| Hawaii Diary 2000 |
The coast of South Maui from Ma'alaea to the `Ahihi-Kina`u Natural Area Preserve is often referred to as the Kihei Coast. In fact, however, the most interesting areas of this coast are located south of Kihei.
From Ma'aleaea Harbor, traveling north on Highway 30, you need to bear right at the signs for Highway 31.
Kealia Pond Bird Sanctuary
Photo by John Fischer
The initial stretch of roadway will take you past Ma'alaea Bay and Beach on your right and the Kealia Pond Bird Sanctuary and ponds on your left.
Today, sugar was being burned in the fields near Highway 31, so the air was filled with deep smoke.
As you approach Kihei you can elect to either bear right and travel through Kihei on the South Kihei Road or continue a bit more inland and continue along Highway 31.
We elected to take the coast route. Kihei, however, has very little to offer for the visual senses as you travel through the town. There are hotels and condos on your right and the same plus strip malls and other businesses on your left. Few beach areas, except the Kama'ole Beach Parks, are visible from the roadway and beach access is not clearly indicated in other places.
My advise would be to skip a drive through Kihei. There are much better views and beaches further south.
Leaving Kihei you enter the Wailiea area which plays host to several outstanding resort hotels and spas. We elected to stop and wander the grounds of the world famous Grand Wailea Resort.
Grand Wailea Resort
Photo by John Fischer
The grounds are huge and magnificently landscaped and decorated in every direction. Wailea Beach, recipient of Dr. Beach's 1999 Award for Best Beach in America, is the main beach of the Grand Wailea Resort. If you don't mind being surrounded by thousands of people all soaking in the Maui sunshine, the Grand Wailea Resort has much to offer.
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