Seven steps to find heaven on Maui

HAWAII'S 'Valley Isle' of Maui has a seemingly endless list of attractions and adventures, but Scott Podmore picks his seven essential steps in heaven.

kea lani

HAWAII'S 'Valley Isle' of Maui has a seemingly endless list of attractions and adventures, but Scott Podmore offers his seven essential steps in heaven.

No.1 The Fairmont Kea Lani

Resorts in Hawaii offer a common thread of beachside bedazzlement. You can count on pool "kingdoms" with all the trimmings. But of them all, the Fairmont Kea Lani takes it to a new level for extravagant indulgence in sheer luxury.

Yes, you'll pay for it, but the experience is seriously high-end and starts as you are whisked away in a golf buggy to your ocean-front two-bedroom, two-storey villa.

The villas feature two master bedrooms and a living room featuring a modern entertainment system with all the mod cons. The two bathrooms have large tubs and divided showers. There's a glam full kitchen and laundry, and a private courtyard complete with plunge pool and barbecue is the perfect setting to catch views of whales breaching.Recently voted as having the "Best Hawaiian Cultural Program" by Maui News readers, the Fairmont offers authentic Hawaiian experiences that range from educational classes, cultural music and celebrations, to paddling an outrigger canoe and dining experiences hard to match in Hawaii.

See fairmont.com/KeaLani

No.2 Aquatic adventure

Anyone who sets foot on Maui soil at some point must step right off it and on to Trilogy's hi-tech catamarans for a "whale of a sail".

The whale-watching tour and snorkelling excursion to the island of Molokini is a ripper. The ocean inhabitants include whales, various fish species, dolphins and turtles and there are a few famous houses - Oprah, Clint Eastwood et al - to spy on along the way. Food on board is simple but scrumptious and "snuba" (half snorkelling, half diving) is an experience you'll never forget.

See sailtrilogy.com

No.3 Maui Cultural Lands

Soak up the ambience of an ancient land and give something back in the awe-inspiring Honokowai Valley, where a small team spend their Saturdays restoring an ancient farming archeological site. It's a chance to get your hands dirty and breathe in the freshest air as you venture deep into the realms of Honokowai for five hours of restorative work. It's a top experience right from the minute you meet at Puukoli'I Train Station in Lahaina at 9am and head up into the valley with fantastic people who can teach you a lot about the region.

See mauiculturallands.org

No.4 Ka'anapali Resort

It may not be so important to some, but you just have to love a resort that's a five-minute drive from the airport.

Set along a beautiful expanse of Ka'anapali's North Beach, it's almost a case of hitting the beach, or one of the Westin's enormous pools, within 15 minutes of landing in Maui.

Brilliant for families, the resort villas are well appointed with kitchens, spacious rooms and a handy one-stop shop for provisions.

While mum's settling into some Spa Helani pampering and dad's having a whack around the nearby golf course, there is a super kids club for 5-12 year olds, lessons for learning the local lingo, ukulele, hula dancing and stand-up paddle-boarding, pool volleyball, beach boot camps, and a "minute to win it" water adventure game. Or join a gecko hunt - the guides may show you how to put one to sleep.

A shuttle bus takes you anywhere and everywhere around town.

See westinkaanapali.com

No.5 Hit the Road to Hana

Possibly the most popular activity in Maui is the drive along the famous Road to Hana, a scenic cruise along the windward coast. Take in views of spectacular waterfalls and rainbows, exotic flowers, plants and rainforests. The road was built with volcanic rock in 1926 by prisoners before it was paved with asphalt in the 1960s. It was originally part of a trail that encircled the island, completed in the 16th century under King Pi'ilani.

See gohawaii.com/maui/regions-neighbourhoods/east-maui/hana

No.6 Cliff-diving ceremony

Settle in at The Sheraton's beachside Cliff Dive Bar with a Black Rock lager in hand, created locally by the Maui Brewing Company, as the daily cliff-diving ceremony kicks in at sunset.

The last chief of Maui, Kahekili, is said to have proved his spiritual might by leaping from sacred Pu'u Keka'a and into the Pacific.

As a sunset begins, a young cliff diver honours his heritage each night. He leaves a trail of glowing torches along Ka'anapali Beach. Once he reaches Black Rock , he offers his torch to the ocean below, hurls his flower lei in and dives into the rolling surf below in a spectacular display.

See sheraton-maui.com

No.7 Volcano ride

Haleakala, which means "house of the sun", is an imposing 3000m dormant volcano that is perfect for riding a bike down. It's an exhilarating way to see the sights for little over $100, despite the 3.30am check in with the Haleakala Bike Company.

See bikemaui.com

The writer was a guest of Hawaii Tourism and Hawaiian Airlines.

Go2 - MAUI

Getting there: Hawaiian Airlines flies daily from Sydney to Honolulu. Hawaiian also continues to the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island. All Hawaiian Airlines fares from Australia include meals, drinks, video entertainment and a baggage allowance of two checked items, each weighing up to 32kg. Virgin Australia Velocity points can be earned and redeemed when flying Hawaiian.

More: See gohawaii.com/au