Seeing Maui in depth on a honeymoon
Q. I'm planning a fall 2008 wedding and I want to have a Hawaiian honeymoon. Some of my friends say after their wedding they wished they had stayed in one place and done the island in depth instead of rushing and seeing bits and pieces of several islands.
So that's what I'm going to do, and I chose Maui. Please give me some ideas on the things to do and see during the seven days we're there.
A. Maui might well be the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, although I'm sure there are those who would say otherwise.
The single biggest attraction on Maui is Haleakala, the world's largest dormant volcano. Get up well before dawn for a guided tour up to the 10,023-foot summit to view what is billed as "the most beautiful sunrise in the world." Wear a jacket, because temperatures can be in the 30s at that altitude.
The crater, 22 miles in circumference, holds cinder and ash cones as tall as the Empire State Building, but they are dwarfed by the vastness of their surroundings. If you feel ambitious, there are hiking trails within the crater. You might see silverswords, a plant that is native to Maui and can be found only above the 6,000-foot level on Haleakala.
A helicopter ride over the island is worth the cost because you'll see waterfalls, lush forests and mountain goats standing on precarious perches that make you wonder how in the world they got there -- or how they'll get down. If you rent a car you can travel to the many beaches, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Honolua Bay, Mokuleia Bay or Black Rock at Kaanapali.
How about surfing? The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their crashing surf. Or maybe you'd rather just lie about on one of the island's 42 miles of beaches.
Having said all this, I recommend you hop in your rental car and just explore. The road to Hana, at the remote southeastern edge of Maui, is an adventure in itself, winding through hairpin turns and single-lane bridges through forested mountains.
On your arrival or when you return, assuming you go through Honolulu on Oahu, be sure to detour long enough to visit the Arizona Memorial, dedicated to one of the battleships that was sunk when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The ship lies beneath the surface, turrets visible from the observation platform, and entombs the bodies of most of the sailors who were on board.
You can get a free Maui Travel Planner to help you decide how you want to spend your time by going to www.visitmaui.com or by calling (800) 525-6284.
Send your questions at leastsixweeks prior to travel toMadelynMerwin in care ofTravel,Daily Herald, P.O.Box280, Arlington Heights, IL60006, or e-maildpmerwin@sbcglobal.net.