Maui Memories

For Maui residents, our focus has been on enjoying time with our ohana as well as preparation for further loss in income. For those on the mainland, we're told the same focus is mixed with positive reflection from their past trips visiting Maui, Hawaii.

I've collected some favorite Maui memories from past visitors, and we hope you'll add your own. Right now, more than ever, we need to hear from lovers of our island. We need to know that after all of this, Hawaii will be at the forefront when planning your vacations.

A few years back, Roger and I were on our annual big vacation, and this time it was magical Maui! We'd wanted to go for decades, so this was a special vacation. Before arriving, my thoughts were on lounging by the pool, bronzing on the beach, and taking refreshing dips in the ocean. My husband wanted to be a little more adventurous. We stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani in the southwest shore of the island. It was sensational! Everything I wanted. But my husband kept talking about this island called Molokini that we could see from our room. Roger talked me into making the journey with Redline Rafts to go snorkeling at Molokini. Boy was I glad he did! It's amazing how reluctance can quickly be turned into thrills of a lifetime! What a beautiful place to go snorkeling!!! Everywhere I looked, fish and more fish! I even saw an octopus moving quickly on the coral before disappearing. Just magnificent. This is one of my favorite memories from one of my favorite places in the world! A memory I'm fond of recalling especially during these tough times. I send my ALOHA to you all!

by Sandi Barkley of Oxford Ohio

My parents brought my brother and I to Maui for the first time when we were kids, 15 and 16. All the way from Winnipeg, Canada, the coldest place on earth! Every year, for many years, we returned as a family for the month of March. Until my brother got married.

He passed away when his wife was 3 months pregnant. 17 years later we returned to the island with my brother's son to pick up the Maui Island tradition again. We, as a family, miss him every day. But Maui is the one place on earth that we feel like a whole family again. The day we watched my brother's boy walk down the beach just like he used to is without a doubt my fondest Maui memory. We can feel his spirit in the breeze, in the soft air, in the gorgeous sunsets off Kam 3. We continue to return to Maui to this day and always will for as long as we can.

by Kimberly of Winnipeg, Canada

We've been to Maui many times, Kauai once and Big Island a few times too. Oahu is the only big one we've missed. A highlight when visiting Maui is going to the luau at our resort. We always stay at the Grand Wailea and absolutely LOVE IT! Our kids disappear at the waterpark for most of the time. When we see them for meals, they're smiles ear to ear.

There are so many reasons that our Grand luau makes the trip. The food, dancing, music, beautiful sunset over the water are all amazing. Maybe it's the fact that we get to do something together as a family that makes it so special too. I find myself fantasizing at work about sitting at a table with my man and kiddos with a great drink watching fire dancers. I'm at complete ease. It's my way of meditating! HA! Thank you, Maui, for always having open welcoming arms for us.

by Tracie Cranley

There are many wonderful memories from Hawaii, but my favorite is the trip we took in 2010. My husband had recently found his birth Mother and so we flew her over for a few days with our family, my husband, two daughters and myself. At first, things were a little awkward, she didn't know us well and vice versa. That evening we went down to the beach to watch the sunset and as we sat there suddenly, it was as if we had always been family. She was a part of us and we were a part of her! So Maui, thank you for beautiful sunsets and helping to reunite a family!

by Angela of Austin, TX

My favorite Maui memory was from last time I was there with my husband Ray (R.I.P.) He was a local but moved to Alaska. I took him to Maui for his birthday and he was sick the whole 2 weeks (whole body swelled badly) but he tried as much as he could to show me his Island. He loved Hana so we did that beautiful trip 3 times. The people were wonderful everywhere we went. And these are some of my most precious memories of him and Maui...he didn't last much longer and I miss him and my Maui.

by Colleen of Fairbanks, AK

My favorite day on Maui was Feb 24, 2012. I boarded a 60 ft sailboat from Oahu and sailed to Molokai and then to Maui where I got off the boat but never left the island!! I met the man of my dreams and the love of my life on this day! We now joke and say Yeah...that I washed up on a beach on Maui fell in love and never left!!

by Stephanie

The best Maui memory was watching the sunrise at Haleakala. Waking up at 2:30 am and driving 3 hrs to see an amazing sunrise was priceless. I felt so above the clouds and it was just so peaceful, but very cold being 10,000 feet high. I, however, had tons of great memories in Maui!!

by Caryn

Last year I went with my family to Aloha Mixed Plate a couple of times during our vacation. I noticed the new red shirts that employees were wearing and asked if I could purchase one because they looked just that awesome. I ended up wearing it the last night we were on the island because we went back to eat there for dinner. Turns out everyone thought I worked there and were trying to have me do different tasks. I ended up working it all out and, to be funny, asked if I really could work there so that I'd be able to live on the island! Needless to say, we can't all have what we want.

Also last year there was an intense, and crazy, lightning storm that lit up the ocean for several hours. I believe it was in the direction of Oahu, looking out from Lahaina/Napili Bay. It was scary and fantastic at the same time because for several hours, I was able to eat, drive back home, swim in the pool, and just watch it all happening (albeit wondering if I was safe outside!). Quite the entertaining experience and not one I'm likely to have again.

by Josh