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The Maui Beach Bum Blog
Aloha Everyone!
I've added The Maui Beach Bum Blog to the website!
You now have a way to keep up to date on any additions or changes to the site!
Also, this blog will occasionally hi-lite some of our favourite past Maui adventures just in case you missed them the first time!
And.... I'll use the blog to let you know about any interesting Maui news that I've come across!
Don't miss anything - subscribe to The Maui Beach Bum Blog! It's easy - just check out the "subscribe to this site" box - it's located on the top left side of this page, above the navigation bar buttons! If you need some help, just click on the "?" for more details!
Or, you can follow me on Twitter! I always tweet about any updates to the site, so it's another easy way to make sure you don't miss anything!
Would You Like to Participate in My Blog?
It's easy to join in! All you have to do is share your Maui travel stories here! Your story will be featured on the blog, become a permanent webpage on this site, AND I'll tweet your contribution on my Twitter account! (@paradiseinmaui)
Feb 3, 2012
A Hana Highway Mile-By-Mile Guide to the Best Sights
Want to know where to stop along the Hana Highway for the best hikes and waterfalls, best views, best food and even restroom breaks? Get answers in our easy to follow mile-by-mile guide....
When we were married we planned 10 days of honeymooning in Maui. We stayed at a friend's condo so it wasn't too expensive and enjoyed hanging out at the
The Famed Red Sand Beach Near Hana Town: Updates and New Pictures!
I've been wanting to see this beach for myself sooo badly, and we finally had a chance to go for it on our last trip to Maui. My mother-in-law was able to stay at our Hana condo with our kids, leaving my husband and I free to go adventuring for a while!
Here is the latest update, along with new pics from our trek:
Hana Hawaii Hotels & Vacation Rentals: Find a Perfect Place to Stay in Paradise!
Hana Hawaii hotels aren't the only place to stay in the east Maui paradise known as Hana. Vacation rentals in Hana, Maui are available everywhere, romantic bed and breakfasts tucked away in
People frequently ask me how I ended up moving to Maui and selling Wailea real estate. (Link will open in new window.) My journey to Maui started 4 years
The Best Beach For Us: Little Makena (Little Beach Maui)
We like to sunbathe in our Adam suits, and snorkel like fish off Little Makena Beach, an official unofficial nude beach since forever. Nude is NOT mandatory
Little Beach, Maui - Good Things Come in Small Packages
Little Beach got its name because it's, well, little.... especially when compared to its neighbour, Big Beach. But its size does NOT mean you should write it off. After all, it's said that good things come in small packages, and that's definitely true of this beach...
The Grand Wailea Resort, Maui: Sophistication, Fun on
The Grand Wailea Resort in Maui is my favorite out of all the Wailea hotels with its perfect combination of upscale elegance, sophistication and fun for all ages! Located on
Do YOU Have a Maui Vacation Story to Tell? Will You Be Heading to Maui Soon?
If you've had a great experience with a Maui activity, resort, restaurant or even just a fun afternoon of exploring, why not do a good deed and share the best of your Maui vacation with future visitors to the island?
And for your trouble, you'll have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com or Amazon.ca (your choice!)
Sharing your Maui Vacation Story is fast and easy using our contest entry form - you can even upload your favourite photos!
The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley State Park, Maui
The Hawaii Nature Center makes for a great place to stop as you explore Iao Valley State Park, Maui. The Nature Center has something to appeal to just about everyone...
Onto Another Topic... Hacking and Earning Money From a Website
No, not suggesting one should become a hacker to earn money online haha... Bear with me, this is a bit of a ramble...
So the other day, my Twitter account (@paradiseinmaui) got hacked and the hacker posted something along the lines of "I just got my first paycheck from my website... click here to find out how!" (and then they put up a link)
It seemed like some folks were interested though, and believing the tweet was from me, they followed the link. So, that made me think maybe I ought to bring up the topic of how I do this for real (rather than have some crazy hacker do it).
