These are some of my favorite Maui days because they feel completely different from a beach day. You can be down by the ocean in the morning and up in cool mountain air later the same day.
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens
870 ʻĪao Valley Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793
From Wailuku: about 10 min
From Grand Champions / Wailea: about 35–45 min
Stop here before ʻĪao. My boys and I love going there. It’s such a pretty little park with huge trees, gardens, bridges and the river running alongside it.
You’ll see people cool off or get in the river when it’s calm. Just use common sense with mountain water.
Good to know: Never get in after heavy rain or when the river is running high, and always follow posted closures or warnings.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument
ʻĪao Valley Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793
From Wailuku: about 10–15 min
From Grand Champions / Wailea: about 35–45 min
ʻĪao is so close to Wailuku that I always tell guests not to miss it. Go earlier if you can because the mountains are often clearer in the morning.
Good to know: Non-Hawaiʻi residents need advance entry AND parking reservations. The park is currently open daily 7:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Reservations: https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/iao-valley/about
Makawao Town
Makawao Ave & Baldwin Ave, Makawao, HI 96768
From Wailuku: about 25–30 min
From Grand Champions / Wailea: about 35–45 min
Makawao is a fun little Upcountry wander with galleries, shops and that old paniolo/cowboy-town feel. It’s easy to pair with Haleakalā or an Upcountry morning.
T. Komoda Store & Bakery
3674 Baldwin Ave, Makawao, HI 96768
Phone: 808-572-7261
Website: No official website I could verify — the phone is the best way to check before you go.
From Wailuku: about 25–30 min
From Grand Champions / Wailea: about 35–45 min
If you’re in Makawao in the morning, this is one of those old-school Maui stops. Go for the stick donuts, cream puffs and the fact that it still feels like a real local bakery instead of a polished resort shop.
Good to know: They’re highly rated and close early, so earlier is better.
Maui Bees
150 Pulehunui Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Phone: 808-359-8012
Website: https://mauibees.com/
From Wailuku: about 35–40 min
From Grand Champions / Wailea: about 35–45 min
This is a sweet little Upcountry stop if you like farms, honey and beautiful views. It feels peaceful and local, and they have farm products plus tours/experiences if you want more than a quick stop.
Good to know: Current reviews are excellent. Check their site before making a special trip because farm hours/experiences can change.
Haleakalā Summit
Haleakalā National Park, Haleakalā Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
From Wailuku: about 1 hr 40–50 min
From Grand Champions / Wailea: about 1 hr 35–50 min
Haleakalā is one of those places that doesn’t even feel real the first time you see it. The summit is 10,023 feet, so BRING WARM CLOTHES. 😂 It can be freezing up there while it’s sunny and hot down by the beach.
Sunrise is beautiful, but sunset is gorgeous too and a lot easier to plan.
Good to know: A sunrise reservation is required to enter the Summit District from 3:00–7:00 AM. It is $1 per vehicle in addition to the park entrance fee. Reservations are released up to 60 days ahead, with some additional spots 2 days ahead. There is currently no separate sunset reservation.
Sunrise information: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm
Photo credits: ʻĪao Valley panorama — Mark Fickett / Hike395 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). Haleakalā Crater — A. Rulison / National Park Service, public domain.
