Olivine Pools
by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl
Last week I wrote about a hike we took while on the road to Hana, upon a recommendation by Maui Revealed. We also followed their recommendation and explored the fascinating, natural Olivine Pools on Maui’s upper West coast, the best natural swimming pool on Maui.
by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl
After many days in a hotel, on a beautiful beach, believe it or not, we were ready to explore the island of Maui. With the help of my favorite Hawaiian guide book, Maui Revealed, we hit the Road to Hana, intending to find a nice waterfall hike. And boy, did we ever!
Crocs shop, Lahaina, Hawaii
by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl
Walking up Front Street in downtown Lahaina, I came upon the mecca for Croc lovers – the Crocs Shop on Front Street. If you are a devotee of these shoes, or if you are totally new to the concept, this is definitely the place to learn more.
Crocs are made out of Croslite and are very popular in the medical field – the ergonomically certified clogs stay super comfortable for long periods of time. Over the last few years, Crocs have found a new following in beach and water enthusiasts, as lightweight shoes well suited to outdoor activities.
I usually buy my Crocs online or through local department stores, but lately I have been having trouble finding a great selection. The Front Street store nips that problem in the bud!
With helpful sales staff, I tried on many of the styles I had been looking at, including the new high heel Havana and the casual Capri flip flop. My kids were fitted quickly with styles that made them happy, and spent the rest of the time checking out Jibbitz, jewelry for Crocs. My daughter found cute little Hula girls for her crocs, while my son decided on a “hang loose” Jibbitz for his new Crocs.
The Crocs Shop on Front Street is a great place to stop while visiting downtown Lahaina!
Crocs
855 Front St # B
Lahaina, HI 96761-2366
phone (808) 667-7080
www.crocs.com
by Gudrun Enger, Kitchen Gadget Girl
One of our fun adventures in Maui, Hawaii, was a visit to the Surfing Goat Dairy, high up in the Upcountry of the island. In a place where pineapples reign supreme, it seemed incongruous to find a working dairy and cheese making operation. Read More »
The Lagoon at Maui Tropical Plantation
by Tamara Rice of The Rice Paper
It may not be the best plantation on the island, but the Maui Tropical Plantation in Hawaii is a good enough distraction for an hour or two before you head out to the real attraction of the island: the beaches.
When we did our own little walking tour of the the Maui Tropical Plantation–it’s completely free to wander around–we were able to enjoy a little wildlife and an amazing view of the mountains beyond. The 60-acre plantation not only has a few ducks and caged monkeys, they have a coffee tasting room (you can’t skip this part), a restaurant (which didn’t appear to be open during our visit) and a shop (with prices set just a tad higher than in nearby towns).
A Bit of Wildlife at the Maui Tropical Plantation
In fact, for those who can’t get to Maui, but want to check out the goodies at the Maui Tropical Plantation, you can buy some items on line.
For those who would prefer to be guided on their tour of the plantation (and driven around in a little tram), there is a special tour, which costs $14 for adults and $5 for children. Maybe if you need a longer distraction and prefer to get the details while sitting down, this would be the way to go.
The highlight of our tour–besides the coffee tasting–was probably the little green lizard we caught on the path and stared at for a good ten minutes before letting him go.
Sure, we have plenty of lizards back home, but this was an exotic lizard and he was green (bright green!).
You just have to appreciate the little things. Even in Hawaii.
The Glorious Grounds of the Plantation
Photos by Tamara Rice and Robert aka Bob (Flickr.com)
Beauty Along the Road
by Tamara Rice of The Rice Paper
Now that I’ve spilled the beans on Maui’s Seven Sacred Pools, I should probably explain one of the most talked-about Maui attractions, which is the road you’ll take to get there: The Road to Hana.
Love it or hate it, it’s a memorable drive. Recently Maui reopened the more user-friendly freeway of the island (it suffered terrible damage during an earthquake and was shut down for far too long). However, the Road to Hana is a sight to behold and–provided you are not prone to car-sickness–makes for a great excursion.
When we braved the drive in a rental car–because what else would we be driving in Maui–my husband was designated the driver, our most-likely-to-lose-his-lunch friend got the other front seat, and my girlfriend and I were stuck in the back. Was it a long drive? Yes. Did it make our friend sitting shotgun want to puke? Yes. But did we have fun?