So, if you want to learn how someone like me who had never made a website in her life and had zero experience with this, learned to make a website AND make a few bucks while she's at it, then read on for the real scoop.
I knew nothing about the technical stuff when I started this site, and in "real life" I'm not a writer, so pretty much everything about running a website was completely foreign to me.
Basically, I needed to be taught what to do and how to do it in a step-by-step fashion. Luckily, I found a company to help me out with that, and, well, the rest is history and here I am. :)
So, if you're like I was and you're intrigued by the idea of learning how to earn a few bucks (or maybe a LOT of bucks) by starting a website about something you love and know a lot about, then check out the company that I use, Site Build It! (Link will open in new window.)
So that's it... and this time it's from ME, and not some crazy hacker. :)
And if all this hacker talk has made you worried about clicking on that link, please don't worry - my website is waaaay more secure than any twitter account and has never, ever, been hacked. But if you're worried anyways, feel free to send me note via my site's contact form for confirmation.
Sheralyn:)
Dec 22, 2011
Interested in Another Maui Vacation Stories Contest?
I hope you are! It's so much fun to compare and share our Maui vacation experiences - not only do I enjoy reading your stories, but my readers do too!
So, I figured I'd keep this contest thing going and start another! The new contest will run from now until June 15, 2012.
Dec 22, 2011
Drumroll please! And the Contest Winner is......
As you know, the deadline to submit your entries for the last contest was December 15, 2011.
I've been a bit behind this week, so I'm sorry for the delay in announcing the winner, but as they say, "better late than never," right?
I'd also like to extend a big THANK YOU!!! to Grant and everyone else who shared their Maui Vacation Stories! They were a pleasure to read!
Sheralyn:)
Dec 21, 2011
The Hasegawa General Store in Hana, Maui
The Hasegawa General Store in Hana, Maui has been offering their eclectic mix of goods for over 100 years! Come on down for some interesting shopping in Maui! Find out more, get directions, see photos
Well, after 4 glorious weeks in Maui, we finally had to leave for home. Mind you, we considered using a long string of plumeria leis to tie ourselves to a palm tree so maybe, just maybe, they'd have to let us stay, but, well, with a 2 and 4 year old along for the trip, we ended up deciding that's probably not exactly the best idea... And, well, since our JOBS are back home, and we have yet to win the lottery so we can retire young, there were budgetary considerations also... you know... that all-too-common pesky problem of needing to earn a living... bummer...
Came home to snow all around, and missing Maui more than ever!
But, we took a gazillion photos (well, over 2000 for sure) and made tons of new happy memories. I'm still working on sorting through the photos, and once I'm done, it'll be time to start writing about it all here on the site! I can't wait to share the latest and greatest about fun things to see and do on Maui, great places to stay and eat, and, well, anything else I can think of that you might want to know! :)
And if YOU have a few stories and pics of your own, please stop by the site and share them - I have no doubt that other visitors to the site will enjoy reading your stories as much as I will! :)
Note to U.S. immigration officials: just kidding about chaining ourselves to a palm tree... we promise to return home to Canada when our Maui vacations are over...
... err... wouldn't want to get into trouble with the nice folks at the immigration department ;)
Nov 29, 2011
Maui Vacation Turns to Maui Relocation??
On a trip with my friend meeting me in Honolulu for a short stay over, then over to Maui for another short stay I had an interesting experience with a
I've always wanted to catch a marlin. This dream probably began in elementary school, when I first read Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. Of course,
Having Fun Browsing One of my Fave Sites for Maui Vacation Activities!
My next Maui vacation is fast approaching, and I'm still trying to decide on a couple more activities. So, of course, I turned to one of my fave activity booking sites: Barefoot Tours!
I still want to book a kayak tour - it sounds AMAZING to kayak on the open ocean, and with a guide, I figure I won't have to worry about some stray ocean current whisking me away to the middle of nowhere! Also, I want to book a whale watching tour!
