Lanai, Molokai and Maui
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora, Adventure / Sports & Leisure, Free time, Relaxation / Well-being.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver.
Petit Futé
Where to stay - Lahaina ?
The map of your stay "Lanai, Molokai and Maui"
Detail of the stay : Lanai, Molokai and Maui
How to get there - Lahaina
Lahaina
Steps: Kahului
Arrival at Kahului airport early in the morning or the day before. Take a hotel in Lahaina on the first day because it is a city where you can do everything on foot and one of the few places of Maui where the nightlife is lively. The day will be devoted to the visit of museums and historic monuments, shopping in the shops of the charming streets of the city centre, with a whale watching session if it is the season (from December to April; plan 4 hours). For lunch or dinner, Lahaina offers cheap restaurants and good foods.
Kaanapali beaches
Steps: Kaanapali
Spend the day on the beautiful Kaanapali coast, discovering its dream beaches where you can bathe safely and snorkel (Black Rock Beach is an excellent spot). Lunch at the nearby Whalers Village where you will benefit from shopping. In the evening it would be wise to sleep in Lahaina, which is only a 15-minute drive and where hotels are much cheaper than in Kaanapali.
Iao Valley and surroundings
Steps: Kihei
In the morning, hike through the beautiful and verdant Iao Valley, overlooked by the amazing peak, the "Iao Needle", the result of volcanic erosion over several thousand years. Around noon, picnic at the Tropical Gardens of Maui (botanical garden with endemic Hawaiian plants). In the afternoon, visit the Kepaniwai Park & Hawaii Nature Center, which, through sculptures and pavilions, pays tribute to all the migrant groups who came to Maui and Hawaii in general. In the evening, go to Kihei, where you will find an apartment or a Bed & Breakfast for the night. Dinner and outing to Kihei Kalama Village, where all the restaurants and bars are located.
Places of interest : TROPICAL GARDENS OF MAUI
Makena
Steps: Paia
Spend the day on the sublime beaches of Makena (Black Sand Beach and Wailea commercial shopping centre in the north (at 15-minute drive). At about 5 pm take the road to the north and put your suitcases at one of the hotels in Wailuku (in the centre of the island) or Paia on the north coast. Dinner in town in Paia or Wailuku.
The Hana Road
Steps: Hana
Early departure from Paia. "Hana road" is this long winding road dotted with stunning natural shows, between majestic waterfalls and secret beaches, exotic forests and beautiful panoramas. This road starts in Paia and ends in Hana.
Around Hana
Steps: Hana
Start the day by with the stage at the south of Hana: Wailua Falls and hiking on the Pipiwai Trail. Return to Hana for a picnic on the beautiful beach of Red Sand Beach. Take the afternoon to return to Wailuku or Paia by making additional stops on the Hana Road.
Places of interest : PIPIWAI TRAIL WAILUA FALLS
Haleakala volcano and the Kula road
Steps: La Route De Kula
In the morning: the Haleakala volcano. You should plan to leave your hotel early to be able to see the sunrise on the Haleakala volcano, between 5:45 and 7:00 am. Haleakala, "house of the sun" in Hawaiian, is a dormant volcano (3,055 m altitude) that occupies two thirds of Maui. From Kahului, it takes 2 hours to drive the 38 miles (61 km) to the crater. The climb by car is steep and winding. Be patient because the crater is only visible at the end of the journey. In the afternoon: the road to Kula. It crosses all the center of the island and finishes its race in the plains of Ulupakua. Highlights:Ulupakua Ranch, the Tedeschi vineyards and the " Alii Kula Lavender" fields. Stay overnight in Lahaina to catch one of the first Expeditions Ferries, which leave for Lanai early in the morning (45 minute crossing time, book in advance)
Arrival in Lanai
Steps: Hulopoe Beach
Arrival early morning at Manele Harbor in Lanai. Take the shuttle and go to your hotel in Lanai. Then choose the day pass by shuttle to visit the island. If you want to visit the north and south of the island, you will have to rent a 4x4 vehicle because these areas' road are not paved, and as it is quite expensive, rent the off-road vehicle for one to two days and make sure you discover everything during this period of time. You can dedicate this first day to the visit of Lanai City. In the morning, discover the Hulopoe Beach, just to cool off. Take a drink on the terrace of the Four Seasons Lanai's Malibu Farm to admire the magnificent sunset on the sea in the evening. Dine at the Malibu Farm on site and why not at the One Forty, another restaurant in the resort, much more chic and more expensive, but the food is particularly good.
