Kara's Maui Favorites

Kara
Kara's Maui Favorites

Neighborhoods

This is a lovely, partially paved beach path that climbs 3.5 miles out and back along the coast and in front of all the majestic hotels. I love this walk at sunset or sunrise. Perfect for running and whale 🐳 watching Nov-March too. Wraps around lava coast and there are 5 public beach access points as well. Google Wailea Beach Path for more info!
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Wailea Beach Path
Wailea Beach Path
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This is a lovely, partially paved beach path that climbs 3.5 miles out and back along the coast and in front of all the majestic hotels. I love this walk at sunset or sunrise. Perfect for running and whale 🐳 watching Nov-March too. Wraps around lava coast and there are 5 public beach access points as well. Google Wailea Beach Path for more info!
Discover a tranquil oasis at a shady nursery, now transformed into a serene haven. Immerse yourself in lush tropical plant species, enjoy a variety of eateries and coffee shops housed in unique containers, find cozy nooks perfect for reading, and experience occasional live music. All within walking distance from the condo.
South Maui Gardens
Discover a tranquil oasis at a shady nursery, now transformed into a serene haven. Immerse yourself in lush tropical plant species, enjoy a variety of eateries and coffee shops housed in unique containers, find cozy nooks perfect for reading, and experience occasional live music. All within walking distance from the condo.
This beach is fantastic because you can relax on either the sand or a grassy knoll. If the afternoon winds pick up, the grass is an ideal spot. There's also a mini mart where you can get drinks and snacks. The water is calm and swimmable, the sunsets are breathtaking, and there's even a small snorkeling area. Many locals visit this beach, and you might occasionally hear someone playing the ukulele. The atmosphere is amazing.
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Keawakapu Beach
Kilohana Drive
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This beach is fantastic because you can relax on either the sand or a grassy knoll. If the afternoon winds pick up, the grass is an ideal spot. There's also a mini mart where you can get drinks and snacks. The water is calm and swimmable, the sunsets are breathtaking, and there's even a small snorkeling area. Many locals visit this beach, and you might occasionally hear someone playing the ukulele. The atmosphere is amazing.

Nightlife

Nightlife- there is not much nightlife in Maui, but visit Kihei Village area and Dog and Duck Irish Pub specifically for some late night drinks. About a 10 minute walk from the condo. If you are lucky to be around on a Thursday, stop in for Trivia night and hold your spot starting at 7pm!
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Dog & Duck Irish Pub
1913 S Kihei Rd
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Nightlife- there is not much nightlife in Maui, but visit Kihei Village area and Dog and Duck Irish Pub specifically for some late night drinks. About a 10 minute walk from the condo. If you are lucky to be around on a Thursday, stop in for Trivia night and hold your spot starting at 7pm!
Visit the Lehua Lounge at the Andaz in Wailea for amazing sunsets- LIVE MUSIC (Mon, Wed, Fri) and great cocktails on the outdoor lounge area. This is a must!!
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Lehua Lounge
3550 Wailea Alanui Dr
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Visit the Lehua Lounge at the Andaz in Wailea for amazing sunsets- LIVE MUSIC (Mon, Wed, Fri) and great cocktails on the outdoor lounge area. This is a must!!

