What to see in Hawaii - the island of Maui - nuances that are not talked about. Maui Island (Hawaii): description, attractions, recreation, reviews Tourism and recreation on Maui

Tired of gray everyday life? Do Türkiye and Thailand seem “hackneyed” and banal to you? Well then, Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii! By the way, did you know that this word means not only greeting, but also “goodbye”, “friendship” and “love”? In our virtual tour we will look at everything that is useful for a traveler to know before a trip. Maui is one of the most popular islands in the archipelago and the third largest. The Internet, based on the assessments of travel journalists and reviews of tourists, recognized it as the leader in the ranking of the most visited and interesting places on the planet. A stay in this paradise is worth the money and time spent. How can a Russian tourist get to the island of Maui? And what awaits him there? Let's find out together!

Hawaiian Islands: Geographical Education

Location: Northern Hemisphere, central Pacific Ocean. You won't need exact coordinates unless, of course, you are an airline pilot. The Hawaiian Islands archipelago belongs to the United States of America. This is the longest chain of islands on the entire Earth, with an area of ​​about 2.5 thousand km 2. In addition, the Hawaiian archipelago is the most remote inhabited place on the planet. Think about it: the distance to the USA is almost 4 thousand km, to Japan - twice as much. The official language is English, but the population also speaks local dialects (Hawaiian, Polynesian and others).

The fiftieth US state of Hawaii is a region with high population density. More than 1.3 million people live here. The area of ​​these Pacific islands is constantly increasing due to natural reasons - due to volcanic eruptions. That is why in Hawaii you can find beaches of unusual colors: red, black, brown and even green, which attract tourists so much.

More than two million people vacation here every year. The most visited cities by tourists are Hilo and Kailua-Kona. In order not to get confused between the names of the archipelago and the largest of its islands, the Americans call the latter “The Big Island”. The state capital is Honolulu, where most international flights land at its international airport. There are four districts in the state (the islands of Hawaii and Maui, Kauai and the capital).

Nature of the "Island of Flowers"

Hawaii is composed almost entirely of volcanic rock. The surface of the islands is only a small part of the mountains, the main part of which is hidden in the depths of the ocean. Some volcanoes are over 70 million years old.

Rare islands of the Pacific Ocean can boast such a variety of tropical vegetation, exotic flowers with beautiful names. Orchids, plumerias, silver swords grow in numerous gardens, and the yellow Hawaiian hibiscus (sometimes red) is considered a national symbol. On the islands you can see huge pineapple plantations. However, currently these delicious fruits are not exported; the state's main source of income is tourism. Hawaii is the only place in America where coffee is grown.

There are much more animals, especially sea animals, than birds. Many species of birds have become extinct due to extinction or significant changes in their range. Of course, man and... mongooses are to blame for this. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm about massive deforestation on the islands.

Animals are presented in all their diversity. In Hawaii alone you can find the green monk seal and about 1,500 species of other endemics found only in this place.

US visa and air travel options

In addition to permission to enter the country and payment of the consular fee ($160), Russian tourists will need to undergo an interview. When traveling independently, you need to pay a fee before submitting the necessary documents for a visa at the consulate. Then wait (usually by email) for an identification code. It will be announced at an interview, for which you must pre-register on the website of the US Diplomatic Mission in Russia. You can communicate with a state representative at the Consulates General, which are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg. If you buy a ready-made tour to Hawaii, almost all the work will be done by the agency. The only thing required is your personal presence at the interview.

Most often, Russian tourists choose an air flight from Moscow to Honolulu, and then from the capital of the archipelago they fly to the island of interest, for example, Maui. You can fly to California or Seattle, with airports connecting you to cities like Kahulue, Hilo and Kona.

Operators offering tours to Hawaii

Nowadays, with developed Internet technologies and with a thoughtful approach, it is possible to independently plan, book and travel to almost anywhere on the planet. You can also turn to professionals who will greatly simplify this task. Tour operators such as Biblioglobus, UNEX, KMP-group, GTV-group and some others provide tours to Hawaii.

Simplified booking systems allow you to independently decide on the route and its dates, and choose a hotel. On the island of Maui, for example, you can consider accommodation options from 5 to 2 stars.

The Aloha State or the Hospitality State

We all remember numerous American films where happy tourists leave the plane wearing colorful short-sleeved shirts, and a wreath of bright Hawaiian flowers always hangs around their necks. This tradition actually takes place on the archipelago; to this day, the local population greets everyone who arrives on the islands with flowers. Everyone. There are enough flowers here for everyone.

Travel journalists, when describing this Incoming event, note that the point here is not at all that Hawaiians live off tourists, and that it is beneficial for them to welcome the guest well. They are just like themselves - hospitable, sincerely welcoming, kind and cheerful. Warmth of soul is felt in the sparkle of eyes and warm smiles. The visitor gets the feeling that in a past life he was from here, but now he has simply returned home.

What is the island of Maui?

