My Favorites
1. Hana

Waikani Falls
2. Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park
3. Makena & Wailea

Molikini Crater
4. Kapalua & Napili

Beautiful Ocean View
5. Black Rock & Kaanapali

Sea Turtle
Other Considerations
Lahaina

Mountain Rainbow
Nice place to stay and is where most of the nightlife is on the island. There is a beach in Lahaina and the location is a good base camp close to the northwest beaches. It’s also a bit more developed with grocery stores and small shopping centers. I stayed at an AirBnB with many pets that lived on the property which was pretty entertaining. Tortoises, cockatoos, pheasants, chickens, cats, dogs, and fish.
Nakalele Point (aka Blowhole)

Nakalele Point
A little bit out of the way up in the north, this interesting spot is down by the ocean and when the water crashes against the rocks, it explodes up in the air like the blowhole of a whale. It’s pretty neat and you also get to climb down and back up on rocks which I always find fun. Beautiful views also.
Waihee Ridge Trail

The Trail
This was definitely off the beaten path and I don’t even remember how I found it. I think I read about it somewhere as a nice trail up through the hills eventually leading to swinging bridges. After the fact, I realized the trail is technically closed, but you can still walk in and there are others (not many) on the trail. It’s really not clear and seems just like it’s not well maintained as opposed to closed. The hike is uphill, a bit muddy in spots, with great views of the island and the ocean. The hike is about 2+ miles one way. Unfortunately I didn’t make it because I ran out of time and the weather was starting to turn. The end of the trail supposedly has suspension bridges, a small waterfall, and pool for swimming. I did see people coming back wearing swimsuits.
Cost Breakdown
- Flights: $0 (redeemed credit card points)
- Lodging: $927 (hotel, AirBnB)
- Transportation: $335 (taxi, rental car)
- Activities: $0
- Food: $540 (estimated $60/day)
Total: $1,802
General Tips
- Mosquitoes. Bring bug spray for normal protection. While not common, there was a small outbreak of Dengue on the The Big Island while I was on Maui, so ask around, listen to the radio, or check the web to make sure all is well.