Pretty nice beach with minimal street parking available so it's tough when it's busy…read more We pulled the wagon and the sand is sloped and very soft so it was very difficult to pull the wagon across the beach. Also, when we went, it was 30 mph wind so Sam pelting us in all over and it was kind of painful. That being said the water is super clear and nice and cool so it's nice on the hot day.

Baby Beach, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo. Baby Beach!…read more Nothing like a beach to yourself. Some were leaving as clouds rolled in prior to the tropical storm. It's nestled in a residential neighborhood, parking along the street just be mindful of the residents. There isn't a bathroom or wash station so we used a bucket of mother natures finest seawater to wash off the sand. We weren't completely alone as we had two turtles swimming nearby, which made our day even better. There are places marked off for turtle eggs, must be a baby beach for tiny humans and tiny turtles. If you're looking for a calm beach for yourself or your little humans this is the place for you. Mahalo

This is one of the calmest swim areas on the North Shore of Maui. There is a barrier about 50…read moreyards out that keeps the waves to a minimum. Safe for kids to swim. Keep in mind that there are no restrooms and no water nearby.

I pulled recently broken glass and rusty rebar from the sand. Better and safer beaches down the…read moreroad.

Sunday, May 31, 2020 was too gorgeous of a day to stay inside. I felt like taking a stroll on a…read morebeach but wanted to stay on "my side" of the island, which is how my spouse and I ended up here. THE BEACH: Unless you searched the area on Google maps or golfed at the Waiehu Municipal Course, you'd never knew this place existed. Located within the Leisure Estates subdivision of Waiehu, it's a sliver of a beach separated into two sections by a natural formation of eroded coastline. The south end is a mix of sand, river rocks and driftwood. Hop over the jetty to the north side and you'll find all soft sand that abuts to the Waiehu Golf Course property. A few deteriorated cement support columns can be found here making me think there used to be a pier or dock here. Shade is almost non-existent so bring an umbrella. The ocean was calm and swimmable on this particular day but can be rough and choppy especially when north swells roll in. Views of Maui's north shore, Mount Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains behind you can't be beat! As far as facilities go, there was one picnic table that I saw and nothing else. PARKING: The tiny lot at the south end can fit maybe 3 cars but there's lots of shoulder parking on both sides of Lower Waiehu Beach Road along with a much larger parking lot at the north end. TIP: The combination of being located at a dead end road, along with a big parking lot can turn the place shady especially at night, so be careful. Thankfully no homeless folks were in the area during the day. OVERALL: No sunsets, no restrooms, no tourists, all beach.

Waiehu beach is a small, unassuming beach hidden off to the side of a residential area. If it…read moreweren't for GPS, we would have driven right by the entrance without realizing there was beach access there. Unlike the beautiful and pristine beaches of Charley Young and Palauea, this beach is full of rocks, dead coral, various pieces of driftwood, and the odd pieces of trash either left behind (shame on litter bugs!) or washed up on shore. This beach is also fairly deserted, apparently being more of a local spot for surfers than for actual tourists looking to get a tan. Free street parking is available right on the side of the road next to the beach access. Overall a nice place if you wanted to just enjoy the sea breeze without a crowd. However being that this is Maui, there are much nicer beaches available either a short drive north or south.

Somewhat off the radar refuge owned and managed by the Hawai'i Land Trust, with a 3-mile loop trail…read morethat's mostly wide and flat, good for those looking for a relaxing , non-strenuous hike. There's a beautiful shoreline with some sand and abundant rocks and driftwood, and a few picnic tables in an adjacent grassy area. Not really a place for swimming. It's free, including parking, and easy to get to but the (short) access road off the street is gravel and the parking area is unpaved. Be sure not to leave valuables in your vehicle--always good practice on Maui. The trail is mostly open, so a hat and sunscreen are strongly advised. Bugs (sand flies and gnats mostly) can be an issue on parts of the trail and bug spray or a headnet would be helpful. There are a few cultural sites along the trail, with informative signs. In addition, there are several abandoned old houses and a former dairy....a few cows are still around. The Land Trust runs a volunteer program for cleanup and native plant restoration, and has a few videos on their site that are worth checking out: https://www.hilt.org/waihee

What a treasure this coastal reserve on Maui is. For my first time here I was part of a volunteer…read moregroup where we got to learn some of the history and some of the current activities. My group got to learn the cultural practice of cordage making with the native sedge species. Other groups participated in moving rocks for the fish pond, or hiking along the coastal trail. I definitely need another trip back here to do some more exploring. It's open to the public for no charge, and they encourage volunteers on Fridays and Saturdays I believe. Check their website for more information. This is a historically significant part of Maui and Hawaii, and therefore it's being preserved and somewhat restored. They can use more help because funding is getting harder due to... you know what.

