Things to do / Travel Guide
The Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai are the perfect place to spend a vacation soaking up the great outdoors. All three islands are stuffed with things to do, and regardless of whether you've arrived to bike, hike, kayak, surf, fish, or golf, your bound to have a fantastic time. Let the backdrop of three splendid picturesque Hawaiian isles provide you with all you'll need for an unforgettable trip.
Land-based Activities on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai
Each of the islands comes with its own character, and learning the contours of each goes hand-in-hand with having a great time in the outdoors. Maui is the largest and most developed of the islands, boasting a 10,000-foot-high volcano as its highest point. This is Haleakala, on the eastern side of the island. On the western side is another, smaller volcano called Puu Kukui. A hike - or bumpy bike ride - down from Haleakala's summit will send you past long-cooled cinder cones and lava flows deep into the moist, tropical, valley rainforests.
Haleakala's summit is above 45% of the earth's atmosphere, so a trip up to its summit, assuredly a possibility and a treat, yields views you thought only possible from an airplane. At nighttime, look up, as this point is one of the world's best for stargazing! More is in store in Haleakala National Park than just the volcano and observatory, though. There are lots of beautiful waterfalls and bamboo forests that will all make your eyes shine with glee. Plenty of hiking here!
Puu Kukui happens to be one of the wettest spots on earth, and hikes to the area yield rich explorations of Maui's fascinating flora and fauna. For one thing you'll see thousands of pineapples, in an area maintained as the largest private nature preserve in Hawaii. You also won't want to miss I'ao Needle, located in these mountains.
One of Maui's best biking trails is Kaupo Road, on which you'll ride along the top of tall, jagged cliffs, and see sights like giant mango trees, bougainvillea, guava trees, and banyan trees. You'll travel through the tiny and traditional village of Kaupo, as well as past Loa Loa Heiau, the largest temple in Hawaii, and the Hui Aloha Church.
Next up for your exploration satisfaction is Molokai, which boasts gentle hikes past eucalyptus trees, through the Kiawe forests and pastures filled with silk oak and guava. Other local vegetation includes the kao haole, a white lead tree. The island is fantastic if your preferred mode of transportation is the bicycle, as there are 125 miles of bike trails all around. These trails are, on the whole, less developed than those on Maui, giving you a more rugged and rural feel while pedaling around.
Then there's Maui and Molokai's little brother, Lanai. This island covers 140 square miles, way more than enough for a pleasant day trip. It's a naturalist's holiday, full of coastal kiawe trees and several kinds of pines. Plenty of birds visit this island, including the pueo, the apapane, pheasants, francolin, quails, and more. You'll also spy deer, mouflon sheep, and the nearly-endangered green sea turtle.
You can hike or bike on a number of trails on Lanai, including up to the top of the island's highest point, Manaha, from which, on a clear day, you'll be able to see the western coast of Maui. Another is the Paniolo Trail, on which you'll pass through guava groves and grazing cattle while appreciating the splendid views of the dry land forest of Kanepuu.
Water Activities on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai
Kayaking is another great way to explore all three of these mid-sized Hawaiian islands. On one such trip you might see sea turtles, eels, manta rays, and dolphins, as well as a plethora of native tropical fish and other aquatic creatures that often pop up to the surface to say hello.
Some of Maui's best spots for kayaking include Olowalu, Kihei, and Kapalua; Lanai is also great for viewing the various forms of sea life and Molokai is one of the world's top hotspots for paddling. The north shore of Molokai is a Hawaiian Garden of Eden, overflowing with lush, tropical plants and flowers, waterfalls, tropical birds, and hidden beaches. On Molokai's north shore, the world's highest sea cliffs, some reaching as high as 3,300 feet, can be best admired while paddling around in the water. The north shore is also home to Hawaii's tallest waterfall, the 1,750-foot-high Kahiwa Falls.
Molokai's northern coast also excels in the diving department, with fantastic coral of every iridescent color and every shape imaginable strewn before your eager eyes. For some exciting diving off the coast of Maui, it's best to head down to that island's western coast. Honolua Bay, Olowalu, and Five Caves, for instance, are located there, where divers can check out coral reefs and all the various forms of sea life. Finally, Lanai features several popular diving spots as well, all located along the island's southern and western coasts, one example being Manele Harbor.
In terms of fishing, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai all offer extensive deep-sea fishing opportunities. Off the coast of Molokai, ahi tuna and mahi-mahi can be caught, as well as the occasional marlin. Like Maui and Molokai, blue marlin can also be baited in the waters around Lanai, as well as mahi-mahi, ono, and ahi and aku fish. Maui is the center for fishing tournaments in the region, which cluster around the late summer months, while Molokai is also known for its many fish ponds located along its southern shore.
Dude! Hang ten, 'cuz surf's up! The island of Maui in particular boasts some breathtakingly spectacular surfing spots. On the south side of the island lies the Maa Laea Pipeline, one of the world's greatest surfing locations; others include the Honolua Bay, Napili Bay, Baldwin Park, and Hookipa beaches. The real - REAL - master can try his or her skill at Jaws, where waves can rise up to 50 feet on a good day.
Now how about some golf? The islands of Maui and Lanai offer some of Hawaii's greatest courses, and some of the world's prettiest. Putt parallel to the Pacific at Makena Resort Golf Course, which is positively zen-like, or at Experience at Koele, designed by none other than “The Shark,” Greg Norman.
Whether you decide to enjoy Maui, Molokai, and Lanai by land, sea, or air - aboard a classic bi-plane - you won't regret even the smallest instant of outdoors fun in this region. Everything about it, from the giant cliffs of Molokai to the volcanoes of Maui to the black coral of Lanai, exudes a natural beauty rarely exceeded. It surpasses communication - so come see and experience for yourself.
Outdoor Recreation in Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, including Kahului and Lahaina
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
Poolenalena Beach - Maui, Hawaii
Keawakapu Beach - Maui, Hawaii
Papohaku Beach Park - Maui, Hawaii
Kapalua Bay Beach - Maui, Hawaii
Hulopoe Beach - Lanai, Hawaii
Polihua Beach - Lanai, Hawaii
Worlds Steepest Sea Cliffs
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