Parks, Gardens & Cemeteries

If you visit downtown Lahaina, you are sure to happen across this tree. If you did not plan on visiting downtown Lahaina, you should change your plans so that you can see this major landmark. The tree is well over 100 years old, and will probably endure for several hundred more years. It is 60 feet high and covers 200 feet of space. With 12 trunks and several hundred drooping branches, it looks more like a miniature jungle than anything else. Locals make crafts under its shade, boys swing from the branches and tourists stare in amazement.

Located just past Mile Marker 10 on the road to Hana (Highway 36) are the verdant tropical gardens where the opening sequence of "Jurassic Park" was filmed. The 26-acre park, designed by Alan Bradbury with the aim of restoring the area's natural ecosystem, contains 500+ trees, plants and flowers native to the Pacific islands. Stroll along Maui's best nature trails and enjoy a leisurely lunch in a lush picnic area. This is a great activity for nature lovers and families with children. Admission: $3 per person.

There are a never-ending variety of natural wonders in this enormous park, including the eerie floor of the crater and the magical Kipahulu Valley, much of which is closed to tourists. A seven-day pass is USD5 or USD10 per vehicle. Explore Haleakala with an experienced guide or stick with the established trails. Weather conditions can change drastically at the summit. Bring food, water and proper clothing for every member of the group if you plan on hiking.

Hana Highway may sound fairly non-threatening - after all, it is only 55 miles long - but once you've driven the road, you understand exactly how long 55 miles can be. As one of Maui's major attractions, tourists from around the globe make the wild and wooly drive daily, but most people miss the majority of the attractions. For that reason, it's wise to purchase the guided-tour tapes or CDs, available through this company for USD20. Some of the highlights of the drive include hidden pools and waterfalls, hiking trails, exotic fauna and Waianapanapa State Park, with its amazing black sand beach.

Towering in the sky above Iao Valley, this green-covered mountain peak is one of Maui's most famous sites. It's the first picture that people take upon visiting the valley, even though most of them don't venture any closer than the parking lot. However, the base of the Needle is an excellent spot for picnicking, splashing around or hiking. Bring a lunch and a lot of mosquito repellent, and prepare to spend a few idyllic hours. Hikers, stay in the marked trails and follow basic safety rules at all times.

The focal point of this park is the Iao Needle. A natural rock formation covered in green moss, it towers 2,000 feet over the park. There are several routes to hike to the Needle. There are also clearings, gardens and a spacious picnic area. Iao Valley was the site of a huge, bloody battle hundreds of years ago, and some locals believe that parts of it are still haunted. A much less romantic and more tangible threat comes from the clouds of mosquitoes that lurk near the streams and attack unwary visitors.

If you are driving too fast on the Hana Highway (which, by the way, is a real no-no), you will miss this garden entirely. Students of botany or natural history will definitely want to keep an eye out for it. On the 123 acres of cultivated gardens, one can view an ancient stone structure thought to be a former king's residence, as well as the largest grove of breadfruit trees in the entire world. Many of the plants and trees in the garden, such as the taro plant and the breadfruit tree, served an important purpose in the day-to-day life of the ancient Hawaiians. Reservations required. Admission: USD5 per person.

There are pullouts all along the "Road to Hana," but many of them are little more than muddy shoulders along the narrow road, packed with a few cars. If you want to take in the natural beauty of the rainforest but don't want to risk a car crash, find this park, located roughly two miles from the Halfway to Hana roadside store. It has outhouses, picnic tables, walking trails and a lookout point. The outstanding view and the backdrop of dense foliage make for great photo ops.

Established in 1952, this park is dedicated to preserving Maui's ethnic heritage, including Hawaiian, Portuguese, Japanese, Caucasian and Filipino cultures. As you stroll the lush tropical gardens, you'll see several thatched-roof Hawaiian huts, a Portuguese villa, a New England "saltbox" and a Japanese garden with a stone pagoda. This is a wonderful location for a family picnic or a "getting-to-know-you" date. It's located just next to the Nature Center in Iao Valley.

Upcountry is a different world, and this garden area is as up as you can get without traveling to Haleakala. In the serene botanical gardens, a wide variety of plants and animals flourish. Relax by a trickling stream or examine the strangely beautiful blossoms known as protea. While most of the garden is handicapped-accessible, the pond in the ravine is not. The works of local artisans and craftsmen are displayed at the gift shop. Children under 6 can enjoy free admission.

Located on the west side of Maui just outside of Lahaina Town, this beach is great for families, sunbathers, laid-back vacationers and anyone else who's longing to relax. Visitors can park their blankets on grass or sand, according to preference. The waves near the shore are gentle; snorkeling is good in the mornings. Much further out you can often see some surfers. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues and restrooms. Note: As with all Hawaiian beaches, conditions are changeable. Always use caution when entering the water.

Tour the tropical fields of Maui, where pineapples, coconuts and papaya flourish. A tram travels the property, with a narrator on hand to explain each sight. The tour lasts 40 minutes. It costs USD9.50 per adult, USD3 for children between the ages of 3-12. It can accommodate wheelchair-bound people, although it's best to call ahead of time so the tram driver can make preparations. Afterward, guests are invited to wander through the valley, enjoy fresh local food prepared in the Country Store, and pick up some souvenirs.

One of the most magical natural wonders in the world, this destination is also known as The Seven Sacred Pools. It is located about three hours along the twisting Hana Highway, past tiny Hana town, sits a one-lane bridge. Oheo Gulch is made up of many waterfalls and pools, one leading into the other. Conditions allowing, it can be a fantastic place to swim. The pools are of varying sizes and elevations, and lead straight out to the ocean. Note: Do not swim in the pool nearest the ocean. Admission is free.

When it was built in the first half of the 19th century, this church was called the Waine'e. After 100 years of being battered by natural disasters and native uprisings, it was rebuilt and renamed Waiola, which means 'Water of Life'. Next to it lies the Waiola (or Waine'e) Graveyard. Many important figures from the early days of Hawaiian colonization are buried here, the famous next to the unknown, and perhaps more importantly, the Hawaiian next to the Western. Both sites figure heavily into Maui's history.