Oh Maui, how I miss you!…read more A lot of the destruction from the Lahaina wildfires of 2023 is still present. It is so saddening and heartbreaking to see but we can also clearly see how strong the people of Maui are. They have cleared most of the debris and are on the way to rebuild. A lot of new foundation can be seen. If you're considering a trip to Maui, do it! There is so much beauty still to see and activities to do. You would also be helping Maui and its resilient people, as their economics heavily rely on tourism. Before Maui, the only other Hawaiian Island I have ever visited was Oahu. I loved Oahu, but I stayed in a super tourist-y hot spot and I felt as though I brought the concrete jungle with me. It was also enjoyable and usually the type of vacation I book. I expected this of Maui but boy, was I wrong. Maui introduced me to a slower pace, as cliché as it may sound, to really take the time to stop and smell the flowers, Hibiscus to be exact. Maui gives off small country town vibes, no high rises, no traffic and everyone just moves at a more lax speed. In fact, it is known for residential homes to be built "no higher than a palm tree" and hotels/non-residential buildings have height regulations. This is done to preserve the small town feel and scenic view planes. Talking about scenic, it begins as soon as you're off the plane. I got emotional many a times because of how gorgeous Maui is. My thoughts were in between disbelief of how unreal the nature around me was and how grateful I was to be standing there as a witness. I suggest getting out to walk at sunrise at least once, and watch the sunsets every evening. They are the most amazing I have EVER seen. Be prepared to see chickens and sea turtles EVERYWHERE. Every local that I interacted with? the most friendly, helpful and Hawaii proud. Always eager to share culture and stories. I love them. Notable Mentions: Nohonani Condos: Oceanfront condos with ocean facing lanais. A quiet pool area and private beach. Super easy parking. Favorite Beach: Baby Beach - Lahaina, soft waves and shallow waters.I stopped here 4 out if the 6 days I had in Maui. Favorite Poké: Foodland Grocery, grab poké of choice from the poké counter and a bag of Have'A Corn chips. A meal for champions. Favorite Restaurant: Hula Grill at Whalers Village, I still dream of the Crab Topped Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi and the Hula Pie. Favorite Tour: Road to Hana with Aloha Eco Adventures, If you get Shelly as your tour guide, JACKPOT. I did dock a star because unfortunately, the food scene in Maui is a little lack thereof. It is a whole lot of barbecue, and fusion, I was experiencing the same tastes quite a bit. There's a chance I need to explore more, but I didn't find a meal that wowed me until my last 24 hours, Foodland and Hula Grill! Slight downfall here, but everything else makes up for it, I promise. Maui pretty much shuts off at 10pm, the bars are literally done at 10pm. There is no night life, which forced me into rest. I didn't realize it but it was exactly what I needed. I came back rested, recharged and refreshed. If you're in need of a vacation that involves quiet time, R&R and a mental break, the answer is Maui. On day two of my trip, I knew in my heart that I would be coming back to Maui in the future. I never understood the people that would travel to the same place year after year, I do now. Completely. I would do Maui over and over again. Until then, I'll be listening to Josh Tatofi's version of "Have you ever seen the rain" and daydream. Maui is truly the best - "Maui nō ka 'oi".

Maui has 160,000 full-time residents, and 2-3 million visitors per year. Weather is temperate at…read morearound 80F of sunshine year round. Yet, there are microclimates to visit where it can be hot and sunny virtually everyday in Lahaina, as low as 45F at night in Haleakala Crater, or a sprinkling of "ulalena" rain every morning in Waianapanapa. North Tradewinds bring breezes similarly to natural air conditioning from Alaska. Ecologies and vistas greatly vary between a Central Valley isthmus straddling dormant volcanic ranges of verdant 6000ft West Maui Mountains and an arid 10000ft Haleakala National Park. It's a very fragile island and long time kama'aina raised here and kapuna elders are rightfully protective of this space. Several Polynesian and Asian cultures co-exist and prosper with all. We welcome and recognize visitors to share their stories as well. Those who feel a magnetic transition to stay only need to be aware of the appreciation to existing Hawaiian cultures, customs and respect of the land. If you can find a living space, sacrifice Trader Joe's, Dim Sum and In & Out Burger or tolerate 5 hour flights to the mainland, you just might make it to raise a kid, walk a dog and enjoy a sunset at the beach.