Planning a paradise vacation? Then you need to go to Hawaii! It is not surprising that in reviews of the island of Maui, tourists write only enthusiastic comments: “amazing!”, “amazing!”, “amazing!” It harmoniously combines a secluded beach holiday with water activities (diving, surfing, etc.), relaxing walks and difficult mountain climbs, nightclub life and quiet, relaxing hours in a fashionable hotel.

The island, with an area of ​​more than 1800 km2, is divided into parts: western (smaller) and eastern (the kingdom of the Haleakala volcano). The most popular vacation spots are the following: Lahaina, Kihei, Wailea, Kaanapali, Kahului, Waikuku. We'll talk about them below.

Maui - VIP vacation (dispelling myths)

The average Russian becomes a little uncomfortable with an amount exceeding $3,500. Typically, tour operators indicate in a note that this is the cost of the tour without air travel, that you need to pay extra for a visa, food, some excursions, and hotel fees. It turns out to be an astronomical waste, which only very wealthy people can afford. Is it possible to reduce it? Let's try.

1. A visa costs $200 (rounded).

2. If you book a round-trip flight from Moscow to Honolulu in advance (for example, several months in advance), you can spend $550.

3. A local flight within the state of Hawaii (Honolulu-Kahului and back) costs approximately $150.

4. The most budget accommodation options can be found on the east coast of the island. The minimum price per night starts from $350. If you book a room several months in advance, the discount is up to 51%. It turns out to be $200 per day (rounded).

5. No more than $200 per day is spent on food, entertainment and excursions (according to reviews from experienced travelers). It depends on where to eat and how to have fun.

Total: for an independent tour lasting 5 days 6 nights you can spend $2900. No surcharges or overpayments. Let’s convert it into our usual currency and get about 175,000 rubles. If we take into account the fact that we buy air tickets and a hotel room at different times, the installment plan will be quite good.

Packing your suitcase correctly, or Climatic features of the island of Maui

We pack swimsuits, tanning products and all other attributes of a beach holiday. It is important to take into account that at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level (if you go on an excursion to the craters of volcanoes) it is very cold and the strongest wind blows. You will need warm jackets and be sure to wear sombrero-type hats (so that they don’t fly off your head).

The island of Maui is tropical, so even on the coldest winter days the temperature does not drop below +17 0 C. The rest of the time it stays within +23-28 0 C. The beach season can last here all year round, but the months from May are considered the dry period to October.

Where can you stay here?

Hotels of various price categories are located on the coasts; you can rent a villa or rent a corner from local residents (if you know Hawaiian). To choose a place that suits your tastes, consider the popular areas of Maui.

Laikhana was once the capital of the archipelago, a major whaling center. Today there is a historical center with national attractions, as well as good surfing and diving centers. Happy tourists ride horses through tropical gardens and inhale the aromas of hibiscus.

Kihei is a very romantic place where newlyweds from all over the world love to come for their honeymoon. Wailea is famous for its golf courses and good shopping.

Kaanapali has a huge beach with developed infrastructure. People go kayaking here, and in the evenings they host Hawaiian parties with fiery hula dancing.

There are many markets in Kahului that sell all sorts of interesting trinkets, souvenirs, seafood and exotic fruits. You can rent a car and go explore the picturesque surroundings, lushly overgrown with lush vegetation. If you love national parks, aquariums, and want to see a real American ranch, then you need to go to Waikuku.

Exotic cuisine

The main dishes of the islanders are seafood and fruits. Of course, there are restaurants here that offer tourists international cuisine; you can find kebab and burger shops. Tourists are offered various types of grilled meat and fish (beef, elk, salmon). It is worth trying breadfruits prepared in a special way (called ulu dish). Raw red fish is often served with tomatoes (lomilomi). It is also wrapped in large mint leaves and steamed. Pork in coconut sauce turns out delicious.

Maui is a real fruit abundance. Here grow pineapples, wild guava, which in the tropical forests itself falls at the feet of tourists, papaya, pomegranates, pamela and many, many other goodies.

The best beaches in the world

There are more than thirty of them here - for every taste. You can even choose the color of the sand. But all the beaches on the island of Maui are similar in one thing: they are clean, incredibly picturesque... They are the best! These are not just words, as many experienced travelers think.

You should definitely visit Kanapali Beach in Laihan - this is an amazingly beautiful corner that you will never forget in your life.

Excursion trips to Maui (Hawaii)

It is impossible to come to the island and not see the Haleakala volcano, which occupies a huge area here. Climbing it along a serpentine road is an extreme activity. It takes your breath away as you gradually drive into the clouds. At an altitude of about 3 km above sea level there is a strange terrain reminiscent of the planet Mars: the volcanic rock is colored red, there is almost no vegetation. The observation decks offer a breathtaking view. The way back lies through a plantation of unusual flowers - proteas.

You should definitely go to Waioki Falls - a 400 m high waterfall. The road to this attraction of the island of Maui goes through a tropical rain forest, where you can see real Hawaiian nature with your own eyes.

