Travel.Food.Wine.Family.Life
Last year while we were in Maui, one of the things we did was experience the sunrise at Haleakala. 10,000 feet above sea level, we woke at 2am on the west side of the island and drove 2 hours + to see this magnificent sight. Fair warning, yes you are on the island of Maui, but remember the summit can be as cold as 40 degrees and with the wind…and at 4-5am it’s COLD so dress warmly. It’s worth it!
We ended our wonderful Maui trip with a sunset cruise on the Trilogy IV. Just beachside of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, you can sign up at their hut for an amazing experience. That morning we awoke at 2am to drive to Mt. Haleakala to watch the sunrise. With a nap mid-afternoon, we were thrilled to experience both a sunrise and sunset in beautiful Maui.
To start your trip you feel like a celebrity as the catamaran comes right onto the shore for a beach pickup. The sand between your toes and the water crashing over the ladder up to the sailboat is just a memorable experience. Once aboard, you find a spot and juice and water is offered. The crew consists of the captain and two other members who fill us in on the rules, our journey, and serve as our waiter and waitress. You are allotted two drinks with your paid ticket along with delicious hors d’oerves, more drinks are available for purchase.
Cruising out along Kaanapali Beach, the wind in your hair is warm and the views spectacular. Flying fish can be seen jetting across the water like skipped rocks. Down in the hull there are restrooms available, cushioned seating, and the opportunity to chat with the Captain if you wish. Walk about the sailboat to get your sea legs, and there’s even the trampoline area you can sit on (3 people max per each of the two trampolines). Down on the trampoline you can feel the water spray beneath you and expect a little sprinkling on your face, it’s really refreshing.
The appetizers come one treat at a time, teriyaki chicken skewers, delectible fish pupus, both hot and cold, and it’s not a full dinner, but with only about 24-30 passengers total, you can grab seconds and even thirds. Following the sunset moist brownies are served to end the evening and your stomach is full.
Once the sun begins to set, the boat is stops to an idle and your photo opportunities begin. Often there’s another boat or two around also enjoying the sunset, but your view is never obscured. If you take a look in the direction of Black Rock, you’ll see a nightly tiki torch lighting ceremony that ends with a local cliff diving into the ocean below.
The cruise and the crew were amazing, funny, lighthearted, and welcoming. We appreciated the hospitality and the cruise was such a fitting ending to a most memorable trip to the island of Maui. Pricing is perfect at just over $50 per person for the two plus hours about the catamaran. If you’re able to take a sail during your next visit, do a Trilogy Sunset Sail!
Just below the slopes of the Haleakala crater, you’ll find Ali’i Kula Lavender farm (AKL) named for farmer and visionary Ali’i Chang. The beautiful gardens spread over 10.5 acres with over 55,000 lavender plants of over 40 different varieties, as well as olive trees, hydrangea, and protea blooms. Until just about a month before our visit, you’d find Chang nurturing the farm with attention and charm with his home right in the middle of the property. We were told, sadly, that Chang had recently passed away, but has passed on the gorgeous grounds to his family.
The grounds are immaculate and as we strolled through with our tour guide, you could feel the “Aloha” Ali’i wanted to express. The views are spectacular of the northwest side of Maui, the air is calming and smells beautiful, and the farm evokes serenity. Walking tours are offered daily, there is a gallery gift shop that sells all the goods they make, and while we were there, saw a group that came for a “ladies day out.”
Weddings are planned at the location, and something new for the farm is the “Pick your own Lavender” tours offered most weekends through the summer. These 40-minute tours give you a history of lavender talk with a host, learning about it’s benefits, time to pick lavender and beverage and scones, both food and drink made with farm lavender! Also throughout the summer, tea parties, lavender wreath making and family gatherings are available.
On our tour, our lovely guide Christina shared how she had previously purchased AKL body butter for her job as a masseuse and made her way to the farm looking for a job. Now as tour guide, they are in talks of adding a spa-like portion to the farm to appeal to more clients and using their land-made ingredients. It was a “follow your dreams and passions” story that made the appeal of the history of this farm more genuine.
