Growing up in LA, with a travel agent for a mom, we would pop down to Hawaii a couple times a year – a quick jaunt to immerse yourself in beaches, culture, and a heck of a lot of pineapples. And while I still have the fondest memories of my Aloha experiences. This is a guide to Hana – a nook of Maui that is as awe-inspiring as it comes.
STAY
Travaasa Hana Resort – Travaasa in Sanskrit translates to, “memorable journey.” And that it was! The Hotel is situated on the coast near many famous beaches, including Red Sand Beach (more about that later). We stayed in a private cottage near the salt water pool. There was no TV and limited internet and cellular connection. I enjoyed disconnecting for a few days to enjoy the amazing views. Each day there was an itinerary of activities we could sign up for, from yoga to archery, lei making and canoeing, they had it all! It was the adventure we were looking for. Most of the locals were of Polynesian descent, born and raised in Hana. One memorable experience was our canoe trip. This is not a sit back and relax type of boating excursion, it’s a team coordinated effort to get you canoe to move where you want it to go. Our tour guides told us the history of the Polynesians, how they came to Hawaii in canoes across the Pacific. What an incredible feat. The swells were at least 10 feet as we coasted further from the shore.
EAT
Mama’s Fish House – Our first stop was Mama’s Fish House. We were told the food is the best on the island. I recommend making a reservation because it’s very popular. The restaurant is about 20 minutes from the airport in Maui and positioned at the start of the infamous Hana Hwy. Mama’s sits beach front with a dreamy view of twisting palm trees and gorgeous red ginger flowers. I was impressed by the menu which listed the fresh catches of the day, including the name of the fisherman and where it was caught. The food and service were impeccable; I would definitely recommend it to anyone traveling to Maui! Now let’s not forget about the Mai Tai’s, you can’t experience Hawaii without trying one. I have to say, theirs was the second best Mai Tai I had during our trip. Read on to find out who made the best!
Ono Farms – Every morning I would bike to Ono Farm’s fresh fruit stand not far from our hotel with the most delicious tropical fruit. I tasted star and dragon fruit for the first time. At Hamoa Beach, not far from the hotel, Ono Farms has a smoothie stand set up, we enjoyed fresh mango, strawberry and dragon fruit juice- hands down the best smoothie I’ve ever tasted! You can also visit Ono Organic Farms and do a fruit tasting, which I plan on doing next time I visit. Additionally, if you like wine tasting, I recommend stopping by the Winery at the Ulupalakua Ranch. They make delicious pineapple wine which is surprisingly not too sweet! I highly recommend doing a tasting.
FROLIC
Red Sand Beach – Now about red sand beach, the people who work at Travaasa will NOT tell you how to get there. It’s not a safe hike for anyone unaccustomed to slippery, narrow, edge of a cliff walkways. I conquered my fear of heights to get there, almost in tears towards the end! Besides the nudists and the hot rocky sand, it was quite a view. The contrast of red sand and bright blue water was incredible and it was great for snorkeling. If you want to go, I suggest you ask a local for directions and bring a great pair of hiking shoes and flippers!
“The Art of the Cocktail” – I signed up for this fun and relaxing afternoon event after a day filled with bodyboarding at the beach. We met Ryan Poe, the bartender at Travaasa’s restaurant. A few couples joined us as he taught us how to mix the perfect drinks. His Mai Tai was unlike any other, he used only top shelf liquors and left out the canned pineapple juice, it was the real deal original recipe. Definitely ask for him if you go!
In conclusion, those ten days flew by! Hawaii will always hold a special place in my heart, there’s no place in the world quite like it. In Hana you get to experience true Hawaii; there’s no McDonald’s or Starbucks in sight, but you won’t miss it! All in all, it was an incredible trip and I cannot wait to go back. Until next time…Aloha!
