By ROBERT ELIAS DEATON
Swaying palm trees, the sound of distant waves lapping upon pristine white or red or black sand beaches, tropical sunsets silhouetting hula dancers in flowing grass skirts. Yes, this is paradise, otherwise known as Hawaii. Of all the seven populated Hawaiian Islands, Maui has always been our favorite. Despite its lack of any gay clubs (at one time there were three including a local franchise of Hamburger Mary’s), there are several gay beaches—one white powder and the other red sand), plus rain forests, volcanic calderas, picturesque waterfalls, an historic whaling village, and some of the most beautiful vistas anywhere. And it’s not just our opinion.
Even the Hawaiians have a saying: Maui no ka oi—Maui is the best.
Any visit to this island of valleys and flowers begins at the Kahului Airport where the minute you deplane, you will know that you’re in a very special place. The air around you is filled with the fragrance of this tropical paradise. The smiles you receive will be genuine, and the absence of worries and time immediately obvious. Set your watch to Maui time, which is six hours behind Eastern Standard Time in the real world. But that is unfair to even say that since once you step on the soil of this special place, the only thing you’ll experience is eternal nirvana.
Most tourists head immediately to one of two places. Wailea on the South shore or Lahaina on the West. The South has its champions for its beautiful golf courses, shopping and luxury hotels including the Grand Wailea Resort (3850 Wailea Alanui Drive), where you’ll find the grandest gardens in all of the Hawaiian Islands, spread over 40 acres of lush. Prices for rooms and suites are grand as well ranging from $489- $1,300 a night. And worth every penny. If that is too rich for your blood, go and visit the place at the very least and pretend you’re a guest. It’s that special.
Nest door, in the beach village of Makena, is the area’s closest gay stretch of sand known as Little Beach. It’s a mile past the Maui Prince Hotel (5400 Makena Alanui), at Makena State Park. Public parking is free, and so is the beauty.
Head toward the ocean and hang a right, follow people climbing over a small lava hill and prepare for nude sunbathing, hanky-panky in the brambles, and water so clear that you can see the fish joining you for a swim.
On the West side of the island, our favorite hotel is the Westin Maui Resort and Spa (2365 Kaanapali Pkwy). Priced from $359 a night, it’s directly on the ocean with great gym facilities and close to the whaling village of Lahaina, where you’ll find one of Maui’s best restaurants:
David Paul’s Island Grill (900 Front Street). For the more adventurous, you can drive completely around the West Maui Mountains (an extinct volcano), past the Ritz Carlton hotel and the oldest one-room churches on the island.
Continue heading north and you’ll discover Ho‘okipa Beach Park (Hana Highway & Hookipa Park) just past the surfing village of Paia. Windsurfing and kite surfing is world-class here, so look but don’t touch unless you’re extremely experienced.
Continue to travel East for another 52 miles and you’ll arrive in Hana, 59 bridges and 620 curves later. This tiny village has long been considered the last Hawaiian frontier. Its colorful Hasegawa’s General Store (5165 Hana Hwy) and its five-star Travaasa Hana Hotel (5031 Hana Hwy) are adjacent to Hana’s Red Sand Beach—a little climbing is required to reach this slice of heaven. Hana is also the home of the gorgeous Blue Pool and Waterfall, O’heo Gulch Pools, plus the Grave of Charles Lindbergh in nearby Kipahulu. Pa`a ka waha.
Robert Elias Deaton is a world-traveling epicure who enjoys the finer things in life.
READ PART 1 HERE: HAWAII – Pick an Island, They’re All Paradise
