In every way, a Maui Vacation is a family-bonding experience. The emphasis is on fun, and education, all provided by an unbeatable selection of outdoor activities, world-class attractions, resort programs, great activities and Native Hawaiian Cultural adventures! 

The typical family vacation involves 4-5 full days on island - if you have a "red eye" (overnight) flight home, that adds another day to your adventure - leave your suitcases with the front desk or check in early at the airport, and make the most of the day to enjoy one last Maui No Ka Oi experience! Here are some of our favorite family adventures:

Day 1 - Finding Nemo, Maui style:
Whether you choose the Atlantis Submarine underwater extravaganza off the Lahaina coast, a trip to the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea, or a day on your own exploring tide pools (hint, there is a great tide pool in front of the Mana Kai Resort at the north end of Keawakapu Beach) there are many ways to get up close and personal with the varied sea life here in Hawaii!
For lunch, consider oceanside dining at Mala in Lahaina, or a fresh fish taco at JAWZ in Kihei.
For dinner, try Mama's Fish House - they will tell you all about the fish on the menu, including who caught it that morning.

Day 2 - Soar through the air with the greatest of ease:
Three ways to get a birds eye view of Maui? Head Upcountry to Maui EcoAdventures Zipline tours - strap on a harness, clip yourself on to the line, and fly ! A different kind of flying can be found for all ages at Proflyght Paragliding also located Upcountry  all you need are running shoes and a light jacket, and you can take flight over the slopes of Haleakala, joining the birds as you soar along the breezes. A third option to enjoy views just as breathtaking, but with a seat belt, try a helicopter tour of Maui with Sunshine Helicopters. Fun for the whole family!
For lunch, Kula Lodge has a spectacular bi-coastal view of the central valley and West Maui Mountains, and a great menu and gift shop full of local arts and gourmet foods.
For dinner, sunset seating at Capische at the Diamond Resort in Wailea or Plantation House in Kapalua are two options for an incredible view with food to match.

Day 3 - A surfing safari:
A day at the beach here on Maui can mean more then just soaking up the sun - it is high energy and outrageous surf action at Hookipa Beach Park just outside of Paia. Bring a cooler and spend the day watching the pros take on the mighty North Shore waves on surf and kite boards - bonus: there is a protected area for the little ones to splash without the big waves to cramp their style. If you want to stay closer to your lodgings, you will find less intense surf (along with board rentals and fantastic surf lessons) in Kaanapali and Kihei.
For breakfast and lunch, keep the sand between your toes, and head to the Moana Bakery and Cafe to enjoy an "everything from scratch" menu, including stuffed french toast and a wide selection of benedicts. Or, for take out and picnic table casual dining that will appeal to every beach bum on the North Shore, grab lunch at the Paia Fishmarket. In Kihei, you can walk to either Surfside or 808 Deli and grab a gourmet sandwich. On the West Side, Gazebo is right on the beach and only open for breakfast and lunch.
For dinner, Longboards at the Marriott on Kaanapali Beach has sand, surf, and sunsets galore. Over on the South side, head to Lulus for a relaxed night of fun and sunset views.

Day 4 - Only in Maui:
The Hawaiian culture is rich with history, song, dance, and traditions. Find a local farmer's or crafter's market, to buy some souvenirs of your time here, and make sure to pick up a "hula girl" outfit of grass skirt, lei, and coconut bra for your next costume party ! One must-see activity here on Maui is a traditional luau. While many resorts offer luaus, there are a few that are heads and shoulders above the rest. See dinner suggestions below.
For lunch: Go local, and find a plate lunch. Embracing the many cultures that have made Maui their home, a plate lunch includes items with Asian, Polynesian, and American influences. Da Kitchen in Kahului and Kihei have big plates at not-so-big prices, and on the West Side, Aloha Mixed Plate has a world-wide following.
For dinner: Going to a hukilau - you won't have to pull in the nets, but you will learn a lot about the Hawaiian culture while enjoying a fabulous buffet - drinks included! Personal favorites include the Old Lahaina Luau, and Honua'ula at the Wailea Beach Marriott.

