Maui Five Best Things

Maui No Ka ‘Oi

If you’ve been to Maui or read about it, you’ll most likely see the phrase, “Maui No Ka ‘Oi” which translates to “Maui is the best,” and having lived here for the last five years from the “mainland,” (SoCal), I agree.

Sure, when I first moved here for a job, I cried and counted the days to my end of my contract so I can go back home but when I finally took the time to allow the island and it’s people into my life, well, I fell in love with it.

Here are five reasons why I love Maui! There’s more but here’s a sprinkle for now

• After sunset at Haleakala National Park. Most people talk about the sunrise which I agree is breathtaking but the first time I visited the park, it was to catch the sunset (it’s just how the schedule worked out), and I am so glad I did. About 30 minutes after the sun sets, the sky is filled with stars. They seem so close that you can almost reach them, not just above you but all around you.
• Kula Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday next to the Longs Drugs in Kula is where you can get the best and freshest of Maui’s farms. No joke, it’s the farmers themselves. From beets, star apples, bok choy, coconuts, kale, tomatoes, onions, asparagus, passion fruit, to orchids and yummy banana bread, it’s the place to be early Saturdays. Early risers get the catch is a rule to follow here. Be there by 7 a.m. or come back the next Saturday.
• Amazing Artists. When it comes to art, New York, Paris, London, and Washington DC are the usual suspects. But Hawaii, and especially Maui, has an amazing group of talented painters, sculptors, photographers and more. In fact, stop by the Grand Wailea which is home to the largest corporate collection of art in the state. Grand Wailea offers complimentary art tours to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Valet park your car and head to the NaPua Gallery which prides itself in carrying 80% local art, where the tour starts. They will validate the parking for you.
• Spam Musubi. Egg-McMuffin is to McDonalds and spam musubi is to Hawaii. Fried spam sandwiched between rice mixed with furikake, wrapped in seaweed. Trust me, it tastes good. Maybe that will be my next hub, how to make spam musubi. Interested?
• People. I’ll be honest, I freaked out the first time I saw someone twice in one day, on a day off! Not something you get used to when you live in the mainland, ut you get used to it and kind of enjoy the run-ins. The people who live in Maui are great, very community-oriented. The Aloha Spirit is real.

What's your favorite thing about Maui?