1-6-11 S Kihei to Makena

Up and out early – is anyone surprised? We set about exploring our new home town area. The cottage is conveniently situated in the heart of S. Kihei – there are tons of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Including one of the top rated restaurants in Maui. There are 2 grocery stores within walking distance as well (with a little bit better prices than Safeway!).

On the nature side, there is a fantastic park right on the water within a 5 minute walk. There are nice walking trails that we used to explore this morning – watching the standing paddle surfers ply the waters off the rocky shore. We’re right opposite Kaho'olawe, with it’s hulking silhouette always in the backdrop across the water.

It’s a partly cloudy morning – clouds blowing in and out with patchy sun. It’s also surprisingly cool. Cool enough that we turn off the air units and put the ceilings fans to us when we return from our walk.

Today we have decided to explore the Southern Coast. Down below Kihei and into Wailea (the resort area) and beyond. After an early lunch of grilled Portuguese sausage (oh, I’m going to be so happy here!!), we take off and drive through Kihei, checking out all the local activity (tons of people walking, biking, scootering). It’s very residential here, which is what we like. Everyday goings on, things to do and see, people watching, and normal life going on.

Soon, though, we pass through the residential communities and enter into Wailea where the manicured medians and wide 2 lane boulevard reek of resort. Golf courses on the mauka side (means mountain or inland side), resort hotels on the maikai side (means ocean side). After about 2.5 miles, the resorts and golf courses fade into the rearview mirror as we head to Makena and La Perouse Bay.

It’s much quieter back here with some private homes (Yeah, wonder how much those are worth!!) and a small 2 lane road. As we proceed we pass these great little rocky coves and outlets where you can pull off (read: stuff your car into a little pocket of flat area off the road) and get in the water – or just sit and enjoy.

As we round a corner, we get a huge surprise: Lava fields! We had no idea there were fields here (of course had we really studied the map, then maybe we’d have figured it out…but…what can I say?). After a little research, we find this is the Ahihi Kinau Nature Preserve – the site of the last lava flows in Maui in 1790.

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It’s just an incredible site, these huge lava fields stretching down from the mountain (Haleakala volcano) and into the ocean. The road is really narrow here – and in some spots too narrow for cars to pass. It’s a little harrowing, but the views and scenery make it worthwhile (at least that’s what Ed the driver says!!)

The road gets really rough and then ends at the Makena horse ranch and La Perouse Bay turn out. You could hike down to the beach from here, but we decided to just turn around and head back into town. Back through the lava flow – still amazing! Back past the little turn outs and cute little Makena town and then into Wailea.

We stopped at Wailea beach, in between the Wailea Grand and Four Seasons resorts, and walked for a bit. The sun has come out a little, and it’s glorious in the sunshine. As we are walking down the beach, we look out toward Molokai – and there are whales out there! First whale sighting! We saw one breaching – amazing – probably a few miles out, yet you could still clearly see this huge behemoth jumping up out of the water and splashing back in. Needless to say this occupied us for quite a while!

The Wailea beach is a reasonable size, but since it’s sandwiched in between two resorts, it’s fairly busy. We decided to go explore some more beach spots and found a great beach at Paipu beach. It’s a little ways south of Wailea beach, smooth and sandy, with some lava rocks if you want to rest. Also a great copse of trees right by the car park – so when we come back – and yes all you doubters - we will come back!!! – we can sit in the shade of the trees when we tire from the sun. We actually sat here on the rocks for a while before heading back home.

Relaxed back at the cottage, then headed out for drinks and dinner. A great little dive – Life’s a Beach – had happy hour until 7. So of course – off we head! Really reminds us of Remys in Hilton Head – just a great little bar, live music, locals around. Very fun.

After drinks (one HUGE beer for $4 for Ed), we wandered back to Ocean’s bar and grill for dinner. Pub grub plus really. It’s right across the street, open air with a really nice looking patio lined with palm trees to shield you from the road, and a huge bar where we plunked ourselves down and ordered dinner. (Oh and did I mention flat screens everywhere? this is the place to come watch football if you want to go over there at 8am for the early games! They serve breakfast for football, btw!).

Ed had a fried fish platter that was very good (not quite so large as the monster platter at the Stone Crab in Sanibel, but still nice size!). I had my first (of what I'm sure will be many) Kalua pig BBQ sandwich. Awesome! With Guava BBQ sauce? I was in hog heaven (yeah, couldn’t resist that one, sorry!).

Jet lag is still flying around us, so we decide to call it an early evening and walk back to our Ohana for some TV and bed (or TV and asleep on the couch after 15 minutes for Cathy!). Tomorrow – another day out exploring.