My First Trip to Hawaii – Maui (Part I)
This blog post about my trip to Hawaii is the first episode of a series of two. For those who followed along with my journey via my Instagram stories, you know that I also spent a few amazing days in Oahu but let’s start with the beautiful island of Maui. Before going further, I would like to mention that my sister was not able to join me on this trip but we will be hopefully reunited very soon, stay tuned!
Like many of you, I was dreaming of visiting Hawaii for so long! The Aloha State is one of the world’s most idyllic destinations. It was the perfect place to celebrate my birthday while embracing an amazing local culture and being surrounded by breathtaking nature.
When I started planning for my trip, I found out that Hawaii was actually composed of eight major islands. How did I decide which islands I want to visit? As the heart of Hawaii, Oahu was qualified to be in my itinerary and I will tell you why in my second episode. After reading several travel guides, Maui known as “The Valley Isle” caught my attention by offering a wealth of unforgettable experiences combining adventure, nature, and relaxation.
Following a light breakfast in my condo located in Lahaina, my adventure in Maui started at 8 am at Makena Beach State Park with Maui Stand Up Paddle Boarding. For beginners, early morning is the best time of the day for stand up paddle boarding (SUP) since the water is calm. I was so excited to experience SUP because I wanted to try how it felt to walk on water and observe the marine life from a different perspective.
My guide Curtis, a certified instructor from California, lives in Maui for years and is very knowledgeable. After reviewing basic water safety instructions, he taught me how to get up, stand up, and paddle step by step during a 2 hours private lesson. It was super fun to ride waves across the pristine clear water and we were lucky to cross paths of big giant turtles. SUP in Maui is definitely a must do and I highly recommend to opt for a private lesson if you are traveling solo.
On June 27th, I celebrated National Pineapple Day with Maui Pineapple Tour on their beautiful farm located in the small village of Hali’imale. In morning, I had the pleasure to visit the plantation where pineapples are picked by hand and the factory where I received 2 pineapples as a gift. This 1.5-hour tour is very informative, I learned about the growing cycle and cultivation techniques. Moreover, I tasted various stages of the pineapple, and I was taught how to select and cute it properly.
Here are few tips for you to store pineapple at home:
- Cut the flesh from the shell and refrigerate for up to one week in a glass or plastic container, together with any juices released.
- Pineapple can be frozen, although the flavor and texture will slightly change.
- Use your entire pineapple within two days if you keep it outside of the refrigerator.
After the lunch, I visited the distillery owned by Hali’imaile Distilling Company who uses Maui Gold pineapple, local ingredients, and unique distilling process to create their spirits. The tour is followed by a tasting workshop of Pau Maui Vodka, Fid Street Gin, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, Paniolo Blended Whiskey, and many more. During the tasting, participants are only allowed to try 3 liquors in order to limit alcohol consumption. My favorite vodka flavor was the Pineapple Orange Guava in reference to the “Official Drink of Hawaii”, it is the perfect tropical Hawaiian vodka! At the end of the tasting, we all received a shot glass as a souvenir.
I did not know that pineapple makes good vodka! However, I was aware that Maui has been voted “Best Island in the US” by Condé Nast Traveler readers for more than 20 years mainly thanks to its world famous beaches, the sacred Iao Valley, and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala. Maui has various types of beaches so whether you want activities on the water or relaxation, you will find the perfect beach for you.
In West Maui, my favorite beaches were Kaanapali Beach and DT Fleming Beach Park. Kaanapali Beach offers miles of white sand and is excellent for snorkeling on the northernmost section named Black Rock. The beautiful DT Fleming Beach Park is smaller but less crowded compared to Kaanapali.
When in need of a nature immersion, I went to the sacred Iao Valley State Park located in Central Maui. In addition, to be home of Maui’s most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200 foot Iao Needle, this peaceful park is an ideal attraction for hiking and sightseeing. Aside from its wonderful beauty, Iao Valley has a historical significance. Back in 1790, King Kamehameha I defeated Maui’s army to unite the islands and changed the course of Hawaiian history.
I could not leave Maui without seeing the sunrise above the clouds at Haleakala National Park. Due to the road conditions, I opted to join a guided tour organized by Valley Isle Excursions. It was quite an experience; I was up at 1 a.m and on the bus at 2 a.m. On the road, we stopped at a local restaurant for a light continental breakfast. From there, we arrived at Haleakala around 4:30 a.m right before the sunrise.
We all jumped out of the bus after having carefully listened to the tips given by the guide for staying safe and warm. At this moment, I realized that I was not that prepared for the cold and windy weather. Warm clothes, hat, blanket, and even gloves are necessary if you plan to do this activity. Despite that, seeing the sunrise at Haleakala was an incredible experience! On our way back down the mountains, we were able to enjoy the phenomenal landscape of the park while the guide gave us historical information about the volcano and taught us about Hawaiian culture. We ended up in the same local restaurant and enjoyed a hot buffet breakfast.
In terms of culinary experience, I have to admit that I was mostly eating vegetables and fruits during my stay in Maui. First because of the hot weather, and second because the Hawaiian cuisine is principally made of seafood and meat which was not what I was looking for. However, I went a couple of times to Choice Health Bar in Lahaina for light meals, smoothies, and acai bowls. I also ate the best vegan pad thaï ever at Veg Out, a vegetarian restaurant located in Haiku, which served a large international menu.
To make the most of your stay, I highly recommend renting a car when you visit Maui even if you do not plan to brave the Hanna Road. With a car, you can deeply explore the small towns, beaches, and coastlines.
Book in advance in order to grab the best deals. At the airport, shuttles will drop you off directly at the rental car office. Prices are quite similar from an agency to another; this is why I focused on finding the best service. On Google Maps, Alamo is top-ranked (4.5 stars for 880 comments), this is why I booked on their website for my trip. You can reserve online and pay only at the office at no extra charge. Overall, the office is well organized, the service is efficient, and the cars are in good conditions. I wish you a safe trip to Maui 🙂