How about you? What kinds of activities have YOU booked for YOUR Maui vacation? I'd love to hear all about your experiences!
Maui Events: Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve on Your Maui HI Vacation
Want to find some Maui events to celebrate New Year’s Eve on your Maui HI vacation? You'll love these great ideas for a special New Year's Eve night out on
The Maui Vacation Story Contest Countdown Continues...
Well, there's less than a month and a half left until our latest Maui Vacation Story Contest comes to an end. Are you going to throw your story into the ring for a chance to win that $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com?
Why not?
Not only is it really easy to enter, but you have a great chance of winning - we've only got 3 entries so far! Yes, you heard right... THREE!
A Vacation to Maui, Hawaii Turned into a Business Back Home for George! How Awesome is THAT?
Not only did George get to see some beautiful sights while on Maui (check out his pic of the Maui sky...), but he found a way to bring home some Aloha spirit and turn it into a business!
The Outrigger Maui Eldorado: Kaanapali Beach Maui Condos
The Outrigger Maui Eldorado is nestled along the beautiful Royal Kaanapali Golf Course. These Maui condos for rent have an exclusive beach cabana on one of the best stretches of Kaanapali Beach Maui
The Feast at Lele is one of the 2 best luaus on Maui. It's known for not just its entertainment, but the intimate atmosphere (table for two anyone?), and the gourmet polynesian cuisine!
Check out this great video - it shows the kind of entertainment to expect, all of the food served, and gives a great idea of the general atmosphere etc.
Have you ever hiked the Pipiwai Trail on Maui? If not, you ought to add it to your do-do list for your next trip - believe me, you'll be SO glad you did!
Along the trail, you'll be treated to sights of the musical bamboo forest, lush jungle, and of course, tumbling waterfalls.
The most magestic waterfall of all is the 400 foot Waimoku Falls at the end of the trail.
Check out this video of the falls (but if YOU go, please don't get too close... you'll see signs warning you to stay back due to the dangers of falling rocks)
Video: Check Out the Drive to the Haleakala Summit
Have you ever been to the Haleakala summit? It's over 10000 feet above sea level, and is like nothing else you'll see on Maui!
Whether you've been there and want to relive it, or you haven't been there and just want a preview so you'll know what to expect, I think you'll enjoy this video.
Just a head up on the music though... it's prooooobably not what you'll be expecting (but it's pretty cool all the same!)
I was lucky enough to take a trip to Maui with my husband a long time ago. My husband actually won the trip by competing in a waiters race. He had to carry
The stretch of Kaanapali Beach that's just north of Black Rock is my favourite beach in the whole world! It's not too crowded, has perfect white sand, and breathtaking views.
Have you ever been on a helicopter tour of Maui? Since most of the island is only accessible via the air, it's truly one of the best ways to see "the Valley Isle."
If you've never done this, I HIGHLY recommend that you do.
But get this... did you know that you can go on a helicopter tour where the helicopter has NO DOORS?!?! Can you imagine how great those views would look if they weren't obstructed by a door? Alex-Air now offers a DOORS-OFF helicopter tour, AND, you can even preview what it would be like in this awesome video...
Check this out:
Does that look incredible or what?
I've been browsing Alex-Air's helicopter tours on the Barefoot Tours site ... now I just have to decide which one... I know it will be West Maui this time since we've already done East Maui and Haleakala... decisions, decisions...
How about you? Have YOU ever been on one of the Maui helicopter tours? I'd love to hear your thoughts (and no doubt other visitors would too!)...
If you love Maui, comparing vacation experiences with others who love Maui as much as you do is probably up there on your list of fun things to talk about.
Did you see Heidi's story yet? She first went to Maui as a child, LOVED it, and ended up going back there in adulthood and not only being proposed to there, but honeymooning there too!
And then if you love a good restaurant find, you'll be so glad that Sandy spoke up and told us about a little out of the way spot that gets RAVED about!
