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Heaven Can Wait

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Heaven can wait.....I need another trip to Maui!

When I think of Heaven, glimpses of Maui enter my mind. Pretty much everything there is beautiful....beaches, waterfalls, mountains, waves, lava rock, lush green landscapes, flowers, birds, palm trees, people...

This lens isn't even close to being done! I have so much more I want to add, but I've been too busy to work on it. Keep checking back, there is a lot more to come!!

Enjoy!!

My Maui Photos

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Must-Do's In Maui

  • 1. Lace up your sneakers and head to the 'Iao Needle
    2. Grab your sweatshirt and head to Haleakala
    3. Explore beautiful beaches
    4. Shop Whaler's Village
    5. Spend an evening in Lahaina
    6. Rent a mask and snorkel Black Rock
    7. Take a catamaran to Molokini Crater and Turtle Town
    8. Hire a driver and enjoy the Road to Hana
    9. Attend a luau
    10. Hike to the Fishbowl
    11. Check out the beautiful resorts
    12. Watch the sun set every day

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

We stayed at the Wailea Beach Marriot our last trip to Maui (June 2005). I thought it was an awesome place to stay...we were lucky and had a south west corner room. The views were spectacular!! We could see the hotel grounds, the West Maui mountains, Molokini Crater, and the beach.

The beach is breathtaking!! It is a little narrower than some of the others, but the rawness of the large patches of lava rocks scattered here and there were very beautiful. Most mornings we took our breakfast to go, and ate on the beach. If we sat quietly in our chairs, we could watch little crabs dash in and out of their holes.

The critics consider this hotel laid back and relaxed. They are right on!! It is very nice, but not too fancy. It has a true Hawaiian feel!!

Description from their website:

You will be swept away by our spectacular oceanfront location on Maui. Capture the panorama of our oceanfront setting from our new, saline filtered, heated, infinity edged "Serenity" Pool; featuring overwater cabanas with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Maui's neighboring islands.

Sheraton Maui Resort

We stayed at the Sheraton our first trip to Maui (June 2003). It is located on Ka`anapali Beach...it is one of the largest beaches I've ever seen...beautiful sand, nice and wide, very clean, and next to Black Rock. The hotel was very elegant and a little more expensive than some of the others, but it was well worth it.

The pool is one of most beautiful I have seen. It is surrounded by black lava rock and meanders around under bridges and along the bar and grill. Every once in awhile, you get a mist of cool water on your face, and you end up at a small slide. The large part of the pool has an in-pool seat around the edge, and the bartenders will bring you a cool drink. You can not drink on Maui beaches, so why not drink in the pool?

I highly recommend the banana daiquiri's!! We fell in love with the $7 drink! I'm sure they are a lot more now, but worth every penny. After the first one, we were hooked (mind you, my husband is a beer drinker). We tried banana daiquiri's at other bars...they just didn't come close!

Here is an exerpt from their website:

Warm, friendly faces and cool ocean breezes greet you at Sheraton Maui Resort, the first resort in Hawaii to grace the shores of Ka`anapali. Miles away from the mainland, you'll never feel more at home on our 23 oceanfront acres.

Here time is as relaxed as the island locals. Spend your days in the 142-yard freshwater swimming lagoon and whirlpool, on the three night-lit tennis courts, or at the salon. Find hours of enjoyment on the beachfront Teralani Catamaran or on a snorkeling adventure at Black Rock, Maui's premier snorkeling destination.

As evening falls, share island-inspired menus with friends or family at our open-air restaurants. Live entertainment fills the night air at the poolside bars, including a cliff diving ceremony at sundown. Or gather with beachgoers as everyone stands still beneath the wide open sky to witness the majestic sunset on Ka`anapali Beach.

Distinct Hawaiian furnishings and little extras give our guest rooms and suites an intimate, comfortable air. This feeling flows onto your private lanai, where you can take in the view. If business brings you to paradise, we'll help you connect with colleagues and plan a memorable event in a great space, from our elegant meeting rooms to spectacular oceanfront lawns.

Enjoy a truly Hawaiian ambience at Sheraton Maui Resort.

