Snorkeling, cliff hiking, and sea turtles–oh my! Island hopping to Lānaʻi and listening to whales from Alaska that migrated to Maui during whale season.
📅 Trip Dates: February 9-23, 2023
Day 5: Monday, February 13th
Lower Falls Hike @ Twin Falls
📍 Twin Falls ✘ Haiku, Maui
I started off the morning driving to Haiku to do my first hike on Maui. The Twins Fall Hike was beautiful! The hike was very easy for all skill levels—maybe under 1 mile round-trip. The waterfall was incredible.
Beach Day and Sea Turtle Sighting @ Ho’okipa Lookout
📍 Ho’okipa Lookout ✘ Paia, Maui
After the waterfall hike, I went to Ho’okipa Lookout, which was beautiful! The water was crystal blue. I even saw SO many sea turtles. At least 20 of them. One of the coolest nature moments!
Day 6: Tuesday, February 14th
Kapalua Coastal Trail Hike
📍 Kapalua Costal Trail ✘ Kapalua, Maui
The best valentines day I have ever had…considering I took myself to Hawaii hehe. If you don’t love yourself, how will someone else? Know your worth!!! I started off my morning by hiking the ~2mi Kapalua Coastal Trail. It was beautiful! The hike was very beginner friendly. It was a part of Montage Kapalua Bay, which is a 5-star hotel in Kapalua. Very scenic!
Drive to Oneloa Beach
📍 Oneloa Beach ✘ Kapalua, Maui
The drive to Oneloa Beach from the Kapalua Coastal Trail was a beautiful sight! I stopped by a food stand and found these HUGE avocados, bigger than the size of my fist. Oneloa beach was fun…for about 20 minutes until I realized the sand pelting me from the wind was not that enjoyable. So, I ventured to Kaanapali Beach!
Day 7: Wednesday, February 15th
Ferry Ride to Lānaʻi for the day
📍 Lānaʻi, Maui
Lanai for the day! I took the passenger ferry to Lānaʻi through Lānaʻi Expeditions. I would totally recommend hopping islands for a day trip by ferry. It was a blast to get a boat ride in for such a good price. The ferry departed from Maui to Lānaʻi, and returned from Lānaʻi to Maui every few hours, so you could catch a ride back before the final return for the day back to Maui. The roundtrip ferry ticket only cost me ~$30!!
Hike to Puʻupehe Islet “Sweetheart Rock”
📍 Sweetheart Rock ✘ Lānaʻi, Maui
One of the beautiful landmarks of Lānaʻi is Puʻupehe Islet, also known as “Sweetheart Rock”. As described on plaque, “Puʻupehe is a geologic remnant of an eroded volcanic cinder and spatter cone that was once connected to the walls of the crater forming Puʻupehe Bay.” The story behind Puʻupehe Iselet’s is a Hawaiian Romeo and Juliet. The Islet is the tomb of Puʻupehe, and “is said to be the last resting-place of a Hawaiian girl whose body ws buried there by her lover, Makakēhau, a warrior of Lānaʻi.” The hike was breathtaking, and very gnarly. The story behind it made it heartbreaking, but special.
Day 8: Thursday, February 16th
Lānaʻi Snorkel + Whale Watch Adventure
📍 Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures ✘ Lānaʻi, Maui
Snorkeling in Maui was beyond cool! This was my first time snorkeling and I had a blast!! It was even more awesome to have adventured around the island of Lānaʻi the day before. Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures was an amazing experience!! I did the Deluxe Dolphin Lānaʻi Snorkel Adventure package. We were out on the boat for several hours and I loved every second of being out on the water. Shout-out to my friend, Ashley, who I met on the boat. We became snorkel buddies! At the end of snorkeling, we went whale watching, which was the coolest experience for me. I’ll never forget the life advice I took away from whale watching in Maui.
One of the mama whales was surrounded by a bunch of male whales. When I went to Maui in February, it was mating season. The whales swam from Alaska to mate in Maui and voyage back to Alaska once they found their partner-in-crime mates! I found this so fascinating because this particular mama whale was not easily impressed, she waited for the male whales to demonstrate to her that she could take care of her and her baby whale, and future baby whales. The male whales pulled out all the stops to impress her, they would sing and jump out of the water, to prove they were capable to protect and swoon her. Now, let’s apply this to life, friends: If they want you, they’ll show you and prove to you. Never settle. Actions speak louder than words.
Due to the Maui fires, Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures lost their boats and belongings, which breaks my heart. But, I am very thankful I was able to experience these moments.
Day 10: Saturday, February 18th
Kula Farmers Market
📍 Kula Farmers Market ✘ Upcountry Kula, Maui
The Kula Farmers Market was one of my favorite reoccurring adventures to do on Maui. I grew up going to the farmers market when I was younger, so I loved this!! I got local macadamia butter and fresh produce from Okoa Farms: carrots, huge avocados omg, jaboticaba, longyans, purple cauliflower, and papaya!
Mana Foods
📍 Mana Foods ✘ Paia, Maui
Mana Foods was and is my FAVORITE store ever to exist. I got so many fun wellness goodies. The Hana Gold Maui chocolate is the best chocolate I’ve ever had. I bought it: so. many. times. I made an ahi salad for dinner with the fresh ahi I got, it was delish!
carpe diem,
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