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WEB SITE USER COMMENT: "Thank you so much for all of the tips on the Islands! I'm sure this will prove invaluable for us. It's nice to know there are still people like you out there who are willing to lend a hand." I Villegas

HAWAII NATURE CENTER is a natural history museum located in the tropical rainforest of Iao Valley. There are over 30 unique exhibits and experiences that allow you to unlock the secrets of a Hawaiian Rainforest. Open daily 10am-4pm. $6 for adults, $4 for children (proceeds support environmental education). They also offer guided nature hikes in Iao Valley for $25 per adult and $23 per child, including admission to Hawaii Nature Center. Call 808 244-6500 for more information.

HIKE HAWAII: Discover hidden Hawaii by walking through a rain forest, or to a waterfall, or to the top of and extinct volcano. Always bring water on your hikes to prevent dehydration. Other items to have handy are a snacks, camera, sunscreen, bug repellant, and a whistle in case you get lost. Trails may be slippery due to mud so wear appropriate hiking shoes. Please make certain your hiking shoes are free of foreign seeds. The spread of unwelcome, introduced plant species can destroy Hawaii’s fragile eco-system. It’s a good idea to leave a note in your room explaining how many people are hiking, where, and when you expect to return in case there is an accident. Please do not litter your trash or cigarette butts anywhere while in Hawaii. Mahalo!

Go on a FRESHWATER POOL ADVENTURE. When in Hana, on Hana Highway, turn on the first road after Hana Gardenlands. Keeping left, drive to the bottom and park at the ocean’s edge. Walk left along the coast to the freshwater pool.

HALEAKALA HIKING ADVENTURES: If you are looking for an outdoor adventure to enjoy on your Maui vacation exploring Haleakala National Park may be just what you’re looking for. Haleakala offers several trails with beautiful views of inland Maui, the coastline, cinder cones, majestic rock formations, rare animals, and beautiful plants along your journey. Haleakala is the largest volcano on Maui with the summit reaching a steep 10,013 feet above sea level. During the winter months it sometimes snows at the summit! Haleakala means "house by the sun" and the Hawaiians believe the Hawaiian demigod Maui lassoed the sun from here in order to lengthen the day and permit his mother to dry her tapa (bark cloth used for making clothing).
The road leading up Haleakala to the park entrance is long, steep, and not intended for hiking. It is best to drive up into the park and begin hiking from there. Take advantage of one of the informative guided hikes offered by Haleakala National Park rangers. The guided hikes are free, although you will have to pay the $10 vehicle entry fee at the park's entrance for a seven day pass. Individuals traveling by foot, bicycle or motorcycle pay $5 each for a seven day pass. Call the park's information line, 808 572-4400, to see what hikes are available while you are on Maui. 
Sturdy hiking shoes, hat, water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a rain poncho are recommended for this hike. Be prepared for warm and cold weather conditions on your adventure. People with respiratory or heart conditions should consult with their physicians before travelling to Haleakala due to it’s high altitudes.

IAO VALLEY STATE PARK is located in the center of the north-west section of the island and is very easy to get to. (Wailuku’s Main Street turns into Iao Valley Road ) Entry is free and a paved path leads you up to the summit for a fantastic  panoramic view. Guided nature hikes in Iao Valley are offered by Hawaii Nature Center for $25 per adult and $23 per child, including admission to Hawaii Nature Center. Open 10am-4pm daily. Reservations: 808 244-6500. Located off Highway 30 SE from Lahaina. Highway 30 curves around then begins heading north, continue on Highway 30 and look for signs on the left directing you to Iao Valley State Park.

