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Maui Island: Hawaii - A Romantic Vacation and Travel Destination

Maui is the second largest (729 sq. mi.) of the Hawaiian Islands and has the third largest population (103,000). It is also the second youngest of the islands and was made from two volcanoes. The first, Haleakala is on the East side of the island and is the largest dormant volcano in the world. The other is Puu Kukui, which is now extinct, and on the west side of the island. The land between the two volcanoes was joined together by lava and erosion.

The soil is red on Maui because the lava that came from the volcanoes had a high level of iron in it. The iron has now oxidized and turned red. This soil is great for growing sugar cane, which is grown a lot on Maui.

Maui Hotels

There are many great hotels on Maui! My top recommendation is the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa at Wailea. But there are many other hotels on Maui to choose from too:

On the southwest part of the island are the following:

Grand Wailea Resort & Spa - Wailea is in the southwest part of Maui. It offers golf, tennis, activities for children, the famous Spa Grande and more!

Renaissance Wailea: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HNMRN
The Renaissance Wailea Hotel has 345 guest rooms and is located on Mokapu Beach, with a view of Mt. Haleakala!

Four Seasons Hotel - http://www.fourseasons.com/maui/
The Four Seasons is 10 minutes from 5 golf courses, has a 13 room spa, kids activities, swimming pools, and great restaurants.

Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel - http://www.fairmont.com/kealani/
The Fairmont Kea Lani is located on Polo Beach and has great spas, pools, snorkeling, kayaking and nearby golf!

If you want to stay on the northern part of Maui, the Ohana Maui Islander is a great choice:

Ohana Maui Islander Hotel - Located in Lahaina offers a pool, kitchenettes and a quiet, family atmosphere.

On the southeast side of Maui, in the Hana area is the:
Hotel Hana-Maui: http://www.hotelhanamaui.com/
Great for romantic getaways the Hotel Hana-Maui has one of the best spas and bungalow-style suites and cottages.

Things to See and Do on Maui

A Maui Luau! - Many consider a luau on Maui to be the best Hawaiin luau you can go to!

Whale Watching - 50% to 66% (4,000 - 5,000) of North Pacific Humpback Whales spend their winters (mid-December - mid-May) around Hawaii, especially near Maui. North Pacific Humpback Whales weigh around 40 tons each and come to the area each year to mate. At one time whaling was a common industry on Maui in towns around Lahaina. The best way to see whales is to go on a guided whale-watching boat. Many of these whale watching tours bring microphones to put in the water so you can hear the whales too.

Road to Hana - The road to Hana is 55 miles long and has beautiful scenery all along the way! Hana is a small town on the east side of Maui. Some of the many things you can see along the way include: Puohokamoa Stream & Waterfall, Kaumahina State Wayside Park, Keanae Arboretum, Keanae Peninsula, Waikane Falls, Waianapanapa State Park, Hana Beach, Hotel Hana Maui and Oheo Gulch/The Seven Sacred Pools.

Haleakala Crater - The Haleakala Crater is the crater from the dormant volcano on the East side of the island and is the largest dormant volcano in the world. It is 10,023 feet above sea level and has a circumference of 21 miles. The Silversword Plant is native only to the Haleakala crater region. Many people drive up to the crater before the sun comes up to watch the sunrise from over the top of the crater - this sunrise has been compared to that of the sunrising on the moon. In fact, Apollo Astronauts even trained at the Haleakala Crater.

Visit Lanai - Lanai is the smallest of the islands - only 140 square miles and is near Maui! At one time Lanai was the location of the worlds largest production of pineapple. Now it has two nice luxury hotels and golf courses.

Maui Beaches

Maui has more beaches than any of the other islands. Here are some of the best:

Kamaole Beach Park - mountains in the background and great for swimming. Bathrooms, showers and picnic areas.

Wainapanapa Beach - On the way to Hana you can find this beach, has nearby caves, trails and more.

Hookipa Beach - popular for surfing and windsurfing.

Golf on Maui

Dunes at Maui Lani - 18 hole course created upon sand dunes that are a million years old.

Kaanapali Golf Courses - on the west side of the island near Lahaina.

Kapalua Golf - 3 courses: The Bay, The Village and The Plantation.

King Kamehameha - old name was Sandalwood, located on west Maui.

Wailea Golf Club - where the Senior Skins Game is played.

See other articles about taking a romantic vacation to Hawaii!

Hawaiian Vacations (introduction)
Island of Kauai
Island of Oahu