Hana Highway
The Hana Highway runs from the town of Kahului all the way up to the tiny hamlet (population: 1,800) of Hana, Hawaii's last undeveloped tropical paradise. The Hana Highway is considered one of the most beautiful drives in all of Hawaii. Along the Hana Highway there are turnoffs to pretty waterfalls, numerous trails and beaches. At Waianapanapa State Park, a trail leads to a beautiful volcanic black sand beach. You'll also pass a red sand beach at Hana Bay. Continue following the highway past Hana to the Seven Sacred Pools where there are easily accessible waterfalls and pools you can swim in. Nearby lies the Pipiwai Trail, which will take you to two different waterfalls--one 200 feet tall and the other 400 feet tall.
Hana Highway
Route 36
Maui, Hawaii
Maui Ocean Center
Whether you take a boat tour out of Maalaea Harbor, or you're looking for something to do indoors, the Maui Ocean Center is an excellent option for adults and children. Although it is a small aquarium by mainland standards, it has some excellent exhibits on reefs, turtles and sting rays. Visitors also enjoy the jelly fish exhibit. Many scuba divers do the shark dive, which is three days a week in the Ocean Center's huge tank.
Maui Ocean Center
192 Maalaea Rd.
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793-5931
(808) 270-7000
mauioceancenter.com
Whale Watching
Another popular activity on Maui is whale watching. Every year more than 1,000 humpback whales breed in the shallow waters of Maui County. Whale watching boat tours leave Maui every day. The non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation offers tours with naturalists who can explain whale behavior. Tour guides also lower a hydrophone into the water so you can hear song sung by male humpback whales.
Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Maalaea Rd. No. 21
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
(808) 249-8811
www.pacificwhale.org
Article Written By Shiromi Nassreen
Shiromi Nassreen has been writing professionally since 2005. She specializes in travel and outdoor topics, and her articles have appeared in various print and online publications, including "DISfunkshion Magazine" and Matador Travel. Nassreen holds a Bachelor of Arts in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama.