One of the most amazing sights to see is the whale festival. This is the conventional name for a natural phenomenon during which thousands of these amazing huge creatures gather to spawn around the shores of the islands. Whales gracefully jump out of the water and release fountains. Eyewitnesses say the picture is mesmerizing. The main characters of the festival sail to the Hawaiian archipelago from November to May.

When a dream becomes reality...

Once you set a realistic goal, start moving towards it little by little. Think: everything is real, even the coveted trip to Hawaii! Holidays on the island of Maui are a real fairy tale when you open your eyes, close them, and still don’t believe that you are here. Why not?!

The island of Maui is formed by two volcanoes - Haleakala (3055 m) in the east and Maui (1720 m) in the west. Now they are in a calm state. Lava flows formed an isthmus-valley between the volcanoes, and from a height the outline of the island resembles a figure eight, consisting of two unequal parts. To the east, the shores of Maui are replete with tropical forests and swampy lowlands with equally lush vegetation. The west of the island is characterized by deserted lava expanses, only occasionally interspersed with areas of vegetation.

ISLAND “HOUSE OF THE SUN”

Three-quarters of the island of Maui is occupied by the Haleakala volcano, whose name translates from Hawaiian as “house of the sun.”

According to Hawaiian legend, the hero and demigod Maui once climbed to the top of the volcano just before dawn and, as soon as the first rays of the sun touched its crater, he quickly began to tie them together. He let go only when the heavenly body, in response to his ardent requests to be kinder to people, made an oath promise to walk across the sky more slowly - so that the day would be as long as possible. The island was named in honor of the hero, and its most ancient name is Ikhikapalumaeva. The last time the Haleakala volcano erupted from a side fissure was in 1790, the caldera of its crater remained indestructible. And although Haleakala is today classified as an extinct volcano, volcanologists do not exclude the possibility that one or two more eruptions will occur before the volcano finally retires. However, they immediately make a reservation: it may never wake up again: the behavior of volcanoes is predictable only in that short period of time when they begin to show signs of activity. However, it is also true that sometimes they awaken quite suddenly.

Over the 225 years since the last eruption, the island of Maui has become accustomed to a calm and prosperous life. The Haleakala volcano and the Kipahulu Valley today constitute a national park, one of the most popular among tourists, especially among Americans. The Ohe'o stream flows through the valley, forming a cascade of seven small lakes surrounded by waterfalls.

Anthropologists do not have a common point of view on when the island was inhabited; some scientists believe that as early as 300 BC. e. But the ethnicity of the first settlers is beyond doubt - they were Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands and Tahiti, their ethnic alliance gave birth to the indigenous inhabitants of the island, as, indeed, on the other islands of the archipelago. The first European to see the island was James Cook (1728-1779) in 1778. But he did not go ashore, not finding a suitable place to stop, and moved to the island of Kauai, but he put Maui and its volcanoes on the map. The first European to land on Maui was the French admiral Jean-François de La Perouse (1741-1788) on May 29, 1786, and soon merchants and whalers, followed by missionaries, flocked to the island. In 1790, King Kamehameha I of Hawaii attempted to capture Maui. Did not work out. A few years later he returned here and this time managed to subjugate the local leaders.

The missionaries began to eradicate the free morals of the islanders; their morality was outraged by the sensual hula (kui) dance accompanied by “wild” pagan chants, which before the advent of Europeans was called kahiko, and the custom of women walking bare-breasted. The most irreconcilable were the Protestant pastors who arrived at the beginning of the 19th century. from Novaya. They strictly prohibited dancing and various other “obscene” local customs, opened the first school in 1831 (in Lahaina), which, by the way, is still operating today, compiled the Hawaiian alphabet of 12 letters and began to record the history of the island, of course, only with words of the aborigines, but this was already a lot. In 1898

The Hawaiian Islands were annexed and given the status of their territory, although North America and the archipelago are separated by approximately 3,700 km. Maui played an important strategic role in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a staging area, training base, and rest and medical facility for U.S. military personnel. In 1943-1944. a 100,000-strong US military garrison was based there, mostly near the town of Haiku.

In 1959, Hawaii became a full-fledged US state, the fiftieth. Since the early 1970s. Tourism is beginning to actively develop on Maui, and today the island receives more than 2 million vacationers a year. The service sector became the main component of its economy.

SHORE AND CLIPS

Mark Twain, who visited Maui in 1866, climbed to the top of the Haleakala volcano and left enthusiastic notes about this ascent and about the island itself. Since then, not a single attempt has been made to doubt this assessment.

The island of Maui is considered the best place among the Hawaiian islands for diving, as well as snorkeling - scuba diving with a mask, snorkel and fins. The most popular water activity here is, of course, windsurfing. By the way, the Hawaiians are sure that their ancestors invented it, about a couple of thousand years ago, and in confirmation of this they can tell the legend about the same undaunted Maui, who overcame high waves both on boards and, when they were not at hand, on skeletons big fish, and in general on anything. Parasailing is, of course, also practiced here. As well as fishing and boat cruises around the island, as well as trips to the nearest islands. Maui's ocean center in Maalaea is a must see for any visitor to the island. The center's aquarium is considered the largest in the Western Hemisphere, its volume is 12,000 m3, it is home to coral reef fish, sea turtles, sharks, humpback whales, in total more than 1,000 species, of which 100 are endemic. In addition, it is believed that Maalaea has the highest breaking waves in the world and, accordingly, the most wonderful surfing.

