Maui 2021

Maui was our first “post COVID-19” getaway. We had a close call with meeting the time restriction for the required travel COVID-19 testing. The laboratory’s data server crashed and our test results were unavailable for the required upload for the State of Hawaii website! Fortunately, we were able to get a backup Rapid test which was temporarily approved by Hawaii. A lot of stress and hassle but a trip well worth it! 

We split our time on Maui with 3 nights in Wailea at the Andaz, and 3 nights in Kapalua at the Montage. Both resorts were wonderful!

Maui is known as a “hang loose” destination, where you can relax and take it easy. While we did do some relaxing, we did stay on the move most of the time. Our first full day on Maui was to take a drive to Hana to the Eastern end of the island. The drive was beautiful but clearly, the highlights were the hikes we took. The Wai’anapanapa Coast Trail was a beautiful, wild coastline, and the Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail took us through a bamboo forest and ended with an 800 foot waterfall. On the second day, we drove to the top of Haleakala (10,023’) and hiked Sliding Sands Trail into the crater. Throughout the morning hike, the clouds and sunlight were constantly changing to reshape our view of the crater and it’s many cones.

After our third night in Wailea, we packed up and drove toward Kapalua. We stopped for a walk around and lunch in Lahaina but, unfortunately, we found the town overrun by tourists and quite a few closed restaurants due to the closures from the pandemic. We later arrived in peaceful Kapalua and settled into an upgraded suite - cool! The suite was exceptional and we were able to get a little “hang loose” time, Maui style.

While in Kapalua, we took a few hikes, which included the Kapalua Village Walking Trail Lake Loop, which takes you throughout an old Arnold Palmer golf course that the jungle has taken over. We also hiked the Coastal Trail which is also a beautiful and rugged walk along the Northeast coast of Maui. 

Overall, we enjoyed a wonderful getaway to Maui and came back to reality with a little less stress. 🤘

Hana Wai’anapanapa Coast Trail

Hana Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai

Wailea Beach looking toward Molokini and Kaho’olawe

Haleakala Sliding Sands Hike

Kapalua Montage Resort

Kapalua Coast Walk