Secret Things to do and really enjoy on Maui, Hawaii

One of the most enjoyable things to do on Maui is take photos of things you've never seen. Or take photos of things that you've seen before, but they were never this beautiful!

Visit the Protea flower farm in upcountry Maui on your way up to or down from Haleakala. It's near the town of Kula on the Haleakala Highway. Don't miss it!

If you want to buy some of the flowers, do it on the way back from the crater as you will have so much to do up on top that you may forget your flowers!

Well everyone that goes to Maui goes up to Haleakala Crater.  Mostly for the sunrise ritual.  And really, this may be the most incredible thing to do on Maui.  Just remember... There's More!

Sunrise is cold so bring many blankets from your hotel to wrap up in.  Just don't forget to take them back.  The best photo I ever got on Maui was of a young woman wrapped in a golden blanket.  She is watching the rising sun and the shadows make impressive lines in the photo.

After watching the sunrise, go hiking down into the crater. It's for people in shape only. Hiking the crater is arduous. Bring lots of water, a good backpack and plan to spend the whole day. Bring your own food, there is none available in the crater. Don't step on the Nene's or the Silverswords. Bring out what you take in!

Another good sunrise follow up is the bicycle tour down the mountain. Book this early in your trip as you will still be on Mainland time and it won't seem dreadful at all to get up at 2 a.m. to begin your tour!  It's worth it. Definitely.

I wrote a hub just about her! - Click to view....

Probably my favorite place to go on Maui. Iao Valley is where I was married. There is some kind of special peaceful feeling here. Some find it disturbing because of the huge battle that was fought here between the King of Maui and the King of Hawaii (the big island). They say the stream ran red with the blood of thousands. But I think they are at peace.

A lot of people get married here. There is a small park that you will see before you get to the main site. The park incorporates all of the nationalities that live together on Maui, the Japanese, the Hawaiians, the Polynesians, the Chinese, and others.

My husband and I met on a blind date on Maui and have been together ever since. He's a Yankee, I'm a Texan. We got married on an Irish holiday (Valentine's Day) in a Japanese Garden with Christmas flowers in bloom (Poinsettias). The Judge that married us was a Mormon. Well, that's how Maui is - very mixed in culture!

Do visit the Eye of the Needle as it's called. Don't forget to look for Lincoln's face in the rock cliffs along the way. Hint: He's sleeping.

After visiting and shopping your heart out in Lahaina, Maui, head on over to The Old Lahaina Luau! It's the best show on the island!

Get your photo taken. You will treasure this one forever.

Lahaina has the best shopping on Maui. They've built a huge complex right off of the main road. There is a very nice movie theater located in the center of town across from the harbor.

Don't miss the big banyan tree in the park. And there is even a famous jail right around the corner. The street name is Prison Street.

Lots of art to see, even huge murals painted by local artists. Lahaina is probably the most visited town on the island of Maui.

A Top 10 List of the Other Great Things to do on Maui:

1. Drive the Hana Highway - Stop and buy Coconut treats!
2. Visit the Pineapple Plantation - Watch the demos!
3. Visit Long's Drug Store - the Hawaiian Walgreens
4. Get a hiking book from Amazon and hike the incredible nature trails!
5. Eat at Makawao - anywhere in this town has awesome food@
6. Visit the nude beach at Big Beach - Ask the locals
7. Maui has 5 of the top 10 beaches anywhere in the world - Try Wailua (my fav)
8. Try parasailing, windsurfing, and scuba diving!
9. Get a chocolate truffle thingy at Haile-Maile General Store (hunt for it)
10. Check out the tourist sales booths for more great ideas like whale watching!