AND, as a thank-you for joining into the conversation, I'll enter your contribution into my Maui Vacation Stories Contest for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com!
I can't wait to hear from you!
Sep 20, 2011
Maui Discount Car Rentals: How Anyone Can Get a BIG Deal
I was looking for Maui discount car rentals, and our trip was coming up fast. I searched everywhere for discount car rentals in Maui and found a huge deal that saved me over $600! Find out how...
FREE Admission to the Bailey House Museum Coming Up....
On Saturday, September 24, 2011 the Bailey House Museum will be celebrating the Smithsonium Magazine's "Museum Day" from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and offering FREE admission! Sweet!
What will you see at the Bailey House Museum?
You'll see the largest collection of Hawaiian Artifacts exhibited in Maui County, including 19th century missionary artifacts, koa furniture and the paintings of Hawaii by Edward Bailey.
You'll see archeological and natural history materials, including the 100 year-old canoe Honaunau and a surfboard that belonged to Duke Kahanamoku.
And, since it's "Museum Day," there will be special events such as a sale of Hawaiiana books and a kani ka pila group! (Have a ukulele? Bring it along!)
I came across this awesome video taken last Sunday of a fire dancer honing his skills on Little Beach, Maui. Watching the video, you can FEEL the energy in the air - I love it! And you will too! Check this out:
If you have, I'd love to hear all about it! And so would everyone else who reads this site!
Soooo, if you've been to Maui, why not help me and everyone else reading this site by sharing a story or two from your trip? Your story or review might give someone a great idea for what to do on their next trip!
AND, as a thank-you for taking the time to share your story, I'll enter your story in our Maui Vacation Story Contest for a chance to WIN a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com!
If you win, you could buy yourself something nice from Amazon! Books, computer stuff, cell phone accessories... you name it, they've got it!
I don't normally get a ton of entries, so if you take some time to submit an awesome story, trip report, or review, you have really good odds of winning.
Did ya know we only have ONE entry so far? Just go to the contest entry page and scroll down past the entry form to see that lone entry...
The Kaanapali Ocean Inn: One of the Cheap Maui Hotels
The Kaanapali Ocean Inn is one of the discount hotels in Maui Hawaii. This 2 star cheap Maui hotel includes full access to Royal Lahaina Resort amenities, Kaanapali Beach, and the famous Black Rock!
Maui Marathon: An Exciting Addition to the Maui Events Calendar!
The Maui marathon is on the Maui events calendar of running enthusiasts worldwide! So, if you want to join them for this upcoming event, mark your Maui events calendar for...
Festivals of Aloha Maui Nui Style Presents: Banyan Tree Hoolaulea
On September 11, 2011, THE place to be on Maui is Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina! From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. there will be lots of fun events going on as part of the Festivals of Aloha Hoolaulea.
Things to see and do at this year's event:
See the winners of the previous day's Richard Hoopii Falsetto Contest
Visit and shop the wares of the artisans and crafters - you never know, you just might find an awesome memento to bring home with you!
Enjoy the Hawaiian Entertainment
Hungry? Check out the food by Kula Kaiapuni O Maui ma Nahienaena
Browse around the exhibits put on by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation
The Aston Paki Maui is an option that's worth a look if you're wanting budget Kaanapali hotels or condos in Maui. This 112 room oceanfront property is nearby the main Kaanapali Beach Resort area
This Thursday, why not come on down to the front lawn of the Baldwin Home Museum in Lahaina (at the corner of Dickenson and Front Street) for their Hawaiian Music Series concert?
It takes place from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (Thursday, September 8, 2011)
Be sure to bring your own mat or lawn chair if you don't want to sit on the grass.
This week's performance will be by WAILAU and will feature Lea Pachecco-Kukona, Marvin Tevaga and Kimo Brehm.
Here's clip of Marvin Tevaga performing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with his ukulele.