From lavender tea, to gourmet seasonings, to strawberry lavender syrup, to clothing, and pet shampoo and conditioner, the gift shop is a must-see on the property. All food goods include lavender and I tried a combination of the lavender salad dressing and the syrup and bought both to bring home for a strawberry-lavender vinagrette, the syrup alone is good on pastry, waffles, and pancakes. The scents alone of anything lavender are soothing and the benefits of the plant are numerous:
-relaxes, calms, comforts
-eases tension, stress, pain, and inflammation
-repels mosquitos and other insects
-acts as a natural antiseptic and disinfectant
-relieves headaches and congestion
-heals cuts, scrapes, burns, bites, and stings
-reduces symptoms from PMS, anxiety, vertigo, and insomnia
-moisturizes and heals the skin
AKL promotes agri-tourism with the products they make using natural, botanical, and organic ingredients. They are proud to farm, teach, and support agriculture and well being through their philosophies, lavender products, and services. If you are on the island of Maui, head over and take a tour. This is something we wouldn’t have thought of venturing to, had it not been in our itinerary. But, the overall experience was so amazing, I’m so glad we had the chance. The climate is cooler and different from other parts of the island and it’ll be a place you won’t forget!
–Written by my Husband…
Then the train arrived with all the whistles and gurgles and spurts steam engine enthusiasts and kids love. These relics of the 1800’s are marvelous artifacts of the industrial age and are true inspirations to mechanically inclined. 
This particular railroad is a portion of the old narrow gauge line that was used to transport sugar cane from the fields of west Maui to the Pioneer Mill in Lahaina. The old cane fields are now golf courses, residential neighborhoods interspersed with some small farms but the scenic vistas of West Maui Mountain, and the Auau Channel with Molakai and Lanai in the distance are more than enough to look at. 
We rode in May but the brochure claims that between December and April it is common to see humpback whales frolicking in the distance. The highlights of the 1 hour and ten minute trip included crossing a 325 foot long curved wooden trestle and the switch yard at Puukolii Station. Train enthusiasts and small kids will thoroughly enjoy this delightful little railroad. Depending on the time of day, some snacks and drinks would be great to have along, especially if you’re traveling with little children.
Tickets are $22.50 round trip for adults, and $15.50 for children 3-12, under 3 are free!
Our tickets were given in exchange for our honest review.
You cannot go wrong eating out in Hawaii, from the dinner shows that serve 4 courses to spectacular burgers, you’ll find everything your palate craves. Lahaina Grill just off Front Street in Lahaina Grill combines exceptional service and mouth-watering food in a casual yet elegant way. Featuring innovative, New American cuisine, Lahaina Grill uses techniques and flavors from around the world, all perfectly blended with the freshest ingredients cultivated by Maui’s local farms, dairies and surrounding waters. The award-winning restaurant has 155 seats of neatly arranged tables around the bar, soft tones are accented by a gorgeous, pressed tin ceiling, and everyone has a smile on their face!
Starting our night off with cold drinks, my husband ordered a beer and I opted for the “Pearfection Martini”, that was completely amazing I had to drink two! With pear vodka, apple pucker, and prickly pear puree, this cool concoction can awaken your taste buds to get ready for dinner. I’m going to have to make this at home! We were served warm bread and a garlic butter that was creamy and if I had my way would be a meal in itself if it just kept coming!
To start off our meals, my husband had the Minestrone soup and I had the Golden and Red Organic Beet Salad. My husband took one whiff of the soup and saw celery peeking out of the broth and knew it was going to be delicious! Local vegetables made this soup even more special and the beans and pasta made it a hearty selection. My salad was topped off with a balsamic vinegar and oil dressing that contrasted the sweetness of the beets (one of my favorite salad add ons) perfectly. Adding to the sweetness were candied pecans that added a great crunch and texture. I’ve never had goat cheese before and the crostini had a lovely fig and cheese spread that was unique and tastier than I’d expected.
For dinner, I chose the Oven Roasted Chicken Breast. Stuffed with mushrooms, braised fuji apples, spinach, smoked mozzarella and wrapped in crisp pancetta, I felt like this could be the best meal I had on the island. The salty pancetta and slightly sour apples was a flavor explosion in my mouth! Also on the plate was a tomato risotto that was really bland compared to the rest of the fare, though it only made me focus more on the chicken that I devoured.
My husband tried the12 oz. Prime Angus Beef New York Steak with wild mushroom-balsamic demi-glace and herbed potato gratin. His meat was cooked perfectly even when he asks for well-done, it’s never tough, the potatoes were a nice twist on his usual baked or french-fried. He loved the slight tang of the mushroom sauce and the carrots and asparagus was taken care of by me reaching into his plate!
With an amazing dessert menu, we were torn with the full feeling vs. sharing one item and finally opting on not pushing our limits. We do look forward to returning to the restaurant on our next trip, solely for a nice glass of wine and dessert! Couples will greatly enjoy this restaurant when they want to splurge on excellence in dining, and families will be happy to know the children’s menu contains a variety of old-favorites and new tastes!
Our dinner was hosted, all opinions and experiences are our own.
