Hawaii Wedding Planner - Sites and Suggestions Maui

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Maui Sites and Suggestions

Disclaimer:

The sites and suggestions listed on this page are chosen for their beauty and availability. Accessibility, weather and information on each area aren’t always mentioned. A good idea is to research at the library or local bookstore by picking out a guidebook for your chosen island. We highly recommend " The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook " and Hawaii: " The Big Island Revealed " for those two islands. See their web site at www.wizardpub.com for further info.

Our maps for each island should help somewhat with general logistics. It is recommended before making a final decision on a wedding site that either you or a trusted substitute view it in person, first. Public parks and beaches require permits that must be filed for as far in advance as possible. Please contact the island’s respective mayor’s information office for further info.

Kauai: 808-241-6303

Big Island: 808-961-8223

Maui, Molokai, and Lanai: 808-243-7587

Oahu: 808-523-4385

Additionally: Weather is an important factor. Typically the islands are often referred to as either windward or leeward. Windward being the side that faces the wind and leeward being the protected and typically, drier side. North shores and east shores are windward, while south and west shores are leeward. In addition the interiors of each island are generally mountainous and wetter than the coastal areas. Check out the University of Hawaii Weather pages for current weather conditions in Hawaii. Remember, this is the tropics. A typical day’s forecast will include light winds, sunny skies and passing showers--year round! Don’t be afraid to ask any of our listed vendors for information pertaining to their "neck of the woods", and as a picture tells a thousand words we’ve highlighted certain text/photo links throughout our island introductions and these sites and suggestions pages.

Though all of Hawaii is beautiful each island has it’s own distinct features that sets it apart from the others. Maui is certainly no exception. Often rated as the "best island in the world," by various travel publications, it is also our personal favorite. If you want a little fun why not try the bustling historical town of Lahaina. If you want peace and quiet, try the more remote town of Hana with it’s infamous "road to Hana" featuring the dry South entry via upcountry Kula, or the lush North entry. Either way, the roads require much caution and skinny, durable vehicles. Everywhere else on the island is a mix of the in between.

We will describe from the main airport in Kahului and work clockwise around the isle.

Kahului itself is reminiscent of many mainland cities having a large shopping mall and several other shopping centers. It isn’t one of the "prettier" sites on the island by any means. So, next we would work our way northerly. Here you can access the upcountry towns of Pa’ia and Makawao. These towns are best described as "quaint" with many cute shops, restaurants and beautiful historic churches and temple. A suggestion for an upcountry wedding might be a small church ceremony followed by a romantic dinner party at the newly restored Makawao Steak House. The restaurant is family owned and features fireplaces in its dining rooms and has a banquet-room which seats 40 with a fireplace as well.

Back on the Hana highway continuing North, we go through the little beach town of Kuau which also has a lovely historic church and pass Ho’okipa beach (a famous windsurfing beach) going towards Hana. This side accesses a few other cute towns such as Haiku, Huelo and Kailua nothing much commercially speaking but research for B& B facilities. Past Kailua lies Kaumahina State Park above Honomanu Bay and park which features a black sand beach but has no facilities.

Before getting to the windier stretch of road leading to Hana is Ke’anae Valley Lookout and Ke’anae Arboretum which is lush, but full of mosquitoes! The road continues here to Hana and is full of beautiful sites. Groves of bamboo, waterfalls and rivers are around almost every bend. In Wailua is St. Gabriel’s church (Coral Miracle Church).

Continuing towards Hana town you will find Wai’anapanapa State Park which has a view of the seacoast and features humble accommodations for short stays along with camping facilities. In Hana there is the Hotel Hana-Maui and it’s sandy white Hamoa Beach. There is Wanalua Church, which performs services in both Hawaiian and English for religious ceremonies if a beachfront ceremony isn’t your desire.

Continuing towards the South side of Maui you will find the roads less traveled, so to speak, as they are fairly rough and mostly one lane. Before you get to that point, however, you will pass O’heo pools (The Seven Sacred Pools), despite the fact there are way more than 7 pools of water here. This area is part of Haleakala National Park, where you will need permits. On this drive you will find yourself going upcountry towards Haleakala crater.

Here lies Ulupalakua Ranch and Tedeschi Vineyards. A lovely site that overlooks the slopes down to the sea and beyond where lies Kahoolawe island and Molokini crater. An hour and a half drive from central Maui, you can also be flown here to a more secluded part of the grounds on one of the two Blue Hawaiian Helicopter wedding excursions. (See Exotic Weds listing). They also go to a Hana site, yet the views from upcountry are fabulous. Driving towards Pukalani and back down to central Maui are two historic churches, one of which is conveniently located directly across from Kula Community Center. Kula Botanical Gardens are also located nearby.

If you continue upcountry you’ll find yourself at Haleakala crater. A mere 10,000 feet above sea level, it’s lava desert reminds one of the moon. If you like that uniquity, it could be an interesting place to wed.

Once back in center of island, we head first towards sunny Kihei and Wailea area. These areas are chock full of hotels and resorts and plenty of churches too for a fine wedding for any budget level. Makenna beach area has nice sunset locations, but require a bit of a beach walk. Watch out if you are wearing white or fancy shoes, otherwise these will not stay nice for long! This coastal area views the Maalea Bay famous for being a Humpback whale breeding and birthing ground. During whale season, the activity here is the most visible out of all the islands, due to it’s protected surroundings and therefore, mostly calm waters.

Though the island is far from short on beautiful and historic locations, such as Iao Valley and nearby Wailuku churches, I am going to jump over to Lahaina. Lahaina is a historic whaler’s town and tends to be best described as "touristy." It features many markings of it’s colorful past as both a whaler’s port and the starting point for the early missionary efforts in converting the Hawaiians to Christianity. It is the latter that inspired the famous novel "Hawaii" by James Michener. Lahaina itself is considered a National Historic Landmark. Among its many restaurants and businesses both old and new remains an air of the past. Individual buildings of social interest and significance have been carefully restored, replicated and maintained and make this area an interesting place to marry or honeymoon.

As far as sheer beauty goes continuing West from Lahaina, there’s plenty to enjoy. Fine resorts situated in Napili and Kaanapali dwindle down to pineapple fields and incredible coastal vistas with Molokai in the background. The Honolua Bay is a jewel, though difficult to access and if you continue to drive beyond you will find the road continues on steadily higher cliffs and is downright "scary" as it turns into one unpaved lane that winds around many sharp turns. Yet a secret Shangri-La lies out there in a tiny village of Kahakuloa and it’s small historic church. This site would be a uniquely private and romantic destination to elope.