So to start the day we head to upcountry to Poli Poli which is near Kula to meet the Proflyght Paragliding instructors. And if you haven’t been to upcountry in Maui then I suggest you take a drive up there just so you can see the view and check out how diverse this island really is. Dexter is the owner of the company and has a great way of giving you a sense of ease before the flight. He has done over 10,000 flights and his crew are all well educated in paragliding and using the equipment.

Our launch site was at the top of a hill called Echos which is about 4,500 feet above the sea level. Now I wasn’t too nervous until I had all the gear on my instructor Dexter said we were ready to go. But taking off was so much easier then I imagined and all we had to do was run for about 5-6 seconds so we could pick up a wind current and begin the flight.  The flight was calm and peaceful while flying above the trees and with such great panoramic views of Maui and the ocean. The flight is a 1,000 ft descent that lasts for about 5 minutes.  The landing was just as smooth as the take off and in a few running strides we were back on the ground.

The great thing about this trip is that you land with a smile on your face ready to go again! Next time I am going for the 3,000 ft descent!

This trip truly is another great way to experience Maui!

This luau notably had so many nice touches from the beginning to the end. There are cold water bottles  at every seat on the table, which was a great idea because  we had been in the sun all day! The delicious meal is served in courses which that alone sets  it apart from other Luaus which are usually buffet style. The drinks were wonderful as well as they use top shelf liquor and wine.  And I never worried about having an empty glass which demonstrated their impeccable service.

The intimate setting of the Luau with the all the palms trees and flowers was beautiful as the sun set behind the neighboring islands. Lastly, the hula dancers had fabulous costumes and the 5 fire-knife dancers all on stage at once put on an exciting finale!

While watching the show do keep in mind that the luau isn’t just a form of entertainment, but a story of true Hawaiian culture.

The Wailele Luau takes place at the Westin Resort on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 pm.

The trail brings you up the mountain with spectacular views of a 10, 000 foot waterfall among green peaks and patches of fog in the distance. This waterfall in fact, is the opening scene of Jurassic Park so if you have seen the movie you can probably get a good idea of the phenomenal spot. Then if you have a camera, the cowboys line up you and your horse in front of the scenic view for a great photo opportunity. The trail wraps back down to the ocean and the ride stops there for a bit to take some more photos.  This is a good time to take a deep breath and let the beauty of being surrounded by mountains and sea sink in. The ride ends shortly after as we make our way back to the ranch.

Mendes Ranch is a great choice for those riders who visit Maui because they have riding for all levels. If you are a beginner you are can hang in the back of the line, but if you are an experience rider, then you have the freedom to gallop and run your horse. I really recommend horseback riding as another great way to experience Maui’s scenic beauty.

Cool Fact: I learned that after the trail rides ends for the day the horses are allowed the freedom to roam the entire mountainside the rest of the day and night. The horses come back  on their own in the morning  for water and are ready to saddle.

Tour is usually around 2 to 2 ½ hours.

Trilogy Catamaran

I set sailed on the earlier sail that began at 6:15 am. And yes I had a little argument with myself as I was getting up about why I chose such an early trip, but that all changed when I got to the harbor. The morning time is quiet on the island as the dawn breaks and the sky still holds that beautiful color of purple before it turns its flawless blue. The Trilogy staff is very welcoming and when you get on board they begin handing out coffee, fruit and fresh homemade cinnamon rolls (Trilogy tradition).  With coffee in hand and the cool air on my face, we set forth to Lana’i and that is when I can’t think of a better way to start my day.

The trip to the island has spectacular views of the coastline of Lana’i, including Sweetheart Rock.  The rock has a little history to it with a great story too, but I won’t spill the details of the story here because I really do suggest you read about it and make the hike once on Lana’i.  After we arrived on Lana’i we made our way to the beach where they hand out snorkel gear and gave a quick overview for people who hadn’t snorkeled before. When that was done,

Tide Pools

I headed over to check out the tide pools and the sea life that find their homes there. Now these aren’t the smooth rocks of the west coast that I am used to…these tide pools were formed from lava and are somewhat painful to walk barefoot on. But I ignored the pain of my feet and climbed up a lava rock wall to the trail that takes you to the incredible view of Sweetheart Rock. I will let the photo take it from here.