OHE'O GULCH (SEVEN SACRED POOLS) IN HALEAKALA STATE PARK is located about 10-miles past the town of Hana. There are several hiking trails in this park leading to beautiful scenic lookouts and waterfalls. The main trail is 2 miles one way through rainforest going past 7 waterfall pools and ending at a spectacular 400’ waterfall. If you dreamed of swimming in a waterfall pool you can do so at this park. Although the trail is only 4 miles round trip it takes 2-3 hours to hike due to the incline and the frequent stops at scenic lookouts. At the ranger station there are public bathrooms, but there aren’t any food and beverages for sale or potable water spigots to fill bottles, so if you would like to hike to waterfalls be sure to stop and pick up supplies along the way. Directions: from the Kahului Airport follow highway 37 going Southeast. Turn left onto highway 365. Turn right onto highway 36 and follow to it approx. 10 miles past the town of Hana. Look for signs and the parking lot on the left.

SHORELINE TRAIL AT WAIANAPANAPA- A six-mile trail that follows along lava cliffs bordered by a lauhala tree forest and the open ocean. There is an ancient heiau (temple), some interesting caves, and a blow hole to check out along this journey. There is beautiful scenery wherever you look. Located on the road to Hana not too far past the Hana Airport, look for signs on the ocean side of the road.

GUIDED KA’ELEKU CAVERNS LAVA TUBE HIKES- If you are looking to add a bit of adventure to your visit to Maui try exploring some of the over 8000ft of ancient lava tubes of the Ka’eleku Caverns. With the guided tours you are lead by experienced guides that will explain the many fabulous underground lava formations you will see. You will be amazed at the caves stalactites, stalagmites, coralloids, botryoids, levees and skylights that open into the tropical rain forest. There is are  one hour and two hour guided hiking tours. The one our hike is mostly brisk walking with no crawling or climbing. The two hour tour is very strenuous and takes you deep into the more remote areas of the caves and is recommend for only the very athletic. Sturdy long pants and closed toe shoes are required for all hikers. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on any hike. Maui Cave Adventures guided hikes: All hikers are provided hardhats, gloves, and flashlights. Hip-packs with purified water and snacks are provided only on the 2 hour tour. All tours begin in Hana at cave the entrance. Keep travel time in mind (it's at least a 3 hour drive to get there from Kihei and Lahaina) when booking your tour. The one hour tour is $35 per person and is recommended for ages 9 years old and up. The two hour tour is $75 per person and is recommended for ages 16 years old and up. 12-14 hikers is the limit on the one hour tour and 6-8 hikers on the two hour tour. Call Maui Cave Adventures at 808 248-7308 for tour times, more information, and reservations. Click here to check out our Virtual Adventure Review lava cave adventure including an in depth review of our adventure and photos!

 GUIDED HIKES are a way to get a personalized tour of the islands. See and do things you want to enjoy. Learn about local history and legends. Have all of your questions answered. Rates depend on the type of adventures you want to enjoy.
Paths in Paradise is guided by an expert in local birds, plants, and culture. English and German tours available. Call 808 573-0094 for more information.
Mango Mitch Wilderness Tours   808 875-9106
Maui Hiking Safaris    808 573-0168
Take a Hike   808 877-5608
Jungle Boogie 808 573-3069

GUIDED IN LANGUAGE ADVENTURES: Dieter's Creative Tours offers personalize guided tours of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Tours daily in German. French and other in language tours are also available upon request.  Call 888 290-1000 for more information.

The HONOKAHUA PRESERVATION SITE AND HAWAIIAN MEDICAL GARDEN at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hotel offers an informative "Sense of Place Tour" held each Friday 1-3pm at no cost. Learn how the ancient Hawaiians used different botanicals to treat illness and injury. Call 808 669-6200 for more information.

KEPANIWAI HERITAGE GARDENS not only has beautiful flora and fauna but also has pavilions representing the many cultures of Hawaii. Admission is free and is open 7am-7pm. It is located next to the Hawaii Nature Center in beautiful Iao Valley.

