Posts Tagged ‘Hana’

With coastline and outer islands available for view from almost any part of Maui, a rainy day can really put a damper on things. You probably came to Hawaii and Maui on your vacation to enjoy the sunshine right?

Well, don’t worry about a little rain, Maui has acres upon acres of rain forests so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that you’re experiencing a few sprinkles. Maui has a number of things to see and do, even when it rains.  Enjoy some popular things like these to do.

Maui Ocean Center

If you are just itching to get a glimpse of Hawaii’s undersea world, then the Maui Ocean Center is for you. If the weather is rainy, come inside and enjoy a glimpse of the ocean surrounding Hawaii.

Maui Ocean Center has dining, shopping, a large aquarium with hundreds of different marine life in over 60 exhibits. The MOC also has 750,000 gallon ocean “tank” where over 20 different shark species will amaze you as you… are able to dive with them. Yes, you can get in for the price of $199 and you don’t have to take a boat to the middle of the ocean to do this!

Ticket prices for a One-Day pass to the Maui Ocean Center are currently running $22.95 for adults, $16.65 for children ages 3 – 12, and $20.25 for seniors 65 and up. You can also purchase weekly and annual passes for discounted rates. More details available at their website.

Drive to Hana

Take advantage of the famous “road to Hana.” This is a spectacular drive that every visitor must experience while on Maui. The road is long and winding, but the scenery – especially the waterfalls, will be magnificent.

Be careful, the road is already small and windy; rain will make the drive even slower.  We suggest checking with someone at your hotel to see if the drive is open.  But, lucky for you, most of the time you’ll drive this it will be raining, you just chose the rainy day to do so.

Why will it always be raining you ask?  Because it’s a rain forest of course.  You can find even more things to do and see on the road to Hana by check out the Maui Revealed Guidebook we review here.

Maui Arts and Cultural Center

Want to learn more about all things Maui? MACC (Maui Arts and Cultural Center) has numerous events, exhibits and programs that will allow you to better understand Maui’s legendary culture. The kids will also love this, as there are several educational resources available for them.

To see detailed directions and find the most recent events going on at the MACC check out our Maui Arts & Cultural Center page. You’ll also find info about their website to find more details.

Alexander Baldwin Sugar Museum

If you like historic landmarks that are dedicated to preserving certain things, then the Alexander Baldwin Sugar Museum is a great place to visit. This museum is dedicated preserving and presenting the history and heritage of Maui’s sugar industry.

You will enjoy a 1,800 square foot museum that will give you an in depth look at the sugar industry – both past and present, in Hawaii. Check out the Sugar Museum website for even more information.

Whale Watching

Who says you have to be on a boat in the ocean to see whales? Most of the coastline is viewable from anywhere on Maui, making it easy to sit and watch for whales. Take an umbrella out with you to any scenic point – or even watch from your car, and you are almost assured of spotting a breached whale or two.

Now, this last one depends on when you’ll get to Maui. The whale season in Hawaii is between the months of November and May, give or take. The Humpback whales travel every year from Alaska to Hawaii to give birth in the warm and pleasant waters of Hawaii.

Some of the best places to watch is the many locations in Maui along the coast from Kihei to Lahaina. Often times there will be people from the various whale conservation groups at the scenic overlooks along this stretch that will be willing to answer questions. All this for free! Donations appreciated.

Overall, don’t fret that it’s raining. It definitely won’t ruin your Hawaii vacation. Maui is a rain forest, enjoy that aspect just as you would the sunshine.

The road to Hana is long, beautiful and has its challenges. At the end of it you’ll find an oasis with the laid back flair of a small Hawaiian town, full of history and that special something that can only be found in the remote areas of these islands. A flavor of the old Hawaii is still present, preserved by the lack of highways, ABC stores and large hotels. About 700 people call Hana home. Some of them were born and grew up here, like generations of their families did. Others came here to find peace and enlightenment in a tranquil environment that tries to make time stand still.

Hana is located about 52 miles along a mostly narrow and winding road from Kahului. That doesn’t sound very far, is everyone’s first thought. It was mine too and little did I know when I headed onto that road to find out. It can be very, very long if you are not prepared. Some of the essentials are a full tank of gas, refreshing beverages and a snack, lots of patience, love for nature, good music in the car and friendly passengers with even more patience and love for nature.

In the beginning the road has two lanes that narrow more and more until only one lane is left, interrupted by wider sections that don’t last too long. Get ready for a driving time of about 3 to 4 hours and put yourself into a relaxed, contemplative state. However the driver should never relax too much because every now and then a tour bus or a dynamic local driver could approach. In that case it is a matter of non verbal communication and courtesy to decide who pulls over to the side and lets the other pass. The curves are often very narrow and approaching vehicles cannot be seen.

You should get along well with your fellow travelers as you will spend a lot of time in a small space with each other and better have something to talk about. There are rumors that one or the other marriage found its end on that road.

On the good side you will be surrounded by the immense beauty of a tropical rainforest for most of the way, occasionally broken up by breathtaking views of the ocean.  There are more than 50 bridges and about 620 curves and sooner or later you will break into singing “The long and winding road”. It is inevitable and all comes together as an unforgettable experience even though the amazed “ahs” and “ohs” will become less audible after the first hour; soon to be replaced by an “is it still far?”

Around the time when you have fully surrendered to believing that “the journey is the destination” the walls of thick green foliage around you will open up and the wonders of Hana will be welcoming you. Grab a sandwich at the old Hasagewa General Store and stretch out your limbs at Hamoa Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands, highly praised by the author James Michener.

Heaven is close in Hana, especially when you check into the historic Hotel Hana Maui. Expect island luxury galore! But even for smaller budgets there is a great range of accommodations from island style bed and breakfasts to vacation rentals of all sizes. The adventurous ones will find their piece of Eden under the canopy of huge trees where they can count the stars from a romantic tree house. Or perhaps a spiritual retreat away from all the hustle and bustle is the getaway of choice. Heavenly Hana has it all and whether you only spend one night or a whole month there, you will return with a few new stories to tell and the memory of a rare and very special place whose magic will stay with you forever. That is, if you ever will return…