Photo:Emy-Jo Ferguson

Welcome to Maui, where the palm trees are lush, the ocean is as blue as the sky above it, the waterfalls flow majestically and....the cowboys run free? 

Taking it back about 200 years, the history of “paniolos” (cowboys) runs deep on Maui. When King Kamehameha was first introduced to longhorns for his cattle, the booming world of beef trade, ranching, and rodeo took off. This became a significant moment for the history of Maui because of how passionately the island would make the world of western rodeo their own. 

Not many would expect the beautiful tropical paradise that is Maui to have such a booming community of young cowboys and cowgirls riding and roping throughout the slopes of Haleakala. But, within the lush trees and

1. Kamaole Beach Park 1

When the water is glistening and the sun is shining, grab a snorkel and some flippers and bask in the aquarium like abundance of tropical fish and crystal waters. Out on the shore, walk the white sandy beach at sunrise or sunset to take in the beautiful view of pinks, oranges, and reds reflecting off the water. This beach is perfect for kids who want to play in the soft, smooth sand or for the families who enjoy boogie boarding along the shoreline. Find good food and great shops only minutes from the beach including an ABC store stocked with the best beach snacks. Set up next to the barbecues on the grassy area or dive into a game of volleyball with the net set up on the grass. We like to call this beach the crown pleaser

Tucked away in the hills of Haiku is an enchanted forest of legacy lychee. 

Lovingly cared for by the same family for more than three decades, this 38-acre Haiku farm is one of the oldest in Hawai’i, according to the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s  studies of tropical agriculture. Its five varieties of lychee trees have been growing there for more than 90 years, decades before Hawai’i became a U.S. state. 

During lychee season, which spans from May to August, each of the 400 trees on property have the ability to bear almost 1,000 pounds of sweet, fragrant fruit. And now, you have the opportunity to make the orchard your own. 

“It really is the way to leave a legacy — it’s the Legacy Lychee farm,” said Chana Boone of Island Sotheby’s

Photo courtesy of Greg Sturm.

Last month, more than 300 paddlers took to the seas to raise money for breast cancer research and community resources as part of the Paddle for Life, an event supported for years by Island Sotheby’s International Realty’s longtime Lana’i agent, Greg Sturm R(S). 

“It was Breast Cancer Awareness Month so a bunch of crews paddle from Maui to Lana’i and everyone sponsors paddlers with donations,” Sturm explained. 

Sturm helped sponsor a team of paddlers from Lana’i, whose team ended up raising more than $6,000. That team joined more than 300 other paddlers, who altogether raised a whopping $224,654 to support breast cancer research and services for Maui families who are touched by cancer. 

Photo courtesy of Greg

Hawaiian legend goes that the demigod Maui, after whom our island is named, was determined to capture the sun to slow it down so his mother could have enough light in the day to dry her kapa cloth. So one night, Maui journeyed to the peak of Haleakalā to wait for the sun to rise. As it began to illuminate the sky that morning, he lassoed the sun, convincing it to slow its descent for part of the year to make the day last longer. 

Today, millions of Maui residents and visitors have made the same trek the summit of the dormant volcano, waiting for the sun as it rises over the crater. Towering over the island of Maui, Haleakalā, meaning the "house of the sun,” offers one of the ecologically diverse landscapes in the world and one of the state’s most

Every magical thing about Maui that you’ve heard is true: You’ll find lush rainforests, rushing waterfalls and pristine, white-sand beaches, all within the island’s 727 square miles.

And better yet, you can experience all of those ecological treasures within a half dozen spots on island — Maui’s six state parks. From the redwood forests at Polipoli to crisp rivers running through 'Iao Valley, the island’s designated state parks offer gateways into world of exploration, natural beauty and a glimpse into the history of the Hawaiian people.

Makena State Park 

Spanning 165 acres of pristine Maui shoreline, the Makena State Park is perhaps Maui’s most popular state park, attracting thousands of locals and visitors alike. It’s divided into two

Photo: Amity Mason Photography

Whether you’re into hula or hard rock — or both — there’s always something happening on Maui. And this September, there are lots of festivals and events to choose from. We've narrowed down a few of our favorites:

Pailolo Challenge

Sept. 14 — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

This weekend, watch as elite paddlers from across the globe descend to Maui for one of the state’s most celebrated canoe races: the Pailolo Challenge. Spanning all the way from DT Fleming Beach in Kapalua to Kaunakakai, Moloka’i, teams of six paddlers come as far as Australia and Canada to test themselves against challenging channel crossing conditions.

The race spans 26 miles across the Pailolo Channel, notorious or being one of the windiest and

Just because school has started and summer is over doesn’t mean vacations have to stop, too. As the number of summer travelers to Maui begins to slightly lesson, it’s the perfect time to kick back, relax and enjoy a staycation in one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations. 

Enjoying the island you call home doesn’t have to break your budget either. Whether you need a break from the daily grind in the form of a spa day or weekend camping trip, check out these 4 easy staycations ideas on Maui that’ll be just as memorable as any trip off-island.

Backyard Campout

Photo by Phil Dolby, Wikimedia.

Didn’t get a chance to go camping this summer? Spend a night under Maui’s starry skies by pitching a tent in your backyard. There’s

Dozens of Maui Realtors raised almost $15,000 for the Realtors Association of Maui’s scholarship program this year, representing a fraction of more than $1.3 million raised for more than 100 local nonprofit’s during the county’s annual charity walk. 

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association announced the final tally of the fundraising numbers last week: More than 2,400 walkers from Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i raised $1,316,956 during the 41st Visitor Industry Charity Walk in May 2019, the Maui News reported.

Thirty of those walkers laced up their sneakers to represent the Realtors Association of Maui, whose 114 donors pledged $11,891. With additional contributions from the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, “Team RAM” raised $14,918 total, exceeding

There’s nothing better than tasting creations from Maui’s finest chefs while gazing at the sun setting over the ocean. This weekend you can do all — while you raise money for environmental education programs for the island’s youth.

The Maui Huliau Foundation is putting on its seventh annual Huliau Food & Film Festival, a farm-to-table celebration of local agriculture featuring local chefs and student-produced films. The oceanfront event will take place this Saturday, Aug. 3 at Sugar Beach Events’ stunning North Kihei venue. And it’s already so popular that the event’s organizers have already been forced to expand capacity.

You’ll spend the evening sampling from chef-run farm-to-table stations while listening to live music by Arlie Asiu Music.