Making Memories on Maui

Feb 21, 2011

Trilogy Excursions 888-225-6284, www.sailtrilogy.com // © 2011 Ron Dalhquist/Trilogy Excursions

Our daughter was just six months old when we first took her to Maui and, even at that tender age, she was hooked on its vivid sights, smells and tastes. As she turned into a toddler, she focused on the islandís super pools and kidsí camps then, eventually, grew to favor teen activities such as mother/daughter massages and standup paddleboarding. But no matter what age, she has always remained game for Maui, and the same can be said for her parents.
One of the beauties of a Maui vacation is that it truly offers something for everyone. For physically fit families, the options are as vast as the day is long. Hikers can immerse themselves in Haleakala National Park while marveling at its lunar landscapes and endangered silversword plants. It's worth the early wake-up call to drive to the summit of the 10,000-foot-high dormant volcano and share a mesmerizing sunrise, a memory the family will talk about for years to come.

Clans can find countless ways to dive into Maui, whether it's swimming in a refreshing waterfall-fed pool, skimming Maui's coastlines by kayak, hanging ten during a surfing lesson or boogie boarding the gentle waves. For a deeper immersion into all things aquatic, Trilogy Excursions stands ready with multi-hour snorkel cruises and, in the winter months, exciting whale watching excursions.

When families want to learn more about the sea without getting wet, the answer awaits at the Maui Ocean Center, home of a turtle lagoon, a hammerhead shark exhibit, a living reef and a touch pool with sea urchins and starfish. Kids love walking through the acrylic tunnel that runs through the middle of a 750,000-gallon, open-ocean tank teeming with fish. Another great way to keep dry in the water comes courtesy of Atlantis Submarines, whose sleek 48-passenger vessels let guests view the technicolor marine life off Lahaina's coastline, 100 feet below sea level.

For Maui lessons on land, the Hawaii Nature Center calls with hands-on educational experiences ranging from self-guided hikes to an innovative museum showcasing the plant and animal life of the islands. Learning is equally fun at Maui Tropical Plantation, highlighting the island's agricultural history. A tram tour takes visitors across acres of sugar cane, macadamia nut trees, guava trees, mango trees and more.
Families can rise above it all at Piiholo Ranch, which boasts Hawaii's longest side-by-side zipline. Cheering each other on, loved ones take their first step off the platform and glide above forests of eucalyptus, native koa and ohia trees. Upping the ante, Proflyght Paragliding takes travelers from ages 7 to 70 years old on tandem flights high above the island. For birdís-eye panoramas of waterfalls, valleys, craters and cliffs, companies such as Blue Hawaiian Helicopters stand ready with aerial tours.

When it's time to take a break, Maui's accommodations provide all the comforts of home. Condos such as Aston Kaanapali Shores and Honua Kai Resort include kitchens and washer/dryers, a great perk for parents, while large hotels like Grand Wailea and Hyatt Regency Maui keep everyone entertained with the likes of pool slides and super spas.

While the island has plenty of places to eat that are perfect for mom, dad and the kids, a luau is the ultimate Maui culinary experience. High on the list is the Old Lahaina Luau, where the flavors of poi and lomi lomi salmon are as exotic as the live entertainment. From the dramatic unearthing of the kalua pig to the captivating hula dancers, itís a dream-come-true family experience, made only on Maui.

What to Do

1 Atlantis Submarines
800-548-6262
www.atlantisadventures.com

2 Haleakala National Park
808-572-4400
www.nps.gov/hale

3 Maui Ocean Center
808-270-7000
www.mauioceancenter.com

4 Piiholo Ranch Zipline
808-572-1717
www.piiholozipline.com

5 Proflyght Paragliding
808-874-5433
www.paraglidemaui.com

6 Trilogy Excursions
888-225-6284
www.sailtrilogy.com

When to Go

While Maui's weather is reliably warm, the cost of getting and staying there fluctuates throughout the year. Savvy families visit during the first half of December, when airfares and room rates generally are lower.

Getting There

Maui's Kahului Airport welcomes 155 direct flights on all the major carriers, arriving from Western U.S. hubs. The island is also enjoying increasing airlift from secondary cities.