5 Tips To Planning Your First Trip To Maui!
Growing up I’ve been taught that if you plan something, and then have a backup plan or two, when the event comes by, youʻll just have to follow the plan and only fix what happens the day of the event. I havenʻt used that teaching all the time, but when it comes to traveling, I do.
Going to Japan, Germany, Norway, England, Mexico City, and many more places I had plans upon plans. I had time scheduled to do specific things, and time to do random things. It helped me maximize my time, my relaxation, and my money.
Here are my five tips to planning your vacation here on the beautiful island of Maui:
- Book Things In Advance:
No matter if you’re planning a year ahead or booking a last minute flight, booking things as far in advance as possible is THE BEST/GREATEST/HIGHLY PUSHED tip we can give you. As an activities company, we have our luaus booked months in advance. So to try and get seats for your family of 8 to a luau the next day is almost impossible.
Know who is going with you, and then do research on the activities. Some will allow you to book 6 months in advance. If they are able to do so, you should take advantage of that! Not just luaus, but all the activities you’re wanting to do. The best part, you donʻt need to make sure you have money for these activities when you’re in Maui, because you already paid for it!
- Learn About Maui:
Learning about where you’re going just makes it more real. For some of you, it will calm down some of that anxiety about going to a new place. For others, youʻll go down a rabbit hole of education that is not taught anywhere else but Hawaiʻi. Youʻll appreciate your visit more if you do a little research about Maui. Letʻs help you out with some quick pointers.
- Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands
- The island of Maui is 1.3 million years old.
- The island of Maui has a population of about 144,000 people.
- It is located between Oahu and the Big Island and offers a mix of quiet countryside and high-end resort areas.
- Apart from the natural wonders, you can experience fine dining and lots of shopping here.
- Maui County consists of 4 islands. Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the uninhabitable Kahoʻolawe.
- Driving Time:
The roads in Hawaiʻi in general are misleading. The islands may look small, but it can sometimes take you hours to get to your destination. We suggest you keep an eye on whatever traffic notification app you use and plan accordingly. What looks like only 22 miles is 22 miles on a 1 way in/1 way out road, with everyone other tourists going to the same location you are.
- Plan ahead:
Planning ahead is the main theme of this blog post, and for good reason too. We’ve heard a lot of stories that people got to their luʻau late and didnʻt get to eat, or they totally missed their luau because they were still coming back from Hana. PLEASE plan ahead so that you donʻt miss out on any of the activities youʻve planned. Just to throw in a big hint here about planning, the Road To Hana is most likely an all day event. So, plan to have a relaxing dinner, but donʻt plan anything expensive.
- Go with the flow:
Things happen and we can’t change it. It does rain in Hawaiʻi, heck we even have storms and hurricanes. Once, I was in the middle of a hail storm and almost tornado! Our suggestion is to just go with the flow. If your luau rains out, you’re still in Hawaiʻi… Go play in the rain on the beach! No one knows who you are, but they will see that youʻre having the time of your life, because you are! You on Maui!! Most people donʻt leave their hometown yet cross half of the Pacific Ocean to play at the beach in the rain!
Maui No Ka Oi - Hawaiian Music
By: AlohaImZane
Like many cultures all across the globe, the musical roots of Hawaii can be traced back thousands of years, and still be heard today through todayʻs rhythms, percussion instruments, chants, and vocal styles. Hawaiian musicians have also incorporated various styles world wide. From country, reggae, jazz, modern rock, hip-hop, and more. In this blog we will share some favorite Hawaiian Artists to add to your playlist!
Queen Liliʻuokalani – Last Ruling Monarch of Hawaiʻi
Weʻll start with the last ruling Queen of Hawaiʻi, Her Royal Majesty Queen Liliʻuokalani. During her lifetime, the Queen composed more than 200 works. Beginning in 1845, she started her musical training at seven years old as part of her schooling. During her time in school she was an adept sight-singer that developed perfect pitch and proficient in playing the guitar, piano, organ, autoharp, and zither. Her best known work, and our suggested song to add to your playlist of Hawaiʻi, is the song of the loverʻs embrace, known as “Aloha ʻOe”.
Makaha Sons of Niʻihau – Where Israel Kamakawiwoʻole started
Formed in 1976, the group started off with five members, Jerome Koko, Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, Sam Gray, Skippy Kamakawiwoʻole, and the world famous Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. The group that I remember, and brings nostalgic memories, consisted of Moon, Jerome, and Jeromeʻs brother John. We suggest the song Mehaeha/White Sandy Beach. Itʻs somewhat a sad song, but you donʻt feel sad, at least I donʻt, but relaxed…
Ekolu – Hawaiian Reggae from Maui
Starting in 1994 with members Lukela Keala, Akoni Dellomes, and Makapu Hoopii, they were all enrolled in Baldwin High School music class. Day after day they would have jam sessions, and as the years grew, so did their talents. Their style of Hawaiian Reggae has reached people all over the world. Performing in Alaska, Seattle, LA, Colorado, and internationally in Japan. Of all these achievements, their big goal is to share their music with the rest of the world, which they have done many times over. They’re not done though, their latest album was released in 2020 called… 2020. My suggestion would be Honestly from their 2001 album Shores of Waiehu.
Don Ho – No, Iʻm not suggesting THAT song.
Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Don Ho actually left the U.S. Air Force in 1959 due to his mothers developing illness. He began singing at her club in Kaneohe that year. Honeyʻs (his mothers club) grew to be a hotspot for locals and the growing customer base from the Kaneohe Marine Base. He always honored the military remembering his own years of service. In 1963 he moved his mothers club to Waikiki, and later moved his show to the nightclub called Dukeʻs (owned by world renowned suffer Duke Kahanamoku). I would suggest “Iʻll Remember You” written by his friend Kui Lee. Many people have covered the song, including the king of Rock-and-Roll Elvis Presley.
Genoa Keawe – Hawaiian Lady of Song
Genoa Keawe, simply known as Aunty Genoa, is one of the most celebrated Hawaiian recording artists in the first half of 20th century. Hawaiian ethnomusicologist Amy K. Stillman describes Keawe’s importance to Hawaiian music: “In addition to her unrivaled falsetto technique, bell-like yodeling, and her trademark ability to hold high notes for over two minutes, Genoa Keawe is particularly significant for her focus on presenting repertoire for modern hula, i.e., hula performed to westernized melodies and the accompaniment of western instruments such as guitar and ukulele. She operated a hula studio in Pauoa for many years, and has served as a resource for scores of Hawaiian musicians throughout a career that has spanned over 50 years.” If you want music of renaissance Hawaii, Aunty Genoa is our choice.