Best Land Activities on Maui - HOP to it

When people come to Maui, they mostly gravitate towards the ocean. And with good reason! Our beaches are some of the finest in the world. Going on whale watches and snorkel excursions are a blast. But Maui is also a great place for outdoor activities that are based on land. Here are six of our favorite things to do on land on Maui, broken down into three activities that will pump your heart and three activities that are more passive.

Bicycling
Though the wind can sometimes cause issues, the climate on Maui makes for nice bike riding adventures. Head out early enough and most days you can avoid the wind, too. Between Maui's beautiful mountains and coastal highways, whether you prefer mountain or road biking, Maui has you covered. Here's our bicycling guide for six great rides on Maui (3 mountain, 3 road).

Hiking
There are few places on earth as beautiful as Maui. One of the best ways to explore the beauty is on its hiking trails. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a complete novice, Maui has trails for everyone. Some end in gorgeous waterfalls, others are coastal ridge hikes which offer incredible views of the ocean. Here is our Maui hiking guide, broken down by ease of hike.

Horseback Riding
It's probably not the first thing you think of when planning a trip to Maui, but there are some outstanding horseback riding opportunities on the Valley Isle. Maui has a long history of ranching and some of the best rides on Maui are on working ranches. Other rides take you along coastal trail. Here is an article on our favorite horseback riding excursions on Maui.

Botanical Gardens
The plants and flowers on Maui are truly unique. 89% of the plants in Hawaii are endemic, meaning they are native to Hawaii. We've found the best places to see the majority of them are at Maui's beautiful botanical gardens. Here is a list of our five favorite botanical gardens on Maui.

Drive the Road to Hana
We highly recommend driving to Hana... backwards. No, not literally driving in reverse. We mean, start by driving through Haiku and continuing counter-clockwise rather than starting in Paia and driving clockwise. Doing it counter-clockwise allows you to hit, in our opinion, the two biggest highlights of the trip, Seven Sacred Pools and the Pipiwai Trail (bamboo forest/400 ft. waterfall!) first, before they get crowded. Going "backwards" also means there's less traffic flowing in the direction you're driving. We have three Hana guides:
1. Hana Day Trip Planning Guide: Packing
2. Hana Day Trip Planning Guide: What to See
3. Hana Day Trip Planning Guide: Where to Eat

Farmers Markets
On any given day on Maui, you can find a robust farmers market with locally grown fruits and vegetables, artisanal goods and yummy foods. While some are notably better than others, depending on where you are on the island, it's easy to skip the grocery store and pick up fresh, local produce and fun souvenirs. Here is a list of our favorite farmers markets on Maui.

When you're out of the water on Maui, what are your favorite activities? Let us know in the comments below. Mahalo!

A Brief History of Taro in Hawaii

Taro, once a staple of the Hawaiian diet, and still an integral part of the culture, is surprisingly not native to Hawaii. Instead, it is thought to have originated in southern India, before migrating east to China and as far south as New Zealand. From there, Polynesians brought taro to these islands, planting it near rivers and streams.

The Hawaiian word for taro is kalo. According to Hawaiian mythology, Wakea (the sky father), and the beautiful goddess, Hoʻohokukalani (the heavenly one who made the stars), wished to have a child. Their first attempt, however, resulted in a still birth. The body of the stillborn child was buried near their home. From this buried child grew a taro plant; the plant was named Haloanaka (long stock trembling). The couple's second attempt at a child resulted in a human boy which the gods named Haloa. From Haloa, the Hawaiian race of people descended. According to this legend, then, Hawaiians are literally related to taro, which explains the importance of taro in Hawaiian culture.

In early times, taro was grown using two distinct methods. The most common was a "wet" method which involved building a taro pond near a river. Once the land was marked off, the growers would plant the taro, then flood the land by diverting water from the river. The "dry" method was commonly used in higher elevations, primarily in recently de-forested lands. Just prior to the start of rainy season, farmers would dig holes about nine inches deep, then drop in taro cuttings. Once the taro took root, they would cover the holes with mud. Whether grown wet or dry, taro takes roughly 200 days to mature.