Day 5 - Happy Trails to you:
Horseback riding is a fun way to explore Maui, and there are stables island wide - from Hana to Kahana. If you make the drive out to Hana, the horseback riding there takes you right along the oceans edge. The offerings on the West Side and Upcountry are more mountainous, with the coolest weather found up on Haleakala.
For lunch: Hit the BBQ at Fat Daddies in Kihei, or try the island's best kept secret  Bruddah Willies Sticky Ribs on Highway 30 in Waikapu - open very limited hours, if you blink, you will miss it!
For dinner: The Sugarcane Train takes you along the Lahaina Coast, and you learn about the history of our island along the way - at the end of the line, a barbecue feast awaits you. Or you can go gourmet, and try the prime rib at Makawao Steakhouse - a real paniolo town right here on Maui.....they still have the hitching posts to prove it!

This is, of course, a very abbreviated list of activities and restaurants to enjoy here on Maui. With so many possibilities, there is truly something for everyone here. If you take even just a few of the suggestions outlined above, you can head back to the mainland with a belly full of food, and dreams full of island memories, confident that you have experienced just a small sample of all Maui has to offer. Aloha !

Vanessa Ghantous is the mother of two small children, and seven year resident of Maui. She works as a travel consultant, making wholesale travel reservations for clients worldwide. Read her blog at www.islandtravelgirl.blogspot.com

Maui's remarkably diverse climate and topography also offer unique opportunities. Explore the Island's most recent eruption -- just 200 years old, or an alpine forest planted with dozens of varieties of trees from around the world. Or, take a break from watching the beach action in Kaanapali. Just turn your beach chair around and treat yourself to an ever changing panorama of rainbows chasing their tails high on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains. For a complete list, and links to Maui's ecotourism activities click here.

Maui's cultural heritage is rich and proud -- check out our museums for intriguing presentations on many highlights of Maui's past. Maui's favorite visitors -- the humpback whales -- are often on view from Maui's west-side highways and beaches. Just be sure to pull completely off the road or instead of enjoying the show you will become part of it! Find out more about these magnificent animals here.

Then there are Maui's beaches. Several are among the locations nominated as "The World's Best Beach." With over 33 miles of beach ringing Maui there is almost always a location just right for your mood, your company and the current weather. Start your exploration of Maui's beaches here and be prepared to linger.

For our list of  "THINGS TO DO ON MAUI FOR FREE OR UNDER $25" click here and prepare to experience the best of Maui.

Maui Named "Best Island In The World"

"Magic Isle" Wins Designation for the 14th Time
and Receives Highest Score of Any Destination Across the Globe

For an unprecedented 14th time, the Magic Isle of Maui captured "Best Island in the World" honors in the 21st annual CONDE NAST TRAVELER Readers' Choice Awards Poll. With a score of 89.5, Maui was voted "Best Pacific Island" (for the 18th consecutive year) and "Best Island in the World" for the 14th time.

"We are extremely proud to receive this honor yet again," stated Terryl Vencl, executive director, Maui Visitors Bureau. "Maui's stunning natural beauty, our cherished host culture and the gracious aloha of our people continue to make this possible. This is wonderful recognition for our industry and most importantly, for the residents of Maui."

Maui Nui hotels also fared exceptionally in the Top Hawai'i Resorts category as three placed in the top five. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Hawai'i's only AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star property) was named top Resort in Hawai'i with a score of 96.0 and also tied for #14 in the world. Rounding out the Aloha State's scores were Hawai'i Island's second-place Four Seasons Resort Hualälai (94.5), third place finisher Four Seasons Resort Läna'i, Lodge at Kö'ele (92.5); and
fourth-place Four Seasons Resort Läna'i at Mänele Bay (91.6). The Halekülani on O'ahu (90.7) placed fifth. The Hotel Häna-Maui placed sixth (89.9); and the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui placed ninth (88.6).

The magazine's annual Readers' Choice Awards poll analyzes the travel preferences of their readership in various categories including cities, islands, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, spas, resorts and rental cars. The ratings are based on the responses of CONDE NAST TRAVELER subscribers who participated in the 21st annual poll. 

