Best Beach for Writing Music - Edit Pick, Winner Baldwin Beach
I refuse to get all quasi-spiritual on you, but there is an unexplainable quality about Baldwin that makes it particularly conducive to acoustic guitars (and maybe a beer or two). Perhaps it’s the view. If you’re playing solo and don’t want to be bothered, you don’t have to worry about everyone and their mother walking up to you and attempting small talk (unless you’re one of those people who desires this very thing, in which case make eye contact). But chances are you won’t be the only one wielding an instrument on this stretch of sand. Either way, play on. KB
Maui has no shortage of divisive issues, many of them related, directly or indirectly, to the visitor industry. But no issue divided the community more sharply, or led to a bigger backlash, than the County’s crackdown on transient vacation rentals. Mayor Charmaine Tavares’s decision to shut down TVRs, made shortly after she took office, was a shock to many and has proven to be a huge drag on the local economy. Even if you think TVRs need to be more heavily regulated, the answer isn’t to send the hammer crashing down, especially not now. This issue exemplifies the Mayor’s “plantation” mentality and lack of leadership, a deadly combo that has put the island on shaky ground. JS
You know that slogan they’re always singing on the radio: “By water, all things find life”? It may be annoyingly catchy, but it’s also undeniably true. Without water, none of us would exist. It’s important to remember that, because it’s easy to take this precious life-giving elixir for granted. From pumping huge quantities of water to South Maui to turn desert into jungle to giving developers exemptions on water use restrictions to the fight over Native Hawaiian water rights, this is an issue with many facets (not to mention faucets). But in the end, it’s something everyone, regardless of race, economic background or social standing, should care deeply about. And clearly, based on the results, you do. JS
If you like beaches and sunshine, this is your spot. Yes, many will complain about the tourists (though not as much these days) or say the town is just a long, hot strip of bars and condos (which is only sort of true). But come on, admit it, Kihei is a fun place to be. From the Triangle to always-lively games of beach volleyball, there’s no shortage of pleasing diversions, and with the BOM award-winning pool and all those awesome beaches, beating the heat is as easy as it is enjoyable. JS
Yes, trekking over to the West side can be a chore. But it’s one of those things where, once you do it, you’re never sorry you did. Front Street, with its wealth of shops and eateries, is the obvious draw. But even just sitting under the Banyan Tree watching the parade of humanity or using a trip to Maui’s historic whaling village as a jumping off point for the many proximal—and awesome—surfing, swimming and snorkeling spots is worth the trip. JS
Nona, my van, hasn’t been quite right lately. First she overheated after about five minutes of being on. Then her master cylinder began to give. Now it’s the starter. I trace the ills that plague my $100 purchase back to that fateful day I decided to take the back way home from Hana. The road was bumpy, sketchy and decidedly uphill, which I realized once I passed Ulupalakua. So take heed. KB
Come on people, really? We're not saying the Craigslist forum doesn't offer amusement, diversion and even occasional insight, but it's hardly a blog. Really, this should serve as a rallying cry to Maui's bloggers: get your engines revving, because there's obviously a hole that needs filling. JS
When I was young and impressionable, my parents told me that the big whale statue was a present that they got for me, but since it was so massive, we couldn’t bring it home. Now that I’m not so young—but still impressionable—sometimes I wonder why we haven’t brought it home yet. I mean, I made space for it in the backyard and everything. That bit of parental deceit aside, it’s hard not to enjoy Kalama Park in Kihei. There are grills galore, plenty of shade, a playground and even a sports field, which includes a skate park. It’s perfect for a family picnic. YT
There is really no way to prepare yourself for just how awesome whale watching is. It’s fun enough from the beach or some strategic lookout point, playing a kind of oceanic Where’s Waldo? as you look for those telltale white puffs. But go out in a boat and get close to the things and you’re truly awestruck. Not merely at their size—though they are indeed massive—but their agility and gracefulness. What you come away realizing is that there’s this whole world that exists beneath the ocean’s surface, one we’re lucky enough to catch occasional glimpses of but that we know very little about. Take a break from the sunbathing and mai-tais—both of which got votes here, by the way, along with, predictably “going home”—and marvel at Maui’s majestic annual visitors. JS
I’ve been trying to figure out why you readers picked Black Rock as Maui’s numero uno snorkel spot, over places like Honolua Bay and Fish Bowl. Could it be because of the potential danger of getting crushed by an unobservant cliff jumper or getting whisked off to Lanai on a riptide? Or maybe it’s the humor of watching hoards of sunburned tourists trying to look cool while tripping down the beach with their fins on. But then I figured out the answer to this snorkeling conundrum: It’s got to be all that convenient parking, gear available for rent and the close proximity of tiki bars to rinse that salty taste away with pina coladas. That and the occasional sea turtle sighting. JA
I adore Big Beach, with its massive shore break and heaps of sand that always seems to find its way into my bikini, but the category of “locals’ beach” is difficult to define. Big Beach isn’t local exclusive (I meet way more tourists on Big Beach, than I do in, say, Wailuku). Even with that minor confusion, it cannot be denied that Big Beach is great. There’s sand, sun and surf—all requirements for an epic beach day. My favorite activity is skimming, but the bodyboarders are a force to be reckoned with. And on Sundays, if you’re brave enough, you can always trek over to Little Beach for fire dancing and nudity galore. YT
I’m not sure what makes one beach a better spot for swimming than another, but one thing is undeniable about Big Beach: there’s a lot of it. You can swim with the cluster of people that congregate near the entrance or find your own little swimming hole away from the crowd further on down the sand. Look out for the occasional set of big waves and the boogie boarders who might be riding them. JA
Choosing just one hike in a place as beautiful and diverse as Maui is tough, but truly, if you could take only one hike, this would be it. As you walk along the wooden footpath, towering bamboo gradually closes in around you. Soon, the light dims and you’re transported to another world, with the only sound the shuffle of your footsteps and the hypnotic creak of the giant green stalks that now blot out the sky. Just when you’re wondering how much thicker this stuff can grow, you emerge at the base of a towering waterfall. Are you reaching for your hiking boots yet? JS
Best Ultimate Frisbee Field - Edit Pick, Winner Keokea Park
It’s not perfectly flat; your team will be fighting an uphill battle toward the end zone more than a few times per match, but such is life, right? So deal with it. You are in one of the coolest spots—both temperature and quality-wise—on-island, the view is groin-grabbingly phenomenal and you’re getting in some of the best cardio of your life. Plus, if you go at the right time, you’ll meet some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. Anywhere. KB
This run’s appeal goes well beyond the astonishing scenery. It’s six miles roundtrip, and downhill the second half of the course. Plus it’s close to the office. The incline starts out gently and even slopes downward in a few spots, but soon it becomes apparent that you’re rapidly ascending. The valley’s lush green slopes flank both sides of the road at this point, and it feels a good five degrees cooler. The Iao River marks the final stretch of the trek’s uphill portion, and once you pass the Nature Center you’ve got just half a mile left before hitting Iao Needle State Park. KB
Entertainment and lifestyle news for Maui, Hawaii and the surrounding Islands. Maui Time Weekly is Mauis only independent and locally owned newspaper.
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