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Maui doesn't have a quarter of Oahu's population, but it seems to have almost as many activity choices. Whether hiking, biking, snorkeling or windsurfing is your passion, there are a dozen places to go and a dozen companies to act as guide.
Beaches
The first thing to do on Maui (aside from checking into the hotel, of course) is to hit the beach. Ka'anapali Beach on West Maui is one of the top sunning spots, while Makena State Park Big Beach is probably the most popular swimming and bodyboarding beach. There are dozens of other beach parks, and since all of Hawaii’s beaches are public-access, you're free to plop down in any spot that appeals to you.
Cruises
Whether it is an early morning whale watch complete with breakfast, a full-day cruise to neighboring Lanai or a sunset cocktail cruise, Maui's boats are built for pleasure. The America II is a high-speed adventure; it was a former contender for the America's Cup. For something a bit different, climb aboard one of the Atlantis Submarines vessels.
Snorkeling/Diving
The best time to snorkel or dive in the waters off Maui is the early morning. Tradewinds begin to pick up in the late morning, and usually by noon the water is a bit murky. Around 8 am dozens of tourists emerge from vans and busses onto Ulua/ Mokapu Beach, South Maui's favorite snorkeling spot. Rainbow Chaser offers day excursions to neighboring islands. For equipment or excursion booking, Snorkel Bob's and Boss Frog's Dive & Surf Shop-Napili are two standby companies.
Scuba companies are also numerous. Mike Severns Diving and Maui Sun Divers will work with any level diver, even the most nervous beginners. Makena Coast Charters offers a variety of underwater excursions to offshore wrecks, reefs and caverns.
Golf
As a world-class golf destination, the Valley Isle boasts over a dozen courses, spread across the island and ranging from inexpensive municipal courses to internationally famous resorts. The three Wailea Golf Clubs and the Makena Golf Courses cater to South Maui visitors, while on the West side lie the famed Kapalua Golf Club and Ka’anapali Golf Course.
Shopping
While it doesn't have as much shopping as Honolulu, which seems to have a Louis Vuitton on every block, Maui certainly has its fair share of shopping areas. The largest is Kahului's
Queen Ka'ahumanu Center. On the West side there are about a half-dozen smaller shopping centers, including the Lahaina Cannery Mall, Wharf Cinema Center and Whalers Village. Major shopping strips are located along South Kihei Road in South Maui. The latest shopping centers to open on the South Side are The Shops at Wailea and the Ma'alaea Harbor Village.
Galleries
Maui boasts more galleries than any other city on the West Coast. Most of them are located in two blocks on Front Street. Don't forget to make a trip to the famous Wyland Galleries. Among the countless other Maui galleries are Artlines, Maui Hands, the Dolphin Galleries and, hidden in the jungles of Hana, the Hana Coast Gallery, critically acclaimed as the top cultural art gallery in the state.
Performing Arts: Music and Theater
The newest show to hit Maui is wowing the crowds and winning the hearts of critics and locals. Called 'Ulalena, it is performed nightly in the grandiose Maui Myth & Magic Theater. It uses dance, music, theater and a multi-million dollar lighting system to tell the story of Maui's creation.
When major acts come to Maui (which actually happens more often than one might think), there is really only one place for them to perform: the Maui Art & Cultural Center. The outdoor amphitheater has a maximum capacity of 5,000—most of the seating being on the lawn. It has hosted acts such as Santana and Ziggy Marley.
Smaller acts can perform practically anywhere in Maui. Every major hotel has thousands of square feet of conference space, and the three major malls (Whaler's Village, Lahaina Cannery and Ka'ahumanu Center) all have main stages which regularly host all kinds of entertainers.
Luaus
Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the music on the radio or maybe it's just the infectious Aloha spirit. Whatever the cause, it's a fact that anyone who visits Maui feels compelled to get to a luau. Visitors to South Maui have only a few choices: the Renaissance's Wailea Sunset Luau is a standby. West Maui offers several spectacular luaus. The Old Lahaina Luau and the Marriott Luau are two of the favorites, but everyone agrees that the Feast At Lele, held at Pacific'O, is hands-down the best. Other than the 'Feast', which won't lower its USD85 admission rate for anyone, most of the luaus offer discounted prices through activity brokers.
Nightlife
Everybody knows, if it's raging nightlife you're after, you should go...to Honolulu. That said, Maui does its best to rabble-rouse once the sun goes down. There are no full-scale nightclubs on the islands, but Casanova Italian Restaurant & Deli offers decent club nights. Brewpub Hapa's Brew Haus in Kihei always has something going on, and on the right night it can be a lot of fun. Live Hawaiian music is presented everywhere, and recently there's been a surge in the popularity of live jazz, swing and ballroom. Among the best places for dinner and dancing are Longhi's Restaurant and BJ's Chicago Pizzeria.
Had enough yet? If not, don't worry; there's more where that came from. Just when you think you've seen all of Maui, you realize that—no pun intended—you haven't even got your feet wet.
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