Last year, I was in Maui for the second (and last) time in nine years. Unlike what had happened in 2014, the weather was gorgeous, so I was able to explore more locations. In this post, I would like share some of my favorites with you. Please note that I have included a video at the end, in which you can see many more photos of the trip. So, when you are done reading, go take a gander. Haleakalā National Park This park was named after Haleakalā Crater, a dormant volcano that stands at 10,023 feet (3,055 m) above sea level. There are several interesting trails and you can watch spectacular seas of clouds, sunsets, and sunrises there! “Haleakalā” means “house of the sun” in Hawaiian. According to legend, the demigod Maui stood on the volcano’s summit, and lassoed the sun to slow its descent, make the day last longer, and increase the growing season. The Haleakalā Crater also features cinder cones. Ho’okipa Beach Park Ho’okipa is a very famous spot in Maui. Its fantastic waves (along with strong rip currents and shallow reef) make it a mecca for surfers. Several major surfing competitions are organized there every year. On the beach, the Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) go about their business most days. They can be hard to spot, though, because of the boulders that they tend to resemble and that dot the area where they gather. ʻĪao Valley The ʻĪao (“cloud supreme”) Valley is a beautiful area featuring lush mountains—and the iconic ʻĪao Needle. It is also there that one of the major episodes in Hawaiian history took place. In 1790, the battle of Kepaniwai saw the victory of King Kamehameha I over Maui’s army, which helped cement the unification of the islands. Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge The refuge is home to 30 species of birds, including the ʻaukuʻu (black-crowned night heron), āeʻo (Hawaiian stilt), and ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot). There is also a lovely beach nearby. La Perouse Bay Named after the first European to visit Maui (Jean-François de La Pérouse), the bay is the site of the island’s most recent volcanic eruption (about 500 years ago). Walking on lava rocks can be very dangerous, but the trail is definitely worth it. Coves, coral beaches, and waves crashing on the rocky shoreline await you! Nakalele Point Nakalele (“the leaning”) Point is mostly known for its blowhole, which can be accessed via a short, but challenging trail. The crashing waves are impressive to watch as well! Road to Hana (Rainbow Eucalyptus trees and Pipiway Trail) Originally from the Philippines, the Eucalyptus deglupta owes its name to the multi-colored patches on its trunk. When shedding its outer bark several times a year, the inner bark is revealed. The colors will change over time. The Pipiway Trail features one of the most gorgeous attractions in the whole island of Maui: a bamboo forest! This is especially memorable on a windy day, for the wind-chime-like sounds you will hear. Waihe’e Ridge Trail This is a challenging but very rewarding trail. Spectacular views of the valley, coastline, and Haleakala in the distance. The forest at the beginning is also terrific! Sunsets in Lāhainā Watching sunsets anywhere in Hawaii is a treat. But Lāhainā is a quaint little town. The former capital of Hawaiian Kingdom was an important whaling village during the whaling boom of the mid-1800s. Herman Melville sailed from there. Watch the video below. I hope you enjoyed this visit to Maui! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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