Being “born and raised” on Maui, I feel I have a pretty strong grasp on why Maui No Ka Oi (Maui is the best).
I have lived on Maui the vast majority of my life, experiencing the true Aloha spirit, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I was raised to have to have the utmost respect for myself, others, and my wonderful surroundings. I did spend some time away at Babson College, a great business school in Boston, where I gave my first speech about being born in a coconut grove at my parent’s property in Haiku (true story) and which lead to a lot of laughter, many raised eyebrows, and the facetious bombardment of: Did you live in a grass hut on the beach? Did you ride dolphins to school? The students quickly quieted when I showed them some of my treasured birth photos.
All sarcasm aside, I don’t think many people really understand what an awesome place Maui is to live.
On a recent trip to Seattle, I was quickly reminded of the exorbitant cost of living on Maui. Decent houses for $200k, gas for under $3 bucks a gallon, and milk for under $2 bucks a gallon; even at Costco we pay way more for these items. I began to question why it was that I have chosen to call Maui home. This thought didn’t last long, as here are 10 reasons why Maui No Ka Oi:
1. Hana
If I could live anywhere on Maui, Hana would be my choice. Its remote location and unparalleled natural beauty is breathtaking and unique. I have enjoyed many camping, hiking, surfing trips in Hana that will live with me forever.
As you can see, Hamoa Beach in Hana defines the aforementioned unique beauty of this magical place
Experience the magic in these beautiful Hana homes.
2. Jaws
This is some footage I took from late April of this year at the world-renowned Big Wave Surf location known as Jaws.
I have ridden my mountain bike or run down through the pineapple fields many times to Jaws as it is just about three miles from my parent’s house in Haiku.
Here are my personal favorite picks for Haiku Real Estate.
3. Maui Sunsets
My favorite place to view a sunset on Maui is from my stand-up surfboard on the water in West Maui. Watching the sun fall behind the island of Lanai as its ambient light hits the West Maui mountains takes my breath away and makes me feel so alive and yet peaceful at the same time.
Taken from Ho’okipa Beach Park on Maui’s North Shore, where one can experience this breathtaking sunset over the West Maui Mountains from the ocean cliffs or from one of my favorite restaurants, Mama’s Fish House, which sits on a private cove on the point in this photo.
4. Golfing on Maui
We have 17 Golf Courses here on Maui, and they are all open to the public. Not only do we have some very challenging world class courses, the views and weather aren’t too shabby either. 🙂
For an inexperienced golfer like myself, the Makena North Course (above) is quite challenging. But with views like this abounding, the guys and I had a great day regardless.
5. Keawakapu Beach
Located in South Maui on the border of Kihei and Wailea, Keawekapu is one the most enjoyable beaches on which to take a romantic afternoon or moonlit evening stroll, or upon which to take the kids out and enjoy some very protected and pristine water.
Here are some exceptional properties on Keawakapu Beach.
6. Maui Restaurants
Per capita, I think Maui must have the highest concentration of excellent food, service, and locations in which to enjoy them. We have a plethora of places to get $6 plate lunches (BBQ Kal-Bi ribs being my favorite), as well as some exceptional high end restaurants which are predominantly located in the resort areas of both South and West Maui.
The Beach House at Duke’s located within the Honua Kai Resort is one of my favorite places to eat with friends or clients while in West Maui. The restaurant has great Pacific Rim cuisine, an excellent beachfront location on Ka’anapali North Beach, and service with Aloha.
After you’re done eating, consider checking out some of the hot deals at Honua Kai.
7. Fishing in Makena
Some of my buddies are pretty serious about their Ulua fishing in various spots of the island. I for one, am a little more inclined to enjoy a relaxing day enjoying the sunshine, views, and if something bites then great. If not, “no worries” as we say here on Maui.
If you are more interested in looking at Makena real estate, rather than fishing, may I recommend these spectacular Makena Homes? Don’t see anything you like here? Why not build a custom home on an exceptional oceanfront lot in Makena?
