WEST MAUI SIGHTS
Everyone who co
Image by supercake via Flickrmes to Maui tries the drive around the top of West Maui over towards the little village of Kahakuloa to the other side where the highway ends in Wailuku. I have put together a few places to stop along the way.... please drive very carefully as the highway is very, very narrow in some places with no gaurd rails and high up on the cliffs. Still one of the best places to get banana bread served warm, with a napkin and a knife as well as homemade coconut candy.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE BEACH
Just after mile marker #32
Image by supercake via Flickrmes to Maui tries the drive around the top of West Maui over towards the little village of Kahakuloa to the other side where the highway ends in Wailuku. I have put together a few places to stop along the way.... please drive very carefully as the highway is very, very narrow in some places with no gaurd rails and high up on the cliffs. Still one of the best places to get banana bread served warm, with a napkin and a knife as well as homemade coconut candy.SLAUGHTERHOUSE BEACH
Just after mile marker #32
Stone steps down lead you to a private beach area perfect for lying in the sun and building sand castles.
HONOLUA BAY
Just after mile marker #33
Terrific for snorkeling in the summer and outrageous waves in the winter, perfect for advanced surfers.
PUNALAU BEACH
7/10's of a mile past mile marker #34
This is the last sand beach on the West side of the island.... very nice for laying out and collecting shells and building sandcastles.
NAKALELE BLOWHOLE
1/2 mile past the #38 milemarker
About 1200 feet from the road and 205 feet down towards the ocean. BE CAREFUL. Do not stand to close to the hole as there are no railings keeping you back.. and the water comes up fiercely. Best if you watch from afar.
**Just after mile marker #42 the road changes from state to county so the mile markers will begin again at mile marker #16. From this point on the road becomes narrow with pullouts along the side so you can get out of the way of traffic coming towards you. There is not alot of traffic but enough so that you may have to back up to a pull out at least once. But before you turn around make sure you continue on to the Olivine Pools where the road is still fine.
OLIVINE POOLS
Just before mile marker #16
Hike down towards the ocean to natural lava swimming pools on the edge of a lava shelf. Wear comfortable hiking shoes down to the pools as parts of the walk down can be rocky and steep.
KAHAKULOA VILLAGE
Between mile marker #15 and #14 (narrow road)
In this village you will find Panini Pua Kea Fruit Stand that has handmade coconut candy. You will also find the
"best" banana bread at Julie's, a small bright green stand on the left side on your way out of the village, just as the road starts to ascend up out of the valley. Be sure to view the active Taro Fields that come down underneath and along side of her stand. It is very interesting and a food source for the community. As you head away from this darling little village you will continue on a still winding and narrow road all the way around to Wailuku. From there another stop at the Iao valley might be fun, but that is for another day.
HONOLUA BAY
Just after mile marker #33
Terrific for snorkeling in the summer and outrageous waves in the winter, perfect for advanced surfers.
PUNALAU BEACH
7/10's of a mile past mile marker #34
This is the last sand beach on the West side of the island.... very nice for laying out and collecting shells and building sandcastles.
NAKALELE BLOWHOLE
1/2 mile past the #38 milemarker
About 1200 feet from the road and 205 feet down towards the ocean. BE CAREFUL. Do not stand to close to the hole as there are no railings keeping you back.. and the water comes up fiercely. Best if you watch from afar.
**Just after mile marker #42 the road changes from state to county so the mile markers will begin again at mile marker #16. From this point on the road becomes narrow with pullouts along the side so you can get out of the way of traffic coming towards you. There is not alot of traffic but enough so that you may have to back up to a pull out at least once. But before you turn around make sure you continue on to the Olivine Pools where the road is still fine.
OLIVINE POOLS
Just before mile marker #16
Hike down towards the ocean to natural lava swimming pools on the edge of a lava shelf. Wear comfortable hiking shoes down to the pools as parts of the walk down can be rocky and steep.
Maui is diverse and its natural beauty is stunning. But, nature also has a dangerous side to it - especially for the uninitiated. Before going to the beach and swimming in the ocean, make sure you do a few things (that you might not normally plan on doing before say, going to a public beach in Florida...) The Pacific Ocean is much more dynamic than the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the Hawaiian Islands are one of the most isolated land masses on earth, more than 3,000 miles from the closest large body of land. These islands are sub
ject to the powerful Trade Winds and because of the rapid drop-offs, shallow reefs, and irregular shorelines, can host large waves and strong currents.
KAHAKULOA VILLAGE
Between mile marker #15 and #14 (narrow road)
In this village you will find Panini Pua Kea Fruit Stand that has handmade coconut candy. You will also find the
"best" banana bread at Julie's, a small bright green stand on the left side on your way out of the village, just as the road starts to ascend up out of the valley. Be sure to view the active Taro Fields that come down underneath and along side of her stand. It is very interesting and a food source for the community. As you head away from this darling little village you will continue on a still winding and narrow road all the way around to Wailuku. From there another stop at the Iao valley might be fun, but that is for another day.