On land, the favorite pastime of vacationers, fed up with beach idleness and watching humpback whales that come very close to the island, is playing golf. And also trips to the town of Lahaina, in the 19th century. former capital of Hawaii and the main base of whalers. It has well-preserved colonial-era buildings, a timeless celebration of life with luau parties, and a selection of local artisans on the pedestrianized Front Street.

But not all of Mauai is just to serve and entertain tourists; it has more serious tasks. On the Haleakala volcano, at an altitude of 3000 m, above the clouds, there is a scientific observatory. The air here is dry and rarefied, its transparency is exceptional, the telescopes are the most advanced today, the diameter of the largest optical telescope at the top is 3.67 m. The local astrophysicists are often visited by their colleagues from different parts of the world. True, not all of the guests of the observatory and not everything here are shown and allowed to use. The observatory on Maui is managed by the US Department of Defense, the US Air Force, the US Federal Aviation Administration and other reputable organizations. Their specialists monitor the movement of spacecraft, the ISS, satellites, rockets, and develop methods for using laser technologies in the stratosphere and in space. The latter is especially relevant in connection with the extremely acute problem in our time of man-made contamination of space with the remains of artificial objects (expired satellites, upper stages and upper stages of launch vehicles and other technological components of space technology and equipment).

Those tourists who have experience in mountain climbing climb to the top of the Haleakala volcano to see one of the largest volcanic craters in the world, the depth of which reaches 790 m and a diameter of 3.2 km. This is far from easy, the journey takes two days: you have to overcome steep obstacles made of black basalt blocks, deep gorges - the result of erosion, dense thickets of tropical alpine plants with thorny branches. To get a dose of adrenaline, you can hit the highway on the north-eastern coast of the island. This road, connecting the towns of Kahului and Hana, makes about 600 turns over 84 km and crosses 54 valleys. To the left is the ocean, black (volcanic sand) and white beaches, to the right are mountain ranges covered with a jungle carpet, from under which waterfalls sparkling in the sun appear.

ATTRACTIONS OF MAUI ISLAND

■ Haleakala National Park.

■ Arboretum of banyan (fig) trees.

■ National Marine Sanctuary, where humpback whales are studied (Kahului).

■Waianapanapa Hawaii State Park.

■ Maui Nui Falls.

■ Iao Valley.

■ Maui Ocean Center (aquarium).

■ Molokini is a semi-sunken volcanic crater (island) with a crescent shape and a diameter of about 0.6 km, 3 km west of the coast of Maui.

■ Beaches: Big Beach, Little Beach, Kaanapali, Wailea, Keawalapu Maipoina-Oe-Lau Beach, Kamaole Beach and others.

■ Lava tubes and fields of the Ahihi-Kinau Forest Reserve in the bay of the same name.

■ Keawakapu Beach artificial reef.

■ Kahului-Hana Road.

■ Kaeleku Maui Caves at the foot of the Hana Rainforest.

■ The resort town of Kaanapali (the most fashionable on the island), there is a whaling museum.

■ Black Rock Point.

City of Lahaina (listed on the US National Register of Historic Places):

■ Fort (reconstruction).

■ Old Courthouse.

■ Baldwin House, a Protestant missionary home (1849).

■ First Pioneer Inn (1901).

■ Maria Lahaquila Catholic Church (1858).

■ Hing Temple (1912, Chinese Community Museum).

■ Former Paahao prison (1852, now a historical museum).

■ Japanese Buddhist Temple Lahaina Yodo Mission.

■ Oldest banyan tree in the United States (planted 1873) in an urban setting.

■ Front Street shopping area.

GENERAL INFORMATION

An island that is part of the Hawaiian archipelago.

Nationality: USA.
Administrative center: Vailuku.
Languages: English (official), as well as Hawaiian and other local dialects.
Ethnic composition: Hawaiians - 10%, Filipinos - 14%, Japanese - 14%, Chinese - 5%, white Americans - 24.7%, Hispanics - 8.9%, African Americans - 3.1%, mestizos - 14.7 %, others - 5.6%, there is also a Russian community on the island.
Religions: Christianity (Protestants, Catholics, Mormons) - 28.9%, Buddhism - 10%, other religions - 10.8%, undecided, agnostics and atheists - 50.3%. Currency: US dollar.
The largest settlements: Kahului - 26,337 people. (2010), Kihei - 20,881 people. (2010), Lahaina - 11,700 people. (2010).
Largest port: Kahului.
Nearest airports: Honolulu (international! on the island of Oahu, local airports on the island: Kapalua in the west, Kahului in the center, Hana in the east.

