Hawaii conjures images of romantic getaways amid swaying palms and balmy breezes, and the warm embrace of the spirit of Aloha. Each Hawaiian island has its own unique charm and character, but with miles of stunning beaches, immaculate resorts and a little bit of everything, Maui is an ideal venue for a fun-filled tropical destination wedding or a relaxing honeymoon.
There are many ways to experience Maui. For a start, you could take a stroll along one of the beautiful sunny beaches around the island. Explore historic Lahaina, a lively Maui hot spot brimming with unique shops, restaurants and art galleries, or take a scenic drive to Hana. Love golf? You’re in luck — Maui has some of the best golf courses in the world.
If you’re up for a bit of nature and adventure, take an eco-tour or enjoy one of the exhilarating seaside activities. Maui is also known as the Valley Isle, and nestled in the natural beauty of the lush Iao Valley is a hike that rewards you with spectacular views of the iconic Iao Needle. For an unforgettable experience, catch a sunrise at the top of Haleakala National Park.
One of our favorite ways to explore a destination is through our taste buds, and in Maui there’s a smorgasbord of exciting flavors just waiting to be enjoyed.
Savoring the Flavors of Maui
We can’t think of a better (or more delicious) way to experience a slice of the local culture than through food. What to eat in Maui? A variety of world-class international cuisines are available in Maui, but savoring the local food tops our “Must Try” list. The beauty of the local food here is that it’s most likely locally-sourced. Farm To Table is not just a trendy buzzword in Maui, it is an integral part of the food landscape. From goat’s cheese to coffee, a delicious spread of high-quality produce can be found and enjoyed in Maui.
Try Fresh Produce from Farm Stands in Maui
The fertile fields of Kula in Upcountry Maui allow for a beautiful selection of fresh produce to flourish. See your favorite ingredients at their source on Kula farm tours. You can grab a bag of freshly-picked organic goods at the Ono Farm stand in Hana or go to one of the other lively Farmer’s Markets. Here are some things to try while in Maui:
- Maui is famous for the Maui Gold pineapple, which has a lovely sweet flavor. Take a fun and educational tour and learn about the ins and outs of pineapple farming in Maui.
- LusciousKula strawberries wonderful by themselves, or in a Lava Flow, strawberry puree, topped with fresh pineapple juice, coconut cream and rum. Buy these at the Farm stand in Kula.
- Maui onions are sweet and delicious – a result of the rich volcanic soil and cool climate on the slopes of Haleakala. These are eaten cooked or raw, and used in many different island dishes. In May, visit the Maui Onion Festival in Ka’anapali resort and get yummy Maui Onion rings piping hot right out of the fryer at Whalers Village. Or you can enter the raw onion-eating contest if you dare!
Maui-Style Seafood Dishes
Indulging in fresh seafood dishes while you’re on a tropical island paradise makes so much sense to us! Look out for these Maui-style dishes if you’re honeymooning in Maui. Or have them included at your wedding reception menu to give your guests a taste of Maui:
- Fresh, locally caught Ahi tuna is delicious in tuna rolls or Poke, a dish consisting of raw chopped fresh fish with seaweed, salt and other seasonings.
- Another local specialty is Lomi-lomi salmon. This cool refreshing dish features fresh salmon, sweet Maui onions, tomatoes and Hawaiian salt are usually included.
- Coconut shrimp, jumbo shrimp wrapped in coconut, is a delicious finger food that’s great as an appetizer at your reception.
Now that we've given you some great ideas of what to experience in Maui, it’s time for you to discover what else this beautiful tropical island has to offer. To begin your journey, head on over to www.VisitMaui.com.