In its heyday, taro was grown on roughly 35,000 acres across the Hawaiian islands. Today, however, taro production covers less than than 350 acres. Residents and visitors of Hawaii consume about 6.5 million pounds of Hawaii-grown taro per year. As a result, the state needs to import an additional 2 million pounds a year to cover consumption. Local farmers are being encouraged to grow more taro to reduce imports of the popular staple.

Here on Maui, many small taro farms ceased operations when the sugar cane mills diverted water that otherwise went to growing the taro. In late 2016, large commercial sugar cane production on Maui ended, so it is hoped that some of this diverted water will again return to the smaller taro farms and production can resume.

Taro can be used in a variety ways. Here in Hawaii, you'll find poi (mashed taro) at most restaurants serving "local" food. Because taro resembles potatoes in taste and texture, it often replaces typical potato-based dishes, such as taro fries, taro chips, and taro pancakes. It's also found in bubble teas, certain veggie burgers, curry dishes, and desserts.

The history of taro goes back to the start of Hawaiian civilization, and it continues to be a popular food source amongst locals. Additionally, as the farm-to-table food movement continues to gain in popularity, it's now being served in some of Hawaii's most popular restaurants. Taro is an overnight success, thousands of years in the making.

Best Irish Pubs on Maui - HOP to it

Well, this is an awfully short list. These are the only two Irish pubs on Maui at the time of this writing (March, 2018)! So Maui doesn't boast a great lineup of Irish pubs. But at least the two it does have are pretty darn great...

Mulligan's on the Blue (Wailea)
Maui's largest Irish Pub, Mulligan's on the Blue offers up a full menu of Irish classics plus local fish. The drink side of the menu shows a large selection of draught and bottled beers, whiskeys and cocktails. The pub also features numerous TV's making it an ideal spot to catch a game. The weekly Wednesday night Willie K. Dinner Show was one of the more popular live music events on the Island. However, after being diagnosed with cancer in January, he's scaling back his performances. Check the online schedule on the Mulligan's website to see when he'll be playing and be sure you pre-book if you plan on seeing one of Maui's most popular entertainers. The pub also features magic shows on Tuesdays and live music the rest of the week. While located on the "Blue" course of the famed Wailea Golf Club, Mulligan's is independently run. Still, it's a great place to stop for a drink after a round. (Mulligan's on the Blue)

Dog and Duck (Kihei)
Located in the "triangle," the little cluster of bars and clubs just south of Foodland in Kihei, Dog and Duck is the more wild and unrefined of the two Maui Irish pubs. If Mulligan's is known for its extensive Irish food menu, Dog and Duck is more known for its party atmosphere, seven nights a week. The food is OK (stick with the fish and chips), but if you're going for the drinks and a good time, Dog and Duck has you covered. The pub has a few TV's and they are pretty generous with the remote if there's an event you must see. One great thing about Dog and Duck is that it's centrally located in Kihei, so you're a short Lyft ride away if you over imbibe. (Dog and Duck)

Of course, if your idea of an Irish Pub is anywhere that serves Guinness on tap, you'll find plenty of locations on Maui. In fact, tell us in the comments where you like to go for a Guinness or Jameson...

10 Facts About the Hawaiian Monk Seal

We love our monk seals. But if you're lucky enough to see one, remember to keep your distance. They are endangered and should not be touched or harassed in any way. Beyond that, Hawaiian monk seal mothers of newborns will aggressively protect their pups. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) recommends keeping a distance of 150 feet, allowing them to remain undisturbed.

