Maui Hawaii Updates

One of our favorite boardwalks is in Kaanapali.  You can walk from Hanakao'o Beach Park all the way to Duke's Beachhouse Restaurant next to the Aston Mahana and Honua Kai Konea hotels.  It's a long walk with many resorts in front of it.  You also wrap around the Sheraton at Black Rock.  If you walk from one end to the other, you're looking at at least an hour each way.  Some of it will be covered by trees, but most of it runs alongside the ocean and offers full sun.

There are plenty of spots to stop for drinks and food.  We love this walk for sunset or in the early morning when the sun isn't as strong.  When on the south side, there's a similar long walk along the ocean in Wailea.  You have to cross beaches here and there, but a lot of it is composed of paved path along the water and resorts.

You can see the Kai Kanani coming into shore from the morning snorkeling trip to Molokini.  The Kai Kanani is one of our favorite vessels in Maui waters because it's a stable, roomy catamaran and is the only boat allowed to make beach entries in Makena.  The great location combined with the easy access to Molokini makes the Kai Kanani the best choice for snorkeling Molokini.

This was a perfect day to be on the beach (not that it's a rare thing on Maui!)  We hope you like the photo.  By the way, this was taken with an iPhone.  Pretty amazing, huh?

(This Panoramic was taken last night while walking the coast in Wailea, south Maui.)

Recently, Travel & Leisure rated their 35 top warm weather resorts in America.  Obviously, Florida, California, and Hawaii took most of the leading spots on the list.  The Hawaiian Islands picked off a large portion of the them, and Maui County took 3 of the top spots.

#8
The Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele

One of two Four Seasons' locations on the island of Lanai, The Lodge at Koele can make you forget you're in Hawaii.  It's a bit cooler and has a cozy lodge feeling to it.  But don't think it's hard to find that Hawaii feeling.  All you need to do is take their shuttle down to the beach, only 10 minutes away, to the other Four Seasons at Manele Bay.  This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii.

#14
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

We feel this is the best resort on the island of Maui.  Everything is top-notch, high-end perfection.  Many people claim that the Grand Wailea is the best, but these people must not have stayed at the Four Seasons right next door.  Their warm staff knows your name, the food and drinks are superb, and everything is open for you to enjoy.  Their location is also incredible with great sunsets and a beautiful beach.

#31
The Hotel Hana-Maui & Honua Spa

One of the best and only spots to stay at in Hana, you'll enjoy true peace at this quiet hotel.  The location is spectacular, and the areas around the hotel are about as close to Old Hawaii as you can get.

We think they made some excellent choices, though we'd probably put them higher up on the list. 

This photo shows the boardwalk along the resort beachfronts.

What a photo!

If this doesn't make you want to put down your work and hang by the pool, then you like working too much.

This photo was taken at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa yesterday at sunset. This is one of the best resort pools in Maui. They have 3 pools, but this one is by far the best.

Fantastic dinner at Mala Wailea tonight. The Opakapaka was cooked perfectly and placed over Molokai sweet potatoes next to butternut squash and sweet Kula corn.

We also enjoyed some very tasty oysters, ceasar salad, and finished off with a coffee bread pudding.

Mala is located at the Wailea Marriott, which is the second location in Maui by chef Mark Ellman. The first Mala restaurant is in Lahaina, which also has a great ocean view.

We are addicted to their Kobe beef burger. It's not inexpensive, but it's worth the bucks. We suggest visiting either of these great Maui restaurants.

Life has been worse. Loving this Maui sunset!

We're stopping for the day and enjoying a little pool time at the Wailea Marriott in South Maui.

Sunset should be incredible tonight!