Over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole OFFICIAL VIDEO .

My favorite Hawaii artist-Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. His music is our Maui soundtrack year after year.

You can access the trail which is on private property(there is a small fee to enter) off of Waihee Road, located just past the little town of Waihee on route 340, past Wailuku.

Enjoy your hike passing through the Waihee Valley decorated with waterfalls, cascades and flowing streams. Explore the rainforest by crossing over the swinging bridges and ending your trail at a swimming hole.

You begin the hike on a road bordered by Taro plants, Banana and Macadamia Nut trees. Walk further and you will enter a forest of Kukui trees. You will also find Sisal, night-blooming Cereus and Banyan trees lining up the way. After a leveled walk, you will need to ascend some 460 feet in less than a quarter mile and follow the trail as it goes right. The trail follows the stream till it reaches the first swinging bridge and with few more steps added, you will reach the second bridge. Carry on till you make a short climb up a hill. You will soon start enjoying the magnificent views of the West Maui Mountains.

The trail becomes narrower from here as it ascends and enters into a tropical forest. Pass under a canopy of Avocado trees till you cross another stream. From here take the left path and climb a few rock steps to enter a dense forest of Hau trees. Within quarter of a mile, you will reach the cascades, the small water falls and a 15-foot deep swimming hole.

After your hike you can head back down to Wailuku or if you feel like taking an incredible ride, continue driving up North and circle the island back -make sure you have enough time! There are some unpaved roads up North. You will definitely enjoy the sights.

Kalama Park is a spacious oceanfront park complex suitable for sporting events, outdoor concerts, fairs, festivals and gatherings of all kinds. In addition to beach access, the 36-acre park is home to a variety of athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, inline skating rink, skateboard park, performance gazebo, picnic pavilions, scenic landscaping and highly-variegated natural terrain. Recent renovations to the park have added a skateboard park, multipurpose field, a playground and extended the areas for recreation and picnicking. Kalama Park is also a home to many Maui Surf schools, the gentle and predictable  waves here are very suitable for safe learning. Right by Kalama Park you will be able to enjoy great casual restaurants, open air market and bars. The Foodland supermarket is just a few minute walk from our Island Surf condo. Kihei Cafe is definitely a breakfast spot you need to visit while in Kihei.

And then I got the most wonderful email from our guest Lisa . She and her family stayed in our condo at Island Surf. This is what Lisa had to say about their experience:

“Hi there,
Just wanted you to know we had a wonderful time at the condo! We were busy every day, exploring all the island had to offer and even went on a snorkel trip to Lanaii. We loved the location – so easy to walk to shopping, restaurants, etc. The boys discovered the skate park and went to buy a skateboard so they could enjoy it. And, when taking a car – it is so easy to get to where you are going because it is so central. The staff who maintain the pool are extremely friendly and nice. The bed in the master bedroom was so comfortable.”

Lisa also enclosed these great pics:

How nice is that? Made my day!

Island Surf is just such a great spot if you are fun loving person and want to have great things to do all around you. I think there is something for everyone here: you can learn to surf or scuba dive right here, you can walk to so many fabulous restaurants, shops and bars, amazing whitesand beach is right by the condo-the location is simply amazing.

Island Surf faces 36 acre Kalama Park, which in addition to beach access is home to a variety of surf schools, athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, inline skating rink,  picnic pavilions, skateboard park and playground and is a great source of entertainment when you are not relaxing on the beach, by the pool or exploring the island.

So, this is my first post about this wonderful island called Maui.

There are so many different ways to experience Maui: You can just spend days upon days relaxing on the beach, golf, surf, you can explore beaches all around the island, you might want to see the beautiful and remote Upcountry, travel to Hana and Haleakala, take boat trips to different places to snorkel etc.

For me personally, no matter where I travel, it is so important to see a place for what it truly is. I don’t want to get stuck in tourist traps, I don’t want to overpay for bellow average experiences and for sure I don’t want to feel like I am being hurdled like a cattle.

Well..If you share my sentiments, you might want to pick up Maui Revealed Guidebook and Hawaii Off the Beaten Path Guidebook. Both of these books will take you places you might not find otherwise.

And if you are into history, you will absolutely love A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands by Dr. Phill Barnes. I love this book because it added deep meaning to so many places I would appreciate only on superficial level otherwise. It is a quick and easy read and will really surprise you. The history of Hawaiian Islands is so unique and interesting. You can buy this book online or in Whalers General Store right by the condo.