(TAN): Aloha! The Disney film Moana is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think about Maui, Hawaii. Maui, the Hawaiian island, is claimed to have been named after the son of the discoverer of Hawaii, who in turn was named after the mischievous demigod from the film.
Kapalua, or Kapalua Resort, is a CDP, or census-designated place, in Maui County. Kapalua was first referred to as the Honolua Ranch and subsequently the Honolua Plantation in the 1800s.
Ahupua’a is a system of land division that divides the land vertically into pie-shaped sections. It is made up of stretches of land that descend from the mountains into the ocean. To create Honolua Ranch and what is today known as Kapalua Resort, the seven ahupua’a of Honolua, Honokahua, Honokowai, Honokohau, Kahana, and Mailepai were merged.
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Here are some of the sights and activities you may enjoy when visiting Kapalua:
- Kapalua Bay: Feel the soft white sand of this beach in between your toes as you walk barefoot on the shore of Kapalua Beach. While you are at it, don’t forget to marvel at the azure waters. This beach has some great reefs, and it’s a great place for families or individuals to go snorkeling.
- Dragon’s Teeth: Don’t forget to take pictures at Dragon’s Teeth, a craggy geographical phenomenon created when hot lava from West Maui Volcano condensed due to the sea’s cool water and wind. Dragon’s teeth are the name given to this location because it resembles large, black dragon-like fangs.
- Sunset Cocktail Cruise: Enjoying the Hawaiian sunset on a ship while savoring a variety of canapés with exotic beverages melting in your hands will undoubtedly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your family. Boarding the Sunset Cocktail Cruise gives you the chance to create exactly this memory with your family and loved ones.
- Molokini Crater and Turtle Town: Molokini is the most popular snorkeling location in Maui. It serves as both a bird sanctuary and a marine life protection region. There are numerous Hawaiian green sea turtles to be seen in Turtle Town, a reef region.
- Myths of Maui Luau at the Royal Lahaina Resort: A luau is a traditional meal, gathering, or festival that was first practiced by the Polynesians in Hawaii. One of the top luaus on the island of Maui is held at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Lahaina and is dubbed Myths of Maui. Take in the traditional dance and music performances from the Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, and Maori cultures.
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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a choice you can consider if you want to stay as close to nature as you can while visiting Maui since you can see the sun set into the ocean and possibly catch sight of a few whales. Free internet, a free shuttle throughout Kapalua, reduced golf costs, and a few more benefits are available to hotel guests. Montage Kapalua Bay, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux, and Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea are some other stay options.
You must try Hawaiian cuisine while in Kapalua. Make your way to Merriman’s Kapalua to sample the renowned Hawaiian seafood if you want to sample the best Hawaiian cuisine has to offer. Visit the Plantation House for a classy evening. Don’t forget to stop at Cane and Canoe, a restaurant with decor modeled after old-fashioned Hawaiian canoe houses. Also make sure to enjoy breakfast at Hook + Knife!
The ideal months to visit Kapalua and its surrounding areas are April through November, with June, July, and August seeing the most tourists. There isn’t much rain during this time of year.
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You can take a flight from the United States to Kapalua, which is the easiest way to get there. Kapalua West Maui Airport (JHM) is the only airport in the city. The island of Kapalua is situated on the west side of Maui; it is only a short drive to Kaanapali and Lahaina. You can fly to Maui, and then you can charter local taxis or rent automobiles to get to Kapalua.
You can also take a plane to Honolulu and then drive to Kapalua. There are several ways to go from Honolulu to Kapalua by air, including flying straight from Honolulu to Kapalua, flying to Kahului and then driving an hour to Kapalua, or flying to Hana and then driving the remaining distance. Direct flights, even though relatively costlier, will save you time.
In this occasional series, we feature relatively unknown travel destinations.
