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CENTRAL MAUI: KAHULUI and WAILUKU are the main towns, and the center of commerce for the island. You'll find the main AIRPORT, QUEEN KAAHUMANU SHOPPING CENTER, K-MART (don't laugh, it's a great place to pick up island souvenirs), and COSTCO (best food prices if you want to prepare some of your own meals). Also in Central Maui is the IAO VALLEY with the IAO NEEDLE, a great place for a hike.
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The town of PAIA - a throwback to the ‘60's, is just east of the airport and just to the south is PUUNENE, where a fully operational sugar mill is located and is home to the SUGAR MUSEUM. As you head east out of Paia, you'll encounter HOOKIPA - the famous wind surfing destination, where you'll see world class wind surfing and board surfing (bring your binoculars and zoom lenses and ask someone to point you towards "JAWS" for a look at the death defying pros!).
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EAST MAUI: The famous "Road to Hana" travels east from Kahului to HANA, a sleepy & beautiful village reflecting Hawaii's traditional past. Its a wet and wild ride (plan this as a day trip and pack a lunch), but well worth the time. You'll find the famous "SEVEN POOLS" just outside of town; and if you're up for it, hike up (about 2,000 feet - but an easy grade) to the source of the pools - three nice waterfalls. The trail takes you through a bamboo rain forest and it's quite an experience! Remember - always take fresh drinking water - don't drink from the pools or the falls.
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UP-COUNTRY: This is where you'll find the sweetest pineapples, the most exotic flower farms, and of course the HALEAKALA bike rides. This dormant volcano rises to just above 10,000 feet and offers a day of discovery for hikers or bikers. NASA sent the astronauts here to train before the moon walks! The towns of MAKAWAO, PUKALANI, and KULA climb the slopes toward the crater, and offer great spots for lunch or some "endless view" golfing.
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SOUTH MAUI: It's hot and dry, but KIHEI, the WAILEA RESORT AREA, and MAKENA are great for shopping, dining or "beaching". A great trip for snorkelers is a 1 mile hike across the most recent lava flow (200 +/- years ago) to a small secluded and protected cove. Here you'll find clear water and tons of beautiful fish. We've always found this to be a better snorkeling adventure than a trip out to MOLOKINI. However, if you've got your heart set on that trip then Kihei is where you'll find the boat tours.
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WEST MAUI: This is definitely the place to be. LAHAINA, KAANAPALI, NAPILI, and KAPALUA are all on the western shores of Maui. Here you'll find the sunsets and sparkling beaches for sunning, snorkeling, diving, sailing, jet skiing, parasailing, and ocean kyaking. Across the channel are the islands of LANAI and MOLOKAI, and in the channel is where you'll find the WHALES! November through late April or early May you'll see them (yes, even sometimes from your lounge chair at our private beach cabana!).
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