Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
The island of Maui has a wide range of fun-filled activities for visitors to choose from. Its relatively small size also makes it easy and quick to get around the island, so its a perfect choice for families with children of all ages.
One of the newest Maui attractions, and one that is always a hit with kids, is the Maui Ocean Center. The center was built to showcase the beauty and variety of Mauis undersea life, and offers close-up looks at sea turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish, jellyfish and many other forms of marine life. All the plants and animals displayed at the center were collected exclusively from waters around the Hawaiian islands, giving visitors a unique look at the amazing beauty beneath the surface of the ocean. Throughout the center there are interactive displays, outdoor touch pools for all ages where you can get up close and personal with starfish and anemones, and the fascinating acrylic tunnel, which takes you through a 750,000 gallon open ocean exhibit full of thousands of fish, rays, and even sharks. These experiences are designed to bring visitors as close as possible to the undersea creatures to help develop an understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness of Hawaiis marine environment.
To appreciate one of the islands other natural environments, visitors to Maui should definitely make the trip to the summit of its resident volcano, Mt. Haleakala. At just over 10,000 feet, the summit of Haleakala is the highest point on Maui and the views from there are amazing. Getting to the summit is a unique experience in itself. Nowhere else in the world can you drive from sea level to an elevation of 10,000 feet in less than 38 miles. Along the way, you enjoy dramatic scenery, a variety of different geological landscapes and many native Hawaiian plants and wildlife not found anywhere else on the island, including the silversword plant and the nene (Hawaiian goose). The overlook at the summit offers a 360-degree view of the other Hawaiian islands as well as a look into the dormant volcanos vast crater with towering cinder cones formed from its last eruption many thousands of years ago. The volcanic landscape is like looking at the surface of the moon, and this is one of the few places in the world that provides such a view. If you are able to get the kids up early, try to plan your trip to the crater in the morning just as the sun is rising. It is cold at the summit, so pack warm clothes, but it is incredibly beautiful at sunrise and is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another attraction thats a great choice for families is the Maui Tropical Plantation.
You can wander the grounds on your own looking at the lush tropical foliage and picture-perfect views of crops such as coffee and bananas. Or you can take the narrated tram tour that snakes past fields of tropical fruits and flowers, with plenty of great photo stops along the way. You can see all of Hawaii's most popular crops as the tram rolls through the 60-acre working plantation, including papaya, guava, mango, macadamia nuts, coffee, avocado, sugar cane, star fruit and more. The tram operator even gives a demonstration on how to husk one of the many coconuts which can be found lying on the ground all over the plantation. A variety of different foods and crafts made from Maui Tropical plantation crops are offered for sale in the general store near the entrance.
Another great place to visit is Lahaina, full of Hawaiian history and culture as well as some of the best shopping and restaurants on the island. This old whaling town is now lined with many art galleries and fine dining spots, but there are still plenty of places for families to explore. There are walking tours available, or you can pick up a map and check out the sights on your own. A definite must-see for this port city is a trip aboard the fully restored Carthaginian, a seafaring vessel anchored in the Lahaina harbor. The Carthaginian sailed the Hawaiian waters back in the 19th century and you can now come aboard to see what it was like during its heyday, which is sure to delight children of all ages. Another fun spot to visit is the old prison, or Hale Paahao as the locals call it. This jailhouse dates back to the early whaling days, and was built by convict laborers. There are both wall shackles and ball-and-chain restraints attached to the thick prison walls, which are made out of blocks of coral. When youre finished with the jail, be sure to check out the amazing Banyan tree, found in the courthouse square. This tree was only 8 feet tall when it was planted in 1873, but it has grown to over 60 feet, with 12 major trunks in addition to its original huge core. It stretches over an entire city block and shades 2/3 of an acre. There are plenty of benches underneath the draping branches and it is a great place to sit and people watch or enjoy a cool treat.
The city of Lahaina also puts on one of the most popular and authentic luaus on the island. The Old Lahaina Luau is an authentic evening of traditional Hawaiian food, music and dance, allowing families to experience the traditions and legends of the native Hawaiian people. Each guest receives a fresh flower lei and is escorted into the luau to view the ceremonial unearthing of the roasted pig, and to enjoy a range of other Hawaiian delicacies. Dancers perform hulas and other traditional Hawaiian dances, with accompanying music and typically a fire thrower or two. A luau is a quintessential Hawaiian experience full of exciting sounds, sights and smells that offers something for everyone in the family.
For those who dont mind spending a little bit more time in the car, one experience not to be missed while on Maui is the drive from the west side of the island to the east side known as the Road to Hana. The trip to Hana is a unique, unforgettable, multi-sensory experience, with waterfalls, fragrant flowers, and towering cliffs all visible along the way. The drive itself is 52 miles, and youll want to be sure to leave plenty of extra time along the way for stops. The scenery is incredible and there are numerous photo opportunities that you wont want to miss. Kids will enjoy seeing the bamboo jungles, eucalyptus groves, colorful tropical flowers (including the beautifully fragrant ginger flower) and feeling the cooling spray from the many roadside waterfalls. The road is dotted with roadside stands run by locals, many selling drinks, trinkets or some of the islands fresh fruit to enjoy as a snack. At the roads end is the town of Hana, where you can have a picnic at Hana Bay or take a quick tour of the town before starting the winding journey back.
Of course, no visit to Maui would be complete without spending time in the water enjoying one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in the world. The water here is clear and bright, and there are many colorful tropical fish and coral formations visible in the calm waters just offshore of many of the popular beaches or hotels. You can rent some gear and head out on your own, or take one of the many charter boats that ferry passengers out to offshore locations. One of the most popular, and a great choice for families with older children, is the trip to Molokini Crater. Located 2 ? miles off Mauis south coast, this half-moon shaped crater is an extinct volcano that is now home to a amazing assortment of marine life. In the center is a lush reef area with visibility up to 150 feet where you can view over 250 different species of fish, some of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Molokinis curved shape offers it protection from waves and powerful currents, making it easy and pleasurable to snorkel from even for beginning snorkelers. Whether you make the trip to Molokini, or simply play in the ocean off one of Mauis beaches, relaxing in the warm waters and enjoying the amazing undersea world the island has to offer makes this a great way for families to cap off their visit to Maui.
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