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).

Sunsets always seem to be more beautiful in person than they are in the photos we get developed after the event. However, Budget Travel has a great article that’s bound to produce better results to make your friends and family feel like they were there too!

Entitled “How to Take Better Sunset Photos,” the article offers tips for making your photos of memorable sunsets as great as they were in person. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur photographer, the article outlines everything from resolution settings to elements of a great composition.

Do you have any photography tips for traveling to Hawaii? We’d love to hear where you think visitors should go to obtain the best sunset photographs. Leave us a comment!

Where there are warmth, sun and palm trees, there are screaming kids and tourists flocking to the beach. You spend so much money planning the perfect trip to Maui and other exotic locations, but once you hit the beach, you can’t find a spot where you can relax and sunbathe. Lucky for you, this is not the case for all beaches.

There are many hidden beaches in the world where you can escape from other tourists and find a quiet refuge. While they are difficult to find or get to (being the reason they are still “hidden”), an article from Condé Nast Traveler can help you locate some exquisite hidden beaches throughout the world, including Polihua Beach in Lanai, Hawaii. The article provides information on how to get to the beaches and suggests nearby hotels for you to consider during your next visit.

With this information, you can truly enjoy a genuine tropical getaway!

Though Hawaii is part of the U.S., it might feel like a journey out of the country for many travelers given its unique culture and local traditions. Some visitors want to fully experience the culture, while others want to stay in their comfort zone.

Whether you are looking for a traditional Maui dining experience or a classic American meal, the “Top 10 Local Eateries” on Maui.net will help you choose the perfect meal you crave. This list chooses the top breakfast place, steakhouse, ethnic food, and other dining experiences that Maui has to offer.

Make sure to keep these eateries in mind next time you visit “The Valley Isle!”