03-04-2008, 11:10 PM
Many travelers have been to their favorite vacation destination, the Hawaiian Islands, time and again, and remain eager to return. Now is the time to get creative with your itinerary and take a multi-island trip you'll never forget.
A natural choice for island hopping are the isles of Maui Nui: Maui, Moloka"˜i and Lana"˜i are the only islands in Hawai"˜i linked by ferry crossings over clear, blue channel waters. With Maui as your home base, you'll find a variety of day and overnight trips can be easily planned to either Lana"˜i or Moloka"˜i, by utilizing the 45 minute Lahaina to Lana"˜i Expeditions ferry or the 90 minute Lahaina to Kaunakakai Maui-Moloka"˜i Ferry, "the Moloka"˜i Princess." Of course, the airlines continue to offer quick flights between islands.
Another tip is to develop a themed vacation, especially for those who have a strong interest in a particular subject, like health and wellness or horticulture, or families with children in school who may want to learn about island history or experience a cultural adventure.
By knowing your options and letting your imagination soar, you can tap into bounty of engaging and educational activities through Maui County's agricultural, cultural and natural attractions. Read on for a sampling of what's being offered so you or your Travel Agent can tailor the perfect multi-island itinerary.
MAUI
Travelers who thrive on exploring unbeaten paths, making new discoveries, and learning the "why" of what they encounter will find Maui is almost inexhaustible in its attractions.
Dig a little deeper, and you'll soon see that Maui's rich volcanic soil is home to flourishing farms and charming botanical gardens. Upcountry, traversing the misty slopes of Haleakala, are three farm tours that showcase Maui's popular flowers and herbs: orchids, protea, and lavender. Orchids of Olinda present award winning, eye candy blooms in a very informational walking tour with lunch. Shim Coffee, Protea and Botanical Farm Tour offers a visit to a working coffee plantation, which also grows exotic protea flowers and provides a short lesson on the history of Chinese immigrants in Kula. Ali"˜i Kula Lavender features an outstanding display of 45 varieties of the fragrant herb to be discovered in a variety of combo tours. Two formal gardens are open for touring daily: Enchanting Floral Gardens in lower Kula features over 1500 species of plants and flowers from all over the world, while Kula Botanical Gardens in upper Kula offers a highland garden showcase of proteas, bromeliads and trees.
While today's farms and farming methods may be different from those of ancient Hawai"˜i, there is an activity, which allows visitors to go back in time and discover how an ahupua"˜a (self-sustaining land division) and the people who maintained it lived and worked. From the estimable folks at Old Lahaina Lu"˜au comes a day program, "Ho"˜omana"˜o" (to remember). Featuring three interactive stations, which demonstrate Hawaiian warfare, hula (dance), along with farming and fishing, this cultural activity is a way to watch, listen, touch, taste and learn the skills and lifestyle of old Hawai"˜i. To find out more about Hawai"˜i's multi-ethnic plantation era of the 20th century, there's no better showcase than the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum. Set in an old plantation manager's house near a working sugar mill, this museum and outdoor exhibit examines Maui's sugar industry, camp life and the plantations' influences on island water resources. For a history of the pineapple plantations on Maui, take Maui Land & Pineapple Company's Pineapple Plantation Tour, which is led by the workers and goes straight into the fields.
From plantation field workers to small business entrepreneurs, Maui's immigrant families started the "mom-and-pop" businesses that can still be seen today, if you know where to look. One example is The Hasegawa General Store in Hana, established in 1910, which is a trip back in time to rural small town America. Visitors who seek these stores, bakeries and diners nestled in Maui's picturesque small towns will receive a rewarding glimpse into the island way of life.
MOLOKA"˜I<br />
Lauded as "Hawaiian by Nature," Moloka"˜i is the island where you can discover the archaeologist within. A necklace of ancient fishponds is strung for miles along the pristine waters of the south shore, offering a fair picture of former lava rock pens that once teemed with wild fish. Ancient temples known as "heiau" can also be found on Moloka"˜i. One that's as large as a football field, "˜Ili"˜ili"˜lopae Heiau, and made from round stones is only a ten minute walk from the main highway. The entire area provides a look at how daily village life in old Moloka"˜i might have been. In the lush, tropical East End of the island, a new crop of eco-tours is being cultivated. The Halawa Valley Taro Patch Farm is a small, family business, which will immerse you in the traditional aqua farming methods of terraced taro patches. A gentle giant of a pet, Bigfoot the Asian water buffalo, is on hand for plowing demonstrations. At the end of the road is mystical Halawa Valley, filled with rugged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Guided hikes to the falls and to numerous archaeological sites are available on a regular basis.
LANA"˜I<br />
To enjoy nature's stunning beauty along with a relaxing local lifestyle is to get to know Lana"˜i. Formerly a pineapple plantation, the island's main town of Lana"˜i City remains a snapshot of small towns from the 1950's and 60's. Family owned and operated general stores; cafes and "plate lunch" diners encircle the town square, offering a real aloha style experience. The island is also a study in natural wonders, many of which are steeped in ancient Hawaiian history. A short road trip in a rental jeep or via a luxury 4x4 tour will lead to Keahiakawelo, the unearthly "Garden of the Gods," a vista of windswept red soil punctuated by unusual rock formations. A short walking trail maintained by The Nature Conservancy meanders through Kanepu"˜u Preserve, where native coastal dry land plants still thrive. Down toward Kaiolohia Bay, a field of Hawaiian petroglyphs is etched into boulders overlooking the beach with its famous shipwreck. For an adventure on the water, try Trilogy Lana"˜i Ocean Sports, which follows the footsteps of Hawaiian royalty to King Kamehameha's summer retreat at Kaunolu and Kaumalapau along the southern coastline.