KAPAHU FARM TRADITONAL HAWAIIAN CULTURAL EXPERIENCE - All activities offered at Kapahu Farm reflect life in Hawaii before 1848, the year of the Great Mahele, and add an important aspect that many tourists do not get to experience. Due to the impact they want to make they keep the number of visitors small and reservations required so they can focus on giving each visitor a very special experience. They customize your experience based on your interests by offering lessons in: making leis or lauhala baskets, playing Ukulele, dancing Hula, making Traditional Hawaiian Food, Traditional/organic/medicinal agriculture, Hunting, Fishing, Ecosystem restoration, Invasive species removal, Ethnobotany, and interpretive hikes. With their Ecosystem restoration you actually get into the mud of their restored historic taro field and learn traditional Hawaiian taro cultivation methods. It will give you a true appreciation of the back breaking work the Hawaiians did to raise the food they ate. The efforts of those at Kapahu Farm allow locals and visitors to experience old Hawaii with modern native Hawaiians. For more information and for reservations call the Kipahulu Ohana at Kapahu Farm at 808-248-8974.

A LANAI DAY TRIP is a great one-day island hop. If you love golf there are two world acclaimed golf courses on this tiny island. You can rent a car or jeep and check out this paradise for yourself. Places of interests are Garden of the Gods, the ancient ruins of Kaunolu Village, Shipwreck Beach,  and scenic hiking adventures. You will also find excellent snorkeling at Manele and Hulopo'e Bays located along the marine life conservation district. There are all inclusive hotels located on Lanai if you wanted to enjoy more than a day there.  $80 per person for a day on Lanai, including transportation. Activity Warehouse Reservations:  Lahaina area 808 667-4000, Kihei/Wailea area 808 875-4000.

At CLUB LANAI you enjoy the day exploring the treasures of Lanai. Snorkel, visit a sea turtle sanctuary and whale research center, go on historical tours, wave ski, play volleyball and horseshoes, bicycle ride, and enjoy paddleball. After all that you can just relax in one of the hammocks on the secluded beach. $79 per person for a whole day of adventure and all you can eat! Activity Warehouse Reservations:  Lahaina area 808 667-4000, Kihei/Wailea area 808 875-4000.

STARS AND STRIPES TOUR is ideal for WWII history buffs who are not staying on the island of Oahu. The tour includes round trip airfare between Maui and Oahu, a visit to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, a Guided Tour of the USS Missouri Battleship, a Guided Tour of the Punchbowl National Memorial, and a Drive Through Historic Downtown Honolulu. $45 per adult, $34 per child- including transportation from the Honolulu International Airport. The flight from the Lihui Airport on Kauai departs at 6:20am and the return is approximately 7pm. $199 per adult, $189 per child.  For more information or reservations call Roberts Hawaii Tours at 808 831-5541.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices for island activities featured within our site are NOT guaranteed. Since we are not affiliated with any of the activity providers we are not notified if services or prices change. You will need to contact the activity provider directly for a current price quote and for availability information. 

MAUI ADVENTURES
Maui Cultural and Historical Adventures	Maui Ocean Adventures
Maui Land Adventures	Maui Air Adventures
Maui Night Activities	Maui Restaurants
Maui on a Tight Budget	What you can see and do on the Road to Hana
Virtual Maui Whale Watching Adventure	Virtual Ka'eleku Caverns Lava Cave Adventure

 

You can enjoy treats and treasures from Hawaii anytime with our online Island Gift Shop! Also, if you are having a Hawaiian theme wedding or luau in our Island Gift Shop we offer decorations like this adorable Hawaiian Kissing Couple Cake Top/S&P Shakers as well as fresh flower leis and accessories, silk flower leis and accessories, fresh pineapples and papaya, madacamia nut treats, hula supplies, Hawaiian music and more bring authentic touches of Hawaii to your celebration! Quick Links to items in our Island Gift Shop for your Hawaii theme celebration: * Hawaiian Kissing Couple Cake Top/S&P Shakers * Fresh Leis and Accessories * Silk Leis and Accessories * Island Treats * Hawaiian Music * Hula Supplies Our Island Gift Shop is what funds our four web sites filled with free Hawaii information, free Hawaiian theme wedding and luau resources, free Hawaii vacation resources, and a free Hawaii Photo Gallery. When you purchase from our Island Gift Shop you are supporting our web sites!