The official state mammal of Hawaii, the scientific name for the Hawaiian monk seal is Neomonachus schauinslandi. The Hawaiian name is "Ilio holo I ka uaua", which translates to "dog that runs in rough water".
The average lifespan of a Hawaiian monk seal is 25 to 30 years. Adult males grow to about 7 feet long and weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. Meanwhile, females can grow to 8 feet long and can weigh between 400 to 600 pounds.
The Hawaiian monk seal is unique in that they live in a tropical climate. Most seals prefer frigid water.
Hawaiian monk seals do not have external ears and they cannot rotate their hind flippers underneath their bodies.
Breeding season is between June and August, with birth usually occurring between March and June. The average gestation time is nine months. Mothers of newborn pups are devoted to their offspring while nursing. For the first 5-to-6 weeks of a newborn's life, the mother is so busy safely raising her pup that she will not eat. The pups go from 35 pounds at birth to roughly 175 pounds while being nursed. The mothers, though, will lose hundreds of pounds during this time. Once finished nursing her pups, the mothers will abandon their offspring and head out to the ocean to feed.
Hawaiian monk seals feed primarily in deep water coral beds on fish, lobster, octopus and squid.
Humans are the biggest threat to Hawaiian Monk Seal survival. Though we don't outright hunt them, they will often get entangled in fishing nets and gear. We also encroach on their coastal resting places. Tiger sharks and Galapagos sharks are known to prey on them. Finally, male Hawaiian monk seals will often group up and kill or injure females and immature monk seals of both sexes during a mating ritual called "mobbing".
Native to Hawaii, the Hawaiian monk seal and the Hawaiian hoary bat are the only two mammals endemic to the Hawaiian islands.
The Hawaiian and the Mediterranean monk seals are the last two surviving monk seals in the world. The Caribbean monk seal, which was once the third type of monk seal, was declared extinct in 2008. In 2016, it was estimated there are 1,400 Hawaiian seals in existence.
The Hawaiian monk seal was officially declared an endangered species in November, 1976.

Have you seen a Hawaiian monk seal on Maui? If so, where? Please tell us your story in the comments below...

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A Guide to Understanding Maui's Weather

Depending on where you are on Maui, the weather conditions can be very different. It can be snowing in one area (OK, the summit of Haleakala, specifically) and 85 and sunny on the beach. That's an extreme example. Less extreme is it can be pouring down rain near the airport, but 15 miles away at the same elevation in Kihei it can be blue skies and sunny. Why? Here's a quick guide to help you figure out Maui's wacky weather patterns.

First, a quick primer. Maui is generally broken down into four regions, central, leeward, windward and upcountry. The reason for the wild weather swings is due to a few factors:

Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. These mountains keep rain locked on one side of the mountain. For example, the east side of the West Maui Mountains will receive 400 inches of rain a year. But the west side of the mountains (Lahaina) will receive around a foot of rain a year.
Another factor in the weather, also related to the mountains, are the winds. The trade winds, arrive from the northeast for about 80% of the year. When they are blowing, they will wrap around the mountains, causing a jet stream-like action, increasing its force. We'll go deeper on this phenomenon later in the article. The other winds on Maui, called Kona Winds, come from the south. They tend to bring with them vog (volcano ash fog) from the Big Island and are generally less strong than the trade winds.
Finally, half the island is within 5 miles of the ocean. This creates a strong marine influence for these parts of Maui, but the other half of the island sees no effects.

Maui's Four Main Regions
Central Maui
When you land at the airport, you're in Central Maui. Central Maui is basically Kahului and Wailuku. Wailuku is the home of the government buildings and sits at the base of the West Maui Mountains. Because of it proximity to the mountains, Wailuku tends to be wetter than Kahului. But, being trapped between the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala, both towns feature warm temperatures while having less wind and higher humidity than the leeward side of the island.

Leeward Side
The most popular region for visitors is the leeward side, which consists of the south shore (Kihei/Wailea/Makena) and the west side (Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua). Here is where the trade winds really come in to play. The West Maui Mountains splits the winds. As the winds on the north side of island blow, they will continue to hug the north shore, but these same winds will also be funneled between the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala. This blast of wind ends up releasing in Maalaea then wrapping along the Kihei/Wailea coasts. This is why it can be so incredibly windy in the Maalaea harbor and the south shore. Seeing whitecaps in the Maalaea Harbor is common. The mountains that funnel the winds though, also block the rain from coming over to the leeward side, which is why it's the sunniest, warmest and driest part of the island. Just take note of the afternoon winds, which can make the beach, with sand being kicked up, a bit unpleasant.

