Maui and Howie!

The sun is shining. Pick up your rental car and follow directions to your Maui condo rental, reserved through Hawaiian Beach Rentals. You will stay in a condo with a full kitchen at your disposal. If you have the time, inclination, and energy, you might want to pick up some groceries before checking in. Choose from a variety of supermarkets, at Wal-Mart, or even COSTCO. If you don’t want the hassle, your luxury rental offers an excellent concierge service, who will do your shopping for you! As you drive south, look to the southeast to see Maui’s highest peak, Haleakala, at an elevation of 10,020 feet. Roll down the windows and enjoy the ride! Once you’ve settled into your luxury beachfront rental, you’ll want to cool off with a swim in the blue waters. Walk out the front door… walk 200 feet. After a shower, get ready for a night on the town! One of the reasons Maui is rated so highly is for the quality of its cuisine. Take a look at the local scene on the first night, to get your bearings. Wailea and Makena boast a number of excellent restaurants, with something to delight every palate. Sleep until the next morning…you deserve it!

That’s what luxurious Wailea villas are for! Enjoy a relaxing morning: a swim, a game of tennis or a round of golf. Maui is world famous for its golf, and Wailea and Makena boast the best courses on the island. A great way to start any vacation is to get to know the terrain well. Once you’ve enjoyed your morning, put on your walking shoes! The rest of the day is part of the great Maui tour. However, before you get started on the day’s activities, be sure to call and reserve a table with a view at the Hula Grill in Kaanapali, where you’ll be dining. Today’s drive will take you along the northwest coast of Maui. The first stop is the Maui Ocean Center, which offers an educational tour of a rich variety of tropical Hawaiian life. The Ocean Center even offers visitors the chance to swim with sharks, but be sure to book early! Sharks get tested if you don’t have an appointment. The next stop is only for those who want to walk a bit. However, for those interested in natural history, the Olowalu petroglyphs are well worth a visit. Lahaina is your next stop. Before the American annexation of Hawaii, Lahaina was the “Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii”, and today it is the most popular tourist destination on Maui. Lahaina is full of things to do and see. Here are some you won’t want to miss: The Galleries on Front Street – Featuring well-known and not-so-known artists, the galleries are a great way to spend a few hours. Be sure to check out the Lahaina Galleries, and if you like what you see, you can see more of the same at their Wailea branch at The Shops at Wailea. The banyan tree in Courthouse Square: a remarkably large tree whose branches take up 2/3 of an acre. The Whale Museum: During the 19th century, Lahaina was the center of the world’s whaling industry and has a rich maritime history.

It has been a long day. You’ve seen a lot and she’s whet your appetite. Head to the Hula Grill in Kaanapali for some of the best traditional Hawaiian food on the island. Whether you’re looking for grilled shrimp with mac walnut pesto paste, banana-glazed opah, crab and corn cakes, or just a good rib eye steak, you won’t go hungry at the Hula Grill!

Alright…you slept in yesterday, so you should be ready to start earlier. Wailea Rentals is the center of the action on Maui. Getting the chance to dive around one of the most beautiful underwater volcanoes in the world is well worth it. Sign up for a Molokini snorkel trip. If snorkeling isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other marine sports to enjoy on Maui. You have made the most of your time on Maui and have already seen and done a lot. Take the rest of the afternoon off. Chill out. Or…you can take a stroll through The Shops at Wailea, Maui’s most exclusive shopping area. Grab ice cream at Lappert’s or try some great local coffee at Honolulu Coffee Co. Head to Kihei for casual beachfront dining at Five Palms. Unpretentious and off the beaten track, the restaurant specializes in fresh fish caught daily.