On Monday took my wife to Iao Valley state Monument park. Luckily I did on an over cast day because…read morewe seen beautiful water falls . The river down below was very strong and rough I've been here while it was a sunny day and you can actually go down to the river bed . What a sacred place you just feel the power of ancient Hawaiian soldiers fighting in this Valley . When I was a kid that mountain peak called a Iao needle used to have a little hole on top of that peak . Just like a needle point where you thread it through the needle hole. Very relaxing Valley away from all the stress in life which I really need . Support local

Iao Valley sits in Central-West Maui and covers a large area as a state park. We drove here from…read moreHonokōwai Beach Park on the west side. The GPS routed us down and then back north. Although it looks like a detour, it makes sense. The northern road is extremely narrow (at points only one car can pass), winding, and very slow. If you can avoid that route, definitely do. **Reservations Required You need to book online in advance. **Admission: $5 per person + $10 parking. For 2 people we paid $21.53 total. **Earliest entry is 7am. Parking is limited, so reserve an early slot if possible. They ask you to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled entry. **No cellphone reception once you head up the mountain. Cell service and even car radio cut out completely. Best to download maps or take screenshots beforehand. **Bring a power bank; we eventually just switched cellphones to airplane mode to save battery. In early December, mornings are a little cool, but once the sun comes up it gets really hot. Bring sunscreen, a light jacket, water, and hiking shoes. The trail is short (about 0.6 miles), but the ground is muddy and rocky, with some narrow paths brushing up against plants. If you don't like contact with tall grass, long sleeves help. It feels a bit like walking through a botanical garden. The highlight is Kuka'emoku (the "Iao Needle"), a 1,200-foot natural rock formation rising from the valley floor. We took our time, stopping often for photos and to enjoy the scenery, so the whole walk ended up taking us around 3 hours. Iao Valley State Monument 54 S High St, Wailuku, HI 96793

Meh. something to kill a few hours. Less of a "hike" and more of a nature walk in a little roadside…read morepark. The guide will point out various flowers and seeds, such. No wildlife to be seen. Pretty flowers here and there. Our guide (Grayson) was excellen, as he was knowledgeable and fun. Another guide (tall guy) from another group-same company jump my ass for looking at his group's "supplies." $140 per person to get snapped at? Yeah...sure. I'd pass on this in the futur. D. Tauber,

We had to reschedule our hike day..due to the Kona low and the office staff were more than helpful…read more This is not our first hike with Hike Maui... we've come to Maui for the past 50 years..37 times to be exact... and Hike Maui is our go to during the past 20 years when we want to get out into the rainforest. We have taken three of their "Morning Walks" with our grandkids and it's a perfect introduction to hiking. Honestly we've had three different ...wonderful.. experiences. It's not strenuous and you're taken back to some private land that you'd not have access to if you just drove up and parked (if you found a parking spot) and hiked back in. We were lucky to have the lovely, fun, and knowledgeable guide named Randolyn ..aka Ran. She was the perfect blend of kind, patient and engaging with the grandkids, and very helpful with us old folks! On the drive on the way home she advised a few newbies to the island where some great places to eat were... they greatly appreciated her ideas! She had the most pleasant demeanor.... :) If you want a fun morning walk, call Hike Maui

Hands-down, the best hike I have ever went on in my life and I have been on plenty of hikes…read more There's a waterfall somewhere along the way and there are beautiful views of the ocean and beaches all around. Gorgeous is an understatement, but please make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. You will need it. Enjoy!

Beautiful views!! It is a hard climb, but doable if you're in good shape…read more Driving there - Highly recommend driving from the west side. Driving from the east side, there were one-way narrow roads over cliffs. Leaving from the west side was easy-peasy. Parking - Keep an eye out for a red sign that says 'Camp Maluhia'. First lot is overflow, keep driving past gates to main lot where trailhead is located. Hike from overflow parking lot to trailhead is about 1.2 miles each way. Hike incline - First 1/4 mile of asphalt was the steepest. Next mile was incline but not too bad. Last mile was steeper incline. Hike views - If you go on a cloudier sunny day like we did, there were AMAZING views up until the last 0.5 miles. The overlook at the very end was above clouds so we couldn't see anything. Shoes - I don't recommend wearing sandals or flip flops, because it is pretty rocky and steep. No large rock climbing. I got by wearing casual tennis shoes, but running/hiking shoes are best. There were no stream crossings, so no need to worry about feet getting wet.