| The second in our series of Hawaii vacations, this | | | | The island's beaches are not only plentiful, they are |
| article focuses on the island of Maui. Maui stands | | | | varied. From the white sands of Oneloa in West Maui |
| apart from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. It offers | | | | and Palaueau Beach in the South, to the Red Sand |
| adventure in paradise at every corner. If you have | | | | Beach (Kaihalulu) of Hana and the volcanic black sands |
| only a week to spend in Hawaii, this is one of the | | | | of Pa'iloa Beach in Wai'anapanapa Park, Maui's beaches |
| best places to be. | | | | offer diversity. |
| Accommodations are widely available on Maui, | | | | On the North Shore, Ho'okipa Beach Park is perhaps |
| including many resorts, bed & breakfasts, cottages, | | | | one of the best places in the world to wind surf, |
| inns, and condos, many of which offer spectacular | | | | body board or kite surf. |
| view of the shores. Several world-class golf courses | | | | Kapalua Beach, located on the west side of the |
| are also found on Maui. | | | | Keanae Peninsula in South Maui, is a golden--sand |
| For such a small island, Maui is packed with "leisurely | | | | beach, with a terrific view of Molokai. It is protected |
| adventures"--and at comfortable temperatures, | | | | from bigwaves by both coral reefs and lava |
| hovering from 75 at the lowest and the low 90s at | | | | formations on both sides. |
| the highest. Plus, its waters are warm year-round | | | | An excellent family beach, Wailea Beach is on the |
| (varying from 70 to 80 degrees). | | | | island's sunny south shore.Protected by lava |
| With its outstanding beaches and multiple resorts, | | | | outcroppings it is safe for families with children. |
| Maui has many activities. Helicopter tours, golfing, | | | | Wailea is wide and about 1,000 feet long in a |
| water sports, even submarine rides can be found on | | | | crescent shape. |
| Maui. | | | | Palauea Beach is perfect for young children and |
| Its landscape is incredibly diverse. It is often known | | | | families because it's sheltered from the winds and the |
| as the Valley Island because of the large valley that | | | | water is shallow. It's also located south of Polo Beach |
| extends between two volcanoes. On the wet, | | | | in one of the least developed spots on the island. |
| eastern side of the mountains there are acres of | | | | One of Maui's best snorkeling locations, Ulua Beach |
| rainforest. On the dry,leeward side of the | | | | offers an excellent reef about 100 yards offshore. |
| island,resorts and golf courses abound. And in the | | | | Ulua is between Wailea Beach to the north and |
| central valley, located between Haleakala volcano and | | | | Makena Beach to the south. |
| the West mountains, sugar cane growsabundantly. | | | | Oneloa Beach--Referred to by locals as "Big Beach," |
| Offshore, one can see marine life found nowhere | | | | Oneloa Beach in Makena State Park is more than |
| else on earth. The island reef is home to hundreds of | | | | 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, made up of |
| species which makes this a paradise for divers and | | | | sugar-white sands that meet a crystalline ocean. This |
| snorkelers. In winter, humpback whales crowd the | | | | South Maui beach is the island's longest beach. |
| waters off the southern coast. Maui provides some | | | | The islet of Molokini, just off the west shore of Maui, |
| of the world's best whale-watching activities. | | | | is one of Hawaii's most popular spots for divers and |
| Thousands of Humpback whale migrate to the warm | | | | snorkelers. Accessible only by boat, this |
| waters off the coast of this Hawaii Island between | | | | crescent-shaped crater is a natural sanctuary and |
| November and April each year. | | | | marine-life preserve. It provides an an exquisite |
| Many people drive to the top of Mt Haleakala for a | | | | opportunity to view tropicalfish, lobsters, crab and |
| view of the spectacular sunrise. You can rent a car | | | | living coral, including black coral. |
| or take one of the many tours to the top. It will be | | | | Finally, if you want to explore other islands, day trips |
| cold at the 10,000 foot summit, so bundle up and | | | | can take you to Lanai or Molokai by ferry. Ferries |
| bring a thermos of hot coffee or tea. | | | | leave daily from the dock in Lahaina, Maui. |
| The road to Hana is considered one of the most | | | | Whatever you do during your time on Maui, this |
| breath-taking drives in all of the Islands. It is a slow, | | | | vacation will likely inspire you to return again. In the |
| winding road through a lush paradise. | | | | meantime, you can cherish the memories. |