View of Sweetheart Rock

Lana'i

After the hike, I snorkeled at Hulopo’e Marine Preserve.  This place was pretty amazing and away from all the crowds which was even better. One of my favorite Hawaiian fish is called the Uhu aka Parrotfish.  Now in other parts of the islands these guys are speared and caught but here they are protected here. I had never seen an Uhu so big until I got to see them on Lana’i. After snorkeling it was around 11: 00 am and we could either hang out at the beach until lunch or go on a tour of the island and its plantation town. So I decided to go and see more of the island of Lana’i that was once the leader in production of pineapple. The tour was led by a true Lana’i native named Jo. She was full of so much interesting information about the island, from the pineapple plantations days to Bill Gates buying out all the commercial airfare to keep his wedding private and to how her family puts on their own Luaus. She said she loves to come to Maui and pretend to be a “tourist” and go to a Luau. Jo said, “It’s is the only time I don’t have to cook, dance and clean up after a Luau.” Not only does Lana’i have only 3, 000 people, it is also a very much community island where everyone helps one another.  If it is someone’s wedding or special birthday don’t be surprised by 1, 500 guest attending.  The town has a park that is surrounded by a café, general store, bar, laundry mat, barber and so on. Everything you need and nothing more, it makes you think that it is what life should be like..simplicity that brings everyone together.

What a View!

The tour van drops us off at the Trilogy Pavilion to have lunch. I gave Jo a hug goodbye and told her Mahalo for the great tour.  She was great lady and I would love to be adopted by her for a month or two to experience her way of island living. The tour included a tasty BBQ lunch before we sailed back to Maui.  I was pretty relaxed on the way home as I laid out on the trampoline and took in the sun and tranquility of such a fulfilling day. The great thing about being on a catamaran sailing in the blue Hawaiian waters is that you never feel like you are on a tour. You feel like you are on your friend’s boat just living true island hospitality.

Sailing Back to Maui

Things to know:

Lana’i Sunrise Sail

Monday –Friday

6:15 am check-in and returns approx. 3:30pm

Departs from Lahaina Harbor

Lana’i Sunset Sail

Monday –Friday10:00 am check-in and returns approx. 7:00pm

Departs from Lahaina Harbor

Almost Dawn

The sun peaking through the clouds

When you dream of your Hawaii vacation, the last two things on your mind are thirty mile bike rides and waking up at 2 a.m. That is, unless you have planned to witness the awe-inspiring sunrise atop Haleakala Volcano followed by a a bike-ride descent to the bottom.

When I booked the tour, I was told, “Okay, we’ll pick you up at 2:30 on Sunday morning,” I immediately thought I had misheard them. “Huh? 2:30 in the morning!? To catch the sunrise?” Yes, they really meant 2:30 in the morning.

I reluctantly set my alarm for 2 a.m. and wondered if this was really going to be worth it. I woke up a few short hours later, layered up my clothes, and headed off to catch the shuttle. Still half-asleep, I jealously wished to be one of the late-night partygoers who were leaving the bars for bed as I passed them on the street.

As I stepped into the shuttle, I was relieved to see that the twelve other “sun-risers” were just as groggy as I was.
First, we drove from Lahaina to Kahului, near the airport, to the bike tour office. Here, the staff woke us up with some much-needed caffeine and sugar, providing coffee, tea, and muffins. After everyone completed the routine paperwork, we were good to go.

It was an hour drive up the mountain, and it was quite anticlimactic. We couldn’t see much in the darkness besides the burning sugar cane fields below, a technique used for harvesting. You could tell the road was windy and steep, which only intensified my apprehension about biking down later. I was shocked when we passed a sign warning “Ice on Road.” Were we still in Hawaii? We were almost at the top though, so I knew there was no turning back.

The freezing crowd patiently waiting

When we reached the summit I could not believe how many people were there to see the sunrise. There were hundreds of people waiting, and we still had 45 minutes until dawn. I suddenly felt stupid for thinking I was one of the only people crazy enough to do this. According to the park rangers, the weather was relatively mild for the top of Haleakala. It was 40 degrees, and I had dressed in layers, but I was still thankful for the jackets and gloves that Cruiser Phil’s supplied. There were some people in shorts and tank tops who were obviously regretting choosing fashion over function.

As the clock ticked away, closing in on dawn, the anticipation became surprisingly exciting. Cameras in hand, everyone was anxiously waiting for the orange ball of fire to emerge from the clouds. I felt like it was almost midnight on New Years Eve.

Sunrise atop Haleakala Crater

Finally! The moment we had sacrificed our REM sleep for! The sunrise was truly stunning, and it now made sense why so many people had raved about this experience. I found myself unable to stop taking pictures. It seemed the clouds and colors were changing to more dramatic shades of yellow, orange, and red as each second passed. Ten minutes and fifty pictures later, I made my way back to the shuttle to regroup.

