Ryan Siphers
By Jeanette Foster
The economic forecast on the US Mainland may not be bright, but the atmosphere on the Hawaiian Island of Maui is sunny. There's never been a better time to visit the "Valley Isle" and its two satellite islands making up Maui county: Molokai and Lanai. There are more airlines competing to fly to Hawaii's most loved island and new (and unique) hotels sprouting up to welcome visitors to experience paradise.
Photo caption: Kapalua Beach's calm surf and pristine sand make it a perfect destination for families with kids and swimmers of all abilities.
Starting on Nov. 14, 2012, low cost air carrier Allegiant Air (tel. 702/505-8888; www.allegiant.com), will begin direct flights from Bellingham, Washington to Kahului, Maui. They join Hawaiian Airlines (tel. 800/367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com), which has added several non-stop flights (from Los Vegas, Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento) to Maui.
Photo caption: Flying over the airport in Kahului, Maui.
Mokulele Airlines (tel. 866/260-7070; www.mokuleleairlines.com) is offering flights from Kahului Airport to Hana Airport on their 9-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan, with tickets starting at $59 each way. Competitor Pacific Wings (tel. 888/866-5022; www.pacificwings.com), another commuter airline, has fares in the neighborhood of $200 each way. For visitors flying from the US mainland into Honolulu then staying in west Maui, Island Air (tel. 800/323-3345; www.islandair.com), has added flights from Honolulu to Kapalua Airport. Hawaiian Airlines (tel. 800/367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com), the state's largest airline, flying 123-passenger Boeing 717-200 jets, has purchased a fleet of ATR 42 twin-turboprop aircraft and will begin flying from Kahului to Molokai and Lanai in 2013.
Photo caption: Hawaiian Airlines airplanes at the gate.
Opening in the Spring of 2013 is the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and Spa (www.maui.andaz.hyatt.com), located on 15 beach front acres, with 290 guest rooms, several restaurants (including Morimoto Maui by international known Chef Masaharu Morimoto), a state-of-the-art fitness facility, spa and infinity pools. On the opposite side of the island, Lumeria Maui (1813 Baldwin Ave., Makawao; tel. 855-579-8877; www.lumeriamaui.com) recently opened its door as an "experiental" retreat on six acres in a restored "historic" structure with 24 guest rooms in Makawao. The boutique inn also includes daily classes (yoga, meditation, Hawaiian culture, etc.) and a healthy breakfast in its rates (ranging from $300-$400 a day plus a daily $25 "retreat" fee).
Photo caption: The Lumeria Maui in Maui, Hawaii.
When you step off the plane on the island of Molokai (www.gohawaii.com/molokai) and it's a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, a group of students from Molokai High School will greet you with traditional Hawaiian songs and dance. "I want people to see there's a really vibrant population on Molokai that cares about our traditions and to maintain the tradition of welcome," said Molokai High School teacher Manuwai Peters.
Photo caption: Little girls performing a traditional Hawaiian hula.
The economic forecast on the US Mainland may not be bright, but the atmosphere on the Hawaiian Island of Maui is sunny. There's never been a better time to visit the "Valley Isle" and its two satellite islands making up Maui county: Molokai and Lanai. There are more airlines competing to fly to Hawaii's most loved island and new (and unique) hotels sprouting up to welcome visitors to experience paradise.
Photo caption: Kapalua Beach's calm surf and pristine sand make it a perfect destination for families with kids and swimmers of all abilities.
Photo caption: Flying over the airport in Kahului, Maui.
Photo caption: Hawaiian Airlines airplanes at the gate.
Photo caption: The Lumeria Maui in Maui, Hawaii.
Photo caption: Little girls performing a traditional Hawaiian hula.