Places of interest : LANAI CULTURE AND HERITAGE CENTER
Lanai, the northern island
A day dedicated to the north of the island (an all-terrain vehicle is compulsory). In the morning: visit the Kanepuu Preserve, which are two natural, beautiful and preserved sites. Plan a picnic (no supermarket or restaurant in the corner). In the afternoon: swim and sunbathe in Shipwreck Beach.
Places of interest : GARDEN OF THE GODS (KEAHIKAWELO)
Lanai, the east and the south
Steps: Kaunolu
In the morning in the east of the island (4x4 required). Discover the ancient village of Kemoku and the pond of Naha. Bring a picnic lunch. In the afternoon in the south of the island: visit the archaeological site of Kaunolu then go to observe the mysterious petroglyphs of Luahiwa. At about 3:45 pm, head for Manele Harbor. The last boat to Maui is at 5:30 pm, so plan to be at the harbor at 4:45 pm at the latest, as check-in is 30 minutes before departure. Return to Maui: if you took the last boat, you will arrive at 6:15 pm in Lahaina. Given the late hour, it is better to have planned to sleep in Lahaina that night.
Arrival in Molokai
Steps: Hoolehua
From Maui to Molokai. Fly from Kahului airport to Hoolehua, Molokai's airport. Morning in Kaunakai. Drop your bags in town, at the Molokai Hotel (the only one on the island) or at a Bed & Breakfast. Book all nights in the same place: the island is well served from Kaunakakai. Take the time to walk around downtown, stroll around, store. Total immersion in the local culture. Afternoon in the vicinity of Kaunakakai. Visit Purdy's Natural Macadamia Nut Farm, a macadamia nut educational farm. Around 5pm, head back down to Kaunakakai and go to the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove for some unusual and beautiful sunset photos (between 5 and 6pm). In the evening: go to dinner and then go to Kaunakakai for a drink (before 10 pm because after that everything is closed). Night on the spot.
Places of interest : PURDY'S MACADAMIA FARM
Molokai, Kaunakakai and the West Island
Steps: Maunaloa
From Kaunakakai, drive north to the end of Highway 470. Just before the end, on the left, you'll see the Molokai Museum and cultural Center, which is worth a visit. Then go for a walk in the Palaau forest (at the very end of 470); stop at the Kalaupapa Lookout (a panoramic viewpoint on the Kalaupapa Peninsula, with explanatory signs) and at the Kauleonanahoa (or Nanahoa Phallus), a huge phallic-shaped stone surrounded by legends In the afternoon on the west side of the island, stop by the village of Mauna Loa to visit the amazing Big Wind Kite Factory, which is both a kite-making workshop and a souvenir store. Then go to Papohaku Beach, a large golden sand beach. Return to Kaunakakai for the evening.
Places of interest : MOLOKAI MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER CAMPING DE PALAAU STATE PARK
Molokai, Kalaupapa
Steps: Kalaupapa
The descent, on foot or on mule' back, of the mountain overlooking the Kalaupapa Peninsula to reach the village. This hiking and tour of the village are the main attractions of the island. Kalaupapa was cut off from the world for nearly a century because the site was a quarantine site for a community of men and women suffering from leprosy. Former patients still reside there today. A real must: The descent on the back of mule takes 7 hours, but it's an unforgettable experience.
