Maui Guidebook: Central Maui Fun!

Guys. I know that I have been posting so many videos and pictures of our trip to Maui. I want to see you go to Maui for 23 days and try to document less ;). Even though I have been to Maui many times, I have never experienced so many of these awesome things that we did over the course of these few weeks. I wanted to share my fun with you. My brother in law (he's 17...) mentioned that I was being annoying with my posts, but you all get to deal with it. Mostly because I don't write in my journal anymore (I know!!! I need to still!!!) so this is my documentation. I hope you enjoy the videos and pictures and info! If you ever go to Maui, you now have a guidebook and know who to contact!!
With that being said, this is the LAST MAUI POST. WOOOOOOO!

Over the last week while we were in Maui, we spent a ton of time exploring parts of the island that I have never really seen: Central Maui. We spent time mostly in Wailuku and Makawao area and doing some amazing hikes.

In the video you will see some of these awesome things to do while in Maui. The Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument in Wailuku is a hike that shows some cool stones that the ancient Hawaiians used as sacrifice. It is not a popular place and not well known, but still a cool thing to see (and it has an awesome view as you go up higher). Over past Wailuku is the Waihe'e Ridge Trail. It is a hard hike. My mother recommended this hike, but she somehow forgot to mention that it was INCREDIBLY muddy. It was so muddy that you couldn't even lift your foot up while stepping, so beware of that if you decide to go. But if it is not cloudy (which it was...), you can see  the entire valley. Be prepared to get dirty! In the Maui mountains we explored Iao Valley and the Iao Needle. It is the only area where they allow you to go in the mountains because they want to preserve it. Our next goal is to go find some secret hikes up in those mountains...for our next time....in December, probably ;). It had been raining quite a bit over the course of the three weeks while we were there so everything was so green and gorgeous, so the mountains were extra green and luscious. My aunt and uncle just moved to Maui and it was so fun to have them there! We spent so much time hanging out with Hudson and Sandy and we loved it. We went up to Third Friday with food trucks and music and local shops in Makawao and saw my cousin's awesome private school (it was so gorgeous). Makawao is a little up country and it's definitely country--tons of horses and rodeos! I love it, Hawaii cowboys!

Go see all of my other Maui Guidebook posts below if you missed any photos or videos!!!
Aloha!

Maui 2016: Central Maui Fun! from Sierra Charlesworth on Vimeo.






Maui Guidebook:
Lava Rocks and Snorkeling Cove 
Olivine Pools
Honolua Bay & Haleakala National Park
Road to Hana
Maui Beaches 

Maui Guidebook: Maui Beaches and Fun Times

I posted this photo on my Instagram. I am not 100% comfortable in a bikini right now, but I did it because I'm trying to love my body. I was overwhelmed with the amount of support I got! It still is uncomfortable at times, but OWN IT, ya know?  

GUYS. Second to last video of Maui ;) Bear with me!
Our friends, Carli and Josh, left after about a week in Maui. After they left, T and I just explored all of the beaches in Maui. We had so many good times exploring the island, swimming, going on walks during the sunsets. The sunset! My goodness, guys, I wish I could explain to you how gorgeous these Maui sunsets are. I wanted to just walk and sit and enjoy them every night. The following video encompasses a plethora of fun times while in Maui: celebrating T's Birthday, our favorite Shave Ice place, going to lots of beaches, enjoying sunsets, hanging out with my cousin and aunt at their home, and just enjoying the islands.

Some of my favorite beaches in Maui (and are listed in the video) are: Makena Beach (Big Beach), Kite Beach, and Kuawakapanu Beach.

Maui 2016: Beaches and Fun Times! from Sierra Charlesworth on Vimeo.




Maui Guidebook:
Lava Rocks and Snorkeling Cove 
Olivine Pools
Honolua Bay & Haleakala National Park
Road to Hana

Maui Guidebook: Road to Hana

On the east side of the island of Maui is Hana. Along the way, there is the ever-famous road to get there encompassing waterfalls, hikes, views, and greenery. That part of the island gets a lot more rain so it is more green and luscious. It is absolutely beautiful. I cannot believe that I have never done the Road to Hana--even after all of the years of going to Maui. I am so happy that we did it though. Even though it was a long day, we saw so many cool things.