NUMBERS

Area: 1884 km2.
Population: 144,444 people. (2010).
Population density: 76.7 people/km2.
Maximum length: 64 km.
Maximum width: 42 km.
Highest point: Haleakala volcano (3055 m).

ECONOMY

Industry: food - sugar, canned vegetables and fruits are produced.
Agriculture: cultivation of coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, sugar cane, pineapples, vegetables and fruits, floriculture is extremely developed.
Service sector: trade, tourism.

Aloha and welcome to the island of Maui, where the islanders' sense of pride is expressed in the island's unofficial slogan: "Maui no ka oi," which means "Maui is the best." Maui, a "magical island" and "valley island" with stunning scenery where quiet towns rub shoulders with upscale resorts, has something special to offer for everyone. An unforgettable vacation is guaranteed here!

You can spend time on the shores of the largest harbour, in the bustling port of Lahaina, formerly a whaling center and now a city with attractive art galleries, exotic restaurants and unique shops that rarely close early.

Whether your desire is for a secluded getaway in nature or city nightlife, Maui has it all. Lovers of water and hills will enjoy a wide variety of opportunities - a variety of hiking routes and attractions, as well as recreation on the water.

The island's 1,882 km2 area is enough to spark the imagination of any adventurer. Maui combines sophistication with beauty in a way unique to other islands. The West Coast is home to world-class resorts for anyone looking to pamper themselves. Maui is also home to a dozen golf schools founded by legendary players such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. By contrast, you can drive along the east coast of Maui and feel like you've traveled back in time. Here is the secluded town of Hana with picturesque landscapes, waterfalls and attractions.

Geography and climate

Maui is the second largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago with a population of 120,000 people. The tropical climate on the island is quite comfortable with an average annual temperature of approximately 23.8-29.4 C at sea level. Trade winds carry rain clouds towards the northern end of the island, leaving the southern part drier.

Maui is sometimes called the "Valley Island" because of the huge area of ​​lush vegetation that connects the island's two volcanoes - Puu Kukui to the west and Haleakala, or "house of the Sun", to the east. Maui offers a variety of landscapes: inland lowlands, steep mountain slopes, gentler slopes and high mountain peaks.

At an altitude of more than 914 m, you can notice that the air has become drier and the temperature has dropped significantly. Due to intermittent terrain, weather data such as cloud level, precipitation, temperature and wind speed can vary significantly even over short distances. For example, in Haleakala National Park alone you can find 7 different climate zones.

Haleakala Crater

Haleakala Crater, the peak of the eastern volcano, is located at an impressive height of 3,055 m above sea level. This peak is famous for its amazing sunset views, which may seem nothing less than a miracle to some. If you're visiting the island, set aside at least one day to explore the largest dormant volcano in the world.

Kaanapali

A 4.8 km stretch of beach on Maui's west coast is called Ka'anapali, a historically and culturally significant site. Here you can visit Black Mountain (Puu Kekaa), a sacred place in Hawaiian mythology - according to legend, here the souls of the dead pass from the world of people to the world of spirits. In the southern part of Kaanapali is the picturesque village of Whalers Village with an open-air market and a dozen different shops and restaurants. Enjoy an unforgettable ride on the Sugar Cain Train from Ka'anapali to Lahaina and back.

Road to Hana

Drive along the stunning 88km road to truly appreciate the island's varied landscapes, across bridges and along bamboo groves, up hillsides, past fruit trees and fabulous native flowers. The city of Hana is a good reward for such a long journey. Spend the rest of your time lounging on one of Hana's beaches, go to the Hana Cultural Center or visit Rachno Hana - or you can choose any other entertainment that the city has to offer.

Molokini Island

Molokini Island is located near Maui and is shaped like a crescent moon. By its origin, it is an underwater volcano that has been inactive for several decades. The island is well known to lovers of underwater recreation because of the bright and colorful inhabitants of the underwater world, the status of the island as a national reserve and whales.

Ocean Center Maui

The Maui Ocean Center is a great place for those interested in the underwater life of Maui and other islands of the Hawaiian archipelago. Here you can see more than a thousand ea (fish species) in a huge aquarium with a capacity of about 3 million liters! Children are simply delighted to watch their favorite animals: turtles, stingrays and starfish.

Whale watching

Not many people know that the waters around Hawaii are home to thousands of humpback whales between December and April. These huge mammals migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warmer waters of this region of the Pacific Ocean to breed. The whales prefer the secluded space of the Auau Channel between the islands of Maui and Lanai. Kaanapali Park is the most popular place to observe these amazing 40-ton creatures.

Why is Maui a unique place?

The island of Maui is ideal for those who seek maximum variety in their vacation, who love the opportunities of a huge city, but value privacy and enjoy exploring the unique and diverse nature. For example, you can enjoy a massage in the morning at one of Maui's beautiful resorts, head to the mountains for an unforgettable hike in the afternoon, and end the day with delicious Hawaiian cuisine.

The island of Maui is for romantics, tourists and adventurers - anyone who wants to experience the advantages of the big and small islands: Maui combines the vibrancy and tranquility of both. For many, Maui may be “just right.”

