Favorite Hikes

These are our four favorite hikes. My son has been hiking these since age 3 (with help) and in a backpack before that. Now at age 5 he has no problems hiking these. The book "Maui Revealed" has a good description of these hikes.

Makalua-puna Point "Dragon's Teeth" and Labyrinth walk.
In Kapalua. Park where Office Road and Lower Honoapiilani meet. Walk along the grassy edge of Ritz Carlton golf course. Salt spray on the upwind side etched the lava into thrusting shapes known as Dragon's Teeth. Look for the labyrinth made out of light coral rocks.

Nakalele Blowhole
North Shore past Kapalua. 1/2 mile past the 38 mile marker there is a wide turnout with rounded boulders. Park and head toward the lighthouse on the dirt path, the stacked rocks are misleading and do not lead to the correct direction, you will need to veer right and downhill through a small patch of pine trees, then follow the white marked rocks down the hill and veer right again, down to the ocean. The ocean here has undercut the shoreline pounding a hole under the lava shelf creating a blowhole that shoots water up to 70 feet in the air. Best to see at high tide or high surf.

Olivine Pools
North shore past the blowhole. Before the 16 mile marker after the Bellstone, a large round boulder. Walk toward the ocean veering right to the rock platforms 150 feet above the shoreline. The Olivine Pools are formed by a precious gem called olivine encrusted in the lava and sandstone. Here you can swim in the natural lava swimming pools on the lava shelf. The setting is idyllic, the pools are deep and cool with the ocean surrounding on 3 sides. Occasional big rains make the pools form one large pond or during long periods of low surf they can get stagnant.

Fishbowl Cape Kina'u
South Maui past Makena beach. Hike and snorkel trip. 20-30 minute hike along a lava trail. This trail will be closed as of August 2008 due to abuses of the Natural Preserve, and too much human traffic.