The shuttle drove down, out of the park, and we assembled ourselves for the bike tour to the bottom. We were given a bike, a motocross-style helmet, and a few safety instructions before we started down the mountain. To set the pace, the most nervous or least experienced cyclists were put in front of the single-file line. Somehow I ended up in the back – a title I surely did not deserve, as I had not been on a bike in almost a year.

What I thought was going to be a strenuous mountain trek was actually almost effortless. Peddling was nonexistent and the only thing we had to worry about was controlling our speed with the breaks. The trickiest part was learning how to maneuver around the endless hairpin-turns. Memories (or nightmares) of the Road to Hana occasionally came to mind.

The Maui Countryside

Biking down the mountain

The scenery along the ride was beyond picturesque, and unlike anything you would expect when you picture Hawaii. No Palm trees or Plumerias here, I felt more like I was in a European countryside than a tropical island. As we winded in and out of forested turns and open fields, the landscape was reminiscent of an expensive car commercial. The views of the west side of Maui and the countryside below made me lose all concept of time, and before I knew it, we had completed the entire tour.

The time flew by, but I was impressed with how much I had learned about Haleakala Crater and the island of Maui. The guides were very knowledgeable on the ancient and modern Hawaiian history of the area. We stopped for breakfast in the small beach town of Paia on Maui’s north shore before being dropped off at our hotels. I could not wait to go sleep, but not until I looked through my camera and relived the entire sunrise over and over.

For more information on the Haleakala Sunrise Bike Tour, please visit Best Hawaii Activities

If you’re looking for the same, old sailing charter where you casually sip Mai Tais and sunbathe, you’re on the wrong boat. If you’re looking for an authentic sailing expedition, complete with waves and high-speeds, hop on board the America II, and hold on tight!

The America II in Maui is one of the three America II’s commissioned by the New York Yacht Club in 1986. The three America II were built in hopes of regaining the America’s Cup title, which they had lost three years earlier. Unfortunately, however, America II fell short of the title, during the history challenge against Dennis Connor in Fremantle, Australia in 1987. Though this is not the exact boat that sailed in the race, (the exact boat is now owned by the Manhattan Sailing Club in New York, the other is in Greenwich, Connecticut) Lahaina is lucky enough to have this extraordinary 65 foot yacht to satisfy any sailors dream.

When boarding, you’ll want to confer with the captain to see which side of the boat will keep you driest, or which side you’ll get soaked, depending on your preference. (I sat in the front and definitely got my share of the waves.)
The boat slowly departs the harbor and the tour looks as if it will follow the path of most sailing charters. Right when you’ve settled into your seat, the captain will prepare you to brace yourself for the drastic tilt the boat will take. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a real seaman, you can volunteer to be one of the two helpers who assist the crew in rasing the 400 pound sails.

With the wind in it’s sails, the real voyage begins. The boat keels at a sharp angle, and depending on which side of the boat you’re sitting, your back is almost in the ocean, or your legs are firmly propped on the middle console to keep you in your seat. America II rips through the waves with astonishing ease, cruising at a steady pace. In the beginning, you may get sprayed and splashed by the ocean mist. Once the boat gets soaring, though, you are sure to get a healthy dose of the Pacific in your face, if not the rest of your body.

This is a fun ride, and much more exciting and worthwhile than any water ride I’ve been on at any amusement park. At times, the waves would be cascading full-force over the bow of the ship, sending all of us sliding down the bench. While this trip isn’t for the faint of heart, it can easily be enjoyed by all ages. We had a five year old, as well as an elderly couple aboard, and they were smiling throughout the entire trip.

The second half of the cruise much more calm, and therefore, no waves will be in your face. Soft drinks and granola bars are provided by the crew at the midpoint. While cruising back to the harbor, you’ll finally have time to dry off, talk to the captain, or just relax.

After sailing on America II, you won’t be able to wait to tell your friends about your experience aboard a historic racing ship. Though, don’t be surprised if you need that Mai Tai sunset sail to recover.

For more information, please contact Best Hawaii Activities

Details:
Trip time: 2 hours
Departs Daily: 11am, 2pm, 4:14pm

Price: $44.95 adults, $22.48 children 12 and under
water,soft drinks, and snacks provided

Private Charters Available

You can bring your bags on board. They will store them in a covered console. I would put cameras or phones in a plastic bag to be safe, though.

A Family Picture is taken on the boat before the trip. Pictures are available for $10 when the boat returns.