Sightseeing

Special Feature!! I designed a time managed Road to Hana day trip!!! Feel free to follow! I’ve had lots of amazing feedback from this itinerary. I created it myself. Enjoy! **Hana Day Trip** So a lot of people start out their journey by seeing so much in the first 11 miles that they are rushed at the end for all the best stuff. Twin falls is a good one but sometimes really packed. Anyways, it is really easy to lose time and I'm going to highlight the best of the best and time spent at each. I recommend leaving no later than 8am although the earlier the better to beat crowds  The first 11 miles (you will see an 11 mile marker), don't stop too much. You will see pretty rainbow eucalyptus trees on the side of the road past the bamboo forest, but really, I advise just to keep driving. There are a few scenic lookouts that are cool but don't stop for more than 10 minutes, maybe 3 times.  1st stop:  SOME SAY THIS NO LONGER EXISTS, but if you see it, stop! Coconut Glenn's ice cream. It's hand made fresh ice cream using only ingredients from Glenn's farm and out of a coconut shell. A must try!  2nd stop: wainapanapa black sand beach and caves about 45 miles and right before you hit Hana town. Spend no more than 45 minutes checking out the caves (I HEARD CAVES CLOSED POST FIRES) and reading the legends. Go to the black sand beach for a look and on the right there is a cool cave you can walk through. 3rd stop: now you are in Hana town. red sand beach (CLOSED AFTER FIRES). Spend an hour here and swim here too. The walk around is only about a 20 minute walk and the most stunning views. So, did I mention you will not have cell phone service till you get to Hana. So may want to make sure to have all this saved and you can follow.  4th stop: 7 sacred pools state park, $30 charge to get in and park(no parking anywhere around the area). 2 choices and depends on your mood. 1 is that is the water is calm you can hang out by the pools. Or, my best suggestion would be to do the hike. It is a nice hike where you will get to hike through a bamboo forest, see a big banyan tree, and end at one of the largest waterfalls, 500ft high I believe it is. Ask guard when you enter where the foot of hike starts. The name of the hike is called Waimoku Falls. AMAZING! Time spent here is 2 hours.  5th stop: Charles Linbergs grave site. Pretty views and a piece of history. It is quite a few miles past the seven sacred pools, and you may have to google for location on that one too. Or ask guard at 7 pools. Right about here is where you are about to make a turn for home and it will probably be 4pm by now! Phew! But it's okay! The rest of the drive is a little quicker from here and I definitely recommend you drive home the back side as we call it rather than turning around. You will be now approaching the south side of the island a little so much more desert like instead of green forest from here on out. Roads are smoother and nice drive. If you leave the grave site by no later than 5, the best is to hit the back side drive when the sun is setting! You will then end up in upcountry area and it may be dark by now but you are about 30-40 minutes from home in the dark and not bad at all.  Don't forget to watch the time and stay on schedule! And if you don't, don't complain to me that you missed half of the trip because you ran out of time hahahaha! I hope you have the best time ever! Hana has a little piece of me and if you take it all in, it is truly remarkable.  Other amazing spots are Hamoa beach in Hana, Venus pools (CLOSED), and the three Bears waterfall on the side of the road. These are nice options too, but I think the others are better and you are just not going to have time for all! Also, don't forget to stop and get some of the best banana bread at one of the stands. Also, if you are hungry, right past Hana town they have a guy who stands out and does plate lunches. It's quicker and great food! But I usually bring a packed lunch or a sandwich and snacks and just eat along the way! No time to waste on eating lol! Enjoy!
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Hana Highway
Hana Highway
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Special Feature!! I designed a time managed Road to Hana day trip!!! Feel free to follow! I’ve had lots of amazing feedback from this itinerary. I created it myself. Enjoy! **Hana Day Trip** So a lot of people start out their journey by seeing so much in the first 11 miles that they are rushed at the end for all the best stuff. Twin falls is a good one but sometimes really packed. Anyways, it is really easy to lose time and I'm going to highlight the best of the best and time spent at each. I recommend leaving no later than 8am although the earlier the better to beat crowds  The first 11 miles (you will see an 11 mile marker), don't stop too much. You will see pretty rainbow eucalyptus trees on the side of the road past the bamboo forest, but really, I advise just to keep driving. There are a few scenic lookouts that are cool but don't stop for more than 10 minutes, maybe 3 times.  1st stop:  SOME SAY THIS NO LONGER EXISTS, but if you see it, stop! Coconut Glenn's ice cream. It's hand made fresh ice cream using only ingredients from Glenn's farm and out of a coconut shell. A must try!  2nd stop: wainapanapa black sand beach and caves about 45 miles and right before you hit Hana town. Spend no more than 45 minutes checking out the caves (I HEARD CAVES CLOSED POST FIRES) and reading the legends. Go to the black sand beach for a look and on the right there is a cool cave you can walk through. 