei Greeting

*We have no affiliation or experience with these companies. They are simply listed here for your reference.

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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Maui Airport Lei Greeting www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

Take A Submarine Ride Adventure On The Atlantis Maui

Atlantis Submarine Ride Maui
Take A Submarine Ride Adventure On Maui

Here’s a unique adventure you can try while visiting Maui!  Take a submarine ride on the air-conditioned Atlantis, Hawaii’s only passenger submarine adventure! They’ll take you to the Carthaginian sunken ship, explore reefs on the west side of Maui, see marine life and more!

From the Atlantis website;

EXPLORE OUR MAUI
Dive down to 130 feet below the surface and experience Maui’s marine mysteries.
Atlantis Submarines Maui is proud to be recognized as one of the largest providers of tourist attractions on the Hawaiian Islands. Our spectacular island setting plays host to our flagship tourist offering — the Maui Undersea Adventure. Featuring the most technologically advanced vessels of their kind, this absolutely real submarine carry up to 48 passengers to depths of 100 feet and beyond.

Marvel at Maui’s unique underwater paradise aboard a high-tech 48-passenger submarine, as featured in National Geographic television specials. Feast your eyes on natural coral reefs, fish, and other marine life in air-conditioned comfort and safety. And now, get more out of your adventure with our newly-added artificial reef!

Atlantis Submarines has been sharing the magnificence of Hawaii’s undersea world since 1988 using the environmentally safe submarines that are battery powered, emit no pollutants, and quietly move through the water, disturbing no one. It’s the ultimate in sustainable tourism.

At our Waikiki and Maui dive sites, we’ve taken on the responsibility of installing artificial reefs to create self-sustaining habitats for fish and marine life to flourish. Areas once barren of life are now vibrant.  Our Kona dive site is highlighted by a pristine 25-acre coral reef garden that is a natural safe haven for fish, plant life and organisms to thrive. Atlantis closely observes the abundance of activity at this treasured site but always leaves it untouched.

Try their online virtual tour!

 

 

Contact 800.381.0237

Submarine tour is 1hr and 45 minutes in length

Check-in at Pioneer Inn, located on Front Street in Lahaina
Board the Holokai shuttle boat at Slip 18, Lahaina Harbor for transfer to our submarine

More Information https://atlantisadventures.com/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!

 

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! *

Submarine Ride Maui - www.AlohaCondoRental.com Vacation Rental Maui

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