Maui Local Custom Tips by seamandrew Top 5 Page for this destination

Passion Fruit Blossom

When we visited Lorraine's little shop up in Kahakuloa Village, we stepped into the backyard porch and decided to take in the lovely view there. To our surprise, Lorraine had Passion Fruit growing in her back yard. We didn't see any of the fruit just yet, though it does thrive in Maui, but we did see the beautiful blossom. Take the time to enjoy the botanical treasures Maui has to offer.

Resident Heron

During our stay at the Renaissance Wailea, we had a small Heron that seem to have made the Mokapu wing his home. He was there 3 of the 5 days that we were there and made the experience all the more enjoyable. Heron's are quite common in Maui, but generally speaking, you have to travel into the marshes and other bodies of inland water to find them. It is not as common to find them on hotel grounds as we did.

Erosion, Maui's greatest enemy

Maui's main enemy has to be erosion. Whether it be wind or sea, both are slowly taking Maui off the planet. Someday, Maui will cease to exist. Fortunately, it will be thousands of years from now. The sea constantly chips away at the shore lines creating beautiful and unimaginable shapes. Wind and rain have eroded sites like Haleakala and much of the National Park leaving behind the crater and valleys you see today. The big misnomer is that volcanic activity is the big cause. This is very wrong. It's the sea, wind, and rain. No where is this more evident than on the neighboring island of Kaho'olawe, and island no longer accessible to people. Enjoy the beautiful island paradise of Maui while it's there!

Plumeria, another tropical beauty.

Funny enough, I knew this flower as the Frangipani, but I learned on this last trip to Maui that Frangipani is actually a species in the genus Plumeria. So Plumeria frangipani is the flower I've long adored and anyone who's been to my apartment would know why. For those of you who don't know, I have a poster on my wall of a beautiful woman's torso with this flower attached to the sarong around her waist. It's a lovely picture and an even lovelier flower.

Having visited in the summer this time, the Plumeria was in bloom everywhere. Last time, we visited in February and I never a saw a single one (but we saw whales that time). Keep your eyes peeled for them as well as most resorts have them planted (they're small trees actually). Some private homes have them too. You can by them at the airport to give it a go at home. I bought 6. 2 for me, and the rest for others.

Bird's of Paradise in Maui

This very famous flower has become a mainstay of the flower industry. Most mixed bouquets will include this beautiful flower and fortunately, a visit to Maui will undoubtably include a few of these lovely flowers. Most resorts have them planted, but you do see the random ones growing in people's yards. At the airport, you can by some seeds to try and plant this flower for yourself. Good luck, I'm sure it's not an easy flower to grow.

Farming in Maui

Farming once once a mainstay in Maui. Pineapple, Sugar, exotic fruits, and even livestock. Today much of that has diminished dramatically. The great pineapple plantations of the past are reduced to a mere few. Don't get me wrong, many farms still exist but the tourism has taken on a much more important role in recent years.

Banyan Trees

Some of the oldest trees in the world, definitely the largest I've ever seen (not tallest, largest), the banyan trees in Maui are immensely beautiful. Their roots span out in aerial patterns that until seen with one's own eyes, can only exist in one's imagination. This one pictured here was along the Pipiwai Trail up to Waimoku falls. It's a great marker along the trail. Especially on the way down. Banyan trees are without a doubt, the most ancient looking trees one will ever see.

Maui's unique botanical treasures

The isolation of the Hawaiian islands, Maui included, has bestowed it with a wide variety of unique foliage. Add to this Maui's excellent climate and it's no wonder why this tiny volcanic island is full of lush vegetation. It seems that the color of all flowers in Maui are just a bit brighter than any where else I've been. A true splendor of nature.

Lu'aus

Who doesn't know what a Lu'au is? We've all seen them somewhere, whether it be TV or a movie. We've all seen the fire-knife dancer risk life and limb while doing his juggling or the beautiful dancers bending their bodies to the sound of local music. The Lu'aus are highly recommended and you'll usually get all you can eat and drink for a price (between 50-80 dollars per person). Be sure to reserve your spot in advance. I have to admit we didn't partake in this fancy show because we saw it 5 nights in a row from our hotel room. The best picture I have is from the very beginning while it was still day light out.

Music for your drive around Maui

I suppose this really isn't a cultural tip but I couldn't think of any other place were this might be applicable. However, I think it very important to mention because when you're driving through Maui, the experience is that much better if you have great music playing on the radio. For that, tune your radio to 99.9 FM for today's top pop music. We liked the station very much and we felt it had a good variety of what's in.