3rd stop: now you are in Hana town. red sand beach (CLOSED AFTER FIRES). Spend an hour here and swim here too. The walk around is only about a 20 minute walk and the most stunning views. So, did I mention you will not have cell phone service till you get to Hana. So may want to make sure to have all this saved and you can follow.  4th stop: 7 sacred pools state park, $30 charge to get in and park(no parking anywhere around the area). 2 choices and depends on your mood. 1 is that is the water is calm you can hang out by the pools. Or, my best suggestion would be to do the hike. It is a nice hike where you will get to hike through a bamboo forest, see a big banyan tree, and end at one of the largest waterfalls, 500ft high I believe it is. Ask guard when you enter where the foot of hike starts. The name of the hike is called Waimoku Falls. AMAZING! Time spent here is 2 hours.  5th stop: Charles Linbergs grave site. Pretty views and a piece of history. It is quite a few miles past the seven sacred pools, and you may have to google for location on that one too. Or ask guard at 7 pools. Right about here is where you are about to make a turn for home and it will probably be 4pm by now! Phew! But it's okay! The rest of the drive is a little quicker from here and I definitely recommend you drive home the back side as we call it rather than turning around. You will be now approaching the south side of the island a little so much more desert like instead of green forest from here on out. Roads are smoother and nice drive. If you leave the grave site by no later than 5, the best is to hit the back side drive when the sun is setting! You will then end up in upcountry area and it may be dark by now but you are about 30-40 minutes from home in the dark and not bad at all.  Don't forget to watch the time and stay on schedule! And if you don't, don't complain to me that you missed half of the trip because you ran out of time hahahaha! I hope you have the best time ever! Hana has a little piece of me and if you take it all in, it is truly remarkable.  Other amazing spots are Hamoa beach in Hana, Venus pools (CLOSED), and the three Bears waterfall on the side of the road. These are nice options too, but I think the others are better and you are just not going to have time for all! Also, don't forget to stop and get some of the best banana bread at one of the stands. Also, if you are hungry, right past Hana town they have a guy who stands out and does plate lunches. It's quicker and great food! But I usually bring a packed lunch or a sandwich and snacks and just eat along the way! No time to waste on eating lol! Enjoy!
The drive out here alone is the most beautiful scenic drive on the island in my opinion. You drive along the waters edge at some points and in and out of bays. You will drive past multi- million dollar homes perched on the lava floors. At the end you will come to La Perouse Bay. You can take the lava trail and see Billy goats along the way and eventually you will come to a sandy beach. This is a half day trip and I highly recommend. Bring a brown bag lunch to stop at Big Beach on your way back for a couple hours on the white sand. One of the best beaches in the world. The drive without stops will take about 40 minutes starting from the condo.
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La Perouse Bay
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The drive out here alone is the most beautiful scenic drive on the island in my opinion. You drive along the waters edge at some points and in and out of bays. You will drive past multi- million dollar homes perched on the lava floors. At the end you will come to La Perouse Bay. You can take the lava trail and see Billy goats along the way and eventually you will come to a sandy beach. This is a half day trip and I highly recommend. Bring a brown bag lunch to stop at Big Beach on your way back for a couple hours on the white sand. One of the best beaches in the world. The drive without stops will take about 40 minutes starting from the condo.
IF you are in to aquariums, this is a pretty good one.
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Maui Ocean Center
192 Maalaea Rd
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IF you are in to aquariums, this is a pretty good one.
This is the best water trip out there. If you can ask for Brad to be your captain, he’s been doing this for 20+ years and provides the most exceptional experience. The boat is a larger zodiac style and is a brand new boat. You will wisk in and out of the lava caves, get to snorkel with turtles, take a visit to the crater, and hear about Hawaiian history. This is my absolute favorite activity!
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Aqua Adventures
101 Maalaea Rd
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This is the best water trip out there. If you can ask for Brad to be your captain, he’s been doing this for 20+ years and provides the most exceptional experience. The boat is a larger zodiac style and is a brand new boat. You will wisk in and out of the lava caves, get to snorkel with turtles, take a visit to the crater, and hear about Hawaiian history. This is my absolute favorite activity!
Great place for rentals. Best beginning surf break and very close to condo. Rentals include surf boards (long or short), SUP rentals, and gear.
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Maui Waveriders
2021 S Kihei Rd
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Great place for rentals. Best beginning surf break and very close to condo. Rentals include surf boards (long or short), SUP rentals, and gear.