Maui also surpassed all other top destinations across the globe beating out Best Australia/Pacific City (Sydney, 87.2), Best U.S. City, (San Francisco, 85.2), Best Europe City (Florence, 84.5), Best Africa/Middle East City (Capetown, 83.0), Best Asian City (Bangkok, 82.8) and Best Americas City (Buenos Aires, 82.2).

Complete results are published in the November 2008 issue.  World-class resorts, award winning cuisine, championship golf, staggering natural beauty and the islands' host Hawaiian culture have once again propelled Maui into the limelight. 

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa recently opened Umalu, a casual yet upscale full service lunch and dinner venue showcasing modern contemporary Hawaiian cuisine located poolside with views of the ocean, as well as Lanai and Molokai islands. A delicious recipe from Umalu is provided below.

The $8 million dollar project terraces of Umalu are in the hillside off the pool area, below the main resort tower.  As '?malu in Hawaiian means "the shade under a cliff or to cast a shadow," guests can take a reprieve from the sun for a restful and soothing dining experience.  With a rich stone façade entrance, guests will be invited into a room designed with tumbled stone or open air seating with the option of a cool flagstone area or dining at tables set on sand for a more beachside experience. 
 

For a taste of this award-winning menu try this savory recipe at home...

Alii Kula Lavender Scented Kurobuta Pork Chops

Berkshire Bone in Pork Chop- 4pc/9 oz each
Alii Kula Gourmet Lavender Seasoning Olive Oil

Seasonal Fruit Vinaigrette:
3 red plums whole, pitted and sliced 
1 tsp chopped garlic
1/4 cup pancetta diced, cooked, renderings reserved
1 Tbsp assorted fresh herbs, chopped 
2 Tbsp Moscato vinegar 
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 
Salt & Pepper to taste

Braised Red Cabbage:
1 head red cabbage, cored and sliced thin
1 red onion, julienne
2 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup apple cider vinegar 
1 cup red wine vinegar
2 cups sugar 
1 tsp ground allspice 
Salt & Pepper to taste

For sweet seasoned cabbage, sauté onions and cabbage over medium heat in 2 tbsp olive oil until onions are translucent. Add apples and continue cooking until apples soften.  Deglaze with the vinegars, add sugar and braise approximately 45 minutes or until cabbage is cooked through but still a bit of crispness remains. Correct seasoning and hold for service. 
For the vinaigrette, sauté pancetta and renderings with garlic, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add plums and herbs and continue cooking until plums are tender. Deglaze with vinegar and remove from heat. Add olive oil, correct seasoning. Hold warm for service. 
To serve, season and lightly oil the pork chops. Grill over charbroiler to desired doneness. Allow chops to rest 10 minutes before service. Attractively plate potato (optional), vegetables and plums from the vinaigrette. Top with pork chop and drizzle vinaigrette juices over chop. For Umalu's diner service, this entree is paired with "Surfing Goat Dairy's" Ivory Coast Goat Cheese Whipped Potato and Upcountry Farmer's Market Vegetables.

For more information about Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and to make room night reservations, the resort can be reached at (808) 661-1234, or by visiting www.maui.hyatt.com.

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Many Maui visitors will recognize the "Hana Effect" described in this letter ... 

Our honeymoon in Maui last July was so memorable and so amazing that to pick one favorite moment is almost impossible.  But if I had to choose, it would be our adventure on the Road to Hana, including our hike to the Twin Falls.  Through our narrated drive, we experienced more of Maui than I think is possible through any other island activity.  Around every bend in the road, there is another amazingly beautiful vista to behold.  We hiked to gorgeous waterfalls, tidal pools, black sand beaches, and hilltop oases.  We saw stunning wildlife, both flora and fauna, unlike anything we had ever laid eyes on before.  Towards the end of the narrated trip, we met a man selling coconuts on the side of the road.  We stopped, enjoyed a bite to eat, played with the puppies in the back of his truck, and got his advice on whether we should continue past into Haleakala National Park.  He suggested that we give it a try, so we did.  It was exhilarating, just like the rest of the drive, but even more so because few people venture on.  The varying landscape was awe-inspiring.  To witness such beauty together was a magnificent way to begin our new life.

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