With these options, you can have an authentic vacation experience in the living, breathing culture of Maui, Lana"˜i and Moloka"˜i.
A natural choice for island hopping are the isles of Maui Nui: Maui, Moloka"˜i and Lana"˜i are the only islands in Hawai"˜i linked by ferry crossings over clear, blue channel waters. With Maui as your home base, you'll find a variety of day and overnight trips can be easily planned to either Lana"˜i or Moloka"˜i, by utilizing the 45 minute Lahaina to Lana"˜i Expeditions ferry or the 90 minute Lahaina to Kaunakakai Maui-Moloka"˜i Ferry, "the Moloka"˜i Princess." Of course, the airlines continue to offer quick flights between islands.
Another tip is to develop a themed vacation, especially for those who have a strong interest in a particular subject, like health and wellness or horticulture, or families with children in school who may want to learn about island history or experience a cultural adventure.
By knowing your options and letting your imagination soar, you can tap into bounty of engaging and educational activities through Maui County's agricultural, cultural and natural attractions. Read on for a sampling of what's being offered so you or your Travel Agent can tailor the perfect multi-island itinerary.
MAUI
Travelers who thrive on exploring unbeaten paths, making new discoveries, and learning the "why" of what they encounter will find Maui is almost inexhaustible in its attractions.
Dig a little deeper, and you'll soon see that Maui's rich volcanic soil is home to flourishing farms and charming botanical gardens. Upcountry, traversing the misty slopes of Haleakala, are three farm tours that showcase Maui's popular flowers and herbs: orchids, protea, and lavender. Orchids of Olinda present award winning, eye candy blooms in a very informational walking tour with lunch. Shim Coffee, Protea and Botanical Farm Tour offers a visit to a working coffee plantation, which also grows exotic protea flowers and provides a short lesson on the history of Chinese immigrants in Kula. Ali"˜i Kula Lavender features an outstanding display of 45 varieties of the fragrant herb to be discovered in a variety of combo tours. Two formal gardens are open for touring daily: Enchanting Floral Gardens in lower Kula features over 1500 species of plants and flowers from all over the world, while Kula Botanical Gardens in upper Kula offers a highland garden showcase of proteas, bromeliads and trees.
While today's farms and farming methods may be different from those of ancient Hawai"˜i, there is an activity, which allows visitors to go back in time and discover how an ahupua"˜a (self-sustaining land division) and the people who maintained it lived and worked. From the estimable folks at Old Lahaina Lu"˜au comes a day program, "Ho"˜omana"˜o" (to remember). Featuring three interactive stations, which demonstrate Hawaiian warfare, hula (dance), along with farming and fishing, this cultural activity is a way to watch, listen, touch, taste and learn the skills and lifestyle of old Hawai"˜i. To find out more about Hawai"˜i's multi-ethnic plantation era of the 20th century, there's no better showcase than the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum. Set in an old plantation manager's house near a working sugar mill, this museum and outdoor exhibit examines Maui's sugar industry, camp life and the plantations' influences on island water resources. For a history of the pineapple plantations on Maui, take Maui Land & Pineapple Company's Pineapple Plantation Tour, which is led by the workers and goes straight into the fields.
From plantation field workers to small business entrepreneurs, Maui's immigrant families started the "mom-and-pop" businesses that can still be seen today, if you know where to look. One example is The Hasegawa General Store in Hana, established in 1910, which is a trip back in time to rural small town America. Visitors who seek these stores, bakeries and diners nestled in Maui's picturesque small towns will receive a rewarding glimpse into the island way of life.
MOLOKA"˜I<br />
Lauded as "Hawaiian by Nature," Moloka"˜i is the island where you can discover the archaeologist within. A necklace of ancient fishponds is strung for miles along the pristine waters of the south shore, offering a fair picture of former lava rock pens that once teemed with wild fish. Ancient temples known as "heiau" can also be found on Moloka"˜i. One that's as large as a football field, "˜Ili"˜ili"˜lopae Heiau, and made from round stones is only a ten minute walk from the main highway. The entire area provides a look at how daily village life in old Moloka"˜i might have been. In the lush, tropical East End of the island, a new crop of eco-tours is being cultivated. The Halawa Valley Taro Patch Farm is a small, family business, which will immerse you in the traditional aqua farming methods of terraced taro patches. A gentle giant of a pet, Bigfoot the Asian water buffalo, is on hand for plowing demonstrations. At the end of the road is mystical Halawa Valley, filled with rugged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Guided hikes to the falls and to numerous archaeological sites are available on a regular basis.
LANA"˜I<br />
To enjoy nature's stunning beauty along with a relaxing local lifestyle is to get to know Lana"˜i. Formerly a pineapple plantation, the island's main town of Lana"˜i City remains a snapshot of small towns from the 1950's and 60's. Family owned and operated general stores; cafes and "plate lunch" diners encircle the town square, offering a real aloha style experience. The island is also a study in natural wonders, many of which are steeped in ancient Hawaiian history. A short road trip in a rental jeep or via a luxury 4x4 tour will lead to Keahiakawelo, the unearthly "Garden of the Gods," a vista of windswept red soil punctuated by unusual rock formations. A short walking trail maintained by The Nature Conservancy meanders through Kanepu"˜u Preserve, where native coastal dry land plants still thrive. Down toward Kaiolohia Bay, a field of Hawaiian petroglyphs is etched into boulders overlooking the beach with its famous shipwreck. For an adventure on the water, try Trilogy Lana"˜i Ocean Sports, which follows the footsteps of Hawaiian royalty to King Kamehameha's summer retreat at Kaunolu and Kaumalapau along the southern coastline.
With these options, you can have an authentic vacation experience in the living, breathing culture of Maui, Lana"˜i and Moloka"˜i.