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Traveling Deeper – Finding the Real Maui Hawaii

Location: Maui Hawaii USA

Enjoy this one again or for the very first time. Originally published November 2021.

During our recent two months on the beautiful island of Maui we set out to explore the island more deeply; to learn more about the local efforts to sustain, preserve and protect. Below we suggest some of the ways we found to experience the island more profoundly. Traveling Deeper Finding the Real Maui Hawaii.

La Perouse Hooapli Trail

If you visit Maui, I’m sure your primary goal is to lay on the beach or by the pool and relax. But I implore you to take some time to learn a bit about the native people, the wildlife on both land and sea, the plants and geology and the history. Because you really need to make the effort – unlike many places we have traveled, these things aren’t necessarily glaringly in your face. It’s unfortunate because although a luau is nice, a more authentic option to learn about the ancient Hawaiian people would be my preference. You must go in search of the real Hawaii if you hope to respectfully show your appreciation to this fragile island by finding the real Maui Hawaii.

Below is a list of interesting things we did for the first time during our most recent visit to Maui. Even if you only do one or two of these things, your eyes will be opened. You will learn about the delicate ecosystem and sacred legends of this island.

Wildlife

Kealia Pond Wildlife Preserve – is a National Wildlife Preserve operated by the National Wildlife Service. A boardwalk provides people of all abilities to view the preserve and pond, birds and wildlife as well as the well presented interpretive signage.

Kealia Pond Wildlife Preserve

Maui Ocean Center – The Maui Ocean Center and Aquarium is a wonderful way to learn about the sea life of the ocean surrounding Maui. And a brand new incredible 3D movie called Humpbacks of Hawaii will just blow your mind. Worth every penny.

Maui Ocean Center

Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center – This brand new exhibit in Whaler’s Village Kaanapali is designed to help visitors understand and respect the local wildlife as well as the local Hawaiian native people’s connection to the land and the sea. Many hands-on displays for the keiki too. Great for the whole family.

Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary – The mystery and intrigue of the humpback whale is one of the most amazing things about the waters that lie between Maui, Lanai and Molokai. From November to May these gentle giants return each year to mate. There are many whale watching tours available as well as many onshore spots to watch these magnificent creatures.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary

Geology

Kapalua Coastal Trail – one of the best and most accessible hikes on the island takes you through a magnificent lava flow in West Maui. Here you will also see the delicate nesting sites of the Shearwater Birds. Often you can witness whales, dolphins and turtles from the high cliffs.

Kapalua Coastal Trail

La Perouse Bay and Trail – visit this remarkable place to view Haleakala’s fury in it’s last eruption in 1790. The miles and miles of beautiful lava can be traversed on the old Kings Highway trail and you will have beautiful views of the Big Island to the South.

La Perouse Bay and Trail

Haleakala – Haleakala is sacred to the Hawaiian people both in ancient times and today. This incredible landscape is a National Park and there are many trails to enjoy and the views are spectacular. The NPS cares for this fragile space and the endangered species that are found only here.

Haleakala Endangered Silver Sword

Indigenous Plants

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens – Dedicated to the conservation of the native plants of the island, you will be astonished to learn how many plants you think are native to Hawaii are not. The island plants that the ancient Hawaiians used for food and medicinal purposes are quite different than some of the flowering beauties you see all over the islands today. The gardens are small and not perfectly kept, but still very interesting.

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

Eating Local

O’O Farm – one of my all time favorite experiences on Maui. This fantastic organic sustainable farm is astonishing in the beautiful upcountry area of Kula. Morning tours with breakfast and coffee or lunch tours are available. You will enjoy food that is 100% grown and cultivated on Maui. O’o Farm is one of several local efforts underway on the island to provide restaurants fresh, organic and locally grown produce. Now that there is no sugar cane grown on Maui, the land is slowly being cultivated with new crops including citrus, coffee, avocados and more. Definitely visit O’O Farm. We loved it and learned so much.

One of five courses at O’O Farm

Travel Deeper Finding the Real Maui Hawaii

Whether you are visiting Maui or any other place on this amazing planet, traveling deeper is a way to really experience the land, the sea and the people and culture. We enjoy finding ways in all of our destinations to celebrate the diversity of our world by experiencing food, culture, history and nature. Give it a try the next time you visit Maui. Traveling Deeper Finding the Real Maui Hawaii.

See our post Maui Top Five Things to Do here.

See last week’s post Six Great Hikes on the Island of Maui here.

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12 Comments

  • Reply Alma

    It would appeal to me to travel deeper in Hawaii. The beaches and the sea would attract me, but there is only so much time I can spend there before I am burnt to a crisp or have become waterlogged.

    November 27, 2021 at 12:21 am
  • Reply sue

    I love this! Although I would be tempted to just enjoy the beaches in Maui, I really love the idea of also experiencing all these aspects of the island. I am always keen to search out hikes anywhere I go & to walk around those lava flows sounds fascinating. Thank you…one day I will visit Maui & definitely come back here before I do.

    November 27, 2021 at 4:46 am
  • Reply Heather

    I love this post! It’s so important to support local, learn about local people and history and discover indigenous plant life and everything you mention! I’m thankful I finally figured this out. Hawaii is also beautiful!

    November 28, 2021 at 8:15 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Australia is a gold mine for this kind of stuff! Stay safe!

      November 29, 2021 at 7:39 am
  • Reply Heather

    I love seeing you guys in Hawaii! You seem so at home there and love all the places you get to. Haleakela is beautiful but cold in the sunrise!

    December 10, 2022 at 9:31 am
  • Reply Linda (LD Holland)

    On our first visit to Maui, we had a very long list of things to do. And sadly little of our time was spent by the pool or beach. But this post is one I will keep for a return visit. Maui is definitely a spot we want to explore deeper.

    December 10, 2022 at 1:30 pm
  • Reply Renee

    I haven’t been, but always hear such amazing things! The beaches and the activities are plentiful.

    December 12, 2022 at 2:55 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      It is amazing. Thank you Renee.

      December 18, 2022 at 8:29 pm
  • Reply anja

    We didn’t visit Maui but spent a over week on Hawaii Island. While my husband was at a conference, I loved to walk along the beach watch the ocean. Once I took the bus to Kona and since I was the only passenger, the driver told me lots about life on the island. LAter we had a car and toured a bit. I loved the many spiritual places, it stuck much more than the undoubtedly great pool and beach time.

    January 14, 2024 at 5:30 am
    • Reply Laureen

      One of my favorite places in the world!

      January 14, 2024 at 7:32 pm

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