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.

Photo by Josh McIntosh, Wikipedia.

Depending on your familiarity with the local coffee scene, you may be surprised by the fact that Hawai'i is the only state in the U.S. where coffee is grown commercially. 

There are hundreds of coffee farms across the Aloha State. Of course, the most famous — and expensive — coffee beans are grown in Kona on the Hawai’i Island, a region celebrated for its ideal combination of altitude and rich, volcanic soil.

But everyone on Maui knows that the Valley Isle produces a delicious cup of brew, too — several of which you can sample from producers across the island next month. 

On Sunday, Aug. 4, the Maui Coffee Association's Annual Seed To Cup Coffee Festival will take place once again at the Maui Tropical

The “Cinema Under the Stars” is back again for its 20th annual film extravaganza, a spectacle that draws celebrities and film moguls from across the globe to Maui for five days each June.

Get ready for film premieres, filmmaker panels, special screenings, tributes, award ceremonies, culinary arts celebrations and private soirees at the Maui Film Festival, which kicks off on June 12. Filmmakers, actors and actresses will descend upon the Grand Wailea Resort for the event, celebrated as a premier festival for audiences, not just industry executives.  

2019 Maui Film Festival Trailer from Maui Film Festival on Vimeo.

The festival replaces Hollywood’s traditional red carpets with beachfront film screenings under Maui’s starry night skies.

Maui is famous for its luxurious beach resorts, but there’s something incomparably special that comes with sleeping under the stars.

Dozing off while listening to gentle crashing waves and waking up to the warmth of the sun’s rays make camping on island the ultimate outdoor experience. From the mountains to the sea, these are a few of our favorite places to retreat back to nature, where you can plan fun-filled and affordable staycations with family and friends:

Polipoli

Photo: Avriette

Nestled at 6,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala, you’ll find Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, one of the only state-managed parks in Maui. Ascend into another world as you climb in elevation, surrounded by trails that meander through old-growth forests —

There are many reasons why so many of Maui’s visitors return year after year — for the sandy beaches, crystal clear water, lush rainforests and picturesque landscapes. But why not spend your vacation giving back to the island that we all love so much?

Maui’s voluntourism opportunities are endless, offering visitors a chance to relax, soak in the sun’s rays and return from vacation with a feeling of fulfillment that only comes from leaving a positive impact. From beach clean-ups to invasive species removal, you can work alongside Maui locals to malama ‘aina and protect the land and sea for everyone who relies on it.

DIY beach clean-up

Photo: Dronepicr

Pick a day and clear the litter from one of your favorite beaches alongside family and