Now, we did not stop at many of the "popular" places. We wanted to see some of the coolest places because we only had a day. Next time I go, I want to take a few days and go see so many of the other waterfalls and hikes and just take my time. Nevertheless, it was a great day with gorgeous sites!

I listed the places where we stopped in the video. Enjoy!

Maui 2016: Road to Hana from Sierra Charlesworth on Vimeo.


Maui Guidebook:
Lava Rocks and Snorkeling Cove 
Olivine Pools
Honolua Bay & Haleakala National Park

Maui Guidebook: Honolua Bay and Haleakala National Park.

 via Instagram

Another amazing thing that we did while in Maui was Honolua Bay and Rainforest. Just a few miles south of the Olivine Pools on the Northwest side of the island, past Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina, is one of the best snorkeling coves in Maui. You walk through a gorgeous forest to get to it. You won't want to miss this one. There are the coolest fish and sea turtles ( you can see them in the video!!!!) in the bay. Sometimes there are dolphins that you can see from the shore as well (only early in the morning, though. We didn't get to see them this trip).

One thing that I had never done before was go tot he Haleakala National Park. I LOVE National parks so this was something that I had to hit. One of the traditions in Maui is to go up on top of the mountain (at 10,00+ ft) and see the sunrise and sunset. We didn't want to deal with the crowd at sunrise, so we drove up for sunset. Even though it was cloudy and we couldn't see the sunset as well as we liked, it was amazing to be up above the clouds. I felt like I was up in space. It was FREEZING and although the sunset wasn't as colorful as it normally is, it was still gorgeous and such a cool experience. There are some really cool hikes that you can do up in the National Forest. We didn't get to them this time (we chose some other hikes that you will see later!), but I've heard that they are pretty fun hikes. Beware, the drive up and down the mountain is long and has lots of turns. We got a little sick on the drive. Ha.

Maui 2016: Honolua Bay & Haleakala Natl. Park from Sierra Charlesworth on Vimeo.

Last year's Honolua Bay and Rainforest post HERE

Maui Guidebook:
Lava Rocks and Snorkeling Cove 
Olivine Pools

Maui Guidebook: Olivine Pools

via Instagram 

Past Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina, there are the coolest pools in the ocean called Olivine Pools. You will need to hike down steep rocks (which I suck at), but my little nieces and nephews did it last year, so you can do it! Haha. It was a little too busy for our liking when we went (everyone go away!), but, nonetheless, it is still such a fun spot in Maui.


Maui 2016: Olivine Pools from Sierra Charlesworth on Vimeo.

Last Year's Olivine Pools Post HERE

Maui Guidebook: 
Lava Rocks and Snorkeling Cove 

Beach Life II // Things to Do // Maui

Maui// Overview 

Beach Life // Things to Do // Maui 

I have so many photos from my trip to Maui. That means you will just have to deal with a few more posts. I know that it may make you all a little envious for a place such as this, but, well, I think you'll survive. 

One of my favorite parts about being on the beach was watching all of my nieces and nephews play. I would dive into the ocean and just swim. I put in my headphones and listened to music or conference talks and checked out from the world. It truly was so freeing to escape from all the stress and chaos in my life (that I wish I could currently get rid of. Ugh.) and just be in my paradise. I love all of these photos. They show so much joy, personality and beauty. 

Location of these photos: Makena Beach (Big Beach) Maui, Hawaii.

I told her to do a 'model face' haha!! 

Racing their 'cars' 

This church and the setting was BEAUTIFUL. I literally sat there and stared at the beauty of it for minutes. Truly stunning. 

Wembley was a little tired! 

Love this photo: My nephew, Dane's, speedo, and the scenery. 

Nona is a babe. 

All the colors! 

Have you ever been to Maui? What are se of your favorite beaches there? What's your favorite picture from this post?