Upcountry
The coolest part of the island can get downright cold in the winter (the 40s are not unusual). When people say "upcountry," they're generally referring to the Makawao-Pukulani-Kula area. The highway from Kula to Haleakala is also considered upcountry. Upcountry, which is between 1,700 to 4500 feet elevation, is a popular location for residents to reside because of the cooler temperatures, which average in the 70's and low 80's vs. the 80's and low 90's of the leeward side. Upcountry also has far less humidity, especially compared to Central Maui. Generally speaking, Upcountry has the most comfortable climate.

Windward Side
Consisting of the north shore (Paia/Haiku) and the east side (Hana) of Maui, the windward side is noted for its high winds in Paia and rain around Hana. The northeast trade winds in Paia create legendary conditions for kite boarding and windsurfing. In fact, it's considered one of the best locations in the world for these activities. Meanwhile, down the road on the Hana Highway, if you stay at around sea level, the weather isn't noticeably more wet. But as you climb elevations along the side of Haleakala, you'll be entering rain forests where it rains 365 days a year.

Do you have any questions about Maui's weather? Ask below in the comments, and we'll try to assist you.

Olivine Pools - Deep Dive

The "Deep Dive" series takes longer looks at some of our favorite places on Maui.

Our first Deep Dive piece is on the beautiful, yet dangerous Olivine Pools, truly one of the most scenic places on the island. During whale season, you're bound to see the humpbacks frolicking just offshore. You will also witness the majestic power of the waves as they crash into the walls surrounding the pools. Of course, the pools themselves have their own beauty.

The Olivine Pools are located on the Kahekili Highway, accessible from both the Lahaina side of the island and Kahului. If you're in Kihei/Wailea, you can really go either direction, though the drive from the west side (Lahaina) is less crazy. By crazy we mean, if you're coming from Kahului, much of the highway is one lane with hairpin turns. The road starts to feel claustrophobic... even with the expanse of the ocean right below your wheels. The advantage of going "counter-clockwise" (from Kahului) to the Pools is you'll drive past the Julia's Best Banana Bread stand. It truly is the best banana bread on Maui. OK, we actually rated it a tie with Aunt Sandy's, but it's definitely worth the stop.

When you arrive at the Olivine Pools, you'll find ample parking on the street. You'll also come across this sign and memorial:

As stated in the intro to this piece, the Olivine Pools are dangerous. In 2017, a Utah man was swept away and his body was not recovered. SFGate.com named the Olivine Pools one of Hawaii's most dangerous places. The Pools sit on a rocky point where the waves generally crash into the walls. However, larger waves will jump the walls and flood the pools. When the water goes back out, it sweeps everything and everyone out to the ocean.

You can actually take nice photos prior to the descent down to the tide pools. If you're with small children or people who may not be in the best of shape, you should stop here. Here's what the view looks like from the top:

If you decide to risk it and head down, you should wear shoes. Hiking-type sandals with heavy soles would work well, too, and if you're heading into the pools, they're the best thing to wear. While it's not a difficult hike, the rocks are sharp and can get slippery. If you slip, you'll most likely end up with cuts. Here's what the hike looks like (the photo makes it look more difficult than it is):

After the first descent, there's a fantastic viewing ledge. If the water is unpredictable, this is where we stop. From this ledge you can see the entirety of the Olivine Pools, as well the surrounding cliff walls. It's relatively (but not totally) safe here and unless you want to go into the pools themselves, you'll see everything you need to see. We recommend you venture no further than here. Even from up here, you're not totally safe from the waves, so pay attention to the ocean. Here's the view from the ledge:

The hike down to the pools is also filled with sharp, wet rocks. Again, it's not difficult, but you may find yourself occasionally slipping. Once you reach the pools, you REALLY need to pay attention to your surroundings. Even on what may seem like the calmest of days, one rogue wave is all it will take to sweep you out to sea.

