WHY BUY MAUI NOW?
By Rick Olson

It’s the people! Wow! The caring and love of the islanders for this magical place and for each other is legendary. I’ve seen it at least a thousand times. Twenty-five years ago I drove up to a stalled car at an intersection on South Kihei Road. I pulled over, jumped out and in a matter of seconds six do-gooders, coming from four directions, were pushing the car to the side. I stood there in awe, tingly with admiration and pride for my new home town. Later, I came to expect it, and knew I had to be a lot quicker to be a Good Samaritan. Neighbor helping neighbor is a warm Maui tradition that spreads across the island like our soothing trades winds.

It’s the culture! Just thinking about it brings a smile. It starts with the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, bringing more world-class events to its acoustically-perfect venue than most ten-million cosmopolitans. Clubs, classes, events, and music—you have it all. My favorites are Mulligan’s on the Blue, Casanovasa’s, Sunday jazz at Canoe’s, Café Marc Aurel, Latin night at Lulu,s, sultry Martinelli night by the pool at the Trade Winds, digging toes into the sand at the Hula Grille with Mai Tais and happy hour strummin’, homespun Charlie’s, the rhythm and natural humor of Pidgin, the Maui Film Festival, the Hyatt for an unforgettable Polynesian luau extravaganza, the Lahaina Luau for a truly Hawaiian luau experience, the Lahaina Halloween happening, and the greatest event of the year—the Taro Festival in Hana with sweet music all day, seafood taro if you’re quick, and ending with a couple of hundred hands joined in a circle, singing Hawaii’s own teary-eyed song—Pono`i. Where else in the world? But, there’s far more.

It’s the spirit of aloha! It’s magic in the air, and it permeates the islands—love, sharing, greetings and more, and the attention and respect given to it are unique to the islands. Drivers don’t honk—something special on this planet. And they wave you in if you’re waiting on a side road so be watchful and give them the friendly shaka sign back (two fingers mo’ betta den one).

It’s the places! Now we’re talking! Maybe I’ll even … OK, I’ll tell you my favorite place in the world. I’ve seen over 100 countries and believe me, there’s a lot of competition. Our world has thousands of spectacular, stirring places, and if there’s one country that competes in beauty and diversity—it’s South Africa. But it doesn’t have Hawaii, or Maui, or the spiritual place of Waianapanapa in Hana with its spectacular cliffs, pounding waves, geysers, heiau, and raw energy—my favorite place. I also love hiking through Haleakala National Park, the road to Hana, Keawakapu Beach walks, the ancient Lahaina Pali trail, Tedeschi Winery, and a whole bunch more.

It’s the opportunities! Oh boy, remember when you were a kid? Well, 99% of the year there’s near-perfect or perfect weather to play outdoors. For the other 1% there are some fascinating historical collections in Wailuku, Lahaina, and Hana. Go hang-glide off Haleakala, plunge into a night dive off Makena landing, trek down the 10,000’ crater to Kipahulu, cruise out to sea and watch two whales do a synchronized double breach, or sit on your own lanai and watch the magic.

It’s the magical moments! I could write another book here, but just know that there are enough for a lifetime! Hearing the tops of giant bamboo click and clack in the deep forest of Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools), watching a dozen adult and baby spinner dolphins swim around me, touching the end of a rainbow in the crater at the end of a three-day hike, watching a gigantic sun start to slip into the ocean as a kayak pauses in the foreground and a humpback whale appears to breach over the sun in the background—all in perfect alignment, finding a rare shell on a secret beach, watching green flashes and silver linings. I’ve seen hundreds of green flashes—some splashing off outer islands, one flashing its blue-green burst off the crispy peak of Haleakala as my plane approached Kahului—what a welcome! I know scores of secret places that I can share with you. Every week I make another discovery. You can too. 

Talk to any Local, Kama`aina, or Malahini and you’ll discover their love for this magical place and the real reasons for becoming an islander in the highest rated island in the world. What draws you to Maui?

“When you fall in love with Maui,
it’s a lasting love affair.”