Cliff Diving Ceremony 

Black Rock

This large, black lava rock divides Ka'anapali Beach in half. Snorkeling and scuba diving around the rock is legendary. The rock is almost completely encrusted in coral with a large assortment of fish and sea turtles to make the experience memorable.

Black Rock is the site where ancient Hawaiians believed that their spirits "jumped off" or left this world. Each island has such a spot. It was believed that a spirit left this world to join its ancestors. If there were no ancestors to greet the spirit, it would wander the earth causing mischief.

The Sheraton hotel is located next to Black Rock. This hotel hosts a daily cliff diving ceremony.

You Tube Cliff Diving Ceremony

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The Road To Hana

During our first trip to Maui, we started the long drive to Hana. We stopped at the first sign advertising a waterfall...we walked and walked and walked. Finally we came to what was supposed to be a waterfall, but it was only a little pond with a trickle of water. While we were at the "waterfall" we talked to other people about going to Hana. Many of them said they turned around because the road was so curvy and so long. We decided not to go.

Our second trip, we got smart and scheduled a trip with a tour bus. What a great idea!! The driver started on the south side of Maui and drove north. This was great because most people start the tour from the north and head south. By us going the opposite direction, we had no traffic jams!

Also, if we were in our rental car, we wouldn't have been able to do the whole drive. There are parts of the road that are too rugged for a car, and we had to agree when we rented the car not to try these particular roads.

Our driver stopped at the Oheo Gulch and we ate our lunch. We had about an hour or so to go exploring. The Seven Sacred Pools were very pretty, but it was too rough for swimming.

Road To Hana Links

Maui Vacation Network - Maui Road to Hana
Maui Vacation Network road to Hana information, tours or drive yourself with Hana CD.
Discover the Road to Hana Tour - Discover Maui Activities
This Hana tour is featuring hidden Maui waterfalls, lush rainforests and gourmet lunch.
Maui Hana Adventure Tour by Polynesian Adventure Tours
Hana Adventure Tour, Description:. Explore the secrets of the lush tropical beauty of Maui's Hana coast. You will travel through the old sugar mill town of ...

Sea Turtle  

Molokini Crater

Molokini, an extinct volcano, is considered an offshore island. It is located 2 ½ miles off Maui's south coast and is a marine and bird sanctuary. Since it is a sanctuary, it is illegal to touch the wall of Molokini.

Molokini's back wall sharply drops off to depths of 300 feet. In the center is a lush reef area with excellent viewing up to 150 feet. The day we went, visibility was 99 feet. The pristine waters are home to about 250 species of fish - some of which are found nowhere else on earth. Its clarity and variety of marine life, makes Molokini one of the top ten dive sites in the world.

Boat tours for Molokini leave from Ma'alaea Harbor or Kihei Boat Ramp. Most tours are half day excursions -- either morning or afternoon. Since the trade winds come later in the day, it is best to leave early in the morning (the water is calmer and clearer).

We chose the tour that spent half the morning at the crater and the second half at Turtle Town. At Turtle Town, you swim with large (bigger than me) sea turtles. They don't seem to mind the people and will actually get close to you until someone goes after them. It is illegal to swim within five feet of a turtle, but that didn't stop most people.

Most tours include breakfast, lunch, and free Mai Tai's. Breakfast consists of fruit, muffins, cinnamon rolls, juice, and coffee. Lunch is a croissant, fruit, and pop. You are offered free Mai Tai's when you are done snorkeling and heading back to Maui....only makes sense!!

Molokini Crater Links

Molokini
Located 2 ½ miles off Maui's south coast, Molokini is an extinct volcano that is ... Haleakala Crater · Haleakala National Park · Halekii and Pihana Heiaus ...
Molokini Crater - Snorkeling in Hawaii
Welcome to Molokini Crater. If you love to snorkel, you have come to the right place. Molokini Crater is located just off the coast of Maui, Hawaii. ...
Kai Kanani (808) 879-7218 - Molokini snorkeling, Whale watching ...
The Kai Kanani makes the fastest daily trips to Molokini, Maui's premiere snorkeling destination. Kai Kanani's staff prides themselves on being the first to ...
Molokini Crater, Molokini Snorkel Trip, Molokini Island
Molokini Crater. Kayaking, diving and snorkeling adventures to Molokini Island display an ancient volcano almost fully immersed in water.
Molokini Crater Snorkel Cruise with Maui Princess Cruises Hawaii
Molokini crater snorkel boats, Maui snorkel cruises on Maui Princess Cruises. Take our big, fast Lahaina Princess on a snorkel cruise to Molokini Crater and ...
Molokini Snorkel Trip and Turtle Town Maui Snorkeling Trips aboard ...
Maui snorkeling trips to Molokini and Turtle Town aboard the Mahana Naia sailing catamaran. Daily trips from Maui's Maalaea harbor.

