At once forbidding and compelling, Haleakala (House of the Sun) National Park is Maui’s main natural attraction. More than 1.3 million people a year ascend the 10,023-foot-high mountain to peer down into the crater of the world’s largest dormant volcano. (Haleakala is officially considered active, even though it has not rumbled since 1790.) That hole would hold Manhattan: 3,000 feet deep, 7 1/2 miles long by 2 1/2 miles wide, and encompassing 19 square miles. The Hawaiians recognize the mountain as a sacred site. Ancient chants tell of Pele, the volcano goddess, and one of her siblings doing battle on the crater floor where Kawilinau (Bottomless Pit) now stands. Commoners in ancient Hawaii didn’t spend much time here, though. The only people allowed into this sacred area were the kahuna, who took their apprentices to live for periods of time in this intensely spiritual place. Today, New Agers also revere Haleakala as one of the earth’s powerful energy points, and even the U.S. Air Force has a not-very-well-explained presence here. But there’s more to do here than simply stare into a big black hole: Just going up the mountain is an experience in itself. Where else on the planet can […]

Lahaina Harbor is one of the most popular spots in West Maui to enjoy a variety of ocean activities, including whale watching, sailing, snorkeling, submarine, sport fishing, scuba diving, parasailing and more. On your next trip to Maui, make sure to visit this Lahaina staple for excursion offerings and gorgeous sunset views in West Maui. Lahaina Harbor as we know it today was originally dredged in 1955 in front of what was once known as Lahaina Landing at the waterfront of the Old Lahaina Fort. But the Port of Lahaina goes back almost two centuries since Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845. It was once an important destination for the 19th century whaling fleet, whose presence at Lahaina frequently led to conflicts with the Christian missionaries living there. On more than one occasion the conflict was so severe that it led to the shelling of Lahaina by whaleships……(MORE)

One of last partially intact ahupuaa on O`ahu, Waimea Valley consists of 1,875 acres and has been a sacred place for more than 700 years of Native Hawaiian history. Waimea, “The Valley of the Priests,” gained its title around 1090 when the ruler of Oahu awarded the land to the kähuna nui.  Descendants of the high priests lived and cared for much of the Valley until 1886. As part of a cooperative conservation land purchase, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs acquired the property in 2006. In 2008, Hiipaka LLC was established to manage Waimea Valley and hold the deed. Highlights: Take a casual walk on a paved path through our World Class Botainical Gardens and Historical Sites 3/4 of a mile one way or 1 1/2 miles round trip from our Ticket Booth (where you pay Admission into the Valley) to our Waterfall area.   Activities Several activities (with paid admission) are offered throughout the day in different locations in the Valley.   Ancient Hawaiian Archaeological Sites Ancient Hawaiian Archaeological Sites: 78 sites of interest have been identified including religious sites and shrines, house sites, agricultural terraces and fishponds. World Class Botanical Garden Collections The 150-acre Botanical Collection contains more than 5,000 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants […]