Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [306]
Kihei Canoe Club (Map; www.kiheicanoeclub.com; Kihei Wharf; donation $25) invites visitors to share in the mana by joining members in paddling their outrigger canoes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. No reservations are necessary; just show up at the wharf at 7:30am. The donation helps offset the cost of maintaining the canoes and entitles you to join them each Tuesday and Thursday for the rest of the month.
Maui Nui O Kama Canoe Club Cultural Tour (Map; 242-8536; 1191 N Kihei Rd; outing $40; 7:30am) offers memorable 90-minute narrated outrigger canoe rides led by a Native Hawaiian. Much more than just a canoe ride, the tour emphasizes cultural aspects including chanting and a paddle to an ancient Hawaiian site. Reservations are required.
YOGA
Maui Yoga Path (Map; 874-5545; 2960 S Kihei Rd; class $20; 9-10:30am) has sessions at the Mana Kai Maui hotel that focus on the relaxing stretches and breathing exercises of Iyengar yoga.
Festivals & Events
Whale Day Celebration (www.greatmauiwhalefestival.org) This big family-oriented bash celebrates humpback whales with a parade, live music, local crafts and food booths. Kids will love the whale regatta (Maui’s version of a rubber-duck race). It’s held at Kalama Park, next to the big whale statue, on a Saturday in mid-February.
Sleeping
In Kihei, hotels and B&Bs can be counted on one hand while condos line up cheek to jowl. Some condominium complexes maintain a front desk or a daytime office that handles bookings, but others are booked only via rental agents. In many places along S Kihei Rd the traffic is noisy, so you may want to avoid rooms close to the road.
The following rental agents handle Kihei condos:
Bello Realty ( 879-3328, 800-541-3060; www.bellomaui.com)
Kihei Maui Vacations ( 879-7581, 800-541-6284; www.kmvmaui.com)
Resort Quest Maui ( 879-5445, 866-774-2924; www.resortquestmaui.com)
BUDGET & MIDRANGE
Ocean Breeze Hideaway (Map; 879-0657, 888-463-6687; www.hawaiibednbreakfast.com; 435 Kalalau Pl; r incl breakfast $99-115; ) Tucked into a residential neighborhood a short drive from the beach, this friendly B&B has two cozy rooms, one with a queen bed and ceiling fans, the other with a king bed and air-con. Each has a private entrance and refrigerator.
Two Mermaids on Maui B&B (Map; 874-8687, 800-598-9550; www.twomermaids.com; 2840 Umalu Pl; studio/1br incl breakfast $115/140; ) The two women who operate this B&B add lots of personal touches. The units have kitchenettes and cheerful tropical decor, a breakfast of organic fruit is provided and families are welcome – the backyard pool even has a shallow section just for kids. One of the ‘mermaids’ is a justice of the peace and can arrange wedding packages.
Maui Sunseeker (Map; 879-1261, 800-532-6284; www.mauisunseeker.com; 551 S Kihei Rd; studios from $145; ) Catering to gay and lesbian travelers, this place consists of two adjacent properties. Opt for a 2nd floor unit in the rear one, known formerly as Wailana Inn, to snatch a fab ocean view. All units have king beds, kitchenettes and private lanai, and there’s a clothing-optional rooftop deck with a hot tub.
Kihei Kai Nani (Map; 879-9088, 800-473-1493; www.kiheikainani.com; 2495 S Kihei Rd; 1br $148; ) The staff are as friendly as they come, the units are well maintained and the pool’s a whopping 60ft long. Add a low-rise appeal and convenient location opposite the beach and it adds up to one of south Maui’s best bargains. Another nice touch: the free cable internet reaches all the way out to your lanai.
Nona Lani Cottages (Map; 879-2497, 800-733-2688; www.nonalanicottages.com; 455 S Kihei Rd; cottages from $150; ) Those who prefer old-fashioned simplicity to glitzy resort amenities will feel right at home in these sweet retro cottages. They’re compact but squeeze in everything you’ll need: a full kitchen, a living room with daybed and a bedroom with a queen bed. Opt for one of the rear cottages and enjoy the sweet scented plumeria trees that the hosts harvest to string lei.