8. Sunrise at Haleakala (House of the Sun)
With me being the grumpy bear that I am in the morning, it really takes something exceptional for me to get up at 2 in the morning and drive a couple hours. Now that I have seen the sunrise at Haleakala National Park, I am very pleased to have overcome my grumpiness and made the trip up the mountain.
I wasn’t able to find the photos from my actual trip up to Haleakala but this is one my buddy took from his recent trip. Not only is Haleakala a great place to view the sunrise, it is also an amazing place to hike, camp, and learn about the history of the Hawaiiian islands. This crater is the size of Manhattan Island and has the feel of a completely different planet; I highly recommend a trip here.
Instead of watching fireworks this past 4th of July, I decided to enjoy a relaxing day at Kahana Beach Park in Central Maui.
Who said there aren’t nice beaches in Kahului? Kite Beach/Kanaha Beach Park is literally one minute away from Maui’s main airport in Kahului. This long white sandy beach is a great place to walk, swim, surf, play beach volleyball, or play spectator like I did.
10. The people
Being a “haole” raised on Maui wasn’t always the easiest thing to deal with growing up. I was often teased because of my light skin tone and old English middle name “Townsend.” However, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything because I have found that unfortunately prejudice exists all over the world, and its how we deal with this adversity and learn to treat all people with respect that we truly become citizens of the world. In my book, being “Haole” has everything to do with your attitude, and nothing about where you come from or what you look like.
I have many people ask me, “Is it is safe for me to live in Maui?” ” Will I be an outsider?” The truth of the matter is that one of the things that makes Maui so special is the amazing mix of people we have here. No one is an outsider. Our doors are always open to those who exhibit the Aloha spirit, and who respect the people, respect the culture, and respect the land. I firmly believe and have seen that those who treat others with respect and how they wanted to be treated will have the same returned to them.
Please let me know if you have any questions or are interested in another 10 reasons why Maui No Ka Oi.
Aloooooooha 🙂
Matt Beall, PB
September 30, 2010
“Townsend”? Whoa I don’t think I’m going to forget that. I have to say, the more time I spend on Maui, the more I like (and I’m pretty spoiled).
Matt Beall, PB
September 30, 2010
“Townsend”? Whoa I don’t think I’m going to forget that. I have to say, the more time I spend on Maui, the more I like (and I’m pretty spoiled).
Tobi Fisher
September 30, 2010
I agree with you all the way! Maui Real Estate is No Ka Oi!
Tobi Fisher
September 30, 2010
I agree with you all the way! Maui Real Estate is No Ka Oi!
Ken Molina R(S)
September 30, 2010
Maui all the way!
Ken Molina R(S)
September 30, 2010
Maui all the way!
Jeanne E. Buboltz, RB CRS GRI
September 30, 2010
Wellll, okay you are winning me over. Been many a visit over to Maui, but several of your locations and the photo’s are just super. Especially your buddy’s “award winning” (at least it should be) photo of the Haleakala sunrise. Wow! Almost as good as a winter Mauna Kea Summit sunset with snow sparkling on the ground. Since I lived on the Big Island for 22 years….had to throw that particular comment in! All the islands of Hawaii are totally wonderful in their unique way! Thank you for sharing.
Aloha, JeanneEB
Jeanne E. Buboltz, RB CRS GRI
September 30, 2010
Wellll, okay you are winning me over. Been many a visit over to Maui, but several of your locations and the photo’s are just super. Especially your buddy’s “award winning” (at least it should be) photo of the Haleakala sunrise. Wow! Almost as good as a winter Mauna Kea Summit sunset with snow sparkling on the ground. Since I lived on the Big Island for 22 years….had to throw that particular comment in! All the islands of Hawaii are totally wonderful in their unique way! Thank you for sharing.
