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UNDISCOVERED MAUI
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Centurion cardmembers' most requested hotels, restaurants, and more
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| Recommendations from the travel and lifestyle experts at Centurion Concierge.
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Maui is one of the most visited islands in the world, but for a speck of land slightly smaller than Luxembourg, it still holds many secrets within its folds.
With inviting beaches and the requisite stunning scenery, Maui has long been a popular destination for a variety of travellers. But most people see the island on rather predictable tours. Pono Fried, owner of Open Eye Tours and an expert on Hawaiian culture, history, and nature, has a few ideas about how to see the island in a whole new way (and avoid the crowds in the process).
"I recommend Kanaha Beach, since tourists rarely go there," says Fried. "It's a great place to watch pro kiteboarders fly off the huge waves with gale winds." In fact, look closely and you'll be likely to bump right into Pete Cabrinha, a famous world champion windsurfer who helped popularize the sport of kiteboarding. Kanaha Beach is right behind the Kahului Airport, on Highway 36 (along the island's north shore).
For snorkelers, a local secret is Nu`u Bay, on Maui’s desolate southern shore. "There's awesome sea life swimming amid the underwater lava rock," Fried says, "and hidden petroglyphs [ancient Hawaiian rock carvings] on the western side of the bay." To get there, open the ranch gate near mile marker 31 on Pi`ilani Highway and hike down.”
To sample some authentic Hawaiian culture, take note: "There are plenty of cheesy luaus in Hawaii," Fried cautions. "If you want the insider authentic experience, meet with highly respected kumu hula [hula professor] and singer Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero. You can sit in on his classes that reenact the sacred art form, complete with ancient chants, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Centre on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings."
Maui has a lot of commercial helicopter tours, which offer bird's eye views of the island. "I recommend Maui-born Jamie Lawrence, who runs his own helicopter flights and knows places to go that the other Mainland pilots don't," Fried says. And that's not all that Lawrence does for visitors, according to Fried. Lawrence is also the owner of Tropical Maui Weddings. Says Fried, "You can renew your vows or get married in clandestine, sacred valleys with remote waterfalls—and be serenaded by Jamie, who is a local recording artist and excellent singer to boot."
Open Eye Tours
P.O. Box 324, Makawao
+1 808 572 3483
Maui Arts & Cultural Centre
One Cameron Way, Kahului
+1 808 877 0835
Tropical Maui Weddings
P.O. Box 127, Kahului
+1 808 875 6700
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