Naturally, this route was created specifically for our desires, interests and time, so you can easily change everything in it the way you want and will be more convenient. Also, do not forget to check the information, I, like you, looked for everything on the Internet using different resources, besides, time passes and a lot changes ?.

I would advise you to take a week for a trip to the island of Maui, so that one half of the vacation is spent on more active activities, and the other half is devoted to just the beach, tanning and cocktails with cherry?.

Brief tourist information about the island of Maui:

• Dark blue dot The map shows the largest city of the island - it is called Kahalui (it is also where the airport is located). And I don’t advise you to settle there; tourists have nothing to do there. Kahalui is home to mostly local Hawaiians in private homes, has the only Costco and Whole Foods, as well as Longs Drugs (aka CVS), many gas stations, and Safeway supermarkets. And few people will like the nearby beaches.
• Blue line I indicated the part of the island where the most beautiful and most popular beaches of Maui are located. I advise you to drive this route in a rented car and swim, take photos and just look at all the beaches in a row, and perhaps choose your favorite one. There are both wild beaches and very touristy ones. And also in this part of the island (in the Lahaina area) the sunset was clearly visible in the summer.
• Red lines designated areas with tourist shops, restaurants and cafes. If you're looking for shopping and Hawaiian restaurants, look no further than Lahaina or Wailea. Also keep in mind that Lahaina is a town with more affordable prices (although everything is very expensive on Maui), while Wailea is the most expensive area of ​​the island, but also the most well-groomed.
• Green Line- this is the road to Hana. The road to Hana is a local landmark, a dashing serpentine road, but with beautiful views and waterfalls. Near Hanoi you will find black and red sand beaches.
• Orange line - This is the road to Haleakala National Park. Haleakala is a large dormant volcano. Tourists come here to watch sunrises and sunsets, as well as go hiking.

The most beautiful beaches on Maui

I can highlight Kapalua Beach, Kaʻanapali Beach, Napili Bay, Wailea Beach, Makena Beach.
Since Maui is an island, there are plenty of beaches, almost all around. From rocky to completely wild, from beaches where the locals hang out to beaches where there are tons of rich tourists. Choose according to your taste!
In the Bays, many people like to snorkel, for example, the beautiful water was in Honolua-Mokuleia Bay. Don't forget your mask and fins! ?

And also stop at Lahaina on the way, where an interesting banyan tree grows. Look for Lahaina Banyan Court Park.

And yes, if you really want, you can go around a smaller part of the island in a complete circle, as we did. BUT! Please note that where I did not outline the blue line around the area from Kapalua to Kahalui there is a nightmare serpentine road that just goes to the edge of the cliff. If you don’t have good experience driving on winding mountain roads, and especially if the car is not suitable for such a route (not to mention its width), then I really don’t recommend going there. Especially with children. Yes, there are beautiful views, but they are not worth all this adventure. The road stretches along cliffs for more than an hour, and it is very narrow, with cars moving along it in two directions. That is, you will constantly have to somehow get away with others, either with dissatisfied locals who know every turn, or with equally frightened tourists. One wrong move and the car wheel will easily slide off the road. So you better choose the route that Icircled, of course, if you are not a fan of unnecessary adventures?.

Volcano Haleakala

Haleakala Volcano, as I already wrote, is a national park on the island of Maui. In general, the island of Maui consists of two volcanoes, and the island itself was formed due to their volcanoes. It’s easy to see from the map that one of them is smaller and the second is larger. The big one is Haleakala; in Hawaiian its name means “House of the Sun.”
It is named so for a reason; from the top of the volcano there is a stunning view of sunsets and sunrises. Sunrises are famous, however, even more. And this is a must-have for all active tourists who come to Maui.

If you want to see the sunrise at the volcano:
— Book your parking space in advance on this website. You are unlikely to be allowed upstairs without a reservation!
— A ticket to the park (to the volcano) costs $25 per car (you can pay by credit card).
— Please note that dawn is very early (I’m not saying that you don’t know, but simply that this is the south and it dawns here in the summer at 5 am ☺️).
— It’s better to arrive at the top an hour before dawn. What you need to see is not the sunrise itself, but exactly what is happening in the sky before it! How the starry sky turns orange! ?
— Be sure to look at how long it will take you to get to the volcano in Google Map. On average it is an hour and a half journey. Take this into account! You will have to get up very early.
— The road to the volcano is again a serpatine road. Be prepared for this. Driving in the dark and early in the morning - there will be little romance. But it's worth it, of course.
— If you are prone to motion sickness, take special tablets.
- And most importantly! It's very cold at the top early in the morning! Take jackets, even hats, and even if you have them, gloves. Because the hands holding the camera will freeze. You can even take a thermos with a hot drink. Because you will be at five in the morning, above the clouds and on the mountain.

Those who are more lazy and who like to sleep are advised to still go and watch the sunset? But I think watching the sunrise on a volcano crater sounds cooler!

