Maui After Dark

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:40:54 +0000

This review is a continuation to my earlier post Maui: A True Paradise on Earth. Here we take a look at what Maui has to offer for our “After Dark” entertainment.

Maui is an island teaming with diversity and nighttime offerings on the island are no different. Visitors to Maui can enjoy nature, food and dancing at locations all over the island.

The summit of Haleakala provides a beautiful location to view a Maui sunset. After dark the summit provides the perfect location for stargazing. ‘Tour of the Stars’, offered on the rooftop of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, features Hawaii?s only recreational telescope.

The Director of Astronomy provides participants with astronomical instruction and then leads them step-by-step through identifying the celestial objects with binoculars and the telescope. Special couples’ only viewings add an additional touch of romance to a Maui vacation. Other Maui stargazing activities are offered at the Grand Wailea Resort and the Kaanapali Embassy Suites.

Many sea creatures become most active after dark. Divers can experience an after-dark dive off Maui when eels, manta rays and big fish come out to play. Mike Severns Diving and Ed Robinson Diving Adventures, both offer nighttime dives to Maui visitors who are scuba certified.

Maui visitors wanting to watch the same nocturnal ocean antics without getting wet should check out the ‘Aquarium After Dark’ program at the Maui Ocean Center.

On full moon nights, Maui visitors can join the Monthly Moonlight Mo?olelo sessions at the Ritz-Carlton. Held on a beach house lawn under the full moon, this event celebrates the Maui island tradition of story-telling.

Every Maui vacation should include one evening spent enjoying the Hawaiian traditional luau celebration. Hula dancers, traditional Hawaiian food, and Hawaiian music are standard at all Maui luaus.

Most hotels and resorts offer luaus but the most authentic luau on Maui is considered to be the Old Lahaina Luau. Luaus on Maui are usually all you can eat and drink, including alcohol. A traditional luau is set on the beach or within sight of the ocean. Maui visitors can experience refreshing ocean breezes while enjoying their great food and entertainment.

Visitors looking for a more traditional vacation party atmosphere can find it on Maui as well. Lahaina and Kihei are considered the best places on Maui to party and meet other tourists. Featuring bars with live music and dancing, both areas draw large crowds in the evening. Resort and hotel bars often host music nightly also.

Dinner shows also draw Maui visitors to Lahaina. Warren and Annabelle’s, located on Front Street, consistently receives rave reviews. Magician, Warren Gibson, performs tricks in the cozy theater while Annabelle, a piano-playing ghost, takes musical requests.

Ulalena, also on Front Street, is a Cirque du Soleil-style production that blends Maui myth and fact together in a unique dramatic performance. Visitors to Maui should consider seeing Ulalena a top priority.

Kupanaha, located in the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, offers a family show. This performance presents a magic show based on the Maui legend of the Black Rock that sure to entertain the entire family.

Many consider the best way to end a long Maui day is by enjoying a perfect Mai Tai. A great place to sample a Mai Tai or other tropical cocktails like Missionary’s Downfall or Tropical Itch is Hula Moons, located in the Marriot Wailea Beach Resort on Maui. Hula Moons is decorated in 1930s memorabilia and is a shrine of sorts to the poet Don Blanding.

Nightlife on Maui is as diverse as the island itself but, like the island, nightlife is available to suit every visitor.

Maui: A True Paradise on Earth

Tushar Mathur — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:31:44 +0000

The allure of Maui entices travelers like few other places on earth. As the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui is a tropical paradise that tempts visitors with awe-inspiring natural beauty. An exploration of Maui uncovers activities to interest all visitors.

The gentle semi-tropical climate of Maui results in little temperature variation throughout the year. High temperatures on Maui range from the mid 70s to the mid 80s, and lows range from the mid 60s to the mid 70s.

Lightweight clothing, swimsuits and a sweater or jacket for evening are perfect for a Maui vacation. Attire on Maui is generally casual, although attending a luau may call for men to wear a tropical shirt and women to dress in a muumuu or colorful sundress. During summer, daylight lasts for nearly 13 hours.

In 1843 King Kamehameha the Great named the Maui village of Lahaina the capital of his kingdom. Lahaina, once known as the whaling capital of the world, now offers Maui visitors an exciting mixture of both old and new. Visitors can rest under the shade of the Banyan Tree planted in 1873, walk through the Old Courthouse, or wander through small shops featuring Maui souvenirs, gifts, clothing and more.

Visitors can expect to enjoy relaxing days on the beautiful Maui beaches. In addition to the common sand beaches, Maui offers black sand beaches and red sand beaches. From sunbathing to surfing to snorkeling, the beaches of Maui offer something for everyone.

The natural beauty of Maui extends beyond the beaches to the lush mountains. Halekala National Park on Maui has been ranked a top national park by Consumer Reports for good reason. The park offers 32 miles of marked hiking trails.

The stunning sunrise view from the summit is popular among Maui tourists. The temperatures at the summit are cold; during the winter months a dusting of snow is not uncommon so warm dress is required. A visit to the summit provides a dramatic demonstration of the diversity of Maui.

Outdoor enthusiasts find Maui offers plenty of activities. In addition to hiking, Maui visitors can enjoy biking, kayaking and hang gliding. All offer the benefit of up-close viewing of the beauty of Maui.

Golfers will find delight in 17 Maui golf courses. Golf is referred to as Maui’s favorite sport. Courses on Maui are set on gorgeous lagoons, volcanic slopes, and in rainforests. Golf is a year-round sport on Maui with major professional events held during the winter months.

Winter months are also the time for whale watching on Maui. Migrating Pacific humpback whales are found everywhere around Hawaii during January through April, but most abundantly at Maalaea Bay. Whales can be viewed from the Maui shore or on boat tours. Whales have played a key role in Maui history and several whale museums are located on the island.

Luaus, plantation tours, and the annual Aloha Festival provide a glimpse into the cultural history of Maui.

Maui offers an excellent array of dining. The Maui dining experience offers a selection of Hawaiian and Polynesian restaurants as well as other ethnic choices and exciting new fusion dining.

Maui resorts are designed to pamper guests and surround them with the beauty and elegance of the island. Beachfront locations allow guests to stroll from their rooms to enjoy warm sand and rolling surf. In addition to well-know hotels, Maui also offers an array of bed and breakfast locations, cottages and condominium rentals.

Maui is a lush tropical playground beaconing travelers to enjoy abundant beauty.

Travel - Eat - Sleep » Maui vacation

Maui After Dark

Maui: A True Paradise on Earth