If you've come down this far, the pools are quite lovely and worthy of a plunge. They are safe in that the water isn't poisonous or anything like that, but know that you are in the direct line of a potentially life-altering wave. Take a dip, then get back up to higher ground.

We're sorry if we sound like worry warts, but deaths and near death experiences at the Olivine Pools are preventable. Common sense dictates you stay above the shoreline, but human nature will probably lead you down to the pools. Look, we've gone down there a few times so it would be hypocritical to say you shouldn't go. But if you go, please be smart. Be safe.

5 Fun Horseback Rides on Maui

There are many fun things to do on Maui, but most involve the ocean. Whether you go on a whale watch, a snorkel tour or just hang out the beach, you're bound to be having a fun time. But if you're looking for a little more adventure, have you thought about horseback riding? Here are 5 Fun Horseback Rides on Maui!

Believe it or not, Maui has a long history of ranching. We even have a Hawaiian word for cowboy: paniolo. In 1793, Captain Vancouver gifted King Kamehameha a few head of cattle. By the 1820's, cattle were roaming Maui, destroying everything in their path. Soon, cowboys were brought in from the mainland to corral them. Eventually, the natives were taught cowboy techniques, and the rest, as they say, is history.

If you're interested in going horseback riding on Maui, you're in luck. There are many options. Here are our five favorite places to ride horse, listed alphabetically.

Lahaina Stables (Lahaina)
Conveniently located in Lahaina, Lahaina Stables is the easy choice if you're staying on the west side and either don't have a car (it's an easy Lyft/Uber trip) or don't feel like driving very far. Lahaina Stables offers three different rides, AM, Lunch, and Sunset that take you along the West Maui Mountain ridge giving you fantastic views of the ocean. The sunset ride, while quite a bit more expensive than the AM ride ($189 vs. $135) offers smaller groups and champagne and chocolate-dipped fruit, making for a uniquely romantic evening.

Makena Stables (Kihei)
Offering morning, sunset and private tours, Makena Stables also offers something the others on this list don't... the chance to ride through lava fields that will make you feel like you're on Mars. Riding along the shoreline south of the Wailea, you'll have outstanding views of the ocean, Molokini and may even see the Big Island. But, oh, those lava fields. You will feel transported to different time and place once you hit the trail. Makena Stables is easily the most convenient horseback tour if you're staying in Kihei and Wailea. (Makena Stables)

Mendes Ranch (Wailuku)
Starting from the beautiful Mendes Ranch, ride down from the valley to the coastline for 1.5 hours of gorgeous trail riding. If you visit during the winter and early spring, you are likely to see whales. When is the last time you saw whales from the back of a horse? Mendes Ranch offers two rides, AM and early afternoon. On the afternoon ride, there's an option for a pre-ride barbecue lunch. (Mendes Ranch)

Piiholo Ranch (Makawao)
Ever see the movie "City Slickers," where Billy Crystal played a New York City businessman who decides to vacation on an active ranch and cattle drive? Well, Piiholo offers the unique opportunity to spend three hours as an actual cowboy, rounding up cattle! Of course Piiholo Ranch also offers a more traditional two and three-hour rides (both are private, with a minimum of two riders), as well as lessons for children. (Piiholo Ranch) Also, check out Piiholo's Haleakala zipline course.

Thompson Ranch (Kula)
A working cattle ranch, Thompson Ranch is known for its small groups (no more than six riders at a time) and the gorgeous vistas provided while riding along on Haleakala mountainside. Outside of the incredible views, you're also likely to see cattle, chickens, turkeys and other creatures great and small. Morning, picnic and sunset rides, along with private rides are offered. This is a smaller operation with a decidedly less "tourist" feel. (Thompson Ranch)

By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner Cruise or a Snorkel Adventure to the island of Lanai? Well you can! Just use the promo code VIP20 after clicking on this link: Hawaii Ocean Project Adventures.