Aloha, JeanneEB
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
September 30, 2010
Aloha, Jeremy – great post! ALMOST makes me want to move to Maui…hee. But I must say, until you’ve lived on the Big Island, how can you REALLY know that Maui is No Ka Oi?? I can give you 11 reasons why Da Big Island stay Mo Bettah! After all, does Maui have a LIVE volcano and oceanfront property under $1M??
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
September 30, 2010
Aloha, Jeremy – great post! ALMOST makes me want to move to Maui…hee. But I must say, until you’ve lived on the Big Island, how can you REALLY know that Maui is No Ka Oi?? I can give you 11 reasons why Da Big Island stay Mo Bettah! After all, does Maui have a LIVE volcano and oceanfront property under $1M??
Jeremy Stice R(S)
September 30, 2010
@ Boss Man Beall- Yea Yea lol, you just wait for the next time we suit up to play Madden ’11 and we’ll see who’s laughing at the end of that one.
@ Jeanne and Katie- Glad you liked the post,I’m looking forward to seeing the 11 Reasons Why Big Island Mo Bettah post.
Jeremy Stice R(S)
September 30, 2010
@ Boss Man Beall- Yea Yea lol, you just wait for the next time we suit up to play Madden ’11 and we’ll see who’s laughing at the end of that one.
@ Jeanne and Katie- Glad you liked the post,I’m looking forward to seeing the 11 Reasons Why Big Island Mo Bettah post.
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
September 30, 2010
Jeremy… I have a tip for you with b-man… do you have Wiii Mario Cart??? 😉
I’m working on my list, and I warn you – it’s a good one! Hee.
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
September 30, 2010
Jeremy… I have a tip for you with b-man… do you have Wiii Mario Cart??? 😉
I’m working on my list, and I warn you – it’s a good one! Hee.
Tony
September 30, 2010
Maui no ka oi
Tony
September 30, 2010
Maui no ka oi
Larry
October 1, 2010
Very cool, lucky you born here, smart I moved here
Larry
October 1, 2010
Very cool, lucky you born here, smart I moved here
rUSTIN
October 1, 2010
Great Post Jeremy,
I’m very lucky to have married a pure Hawaiian Maui girl..They are Da bestest..
rUSTIN
October 1, 2010
Great Post Jeremy,
I’m very lucky to have married a pure Hawaiian Maui girl..They are Da bestest..
Diane Chavez
October 1, 2010
Wow Jeremy I am just going to have to make a trip back to Maui to visit my Mom and Dad. I miss Maui after seeing your blog.
Great pictures. Love the Jaws video.
Diane Chavez
October 1, 2010
Wow Jeremy I am just going to have to make a trip back to Maui to visit my Mom and Dad. I miss Maui after seeing your blog.
Great pictures. Love the Jaws video.
David Buck
October 1, 2010
Love it. Good stuff!
David Buck
October 1, 2010
Love it. Good stuff!
Molly
October 1, 2010
Jeremy, this is a great post. I’ve only lived on Maui for five years, but I’m reminded every day of why I chose to come here. Expensive? Sure, in some ways. But to have the wealth of natural beauty we see everyday just outside my door is priceless. Visiting home in Boston just a year ago, I got a heavy-duty reminder of what it is like to live in a place where the natural world is crowded out.
Molly
October 1, 2010
Jeremy, this is a great post. I’ve only lived on Maui for five years, but I’m reminded every day of why I chose to come here. Expensive? Sure, in some ways. But to have the wealth of natural beauty we see everyday just outside my door is priceless. Visiting home in Boston just a year ago, I got a heavy-duty reminder of what it is like to live in a place where the natural world is crowded out.
