Maui Online Guide

To many Pa’ia is just a jumping off point on the road to Hana. To paraphrase more than one guide we’ve read, “stop and have breakfast at Charley’s in Pa’ia, pick up a few supplies and head off for Hana.” If this is all you see of Pa’ia, then you’re missing one of Maui’s true treasures. Pa’ia (pronounced pah-ee-ah) started life as one of the many sugar plantation “towns” that dotted Maui in earlier times. Life was dominated by the Alexander and Baldwin sugar mill and the surrounding cane fields. After more than a century of operation the Mill closed in 2000, bringing to a close sugar’s dominance of the community.

As sugars time passed other influences added to the unique flavor of the Pa’ia. Surfers came from all over the world to windsurf at nearby Ho’okipa beach and free spirits looking for a simpler, healthier lifestyle migrated to the area. Each group added their own essence to the spirit of the community.

Today Pa’ia is a mix of plantation town life, the needs of the health conscious lifestyle and the irreverent “hang loose” attitude of the surfer crowd. A mix, we dare say, you’ll find nowhere else on the planet.

A wonderful blend of small shops and eateries make up the commercial area of Pa’ia. You’ll find Hawaiian crafts, Indian imports, surf shops, juice bars and more, all on the same block. It’s definitely an off the mall experience. To feel it for yourself you have to park your car and get out and walk around a bit. If you do you’re bound to fall in love with the place.

Our favorite little shop in Pa’ia is Aloha Bead Company. It’s makai (oceanside) just as you get into town from the Kahului side. You’ll find beads, beads, beads and more beads. This place definitely leans towards the towns “free spirit” influence.

Pa’ia is a great place to stop as you start out on your Hana adventure, it’s also a destination all it’s own. Stop in, take a little time to look around, who knows what you’ll find.

Maui Police are using all-terrain vehicles to patrol some of the Islands beaches and other remote areas. Officers use them not only as crime prevention tools, but to assist the public.

According to the Maui News a special operation was carried out during spring break. Maui News quotes Capt. Jeffrey Tanoue, commander of the Kihei Patrol District as saying:

“ATVs allow officers to reach areas that normal police vehicles are unable to access… Although we are limited in resources, we have increased ATV patrols and will continue efforts to monitor and enforce criminal activities at beaches and parks in the South Maui areas.”

The ATVs have also been used to transport injured persons to more accessible areas for medical attention and to check on the welfare of residents after serious storms.

We first saw them patrolling Maalaea Beach, between Kihei and Maalaea Harbor. It looked like a good fit to us. Along this beach are some pretty remote areas. It was frankly comforting to know the beach was being patrolled from time to time.

We’ve also got to say that the officers looked like they were having a pretty good time doing their job.

Have you ever wondered how those perfect looking palm trees at your Maui resort or condo came to look that way? Well, we never gave it much thought either until one afternoon, while we were having lunch on the lanai, the tree trimmers showed up.

They were fascinating to watch. After strapping on spikes (the same type used by telephone linemen) and wrapping a chain attached to a safety harness around the tree, he was off the ground and at tree top in just a few seconds. Once there, a machete was used to trim the palm frawns away. It didn’t look like easy work either, particularly on a hot day.

It was also interesting to watch the reactions of the guests in the area. Some helped gather the frawns into piles, others formed groups and discussed amongst themselves the best methods for tree trimming and a few left in a huff because their perfect afternoon in the sun had been disturbed.

Personally our hats off to them. Without their effort our few days in paradise just wouldn’t be so perfect. By the way, if you need a good tree trimmer on Maui just click on the image above, the company’s name and address are on the back of the shirt.

Hawaii beaches are rated as some of the most beautiful and popular in the world. But, because of large waves and tricky currents they are also among the most dangerous.

Recently, at Maui’s Slaughter House Beach, we witnessed for ourselves just how tempting it can be to enter the water during unsafe condigions. Large breakers were pounding the shore and eating away at the beach. The place was completely un-swimmable. A single middle aged man with mask, fins and snorkel came down the trail to the beach, intent on going for a little dip we suppose. He stood there watching the waves for several minutes until good judgment finally prevailed and he left the way he came.

This little encounter led us to a truly useful website, Hawaii Beach Safety It not only lists current conditions for many of Hawaii’s beaches, but has lots of helpful safety suggestions for beachgoers.

They suggest that before entering the water, remember to SOAK:

• Study the conditions before entering the water.
• Observe the activities of others in the ocean.
• Ask the lifeguards about current conditions.
• Know your limits in the water.

Presented by the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, City & County of Honolulu, County of Maui, Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, it’s a non-profit venture.

We liked the site so much that we put a link to it just under the Maui weather report at the top of the page.

Aloha Airlines Shuts Down Cargo Division

Magical Maui Photo Contest Winner

Superferry Names New CEO

Go! Pilots Fall Asleep During Flight!

