Review by Barb & Ron Kroll

Travel Guide Book Title:

Maui
(Lonely Planet) ISBN 978-1741047141 1741047145

Theme:

Lonely Planet's Maui guidebook helps you plan a vacation to Moloka'i, Lana'i and eight regions of Maui: Lahaina, West Maui, Central Maui, North Shore and Upcountry, South Maui, Haleakala National Park, East Maui and the Road to Hana. Besides 32 themed itineraries, Maui describes lodgings, camping, restaurants, beaches, activities, festivals, climate and how to get around these Hawaiian islands.

Sample Items:

Itineraries, lasting three, five, seven and ten days, include secluded Kahekili Beach Park in northern Ka'anapali, a stroll around the old whaling town of Lahaina, a spectacular sunrise over Haleakala crater, the photogenic, gushing Wailua Falls, a sunset meal at Mama's Fish House in Pa'ia, a drive on Kahekili Highway (razor-thin, it rivals the narrow Road to Hana) to Ohai Viewpoint, and hiking on Waihe'e Ridge Trail to see misty mountains and jungle waterfalls.

A two-day itinerary on Lana'i includes swimming and snorkeling in the marine sanctuary at Hulopo'e Beach, strolling in the plantation town of Lana'i City, walking the Munro Trail for panoramic views and hiking through unusual rock formations in the Garden of the Gods.

In Best Maui Experiences, readers learn about Old Lahaina Luau, Maui Ocean Center, Komoda Store & Bakery, 'Iao Valley State Park, Tom's Mini-Mart (best shave ice), Big Beach (best beach), Sliding Sands Trail and Malu'aka Beach (best snorkeling in Maui).

A sidebar lists Maui helicopter tour companies - AlexAir, Blue Hawaiian, Mauiscape and Sunshine. Another sidebar lists the 16 best beaches in Maui, including Little Beach, Ulua Beach and Charley Young Beach.

Notable Elements:

Island Voices are mini-interviews with Maui residents, who provide local insights. For example, Robby Naish, pro windsurfer and kitesurfing pioneer, explains that the mountain valley accelerates trade winds off Maui's North shore, guaranteeing good windsurfing and kiteboarding waves for recreational surfers at Kanaha Beach Park. He says the number one windsurfing spot for professionals is Ho'okipa, which breaks spectacular waves.

An hibiscus icon identifies eco-friendly attractions like Waikamoi Nature Trail, along the Road to Hana.

The Food Glossary gives English translations for Hawaiian foods, such as kalo (taro), lilikoi (passion fruit) and haupia (coconut cream dessert).

A chart provides driving distances and times from Kahului to Haleakala summit, Hana, Ka'anapali and Lahaina.

Throughout Lonely Planet's Maui, sidebars describe attractions that are worth a detour, like Luahiwa Petroglyphs in Lanai, with driving directions to Palawai Basin.

Tone / Style:

Logically organized descriptions, in the 304-page Lonely Planet guide book, help visitors plan a trip to Maui, Molokai and Lanai. For example, Molokai information includes how to get there (Molokai Princess cruise), top Hawaiian restaurants (Hula Shores and Blue Ginger Cafe), where to stay (Hotel Moloka'i and One Ali'i Campground), car rental contacts, sights (e.g., Kakahaia National Wildlife Refuge), beaches (e.g., Twenty Mile Beach) and tours (e.g., Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm).

Numerous sidebars in Lonely Planet Maui list key attractions, such as top snorkel spots in South Maui (Ulua Beach, Malu'aka Beach and Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve).

Island Insights sidebars describe fascinating facts and local stories. Two examples are the tiny islet of Molokini, which was once wagered in a poker game by King David Kalakaua and the 'o'opu, a rare goby fish, which lives in the ocean and gets up to breed in pools and waterfalls in 'Ohe'o Gulch by using its front fins as suction cups.

Visuals:

Color maps specify locations of beaches, parks, golf courses, restaurants, hotels, bars and shopping.

Photographs in the Lonely Planet guide to Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i depict attractions like Napili Beach, festivals like the Makawao Rodeo and activities such as surfing at Ho'okipa Beach.

Contents:

• Best Maui experiences
• Island itineraries
• Outdoor activities & adventures
  • At sea
    • Bodysurfing & boogie boarding
    • Diving
    • Fishing
    • Kayaking
    • Kitesurfing
    • Outrigger canoeing
    • Parasailing
    • Sailing
    • Snorkeling
    • Surfing
    • Swimming
    • Whale watching
    • Windsurfing
  • On Land
    • ATV
    • Cycling
    • Golf
    • Helicopter tours
    • Hiking
    • Horseback riding
    • Mountain biking
    • Spas
    • Tennis
    • Yoga
    • Ziplining
• Green Maui
  • Maui goes green
  • Sustainable Maui
  • On the ground
  • Helpful organizations
  • Environmental issues
  • Environment
  • The land
  • Wildlife
  • National, state & county parks
  • Lahaina
  • History
  • Orientation
  • Information
  • Sights
  • Activities
  • Walking tour
  • Tours
  • Festivals & events
  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping
  • Sleeping
  • Getting there & away
  • Getting around
• West Maui
  • Lahaina to Ma'alaea
  • Lahaina to Ka'anapali
  • Ka'anapali
  • Honokowai
  • Kahana
  • Napili
  • Kapalua & northern beaches
  • Kahekili Highway
• Central Maui
  • Kahului
  • Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument
  • Wailuku
  • Wailuku to 'lao Valley State Park
  • 'lao Valley State Park
  • Pu'unene
  • Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
  • Ma'alaea
• South Maui
  • Kihei
  • Wailea
  • Makena
  • Beyond Makena
• North shore & upcountry
  • Pa'ia
  • Highway 390: Pa'ia to Makawao
  • Makawao
  • Ha'iku
  • Pukalani & around
  • Kula
  • Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area
  • Keokea
  • 'Ulupalakua Ranch
• Haleakala National Park
  • Orientation
  • Summit area
    • History
    • Information
    • Dangers & annoyances
    • Sights
    • Activities
    • Tours
    • Sleeping
    • Getting there and around
  • Kipahulu Area ('Ohe'o Gulch)
    • History
    • Information
    • Sights & activities
    • Tours
    • Sleeping
    • Getting there and around
• The Road to Hana
  • Twin Falls
  • Huelo
  • Ko'olau Forest Reserve
  • Waikamoi Trail & Waterfalls
  • Kaumahina State Wayside Park
  • Honomanu Bay
  • Ke'anae
  • Wailua
  • Waysides
  • Nahiku
  • 'Ula'ino Road
  • Wai'anapanapa State Park
• East Maui
  • Hana
  • Beyond Hana
  • Pi'ilani Highway
• Side Trips: Lana'i & Moloka'i
  • Lana'i
  • Lana'i City
  • Manele Bay & Hulopo'e Beach
  • Keomuku Road
  • Polihua Road
  • Munro Trail
  • Kaumalapa'u Highway
  • Moloka'i
  • Kaunakakai
  • East Moloka'i
  • Central Moloka'i
  • Kalaupapa National Historic Park
  • West End
• History & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Planning your trip
• Festivals & events calendar
• Directory & transportation
• Behind the scenes
• Map legend

Authors:

Glenda Bendure and Ned Friary

 
Return to Travel Index

More information on Maui:

Haleakala National Park Maui