Hawaii: Kauai & Maui
Maui, Image by Dustin Belt
Kauai sunset, Image by Danny Shives
Which Islands?
Hawaii is a part of America, and yet such an interesting utopian stand alone as well. The islands the country is lucky to be in conjunction with. All the light, full-arc rainbows, marshmallow clouds and fruit-like candy: a dream.
(Cover Image by Dylan Mcaffee)
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Kauai is almost a sleepy site yet where the adventure of surf is up. But, it’s also for the down island Eden eats, and freshness. There’s a range of total comfort to affordable to rustic stays and easy ways to immerse in the islands’ natural wonders.
While Maui is a little bit more boutique fun, and for the minimalistic sophisticated, those who are interested in the simplicity of island views and slightly more tame adventure.
Here’s a highlight roster of activities, sites, and places to stay on each.
Maui
Image by Brandon Green
Matsumoto shaved ice, Image by Katie Musial
Activities
The Road to Hana & Black Sand Beach
The Road to Hana is one of the absolute musts in Maui. It’s an experience of Maui’s north shore that’s known for views along its 60 miles of stretch. The road begins in the town of Paia and ends at the village of Hana. Some of the sites to take in along the way are vistas such as the Garden of Eden Arboretum, Wailua Falls, the Pools of Oheo, Twin Falls, and the notorious black sand beaches along the stretch. The trip can take a full day, or it can be broken up and you can stay halfway overnight.
Paia
Paia is a quaint island town in the north area that’s gorgeous. Large girthy banyan trees melt into the walkways and there are the cutest shops with local wares, island delights like patterned silks, pressed tropical leave trivets, and local jewelry. It’s a definite place to stop along the way if you venture on the Road to Hana or not.
Molokini
Dolphin spottings in Molikini, Image by Yale Cohen
Molokini is a 230,000-year-old crescent-shaped volcanic crater where you can swim and snorkel. The waters host a vast marine life that undeniably impresses visitors. Find reefs, sea turtles, and a bounty of colorful fish. In addition to it being a unique place in formation, Molokini also offers ideal conditions for swimming as the waters there have a reduced current and waves.
Lahaina
Lahaina is a beloved historic town on Maui’s western coast. It was originally a whaling village but today is a charming enclave on the waterfront. Banyan Tree Park is one of the favorite destinations here where some of the most magnificent banyan trees in the world lounge for blocks. The town also hosts a thriving art gallery scene and dining nightlife.
Where to Stay? Hyatt Regency
Image by Karsten Wineart
Image by Kenneth Oh
The Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency in Maui is one of the best hotels located on the island.
The pool is amazing, and the beach is nice, shallow, and inviting, almost a part of the resort itself. There are six restaurants on-site that offer especially legit fish options. Look, resorts on islands are contestable only because they sometimes feel far-flung from local culture. I’m not trying to be White Lotus tourist here. But this hotel hits the spots for excellent comfort and fun. If done right, a resort can both mimic and enhance the local environment of a place.
Image by Upgraded Points
Hula
Another intriguing element of Maui is its hula. Like many traditional practices of celebration, hula is nuanced per island.
On Maui, "hula ku'i” is the hula performed acapella, without drum beats that hula is commonly considered. With hula ku’i, dancers use their voices to accompany and create the rhythmic beats for the dance bass…
The origins of this dance are said to have come into being during the reign of King Kamehameha I of the 18th century. According to myth and legend, the king held a contest to crown the best dancers on the island. The dancers were prohibited from the help of any musical instruments which propelled them to invent this technique to keep beat and pace, a melody of sorts, and rely on the instrument of their voices.
Over the years, hula ku'i has continued to be passed through generations. Today, it’s performed at events, festivals, and competitions of the island. The dancers' voices still intone intricate harmonies that together with their choreography convey stories etched in the Hawaiian island’s own.
Image by Jordan Mcqueen
Kauai
While Maui feels like a Sunday brunch in Hawaii, Kauai feels like an afternoon picnic. Both are laidback, not overly glitzy, and amenable paces of the great outdoors. Yet Kauai bursts with adventure more.
Kauai is Hawaii’s 4th largest island. Did you know that the center of Kauai, Mount Waialeale is one of the rainiest spots on the entire planet? It receives an annual rainfall of approximately 450 inches. Which is why it’s sometimes nicknamed "The Wall of Tears." No surprise that it likewise hosts an exuberantly lush ecosystem with waterfalls, dense rainforest, and flora due to the hospitable conditions.
Here are places on Kauai worth the venture.
Kapaa
Kapaa, located in the eastern area of Kauai, has been called Hawaii’s most showy town. It’s a place to dabble in yoga studios, relish fresh smoothie places, explore raw food restaurants, and a lot of great seafood.
Na Pali Coast
The Na Pali Coast is probably the landmark of Kauai, one of Kauai’s impressive spots. Jagged cliff rocks line the coastline in shades of brilliant greens to ombre brown. Explorers seek hiking the coast, a 17-mile stretch that ends at Kalalau Beach. One of its draws is its seclusion, meaning you can experience the coast only on foot and hiking, above by air, or sidelined by boat.
If you’re into challenging hikes, the Kalalau Trail is 11 miles and gives views like no other. Along the trail is pristine scenery with coves and viewpoints that are spell-binding. However, be cautious around rainy times as muddiness can provide dangerous footing for the already rigorous hike. The hike is inclusive of intense inclines and rugged terrain. November-May is a time when most rainfall occurs.
Finally, be warned that the trail is part of a national park, you need a permit if you intend to camp while traversing its length.
Alternatively, if hiking seems like too much of an ordeal, you can snorkel or dive along the coast. The waters teem with sea life, in part due to the natural preservation and remoteness of the area.
Hanalei Bay
Image by Macauly Addesso
Hanalei Bay is a bay on the north shore of the island. It’s one of the most classically scenic locales known for being prime real estate for swimming and water sports out on the surf. The views of the mountains along its long stretch of sand are worth spending a day or two at.
Poipu Beach
On the south shore of the island is Poipu Beach. Poipu includes more calm waters and is a bit more of an intimate setting. It’s an ideal beach for young children and it’s renowned as a spot to witness sea turtles beached up.
Farmers Markets
Kauai being such a lush location is likewise host to some of the most generous produce, fruits, and sea life anywhere. The communities around the island maximize this abundance and the fresh food is sewn into the daily. Find farmer’s markets in the towns that sell not only fresh ingredients but unusual and artisan treats worth savoring.
Where to Stay? Westin Princeville
There is something dignified about the Westin Princeville on the north side of Kauai. It’s minimalistic and elegant. Located in front of the mountainscape that inspired the song “Puff the Magic Dragon”, the beach in front of the hotel is beautiful. I recommend embarking on a canoe trip from the beach around the mist-cloaked mountains that surround it.
Image by Zane Persaud
*Safety tip
Hiking the Na Pali Coast is for the advanced adventurer, caution wisely. Relatedly, the current on many beaches of both islands can be strong unless in an inlet, mind swimming near shore when choppy waves arise, and children likewise.
Image by Christian Joudrey
Bottom line
Hawaii has one of the most impactful natural environments of the great Americas. It delivers whether you’re seeking solace in earthen domains, comfort in hotels of supreme design, or simply that American fruit of land and sea. The beauty of Maui and Kauai is immaculate and untamed at the same time. They simultaneously offer excellent activities for both adventure and for repose, for adorers of sparkling greenery, mountains, and gorgeous ocean.
