Paia Live Cam

Maui No Ka Oi, Maui's the best, that's definately for sure. No better place to go for the Hang Loose attitude. No other place on earth will have bumperstickers telling you to "Slow down. This aint the mainland"!

Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii. the land area is 728 square miles and that includes two distinct volcano domes Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. The two eroded volcanoes are joined by central Maui's broad, flat, isthmus, formed about a million years ago when lava from Haleakala met the shores of West Maui. The isthmus functions as a broad valley between the peaks, thus Maui's nickname, "The Valley Isle".

The highest point is the Red Hill at Haleakala which is 10,023 feet from the sea level. Our average annual temperature is 75.5F, highest recorded temperature was 98F and the lowest was 48F. We experience an average of 11 inches of rainfall in Kihei and about 300 plus inches in West Maui annually.

The Hawaiian Language

It is a dialect of the Polynesian tongue, other variations of which are spoken by Samoans, Tahitians, Marquesans, Tuamotuans and Maoris.

The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters. The vowels are the same as in English A, E, I, O, U. The consonants are limited to H, K, L, M, N, P, and W.

The vowels are pronounced:

A as in father, E as in vein, I as "ee" in peep, O as on own, and U as "oo" in boo.

Rafting - Hawaiian Style

Step aboard Peles Raiv our fast and stable Rigid Hull Inflatable for a fun filled Half or Full Day Adventure to the Island of Lanai. Our Raft trips are as educational as they are fun. Learn about Hawaii's diverse marine life and the history of these volcanic Isles from our friendly Captains and Crew. See Dolphins, Turtles, Flying Fish, and snorkel in secluded bays teeming with beautiful Tropical Fish . Need a snorkel lesson? We have worked with many first time snorkelers and beginners in the water and take pride in sharing our expertise with you. Both of our trips include continental breakfast and quality snorkel equipment. The Full Day trip includes a BBQ lunch served in a lava cave on the Island of Lanai and on the Half Day trips, snacks and beverages are provided. Don't miss the boat!

Paddle to quiet, secluded, pristine coves. Snorkel among colorful tropical fish, coral gardens and sea turtles. Experience Maui from a kayak. Discover areas away from the inhabited, and see Maui and it's natural shoreline in its pristine state. Snorkel in protected areas full of tropical fish, and beautiful coral.

Hawaiian sunset rated number 1 in the world is the most romantic activity to do on Maui. Gourmet Dinner & open bar on the best luxury boats. 2 1/2 hour cruise along the majestic Maui coast lines.

Biking down the Haleakala Crater is one of the most thrilling activity on Maui. Coast 38 miles down Haleakala without peddling.

Fly together and share in the excitement as you gently launch and land directly from the boat. No skill required and you don't have to get wet! Any one can fly, it's easy! young, old or physically challenged... It's something for everyone to enjoy and experience.

Ulalena is a fabulous unique theatrical experience staged at Maui Myth & Magic Theatre in historic Lahaina, Maui. The theatre is a state-of-the-art design featuring the latest in lighting technology, 8-channel surround sound, a rotating stage, and multi-media presentation capabilities. Called a "living" theatre by its creators, Maui Myths & Magic Theatre is designed to envelope the audience into an experience that is bigger than normal live theatre, and one that is responsive to the audience.

The 9.5 million dollar production is singular in Hawaii, and perhaps in the world. Interwoven with original music, song, authentic Polynesian dance, acrobats and performed by an international cast. 'Ulalena artfully weaves together the powerful images of Hawaiian mythology and history into a celebration of nature and the spirit of the human imagination. 'Ulalena invites the spectator into a place of wonder.

Maui's ultimate waterfall wonderland is the pristine Kipahulu Valley, a half-hour drive from the very Hawaiian town of Hana. We hike along a national park trail that follows one of the most magnificent streams on Maui, a network of pools and cascading waterfalls. To reach a secluded 40-foot waterfall, we swim through four clear pools inside a canyon dripping with ferns and hanging vines (swimming is optional). After lunch at the top of a 200-foot falls, we wind through dark forests of 60-foot bamboo that lead to a 400-foot waterfall.

We hike into tropical Hawaii along two streams that wind through a lush, enchanting valley. Following the streams, we pass through a profusion of fruit and nut trees, ferns and wild flowers. We hike through pastures and forests to several small, but powerful waterfalls of 10 to 35 feet. There are numerous clear pools from 25 to 50 feet in diameter to swim and play in. The whole area is a magical playground of beauty and adventure.

Here, incredible views turn you into an instant philosopher --on one side: panoramic views deep into enormous valleys; on the other: miles and miles of cobalt blue ocean. We hike a mountain ridge from 1000 to 2600 feet through hundreds of ferns, trees, flowers and native plants, gazing down into a 3,000-foot canyon. Surrounded by birdsong, we sample wild fruit and berries, stopping at the top of the ridge for a picnic lunch.

Grandeur, majesty, vastness. Haleakala's subtle energy is intense and ethereal. And it's absolutely silent. Here the first lunar astronauts trained.

On the 8-mile hike we descend a 1500-foot cliff along a well-built switchback trail to the crater floor. Views stretch for a hundred miles, from cloud forests and rain forests to the alpine desert within the crater itself.

The 12-mile hike begins at the 10,000-foot summit and descends 3000 feet to the crater floor where we wind past giant cinder cones colored in desert hues. We investigate the bottomless pit, the rainbow bridge and the silversword loop, then we hike out the switchback trail described above.

We sample a bit of both the 8-mile and the 12-mile hikes by walking part way down both the switchback and the summit trails. We don't reach the crater floor, but we do experience the volcano's power and its silence, plus, we have magnificent views from our vantage point up high. This is a good workout, giving a true feeling of the crater without being strenuous.

We visit the scene where the last lava flowed 200 years ago on Maui--a rugged, surreal coastline bordered by the starkly blue bay of La Perouse. We hike through fields of lava to reach a tiny, isolated inlet, probably the safest and most spectacular snorkel spot on Maui.

After snorkeling, we hike along an arid coastline described by French explorer La Perouse as an area "where torrents of lava had formerly flowed." It still looks much as it did when he saw it in 1786.

Expect "chicken skin" when we pass through the ruins of ancient Hawaiian villages--remnants of temples, houses, fishing shrines.

Tranquility and silence reign in this cloud-misted, isolated forest reserve at the 6,000-foot level on Haleakala Volcano. This is one of the best areas to see and hear our endemic forest birds. Majestic forests of many species of native and alien trees--ohia, mamane, pine trees, Japanese sugi, cedar, tropical ash, China fir, plums, redwoods and eucalyptus--rise from fog-laden canyons. Hiking through the trees has a powerful, calming and magical effect. From the silent treetops comes an enchanting chorus of birdsong from rare Hawaiian birds found only above 4,000 feet. Other features include commanding views from the clearings, a lava cave, wild flowers, herbs, berries, and a spectacular drive to the trail.