Road to Hana

In English it is called Road to Hana. Another serpentine road through the mountains. But here at least you can go during the day, although keep in mind that such a trip will most likely take a whole day. For example, driving from Kahului to Hana takes 2 hours one way. That is, it’s 4 hours of driving along serpentine roads. Is this the reason why we decided not to go there? Therefore, I won’t tell you any special secrets, but here’s what I know.

- Again, many people here get motion sickness, take special pills.
— Take swimsuits if you want to swim somewhere, or hiking boots if you want to explore the local beauty.
— On the way to Hana they promise waterfalls, beautiful views, Kaihalulu Beach (Red Sand Beach) a beach with red sand and Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach a beach with black sand. And also Wai'anapanapa State Park, there are rocks near the ocean.
— If you don’t want to go back along the serpentine road, you can go further and return along a different road. But it doesn’t really have asphalt, as far as I understand, and it’s longer, so the choice here is difficult.
— On the Internet, I also advise you to take food and drinks with you; don’t rely on restaurants around you. But they say local fruits are often sold there.
— Don’t drive, everyone drives slowly in Hawaii, especially on scary serpentines. The fines for this will be good, and it’s also dangerous.
— As a local auntie told us, Hawaiians often behave aggressively on the road to Hana. That is, they don’t like to wait for frightened tourists. If you also don’t be aggressive in some places (for example, there are a lot of narrow bridges where you have to let each other pass), then they may not let you through soon. Like, don’t be afraid, but don’t yawn either. She also advised me to close the left side mirror on the car during the serpentine, otherwise I can return without it?
- Well, and the last thing. Do not leave valuables or equipment in the car. They say even in trunks. Locals are aware of the large flow of tourists with cameras and drones, so they steal everything that is in bad shape. Whether this is true or not, I don’t know. But it’s better to be on the safe side than under-warned! ?

Hawaiian show

The Hawaiian show is called Luau. Of course, all this is not for everyone, but I decided that it was necessary. Since we have arrived in Hawaii, the entire standard tourist program must be completed! And then we were lucky, right in our hotel there was a show called Te Au Moana. We paid a little more than $25o for two (there was also a Hawaiian buffet included). But there are many different kinds of shows, and, if you’re lucky, hotels have them for free.

Sunset in Hawaii

Hawaiian sunsets are famous for their special beauty. I highly recommend watching the sunset right while sitting on the beach, or better yet on a wild beach, without the tourist fuss, and enjoying the moment.
We were just driving home, and along the way we managed to stop at the first small beach we came across, even without sand, but with large pebbles. Apart from us, there was only one family of local residents with children who were catching the waves before it got dark.
The beauty was amazing! It was one of the most vibrant and colorful sunsets we have seen.

What to try in Hawaii? Hawaiian cuisine.

Hawaiian cuisine is a very interesting mix of Polynesian dishes, Japanese and American fast food.

Here are the names of the most popular dishes you can try in Hawaii:

• Laulau is fish or meat wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. A kind of dolma, only you need to open the leaves and eat the filling.
• Spam musubi is a Hawaiian roll consisting of boiled rice, nori seaweed and spam (American cheap ham in an iron can).
• Loco Moco – boiled rice, a hamburger-style meat patty (can be replaced with meat or rub), topped with a fried egg and a dark sweet and sour sauce.
• Lomi-lomi salmon - pieces of raw salmon, which are usually served with fresh tomatoes, onions and herbs (for some reason we came across cooked salmon).
• Poi is a puree made from the tubers of the taro plant. Is it like some weird, runny purple baby food?
• Plate lunch - a lunch plate consisting of fried meat or fish (there are different options), boiled rice, pasta salad and teriyaki sauce. The most popular Hawaiian dish known throughout the United States.
• Fish dishes: mahi mahi, ahi tuna, opakapaka, ono.
• Kalua pig is slow-cooked roasted pork.
• Poke - raw fish (usually tuna) - cut into small pieces, served with rice and sauce. Looks like Japanese sashimi. The fish in Hawaii is simply wonderful, especially the local fish, so I highly recommend trying it.
• Taco with fish. I don't know how Mexican tacos got here, but pocky tacos are very popular. This is such a fusion.
• Manapua - steamed rice buns stuffed with pork.
• Huli Huli Chicken – fried chicken in a sweetish sauce. Huli means “to turn”, the chicken must be turned during cooking to prevent the sauce from burning?.
• Saimin - broth, egg noodles, egg and something meaty. This is Hawaiian ramen.
• Garlic Shrimp - garlic shrimp.
• Malasadas are square-shaped donuts.
• Shave Ice is ice cream made from ground ice, a round snowball in a bowl, topped with different fruit syrups.
• Mai Tai is a Polynesian rum-based alcoholic cocktail.
• And most importantly, Hawaii has amazing fruits. Be sure to try pineapple (Gold Pineapple), passion fruit (or better yet, various desserts made from it, in Hawaiian it is called lilikoi, in English - passion fruit) and be sure to Hawaiian mango! ?

Souvenirs: what to bring from Hawaii?

