You
can't get much better than this Hawaiian island, with its sunny
western coast lined with gorgeous white-sand beaches, and its
warm ocean waters teeming with humpback whales. What's more,
you can drive among jungle and waterfalls on the scenic Hana
Highway, windsurf with the pros at Hookipa Beach or enjoy a
drink at Lahaina's historic taverns - the options are dizzying
and endless.
Sure, the
main tourist hubs - with traffic, crowds and condos piled on
top of one another - can be nasty urbanized experiences. However,
finding Maui's quieter side isn't such a difficult feat. The
uplands or the eastern coast will give you a better idea of
the island's offerings than a short stay in a popular resort
area. Resting beneath Haleakala, the massive mountain that provides
the scenic backdrop to all of East Maui, the small towns of
Haiku, Kula or Hana offer blissful respite from the West Maui
scene.
Don't let
a few - or even a few thousand - package tourists keep you from
the magic of Maui's lands and waters. Its unofficial slogan
is Maui no ka oi - 'Maui is the best.' Do yourself a favor,
and put it to the test.
