For anyone who lives in Maui... (Kahului, Waialua: rental, condos, hotels)

[nessie33]

I'm going there on vacation, and I was wondering if you knew of any interesting places to go? I don't want any tourist areas, right now I'm looking for more different and scenic places that are more secluded.

I appreciate any responses! thanks

[vms_cmiamt]

The only places on Maui I believe is close to being referred to as being "secluded" can be found in Paia (My home town) and everything past that all the way to the town of Hana. Every other place that use be secluded are are now golf courses and premium hotels. What kind of activities are you interested in?

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by nessie33

I'm going there on vacation, and I was wondering if you knew of any interesting places to go? I don't want any tourist areas, right now I'm looking for more different and scenic places that are more secluded.

I appreciate any responses! thanks

We have vacationed in Maui for the past 11 years on the southern end of Maui (Wailea area). My suggestion for secluded and less touristy type areas in Hana. There are many beautiful, secluded areas all along the Hana Highway.

[whynot?]

If you want seclusion on Maui, the best thing is to go upcountry. The beaches are always more crowded than the mountains. You can find secluded beaches, but it's kind of a seasonal thing, depending upon when you're coming.

Even Hana (56 miles, and about 5 hours) from Kahului gets a steady stream of visitors, although it is far less crowded than West Maui or South Maui. It's a wonderful place to stay, BTW. Very "old Hawaii," but it is remote -- far from dining or even grocery options.

For a real seclusion and non-touristy stay you might also consider Molokai. There's a daily ferry from Maui (passengers only), and it has a couple of hotels, rental condos, and the like. I've stayed on both the west end (near Mauna Loa) and the east end (near Waialua) several times. You're much more likely to find empty beaches, roads, and trails there. Like Hana, it has only a few restaurant options and smallish general stores, and is redolent of "old Hawaii."

Maui's other neighbor island, Lanai, is also uncrowded, but feels more touristy owing to its small size, and two large Four Seasons resorts in addition to the more local Hotel Lanai. The resorts are beautiful and offer all sorts of four-star activities, and Lanai has wonderful beaches, hiking, snorkeling, etc.

If you don't mind posting the kinds of things you enjoy doing, we could probably recommend more specific places, too.

[nessie33]

I'm on a low budget, so I can't do anything too expensive... I was wondering if anyone knew of the best beaches to find shells? Places that I would like to go would be ruins, or any forests that are good for jogging/hiking

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by nessie33

I'm on a low budget, so I can't do anything too expensive... I was wondering if anyone knew of the best beaches to find shells? Places that I would like to go would be ruins, or any forests that are good for jogging/hiking

There are very few shells on the beaches of HI.

[whynot?]

Yeah, I agree with Ellwood. I was just thinking about it. You might occasionally find a few cowries or cone shells while snorkeling or diving. Or in a tidal pool. But the reefs either keep out or break up a lot of the shells. I found a lot of nice opihi shells on the east coast of Molokai, but generally, I haven't found anything like the quantity or variety I used to see on east coast beaches.

[JohnnyDrako]

Removing shells from Hawaiian beaches is illegal. So I have been told.

[whynot?]

I think you may be thinking about lava rocks, which many people take home as souvenirs, only to find that they known for "bad luck." The National Parks used to have an "amnesty" program, but I think it has since been taken over by more entrepreneurial groups that can be found via Google and other web resources.

Here's a link to a PDF from the USDA for what can and cannot be taken home: www.aphis (broken link).usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/notice_hawaii.pdf. And also a link to Best Places' web page for what may -- and may not -- be taken back to the mainland.

Apparently seashells (excepting our land snails' shells) may be carried home.Agricultural Inspection

As a lover of all wildlife -- animate and inanimate -- I encourage our visitors to "look but don't touch." Seeing is believing.

[rockfisherman]

Originally Posted by nessie33

I'm going there on vacation, and I was wondering if you knew of any interesting places to go? I don't want any tourist areas, right now I'm looking for more different and scenic places that are more secluded.

I appreciate any responses! thanks

Pick up a copy of "Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook". I think you'll find what you're looking for in there.