Stationed in slip 6 of the Lahaina Harbor, The Reefdancer is an underwater tour of the fish and the reef off the coast of Lahaina. Aimed for adults and young children alike, the hour-long tour begins with the friendly crew taking your family picture as you board the ship. After you hop on board, you walk down below to the bottom deck where everyone gets their own window seat with full views of the surrounding sea life.

As the boat departs the harbor, your tour guide will begin to narrate the experience, explaining everything you’re about to see. At first, the water is murky, but as you move farther away from the shoreline, you’re able to see the ocean-bottom clearly. The fun begins once the boat stops and the two scuba divers begin collecting critters and creatures for you see.

On my tour, the kids on board got a real kick out of the scuba divers. Each scuba diver brought various sea urchins, star fish, and crabs right up to the windows for everyone to get a front row view. The narrator was humorous and pointed out many interesting facts. Did you know a parrotfish can produce up to one ton of sand a year? He explained the diverse fish swimming around and the three different types of coral below. We also encountered large schools of Black Durgon Triggerfish.

The boat heads back to the harbor after the divers have presented all of the underwater wildlife there is to see. At this point, it is good to get some fresh air on the upper deck while soaking in the sun and views of the shoreline and the mountains. The divers will be on deck as well to discuss what you just saw.

Overall, this is a perfect trip for a family with younger children. The kids will feel like they are in a submarine and will love the up-close attention of the divers, as Mom and Dad will be relieved from entertaining the kids for an hour. Therefore, the Reefdancer is an enjoyable trip for all.

For more information and easy booking, check out the Reefdancer at Best Hawaii Activities

Things to know:

The Reefdancer has 4 different departure times – 10am, 11:15am, 1:00pm, and 2:15pm. 

The 2:15pm tour is 90 minutes long and includes refreshments and a second site with sea turtles

This trip is available for all ages. 

There is no parking in Lahaina Harbor. You may be lucky enough to find a parralel spot on the street. There is free parking by the tennis courts at Prision St. nearby. There are also several paid parking lots behind the shops on Front Street for $5 a day. 

The boat is air-conditioned and they have a water cooler on board. You may being your own drinks and snacks, however, they can only be opened on the upper deck. There are no restrooms on the boat. 

The family picture cost $10 and can be purchased as you depart the boat.
The boat holds 34 people per trip, and reservations are recommended.

Para-sailers at Kaanapali Beach

I can understand, however, how many people may be scared to go parasailing for the first time.  First, you have to sign a release waiver on the beach. Then you are transported from the beach to the parasail boat on a small dingey. Once on the boat, you are harnessed up before being clipped onto the parachute.  After all of this, you’re left wondering “What did I sign up for!?”

Despite all of the preparation, there is really no reason to be scared. Once the boat gets going, you calmly float on up higher and higher. The awe-inspiring views quickly remove any second thoughts you were having moments earlier. The boat soon looks microscopic  as you’re now flying high in paradise. 

The view from the top

With the exception of the clear skies and picturesque mountain views, I was most impressed at how stable and slow the parachute dropped upon its descent. The boat will sometimes purposely slow down to let you experience the parachute drop, though you will never even feel like you are dropping. I wouldn’t even have noticed it had I not looked down and realized I was a lot closer to the water than seconds before. After the boat speeds up again you float back up.

Looking down can be a daunting task

Before you know it, your time is up and they’re reeling you back onto the boat. If you’re lucky,  the boat-masters might playfully “dip” you in the water before they bring you back on board. The water’s fine and actually quite refreshing.  Finally back on land, you’ll be wondering what you were so scared about…and how to sign-up for more.

The stunning view of the Kaanapali Coastline

Things to know: you can bring all of your stuff on board the boat and they will keep it dry for you. Yes, you can bring your purse, camera, towels, etc. It will all be safe! You can “fly” solo, tandem, or threesome, or even just watch as a passenger without actually parasailing - no one gets left out!

I experienced all of this through UFO Parasailing. You can too at: http://www.besthawaiiactivities.com/reservationrequest/activitylistings.asp?actkey=795&island=2&islandhome=true

Fishing Boat Charter. Go fishing with your dad, charter a boat and take your whole family on the boat.

Parasailing. Surprise him!

ATV Ride. Get dirty! Great adventure for whole family.

Jet Ski. #1 Must Do Water Activity!

Call for availability and reservation at 877-661-6655 (Toll Free)/
808-661-6655 (Local)!

Also Gift Certificate available.

www.BestHawaiiActivities.com