I think it depends on who you ask.
One thing we all agreed on: It was beautiful. Some of the most beautiful waterfalls and shores and jungles I’ve ever seen.
So, if you think you’d like to brave the road next time you’re on Maui, check out the five best tip lists for driving the Road to Hana before you do.
The Winding Road to Hana
1. Paradise-Found-in-Maui.com’s fabulous Road to Hana tip list.
2. What Maui’s rental car folks at AlohaRents.com want you to know about the drive, given you might be in one of their cars.
3. A tip list from the people at MauiInformationGuide.com, along with a great list of landmarks along the way.
4. A list with tons of user feedback from the award-winning site GoVisitHawaii.com.
5. Last but not least, tips and landmark notes from Hawaiilogue.com.
Photos by Tamara Rice and Wiedz (Flickr.com)
by Tamara Rice of The Rice Paper
Inside Maui’s Haleakala National Park is a beautiful treasure known as the Seven Sacred Pools. Referring to the area as seven pools may not be quite accurate, as there are more than that, but the allure of the “sacred” has been hooking tourists since Maui began promoting it as such in the 1940s. Technically, the lush area is the Ohe’o Gulch along the Kipahulu coastal area of the park.
After traveling the gorgeous and winding Road to Hana to get there (an adventure which I’ll chronicle in a later blog post), paying a small parking fee to enter the park, and gratefully enjoying their restrooms–which were remarkably clean, considering–we were happy to feel a warm ocean breeze on our faces as we headed down the marked Pipiwai Trail.
The Trail to the Pools
Hikers on the Pipiwai Trail to the pools are privy to a variety of Hawaii’s most beautiful plants and trees, including an enormous Banyan tree, until finally the path opens up to the gulch, where various levels of rock create waterfalls and pools as water weaves its way to the ocean.
Maui's Seven Sacred Pools
It’s loud (these are waterfalls, after all) and it can be quite cold (we’re talking about rocks), but we climbed down for the best view and waded in the pools all the same, enjoying the enchanting surroundings of nature.
In years past, tourists–even some friends of mine–have been allowed to jump from the various falls. However, the Haleakala National Park rangers have put a stop to it for safety reasons (i.e., sharp rocks and shallow water equal bad accidents). So, don’t get any ideas.
While it wasn’t exactly sacred–don’t let these cleverly shot pictures fool you, there were people everywhere–it’s truly one of the most beautiful sites in all of Maui.
We drove. We hiked. We saw. And it was worth the effort.
Photos by Nathan Rice
One wouldn’t think of Hawaii as being a place where lavender is grown and harvested. Usually one thinks of lavender as being a French product, but Ali’I Lavender Farm on the Island of Maui, is a relaxing surprise in the Upcountry of Kula.
Ali'i Kula in Maui's Upcountry
My senses were delighted when I drove up the farm road and could begin to smell the lavender in the air. It immediately relaxed me and took away any stresses that were bothering me. My eyes were pleasured at the sight that greeted me when I turned a bend. There were fields and fields of flowers that were hidden in the mountains.
I was a bit early for a walking tour, but the gift shop and small café beckoned. Culinary treated tempted my appetite and I indulged in a few moments of quite, overlooking the gardens, enjoying a lavender scone topped with lavender butter and lilikoi lavender jelly. I washed it down with lavender tea, but lavender coffee was also available. I almost didn’t want to leave my little haven in the mountains to take the tour.
Lavender Treats at Alii Kula Lavender Farm
I attached myself to a small tour group, led by Cookie, who led us around trails and walkways, introducing us to various types of lavender plants. She would make small cuttings, handing a sample of each plant to the group members. The smell was amazing. By the time we reached the end of the tour, we each had a small lavender bouquet to take with us.
Children love walking through the gardens at Alii Kula Lavender Farm
Of course, the tour ended near the gift shop, but oh, what a gift shop! The handmade lavender soaps, the edible lavender souvenirs, the home and garden items were just begging me to purchase them. There wasn’t much room in my suitcase for take home items, but fortunately the Ali’I Kula gift shop ships to the mainland.
If you find yourself on the Island of Maui, in Hawaii, I strongly recommend taking some time away from your hotel to explore the delights the island has to offer.
Photos by Shannon Hurst Lane
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