The article calls out some wonderful Maui hotels such as the Hotel Wailea Maui and the Plantation Inn in Lahaina. They also write about the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, a well-respected resort with a long history on the island which features prominently in a separate video on Maui.

On the things to do front, they recommend the snorkel tour to Molokini with the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Alii Nui Sunset Sail — both of which they did using a Maui Explorer Pass. They are also fans of the spa treatments at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa.

It doesn’t take much to make us want to visit Maui and this article did exactly that with a lot of great recommendations!

Smart Destinations, the company behind the Maui Explorer Pass as well as sightseeing passes in 14 other cities and destinations across North America, has put together a team to raise money for the the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and such cancers accounted for almost 10% of all the lives claimed by cancer in 2009. Research has achieved a great deal to date, but there is still a long way to go.

To help fund researchto combat these cancers, eight Smart Destinations employees are racing in a triathlon this June. They’ll be far from Maui’s sunny shores, but the Maui Explorer Pass team wishes our colleagues success in their fund raising and their racing!

It is possible to see whales from shore — particularly if you have an elevated vantage point. People often see 40-foot long Humpbacks from their cars while driving Maui’s coastal roads — with the unfortunate side effect of sudden braking by an excited whale spotter leading to a fender bender with another car!

The Prince Kuhio Wale Watch is a great way to get a little closer to these majestic creatures without putting your auto insurance to the test. The two-hour cruise is included as part of a Go Maui Card and each trip is accompanied by a naturalist who provides commentary and can answer questions about the whales.

You’ve talked about visiting Maui for years and now you’re finally taking that once in a lifetime trip. You’ve booked a hotel, packed your bags, and now you’re ready to lounge on the beach with a book in one hand and a Mai Tai in the other.

Wait… did you remember to bring a map?

Don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered. Our downloadable map of Maui prints on a single letter-sized sheet and includes all of the attractions, activities, and tours that are part of the Go Maui Card. So, relax and enjoy your trip. Or as they say on the islands, “hang loose!”

Maui is one of those travel destinations that is notoriously expensive. But does the island really live up to its reputation? According to the Los Angeles Times, there are plenty of dining deals to be had if you know where to look.

LA Times staff writer Rosemary McClure scoured the island of Maui with a couple of local culinary experts: Bobby Santos, chef instructor at the Maui Culinary Academy, Charmain Tavares, the mayor of Maui, and others. Together, they compiled a list of 20 Cheap Eats Under $20 on Maui. McClure’s picks include CJ’s Deli & Diner, Sunrise Cafe, and Fish Market Maui.

Do you know of a place on Maui that serves inexpensive eats? Leave us a comment, and tell us about it!

The best way to experience a new place and culture is to listen to the amazing stories of the locals. In Hawaii, residents are extremely passionate about their homes, praising the land, the sea, and everything in between that makes them love living there. I stumbled upon a trove of wonderful accounts of the islands on GoHawaii.com called Stories of Hawaii.

Instead of simply text, the website features videos of everything from swimming with manta rays in Kona and surfing with the Waikiki Beach Boys to walking on one of the world’s most active volcanoes and the history of Pearl Harbor. The videos are narrated by friendly and engaging storytellers that’ll make you want to drop everything and head straight to Hawaii.

I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I did! Let us know if you’ve got a story of your own to tell, and if you do, be sure and submit it to their site.

Earth Day is fast approaching, so now is the perfect time to think about ways that we can reduce the environmental impact of our travel and protect the natural beauty of places like Maui. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is hosting an Earth Day Celebration & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 19, complete with entertainment, food, games, and more.

If you’re interested in learning more about our ecosystem or just appreciating the natural splendor of Hawaii, then check out some of these outdoor activities in Maui.

• Haleakala Bike Ride lets visitors cover Maui by bike, reducing the harmful effects of driving pollution. This self-paced bike ride runs from Haleakala volcano to the beach.
• Makena Kayak and Snorkel Tour takes visitors through caves, tunnels, and volcanic arches. You can enjoy the calm and clear waters of Turtle Town, encountering sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, and more.
• Maui Ocean Center is the only aquarium in the world devoted to exploring the marine life of Hawaii. This three-acre marine park features the largest reef aquarium in the Western hemisphere.
• Hawaii Nature Center Rainforest Hike and Interactive Museum is nestled in the West Maui Mountains. This nonprofit organization offers visitors guided interpretive hikes and an interactive nature museum.

Leave a comment, and tell us about what you’re doing to celebrate Earth Day this year!

If you’re not a seasoned surfer or a certified beach bum, it can be difficult to determine when it’s safe to head out into the waves.

Good thing there’s the Hawaii Lifeguard Association to help you out! They’re created this wonderful map with daily advisories, watches, and anything else to be cautious of before you head out to the beach. From wind, waves, and those pesky jellyfish, they’ve got the spectrum covered. Since you should also always swim with a lifeguard present, they also provide this list of guarded beaches for your safety.

Here’s to your family’s fun and safety!

This weekend, March 21-23, 2008, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui hosts the 16th annual Celebration of the Arts Festival. This year’s theme is “Ka Mana Leo,” which means power of the voice. The theme ties into the festival’s hands-on approach to Hawaiian arts and culture, which features lectures from elders, performances by students, and renowned Hawaiian storytellers. Read the complete event schedule here.

Hakeakala Crater

Though tomorrow’s Run to the Sun event is closed to runners, there’s still time to check it out at a spectator. This grueling 36-mile marathon takes long-distance runners up the switchback of Haleakala Crater to its 10,000-foot summit. Running 36 miles isn’t exactly my idea of a vacation, so I think I’ll sit this one out, but I’m sure the views will be stunning (see photo above).