Since we're in the season of those big poll-generated travel awards from the likes of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure, we thought we could add one more category to the pile. According to Maui Time Weekly, the Valley Isle has the highest rate of auto thefts in the Hawaiian Islands. Since the State of Hawaii has very high auto theft rates in general, the Maui auto theft rates must be astronomical.
The article quotes cops and attorneys general waxing on about why drifting on Maui means lifting some poor tourists rental car. Of course, it sounds like a lot of cars get lifted from the rental lots with the help of employees who love to give their friends the five-fingered discount. Which may explain why, when you go to pick up your smokin' 'Stang convert that you end up with Dodge Neon instead.
Somehow we don't think this category will ever make the CNT Gold List issue, however.
No, despite what it looks like Kate Bosworth is not in Hawaii filming some sort of Maui travel ad for "Go Hawaii". She is, however, currently on the island to celebrate the grand opening of a restaurant called DUO at the Four Seasons Maui.
The restaurant has a private dining room near the scenic upper waterfall pool, where attendants provide ice water and chill towels, though Kate seemed determined to show off the hotels simpler activities, like snorkeling.
Maui native Ian Walsh looked good early in the latest Triple Crown of Surfing event, but he ended up missing the cut after the quarterfinals. Think you could hang longer? Then you need to head to Maui, where the surf is ripping right now. The swells--like they do every year--are drawing heaps of surfers and windsurfers looking to shred. If you want to join in the fun, we've got some tips on how to get started.
Nancy Emerson School of Surfing promises to get newbies in the water and on their feet in just a couple of hours. Lessons happen all over the island, and the school has all the gear you'll need. Multi-day packages are also available.
Already a surf pro, looking to challenge Ian? Well then, head to the north shore to world-famous breaks like the Banzai Pipeline and beaches like Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. Waves can crank up to 25 or 30 feet, so you better know what you're doing out there. We'll join you next year.
If all the surf wax is getting to your head, check into South Pacific Kayaks in Wailea. They offer a more relaxing time with kayak rentals and guided tours to local snorkel spots. The winter seas can be a bit bumpy, but a nice long paddle could be just the thing if you're just looking to soak up the sun.
(Alex Salkever is the editor of Hawaii travel blog Hawaiirama.com and a general travel maven on all things Hawaii.)
Aloha Airlines says "Mele Kelikimaka!" to haute vodka tossers with the post-Xmas introduction of Ocean Vodka for its First Class bar carts. This zippy liquor comes straight outta Maui, where it's made with deep sea water sucked up from 3,000 feet off the coast of the Big Island.
The grains that go into it are organic. Yet despite these wow ingredients, Ocean still manages to land squarely in the middle of the premium pack with retail prices per big bottle at $40 or less. One catch: due to some weird legalities, an Aloha flight may be the only place you can get the stuff outside of Hawaii. It's not sold on the Mainland, even though you can buy it at Costco, for crying out loud, in the islands.
I've personally tippled Ocean and it's right up there with Hangar One, Ketel, Grey Goose and the other super-premiums. After its First Class debut, Ocean should flow back to Economy in the not so distant future, sez the vodka maker. Make that a double Ocean with tonic, Aloha.
Okay, so you're totally into the idea of a mancation but you and the fellas are more Donny Do-a-lot than Larry Lounge-lizard. No worries: out in Maui, deep sea sport fishing is a year-round sport. So how do you best get in on the action? Charter a boat, have the skipper load it up with snacks and hit the high seas searching for the big game of the Pacific. Haven't done this before? Give a call to Captain Michael Crawford and he'll sort you out.
Don't let the Captain's decidedly low-tech website fool you. He's been around the islands long enough to know pretty much all the boats, fisherman and local lore. Some of Capt. Crawford's best advice: Make sure to call ahead. You're not the only one headed to Maui this winter, bro. And don't forget to pack an extra muscle shirt!
Our sources tell us that Britney is currently on Maui and is looking to rent a house for the three months while she records her, um, "album". K-Fed has not shown his mug in any of the paparazzi picks so far, thus our task is coming up with a list of Maui things to do for a rich single Mom "planning" a professional comeback. Fair enough.
Where To Stay: Hotel Hana-Maui. Ok we know Brit is renting, but who doesn't wanna spend a couple of nights far far away from everything in Hana? Many claim Hotel Hana is the last authentic place on Maui, if for no other reason than it is so damn hard to get to. You have to drive two hours on the twisty roads of the Hana Highway to reach this oceanfront resort, but once you do the scenery is so peaceful you might even throw away your kabbalah bracelet.
The private Sea Ranch Cottages have high, beamed ceilings, enclosed gardens, lead to a private beach, and it on what looks like the edge of the world. You could definitely shake the paparazzi at this place.
Where To Eat: Hana Ranch Restaurant. Let's face it, Brit is all about greasy comfort food and she should get her share at the Hana Ranch Restaurant. Here you can chow down on tasty fried calamari, herbal spiced bread, and "cowboy-sized" pizza overflowing with toppings, all while soaking in the easterly ocean views, where on clear day, it is said you can see the massive peak of Mauna Kea on the Big Island in the distance--natch.
Where To Get Active: Pipiwai Trail. It isn't the destination it is the journey right? Pipiwai Trial near Hana has some decent 3-4 hour round trip hikes. The trail will allow you to see Makahiku Falls, the Infinity Pool and the Waimoku Falls, which are almost 400 feet high. This spiritual trail to enlightenment starts at the Ohe'o Gulch bridge.
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by ASalkever