Front Street in Lahaina 

Lahaina

If you decide to head to Lahaina, and I strongly recommend that you do, make sure you find the infamous Banyan Tree. It is so large, it covers a city block. There is a monument on the corner of this block that is pretty interesting to read.

Front Street is the where you will see most of the shops, galleries, and restaurants. It's fun to go down to the harbor and watch the catamarans and boats coming in at the end of the day.

You can spot small beaches here and there as you walk along Front Street. As the waves wash away, you will find lots of crabs running around. We found a homeless (maybe) man hanging his clothes between two trees and sweeping his sand with a palm branch.

Also in Lahaina, you will find what is rated as the best luau on the island. We did not make it to this luau, we ended up going to one close to our hotel.

Lahaina Links

Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii - Island Information, Events, Activities ...
Pictures, schedule of events, Lahaina visitor center, and island activities information.
Lahaina.Com
Maui Hawaii Activities and vacation rentals, Visit Lahaina Maui Now!
Lahaina, Maui Web Cams
Lahaina Maui Hawaii LIVE Cameras. ... Old Lahaina Luau. Front Street Central. Front Street South. Front Street Bar Cams ...
Old Lahaina Luau | Official Website
Since 1987, Old Lahaina Luau has been consistently rated the best luau on Maui by a variety of independent publications and travel guides.
ø Restaurants Lahaina Hawaii ø
Lahaina Restaurants at 505 Front Street Lahaina Shops and Restaurants ... Find a place to eat in Lahaina, Hawaii or shop for fine art. ...
Lahaina Restaurants: Read Lahaina Restaurant Reviews - TripAdvisor
Lahaina Restaurants: Visit TripAdvisor, your source for reviews of restaurants in Lahaina, plus unbiased information on hotels and vacations, worldwide.

'Iao Needle and Valley  

'Iao Valley

'Iao Valley is the site of one of the most famous and bloody battles that changed Hawaii history forever. On this site, In 1790, King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in his effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Commonly called `Iao Needle, the traditional Hawaiian name for the 2,250 foot peak that dominates the valley is Kuka`emoku. This peak is known as the phallic stone of Kanaloa, Hawaiian god of the ocean.

During periods of warfare, the peak was used as a lookout by warriors. It was here that some Maui warriors retreated.

'Iao Valley State Park Links

Iao Valley State Park
The lovely, deep valley of 'Iao features the 'Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle presiding over the 'Iao stream and surrounded by the walls of the Pu'u ...
Hawaii's Official Tourism Site -- Iao Valley State Park, Maui
Towering emerald peaks guard the lush valley floor of Iao Valley. Located in Central Maui, this peaceful state park is home to one of Maui's most popular ...
Iao Valley, Iao Valley State Park, Iao Maui
Iao Valley. Iao Valley State Park comprises lush, green valleys, clear natural pools, incredible lookout points and boasts the Iao Needle pinnacle.

Haleakala Sunrise 

Haleakala National Park

House of Sun

It was recommended to us to visit Haleakala very early in the day. It takes about 2 1/2 hours from the Sheraton to the peak. You want to get to the summit before the clouds come in. Once the clouds come in, you can't see below them. It is cool, though, to be there as they start to roll in. Just make sure you have all your looking done beforehand.

We decided to drive up our first day in Maui, since we were still on Ohio time. It was a piece of cake to wake up at 5 a.m., since our bodies thought it was 11.