• Everyone here will be familiar with Hawaiian shirts, women's sundresses and “pareos” with a Hawaiian print, and ukulele guitars. However, keep in mind that most often these are completely tourist goods, look where they were made, if not in China?
• A lesser known souvenir, but in my opinion, the most necessary and delicious one is macadamia nuts. Especially chocolate covered macadamias. Be sure to get yourself some in boxes or small bags. And I advise you to buy these sweets in a regular supermarket or pharmacy, because in tourist stores the prices are always higher. The most common Safaway came to my aid.
• Hawaiian Kona coffee. There is both 100% Kona coffee and mixes with other beans. I also advise you to buy coffee, like nuts, in supermarkets and not in souvenir shops.
• Hawaiian beads and lei flower beads, both artificial and real. True, the real ones quickly wither without a refrigerator, so the souvenir is controversial, although very beautiful.
• Various trinkets - jewelry, keychains and figurines. However, again, I advise you to look where it was done. You can find wood crafts and shell pendants from the locals. I bought myself an artificial frangipani flower, aka plumeria, but homemade!
• You can also make yourself a Hawaiian tattoo with henna (more precisely, jagua paint). True, there are not many craftsmen here, basically this is all the same as what they do here in Gelendzhik. But I found a woman who draws very cute Hawaiian turtles. Look for KO Swim on Yelp (its store is located in the center of the souvenir market).
• And he won’t forget! Fruits cannot be taken from Hawaii! You can buy pineapples at the airport, intended specifically for transportation from the islands; I also saw real flower leis in boxes there.

If you have been to Hawaii, and especially to the island of Maui, share your impressions in the comments.
If this article was useful to you, please do not be lazy to write me a few words in the comments, I will be pleased (alas, but before our trip I did not find such information, especially in one place, but it would have been very useful??) .

Have a nice holiday!

Maui Island, Hawaii, USA. Photo: Ollie O/TripAdvisor

The popular online travel resource TripAdvisor calls the island of Maui, which is one of Hawaii, the best in the world in 2016, according to travelers themselves.

In the compiled ranking, Maui is ahead of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, which is in second place, Jamaica, Providenciales and Bali, which closes the top five.

However, this is not surprising, since Hawaii has been considered one of the most popular resort destinations among Americans since the 60s of the last century.

With its beaches, excursions and endless activities, Maui can be called the jewel in the crown of the entire archipelago.

1. Molokini Crater

The crescent-shaped crater of Molokini is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling and diving: magical corals, beautiful fish, turtles, Hawaiian monk seals and even sharks. The crater rocks provide good protection in case of unexpected wave activity.

2. Road to Hana

The amazingly scenic Hana Highway follows the entire northeast coast of Maui. Around almost every turn of the road there are beautiful waterfalls, as well as wonderful views of the ocean and forest on the other side.

3. Sunrises over Haleakala

The sunrise over Haleakala Crater is something you definitely haven't seen anywhere else. The shield volcano, whose name means "House of the Sun", and nearby Haleakala National Park are considered Maui's most popular attractions.

4. Black Beach

The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park is located near Hana Highway. In Hawaii you can also find beaches with red sand.

5. Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls is like a movie theater where you can watch movies from your car. These waterfalls are located right next to the road, so you can actually see something from your car, or better yet, park your car and walk a few meters to get a wonderful view of the waterfalls.

6. Abundance of fauna

The photo appears to show the happiest paddle boarders in history, but encounters with various ocean creatures in Hawaiian waters are not uncommon. The channel between Maui and Molokai is known for being home to humpback whales during the winter months. You can book a special tour to watch whales.

7. Island ruins

The coast of Maui is amazingly beautiful, but the island still contains historical ruins left by the ancient population of Hawaii. The road along the ruins is called “royal”.

8. Surfer's paradise

Wave surfers from all over the world have chosen the northern shore of Maui. It is sometimes more interesting - and safer - to observe this magnificence from the outside, while relaxing on the beach. Adrenaline goes off scale in any case.

9. Bamboo Forest

The Pipiwei Trail, which runs through a bamboo forest, is ideal for walking or cycling. A well-maintained trail will lead you to Waimoku Falls.

10. “Secret” beaches

The beaches of Paako Cove and Paia Beach were considered “secret” for the time being, but this is no longer the case. These popular beaches attract tourists with their amazing landscape - towering palm trees and soft sands.

11. Lavender fields

Visitors to Maui are always surprised that fields of lavender can be found on a tropical island. In fact, entire lavender farms can be found on the mountain slopes of Haleakala. And although lavenders are not a native plant, they have successfully adapted to the climate of the mountainous part of Maui.

12. Spirit of Aloha

As popular as Maui is among tourists, it is still a small island. “This is a very calm place, there are no traffic jams or people rushing somewhere. The true spirit of Aloha can be found here, writes HuffPost blogger Kimanzi Constable, who moved to Maui. “Aloha,” as we know, is the traditional greeting of the people of Hawaii, as well as a method of expressing love and attitude towards nature.