MauiLog Homepage

South Maui, past Makena, near Pu’u Ola’i

Less known than it’s South Maui cousins Big Beach and Little Beach, Black Sand Beach (not to be confused with Black Sand Beach at Wai‘anapanapa State Park near Hana) generally offers a place to get away from the crowds. Located on the other side of Pu’u Ola’i, (the conical shaped cinder cone south of Makena) from Big Beach, Black Sand Beach is a salt and pepper mixture of lava, shells and sand. The last time we were there the beach had a somewhat unkept appearance with lots of cigarette butts and other trash about.

Because of jagged lava and coral just off the beach, entry into the water is difficult. There’s a lava shelf on the left side of the beach that’s the best place to enter the water. The snorkeling is usually good to the left side along Pu’u Ola’i. We’ve seen quite a few turtles here.

To find the beach drive past Makena towards Big Beach. Just before you reach Pu’u Ola”i look for a dirt road leading towards the beach. There’s a gate and a Makena State park sign at the entrance to the road. The road is rough, but usually passable and leads to a dirt parking area at the beach that has enough room for a few cars.

Facilities:

• None

Find this and other beaches on our Maui Beach Map

Hawaii Superferry is adding a second Maui trip starting May 9th. The afternoon sailing will operate Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Read more about it at MauiLog.com

D. T. Fleming Beach Park

West Maui, Honoapiilani Highway just past the Ritz-Carlton

Named America’s Best Beach in 2006, this beautiful white sand beach offers plenty of room for sunbathing. Swimming is great throughout the year, though in the winter months the surf can be a bit high. Rip currents can occur at any time so check the sign at the lifeguard station and obey posted flags. Behind the beach are plenty of shade trees, a grassy area and picnic facilities.

Facilities

• LIFEGUARD on duty
• PICNIC AREAS: Twelve picnic tables and six barbecue grills
• PARKING: Two parking areas: (1) At the park with 22 spaces (2) Across Honoapiilani Road with 80 spaces
• PUBLIC RESTROOMS: One comfort station and restrooms inside the lifeguard station
• WATER: One outdoor shower and water taps at the comfort station
• ADA ACCESSIBILITY: One wheelchair ramp leading down to the beach. Restrooms are ADA accessible

Find this and other beaches on our Maui Beach Map

Picture credit and facilities list : Maui County Parks

Ka’anapali Beach runs from Black Rock in the north, more than a mile south to Canoe Beach. Luxury resort hotels line the entire beach. If you’re thinking high end beach vacation, this is the place. Cabanas and lounges line the entire strip of sand. Attendants scurry about to satisfy the needs of hotel guests. Ka’anapali is about the money, you’ll need it to stay here.

But like nearly all beaches in Hawaii, Ka’anapali is open to the public. The cabanas and lounges belong to the hotels, but the beach belongs to everyone, and Ka’anapali is one of the best beaches you’ll find anywhere on Maui.

All sorts of activities are available here. Diving, snorkeling, parasailing, sailing, and more are all available here, for a price. Sun worshiping, swimming, frolicking in the gentle waves and people watching are all free. Bring your snorkel gear and enjoy the views at Black Rock, one of the best snorkel locations on Maui.

A concrete path runs the length of the beach, from the Sheraton at Black Rock in the north to the Hyatt at the southern end. A sunset stroll along it can be unforgettable.

Several poorly marked public access parking areas are located along Ka’anapali Parkway and connecting streets. There’s about 125 spaces in all, get there early. Pay parking is available at the parking garage at Whaler’s Village.

Find this and other beaches on our Maui Beach Map

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters provides this aerial view of Ka’anipali Beach

Aloha Airlines announced today that it will be shutting down its inter-island and transpacific passenger flight operations. Aloha’s last day of operations will be Monday, March 31, 2008. On that day, Aloha will operate its schedule with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas. Code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate Aloha’s passengers who have been inconvenienced.

The airline, which had just emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2006, filed again for bankruptcy protection last week. On March 21 Aloha announced the bankruptcy court permitted them to continue operations. However no new investors were found for the passenger business and the Airline was forced to cease operation.

Seattle based Saltchuk Resources on Thursday offered to buy Aloha’s cargo operations for an undisclosed amount, but said it wasn’t interested in taking over Aloha’s passenger business.

Aloha has suffered since Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc. launched a new interisland carrier called go! airlines in 2006, triggering a local airfare war.

Gov. Linda Lingle said she will ask a bankruptcy judge not to allow the airline to shut down until she is satisfied the airline “exhausted all possible avenues for continuing its operations.”

Aloha Airlines’s Announcement

Link to Aloha Airlines shutdown FAQ

Hawaiian Airlines Assistance for Aloha Airlines Ticket Holders