You can not buy gas or water once you get so far, so make sure you pack a lunch and have plenty of gas for the 5 - 6 hours you will be on the road. About halfway up, you will come to a winery. You can sample up to 6 (I think) wines and use the restroom. The wine is a little pricey. We bought the same Pineapple wine at the ABC Store for less than half the winery price.

Once you get to the park entrance, you will be charged $5.00 for a one week pass.

Temperatures commonly range between 40°and 65° F, but can be below freezing at anytime of year with the wind chill factor. Weather changes rapidly at high elevations on Haleakala. Intense sunlight, thick clouds, heavy rain and high winds are possible daily. I recommend wearing layered clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Also wear comfortable shoes, the hiking is very uneven and you don't want to fall off!!

Haleakala Links

Here are some great links with a lot of information on Haleakala.
Haleakala National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Official National Park Service web site. Maps, hours, driving directions, fees, information on camping and cabins in the park, contact information.
Haleakala National Park
Your experience is uniquely yours and we encourage you to discover what Haleakala means to you. The expedition of a thousand miles starts with one footstep. ...
Haleakala National Park
Everything you ever wanted to know about Haleakala National Park.
Haleakala Crater Live Camera
View from the summit area looking into the crater of Haleakala Volcano on Maui, Hawaii.

Great Shopping in Maui

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Lahaina Cannery Mall - Maui's Favorite Shopping Mall: Jewelry ...

Welcome to Lahaina Cannery Mall, Maui's only fully more...0 points

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Whalers Village

2435 Ka'anapali Pkwy, Bldg H-6, Lahaina, Maui, HI more...0 points

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Maui Shopping: Shops at Wailea and other Shopping on Maui near the ...

Maui Shopping near The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui incl more...0 points

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Largest Selection of Hawaiian Clothing, Resort Wear and Gifts in ...

Well, Hilo Hattie was the stage name for a very po more...0 points

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http://www.abcstores.com/about.htm

Just another chain of convenience stores?
Not really!
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http://www.nahoku.com/NaHoku/Home

Na Hoku has been creating Hawaii's finest jewelry more...0 points

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Hawaii Honeymoon Vacation

Hawaii Vacations, Hawaii Cruises and Hawaii Weddin more...0 points

Whaler's Village

Whaler's Village is a nice way to spend an evening save your days for the beach). Find a nice restaurant, shop a little, then watch some hula dancing, or learn to make a lei.

Blurb on their site:
We're redefining a day at the beach. A day of shopping. A day at the beach. They're separated by the mere flick of a towel. A hand through your hair says you're ready for lunch. While slippers highlight your dinner attire. With local stores, designer boutiques, whale museum, fashion, art and restaurants, it's not a mall. It's your vacation.

If you like walking along the beach, we're near the middle of the Kaanapali Beachwalk. Or if you're driving, we're at 2435 Kaanapali Parkway between the Westin Maui and The Whaler Condominiums.

My Favorite Products

Extra Large Beach Towel

I buy one of these each time I visit. They are nice to have on the boat, especially when it's a little chilly. It's so big, I can wrap it around myself two times!! In the past, they have been around $20.00

My Favorite Products

Maui Babe Browning Lotion

I LOVE this tanning lotion!! It smells like a mixture of chocolate and coconut! I use it at home (Ohio) to get a nice Hawaiian tan.

My Favorite Products

Maui Cook Kwees

I love, love, love these cookies!! Our favorite are the macadamia nut. We buy enough to last the week in our hotel room. Then we buy enough for the plane ride home and for the next week at home. Yummy!!!

LInks To My Favorite Products

If you would like to try some of my favorite products, I've listed links the below!
Maui Babe Browning Lotion
If you can't get to Maui to buy your browning lotion, this site offers a nice selection.
Maui Cook Kwees
You have to try these cookies! We really like the macadamia nut. It's hard to eat just one!

Maui Stuff on eBay

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My Favorite Maui Books on Amazon

I've read these books cover to cover! They hold tons of information!! I especially like the Maui Revealed book because of the photos. I used this book before, during, and after the trip.
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IZ on Amazon

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trendytreasures

Hello, I'm happy to say I'm a mom, a wife, a sister, a jewelry artist, and a Maui lover! You can find out more about me by visiting my blog at http:/... more »

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