OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort

Lets start with Hawai’i’s most Hawaiian resort—the black kukui nuts are made (by you) into a large black necklace, a forever reminder. It will sound silly, and I won’t show you my video, but they have hulu lessons each morning on the sprawling lawn. There are ancient photos of some of Hawai’i’s revered surfers, kings, and queens, and enough to keep you reading and looking for an hour! This is not just a surfboard mounted on the wall nod to Hawai’i’s culture—by the time you leave, you have a tiny inkling of what makes Hawai’i get into your soul, what makes it so special and unique in the world. There is not just ONE activity here, but a series that goes on every day at different times—stand-up paddleboard lessons, ukelele lessons, singing, fiber art, and hulu dancing!

Outrigger Kaanapoli - Ka'anapoli Beach was voted the best beach in the world

Sort of related are the cliffdivers, also a nod to ancient Hawai’i—the bluff that they jump from is maybe a three-block stroll to the right, and since they light tiki torches, it’s hard to miss. Look for them BEFORE sunset; they are not jumping in the dark! You can also visit the neighboring Sheraton property and have food and drinks on an outdoor deck area, watching the action.

Whaler's Village next door to Outrigger Ka'anapoli - dining al fresco.

Back at the sprawling lawn, there is a pool as well as an absolutely perfect beach—white shimmering dust between your toes. All of that leads to al-fresco dining at the Maui Brewing Company on the beachfront, from morning till 11 pm. Picture Maui Kahlua pulled pork, local craft beers, specialty cocktails, in the warm Hawaiian breezes—perfection!

Outrigger Ka'anapoli - Maui Brewing Company open-air restaurant/bar

Either available for rent, or offering to take you out on the water, standup paddleboards, outrigger canoes, large touring catamarans, snorkling, swimming—you will be relaxed, excited, and happy the whole time!

Lastly, there is a mall! Whalers Village is home to great outdoor dining, music, drinks, plus souvenirs, every sort of apparel from beachy to Hawaiian style, as well as some truly high-end designer stores. It is probably a three-block stroll down the beach, and even has a very fun, dark sand beach in front of it, with a steep slope, and some pretty good-sized waves to jump in and out of as they crash on the beach.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Maui page.