Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [267]
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ZIPLINING
Maui’s ziplines let you soar freestyle over gulches, woods and waterfalls while strapped into a harness. The hardest part is stepping off the platform for the first zip – the rest is pure exhilaration!
The favorite is Skyline Eco-Adventures’ Haleakalā Skyline Tour, but it often books out far in advance. The same company has zipped up to Ka′anapali (Click here) and opened a second zipline in the hills above the resort, this one pricier but easier to book. Kapalua Adventure Center (Click here), up the slopes from Kapalua, differs from the others by having a dual track allowing riders to zip side by side with a friend.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Air
Most travelers to Maui land in Kahului, which has the busiest airport in Hawaii outside Honolulu. North of Lahaina in west Maui, the Kapalua/West Maui Airport is Maui’s second largest airport but it’s strictly for inter-island flights. Tiny Hana Airport sees only a few flights a day, all by prop plane.
Hana Airport (HNM; 248-8208) A single terminal off the Hana Hwy, about 3 miles north of Hana in east Maui.
Kahului International Airport (OGG; 872-3830) There’s a small visitor information desk ( 872-3893; open 7:45am to 9:45pm) in the baggage-claim area. Nearby are courtesy phones for contacting accommodations and ground transportation, plus racks upon racks of free tourist magazines and brochures. In the departure area are gift shops, ATMs and eateries and a lounge. For information on getting to and from Kahului’s airport, see opposite.
Kapalua/West Maui Airport (JHM; 669-0623) The terminal is off Hwy 30, about midway between Kapalua and Ka′anapali, within easy reach of Lahaina.
Several airlines provide direct flights from the US mainland to Maui, including Hawaiian Airlines ( 800-367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com), which also offers a full schedule of daily flights between Maui and the other Hawaiian islands. Click here for airline contact details and more information on flights to Maui from the mainland and abroad. Click here for more on interisland flights.
Sea
Interisland ferries to Moloka′i and Lana′i depart from Lahaina Harbor. For information on ferry schedules and ticket prices, Click here for sailings of the Moloka′i Princess to Moloka′i and Click here for Expeditions’ Maui–Lana′i ferry.
The Hawaii Superferry, which once connected Kahului and Honolulu, has ceased operations; for details, see the boxed text, Click here.
GETTING AROUND
If you really want to explore Maui thoroughly, and reach off-the-beaten-path sights, you’ll need to have your own wheels. Public transportation, while improving, is still limited to the main towns and tourist resorts.
Be aware that most main roads on Maui are called highways whether they’re busy four-lane thoroughfares or just quiet country roads. What’s more, islanders refer to highways by name, rarely by number. If you ask someone how to find Hwy 36, chances are they’re going to stare at you blankly – ask for the Hana Hwy instead.
The most comprehensive road atlas available is Ready Mapbook of Maui County, which shows every road on the island and is sold in bookstores.
To/From the Airports
With either of the following Kahului Airport transfer services you can make advance reservations for your arrival to speed things along. Both have courtesy phones in the baggage-claim area.
Speedi Shuttle ( 871-7474, 877-242-5777; www.speedishuttle.com) is the largest airport-transfer service on Maui. One advantage to Speedi is that they’ve converted to biodiesel using recycled vegetable oil to fuel their vehicles, so you’ll be traveling green-friendly. Fares for one person from Kahului Airport cost $50 to Lahaina, $54 to Ka′anapali, $74 to Kapalua, $35 to Kihei and $40 to Wailea. Add $7 to $10 more per additional person.
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MAUI’S TOP PICKS FOR CHILDREN
Getting within splashing distance of mammoth humpbacks