Coffee Spot

This is the best local coffee spot on the island. Even grab some amazing bites too for breakfast. Avocado toast is a hit and their croissant 🥐 breakfast sandwiches. Stay for a while on a nice patio with sweeping views! I go here everyday when I stay!
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Akamai Coffee @ Wailea Village
116 Wailea Ike Dr
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Best donut spot- and they are vegan! They serve out of a food truck and they are made to order, fresh, warm, and delicious! My former 6th grade student started this business with her boyfriend, so you will be supporting young entrepreneurs as well! Walking distance from condo! Also give them a follow on Instagram!
Maui Ono Donuts
1819 South Kihei Road
Best donut spot- and they are vegan! They serve out of a food truck and they are made to order, fresh, warm, and delicious! My former 6th grade student started this business with her boyfriend, so you will be supporting young entrepreneurs as well! Walking distance from condo! Also give them a follow on Instagram!

Lanai Ferry Trip

I recommend taking the ferry over to Lanai for the day. It takes you to the island in about 45 minutes. Then when you get there, walk to the left for one of the most incredible beaches. If you get there early enough, 10am ish, it’s common to see the dolphins frolicking in the ocean. If you scuba dive, I suggest you try here. They have 4 underwater caves and it’s some of the best. You can enjoy a massage at the spa or a game of golf on a world class course. Come back on the boat just in time for sunset. Also, good place for pictures.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
1 Manele Bay Rd

Food scene

Great place for an early sunset. Lots of wide-open grassy spaces, open air, and views from above. The brewery is Maui famous and there is often live music. Food is not too bad either. Drive to the upper road and brewery is about 5 min from condo.
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Maui Brewing Company
605 Lipoa Pkwy
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Great place for an early sunset. Lots of wide-open grassy spaces, open air, and views from above. The brewery is Maui famous and there is often live music. Food is not too bad either. Drive to the upper road and brewery is about 5 min from condo.
Near the Kam beaches. This little local gem has sandwiches, bowls, and healthy grinds. Eat inside the cute little designer cafe or take out and picnic on the beach. Walk or super short drive from condo.
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That's A Wrap Maui
2395 S Kihei Rd
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Near the Kam beaches. This little local gem has sandwiches, bowls, and healthy grinds. Eat inside the cute little designer cafe or take out and picnic on the beach. Walk or super short drive from condo.
Make it a day trip and visit the Maui Aquarium and have lunch or sunset cocktails at TANTES in the Ma’alea Harbor. I have been told the seafood here is on par with world famous Mamas Fish House.
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Tante's Fishmarket Restaurant & Bar
Maalaea Road
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Make it a day trip and visit the Maui Aquarium and have lunch or sunset cocktails at TANTES in the Ma’alea Harbor. I have been told the seafood here is on par with world famous Mamas Fish House.
A favorite by locals and tourists. If farm to table style is your mood, head over for delicious food with island flare in the Shops of Wailea area, 5 min drive from condo. Solo live music artists usually weekends and reservations are strongly encouraged.
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Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman
10 Wailea Gateway Pl
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A favorite by locals and tourists. If farm to table style is your mood, head over for delicious food with island flare in the Shops of Wailea area, 5 min drive from condo. Solo live music artists usually weekends and reservations are strongly encouraged.
Fun happy hour place in The Shops of Wailea! Not an ocean view spot, but food and cocktails are great.
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Lineage
3750 Wailea Alanui Dr
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Fun happy hour place in The Shops of Wailea! Not an ocean view spot, but food and cocktails are great.
Definitely a local favorite. Island/Hawaiian decor and vibes. Most popular for breakfast, brunch, lunch. Dinner is available and many nights live music takes place here. 5 min drive from condo.
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Nalu's South Shore Grill
1280 S Kihei Rd
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Definitely a local favorite. Island/Hawaiian decor and vibes. Most popular for breakfast, brunch, lunch. Dinner is available and many nights live music takes place here. 5 min drive from condo.
Casual SUSHI recommendation. Nice place along the north side of Kihei beaches with thumbs up ratings for sushi. More of a local favorite.
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Isana
515 S Kihei Rd
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Casual SUSHI recommendation. Nice place along the north side of Kihei beaches with thumbs up ratings for sushi. More of a local favorite.
Birdcage bar is Hotel Wailea’s newly transformed lobby experience. Serving elegant eats, artisanal cocktails and 180 degree ocean views. Great spot for sunset as well and watch the birds come sing and dance around 6:45pm everyday. 5 min from condo.
The Birdcage
Birdcage bar is Hotel Wailea’s newly transformed lobby experience. Serving elegant eats, artisanal cocktails and 180 degree ocean views. Great spot for sunset as well and watch the birds come sing and dance around 6:45pm everyday. 5 min from condo.
Mauis newest lounge bar inside the Fairmont Resort and great for stunning sunset views.
PILINA MAUI
Mauis newest lounge bar inside the Fairmont Resort and great for stunning sunset views.
BEACH BAR, owned by Hilton but stand alone!!!!! Right on the water and open to the public! This new place opened recently. It is a great place to go get a drink and maybe a few pupus. It’s across from Hilton across the S. Kihei Rd. Sunset place too. Very windy most afternoons.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Maui Bay Villas
BEACH BAR, owned by Hilton but stand alone!!!!! Right on the water and open to the public! This new place opened recently. It is a great place to go get a drink and maybe a few pupus. It’s across from Hilton across the S. Kihei Rd. Sunset place too. Very windy most afternoons.