Maui, Hawaii, USA · 2022
Beaches, Volcanoes & Winding Roads
A week on Maui with extended family, from Haleakalā and the Road to Hāna to snorkeling, small towns, and sunsets by the ocean.
We spent seven days in Maui, sharing a spacious holiday home at Maui Hill in South Kīhei with my wife’s cousin’s family. With a rental car, we had the freedom to explore the island at our own pace, from beautiful beaches and small coastal towns to volcanic landscapes and the winding Road to Hāna.
Arriving in Maui
August 27
After the flight, jet lag caught up with us pretty quickly. We didn’t plan much for our first day. Instead, we headed to Mākena State Park, where we sat on Big Beach and watched the ocean. No swimming, no ambitious itinerary, just warm air, sand, and the sound of the waves. It was a pretty good introduction to Maui.
Lahaina, the beaches, and a remarkable banyan tree
August 28
The next day, we drove around some of Maui’s coastal towns and stopped in Lahaina. One sight that really stayed with us was the enormous banyan tree, with branches stretching outward and roots hanging down like curtains. It was hard to capture its size in a single photograph.
We also spent time swimming and playing at the beach. Between the small-town stops and the ocean, it was the sort of easygoing day that makes a family holiday feel like a holiday.
Remembering Lahaina
Looking back at our visit to Lahaina in August 2022, these photographs have taken on a meaning we never could have imagined at the time.
We wandered through town, browsing a bookstore, admiring the historic buildings, and walking past colourful shops and quiet streets lined with palm trees. It was a beautiful, ordinary day, and we had no idea how precious those memories would become.
Less than a year later, in August 2023, devastating wildfires swept through Lahaina, taking lives and destroying much of this historic community.
Seeing these photographs now brings both sadness and gratitude. Sadness for the lives lost and for the community that suffered so much, and gratitude that we had the opportunity to experience a small part of Lahaina before the tragedy.
These images are more than travel memories now. They are a reminder of a beautiful town, its history, and the people who called it home.
In memory of those who lost their lives, and with heartfelt respect for the people of Lahaina and their strength in rebuilding their community.
Haleakalā: Into the crater
August 29
Haleakalā was one of the most memorable outings of the week. We drove up the mountain into a landscape that felt completely different from the tropical coastline below. At the summit, the views opened across a vast volcanic landscape.
My wife and the kids took on a much bigger adventure: hiking down the Halemauʻu Trail into the crater and continuing to a lower trailhead. It was quite a change from our beach days, and a wonderful way for them to experience the mountain up close.
After returning, we stopped at Maui Grill, a food truck in Kīhei, for a well-earned meal. The food was excellent, especially after such a full day. We finished the evening watching the sunset from the beach, with the sky turning orange above the ocean.
A morning on the water (for some of us!)
August 30
My wife and the kids were up early for a snorkeling trip aboard Trilogy I, on the Discover Molokini excursion. I drove them to the departure point in the morning and picked them up around lunchtime.
I didn’t join them. I’m prone to motion sickness, and several hours on a boat didn’t sound like the best way to enjoy my vacation! They got their ocean adventure, while I was perfectly happy keeping my feet on solid ground.
Later, we headed out together to explore a few more places around Maui. We ended the day the way we were quickly getting used to: back at the beach, watching another beautiful sunset. Somehow, the sunsets never got old.
The Road to Hāna
August 31
We set aside a full day for the famous Road to Hāna. The drive wound through lush green scenery, with countless curves, narrow stretches, and tempting places to stop along the way. There was always another view around the next bend.
One highlight was the black-sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park. My wife and the kids had a fantastic time swimming there. We also stopped at waterfalls and viewpoints along the route, taking our time to enjoy the scenery.
The winding road was not quite as enjoyable for everyone. On the way back, my mother-in-law started feeling carsick, so we found somewhere to stop and rest before continuing. After all those turns, I couldn’t blame her!
It was a long day, but definitely one of the experiences that made Maui special.
An afternoon with no schedule
September 1
After several busy days, we slowed things down. In the morning, we visited a nearby shopping centre and wandered through a hotel property. Then we devoted the afternoon to the beach.
Some of us read or relaxed on the sand, while others played and swam in the ocean. We stayed until sunset. No long drives, no rushing from one attraction to the next. Just enjoying the warm weather and being together.
Upcountry Maui, local stops, and one last dinner
September 2
Our final day turned out to be one of the busiest, and judging by the number of photographs, we certainly made the most of it!
We explored several small towns and stops around Upcountry Maui. At Makai Glass, we saw glass art and glassmaking. We also visited Aliʻi Kula Lavender, with its gardens and views, and Surfing Goat Dairy, another fun change of pace from the beaches and coastline.
There was so much variety packed into this one day: art, gardens, farms, and little places to discover along the way. We wrapped up the trip with a big dinner at Ekolu, a fitting end to a week of exploring and spending time together.
Looking back
Maui gave us a little of everything: warm beaches, dramatic volcanic scenery, a winding coastal road, snorkeling, local food, and more sunsets than we could count.
Some of the best moments were the simplest ones, sitting on the beach after dinner, watching the kids play in the water, or sharing a meal after a long day out. And some of the funniest memories came from the things that didn’t go quite to plan, like my decision to skip the boat and our much-needed rest stop on the Road to Hāna.
Seven days went by quickly, but we came home with plenty of photographs and even more good memories.