Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [313]
A free shuttle bus ( 879-2828) runs around the Wailea resort every 30 minutes from 7am to 6pm, stopping at the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons resorts, the Shops at Wailea and the golf courses.
MAKENA
pop 500
Makena’s where untamed south Maui begins. It’s handsome on land and stunning in the water. Primo snorkeling, kayaking and bodysurfing, sea turtles galore and schools of dolphins too. The beaches are magnificent. The king of them all, Big Beach, is an immense sweep of glistening sand and a prime sunset-viewing locale. The secluded cove at neighboring Little Beach is Maui’s most popular nude beach.
Sights & Activities
MAKENA BAY
It’s a bay, it’s a boat ramp and it’s the gateway to a waterworld of some very pretty sights. Arrange to have your kayak – Click here – delivered here. The outfitter will bring it right down to the water’s edge at Makena Landing and off you go. Paddle south, past Turtle Beach and on toward Makena State Park. Gorgeous beaches on one side and, with a little luck, breaching whales on the other.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to explore Makena Bay in a wetsuit. The turtles and tropical fish alone make this a worthy shore dive but it’s the cool lava caves and the friendly whitetip reef sharks that hang out in them that really perk the scenery up. To get to the caves from the landing head to the right side of the bay and continue a few yards beyond the point. Snorkelers, too, will enjoy Makena Bay’s coral gardens. South of the landing is Keawala′i Congregational Church, one of Maui’s earliest missionary churches. The current building was erected in 1855 with 3ft-thick walls made of burnt coral rock. Don’t miss the adjacent graveyard, which has old tombstones adorned with cameo photographs, many of Hawaiian cowboys laid to rest a century ago. Makena Rd ends shortly after the church at a cul-de-sac on the ocean side of Maui Prince Hotel.
MALU′AKA BEACH
As you step onto this beach it’s easy to see where the action’s centered, and it’s definitely not on the sand. So many snorkelers flock here to see the sea turtles that frequent these waters that it’s been dubbed Turtle Beach. You’ll find terrific coral about 50yd out. Sea turtles feed along the coral and often swim within a few feet of snorkelers. The best action is at the south end of the beach. One caveat: come on a calm day. When it’s choppy, you won’t see anything.
* * *
TOP PICKS – NATURE PRESERVES & PARKS
′Iao Valley State Park (Click here)
′Ahihi-Kina′u Natural Area Reserve (opposite)
Haleakalā National Park (Click here)
Kahanu Garden & Pi′ilanihale Heiau (Click here)
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (Click here)
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area (Click here)
Wai′anapanapa State Park (Click here)
* * *
There are beach parking lots, rest rooms and showers at both ends of the beach. At the north side, there’s the lot opposite Keawala′i Congregational Church. Or, after driving south past the Maui Prince Hotel, take the first sharp right, which dead-ends at the parking lot.
MAKENA STATE PARK
If one place captures the untamed spirit of Maui, it’s this coastal park. Its crowning glory, the aptly named Big Beach, is an awesome expanse of sand and surf. Neighboring Little Beach basks in the sunshine as the island’s favorite nude beach. Although it’s a state park, carefree Makena remains in a natural state, with no facilities except for a couple of pit toilets and picnic tables.
Oneuli (Black Sand) Beach
A potholed dirt road at the first Makena State Park access sign leads to a salt-and-pepper–sand beach. Because of a lava shelf along the shoreline, it’s not good for swimming, but local families come for fishing and picnics. Kayakers take to the water here as well.
Big Beach
The ancient Hawaiians called it Oneloa, literally ‘Long Sand.’ And indeed the golden sands stretch for the better part of a mile and are as broad as they come. The waters are a beautiful turquoise. When