Matt Beall, PB
October 2, 2010
J- I’ve reserved a new e-mail address for you: townsend@hawaiilife.com
Matt Beall, PB
October 2, 2010
J- I’ve reserved a new e-mail address for you: townsend@hawaiilife.com
Mekani
October 4, 2010
Jeremy, this is nothing short than amazing. You did a great job representing all the features and natural beauty of Maui I love. Unreal jaws video and photos too! And you completely sold me on it, literally lol. Can’t wait to move to Maui in a few months! And finally visit Haleakala. You are absolutely right about the people on Maui; a lot of the most considerate people I know live there. Keep up the hard work. A hui hou! 🙂
Mekani
October 4, 2010
Jeremy, this is nothing short than amazing. You did a great job representing all the features and natural beauty of Maui I love. Unreal jaws video and photos too! And you completely sold me on it, literally lol. Can’t wait to move to Maui in a few months! And finally visit Haleakala. You are absolutely right about the people on Maui; a lot of the most considerate people I know live there. Keep up the hard work. A hui hou! 🙂
Andrew, Preferred Patron, The Varsity Bar
October 4, 2010
Jeremy, nice article! Who took that photo of Haleakala? Beautiful stuff. I think my top ten would only differ from yours in a couple of places.
Andrew, Preferred Patron, The Varsity Bar
October 4, 2010
Jeremy, nice article! Who took that photo of Haleakala? Beautiful stuff. I think my top ten would only differ from yours in a couple of places.
Jeremy Stice, R(S)
October 9, 2010
@Andrew,
Glad you liked the article. One of my friends I went to Seabury with took the pic and sent it to me. What would be some additions to your top 10?
@Mekani
Mahalo for the kind words. I am so happy that I was able to help you and your family secure a beautiful home here on Maui. Ka’anapali is awesome! Can’t wait to have some fun in the sun with you. A hui hou:)
Jeremy Stice, R(S)
October 9, 2010
@Andrew,
Glad you liked the article. One of my friends I went to Seabury with took the pic and sent it to me. What would be some additions to your top 10?
@Mekani
Mahalo for the kind words. I am so happy that I was able to help you and your family secure a beautiful home here on Maui. Ka’anapali is awesome! Can’t wait to have some fun in the sun with you. A hui hou:)
GG
January 14, 2011
Jeremy, what does A hui hou mean???????? This is geat and makes me want to come back soon. Love, GG
GG
January 14, 2011
Jeremy, what does A hui hou mean???????? This is geat and makes me want to come back soon. Love, GG
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
January 14, 2011
Jeremy – I’m still working on my blog Big Island Mo’ Bettah…
Katie Minkus, R(BIC)
January 14, 2011
Jeremy – I’m still working on my blog Big Island Mo’ Bettah…
Jeremy Stice
January 14, 2011
GG,
I am glad that you like this piece and we can’t wait for you to come back to Maui. Hopefully, I get to spend more time with you next time.
“A hui hou” means Until We Meet Again or See you later.
So “A hui hou malama pono” Thank you, until we meet again Grandma GG. Love you xoxoxo.
Jeremy Stice
January 14, 2011
GG,
I am glad that you like this piece and we can’t wait for you to come back to Maui. Hopefully, I get to spend more time with you next time.
“A hui hou” means Until We Meet Again or See you later.
So “A hui hou malama pono” Thank you, until we meet again Grandma GG. Love you xoxoxo.
Jeremy Stice
January 14, 2011
Katie,
Do I smell an ongoing rivalry throughout our careers here? I am certainly up for it as long it helps us and our respective clients out. Aloha and take care.
Jeremy Stice
January 14, 2011
Katie,
Do I smell an ongoing rivalry throughout our careers here? I am certainly up for it as long it helps us and our respective clients out. Aloha and take care.
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Alexandro
February 16, 2012
Wow!!!!! I have lots of pictures and no matter what angle you take them a different color appears I love Maui with all my hart and I have adopted the aloha spirit since i’ve landed in kahului airport in 1995 – Maui and the islands of Hawaii are truly the most.
Alexandro
February 16, 2012
Wow!!!!! I have lots of pictures and no matter what angle you take them a different color appears I love Maui with all my hart and I have adopted the aloha spirit since i’ve landed in kahului airport in 1995 – Maui and the islands of Hawaii are truly the most.
Robin
March 8, 2012
Jeremy, Fabulous Information. Maui has been calling me for a little over 2 years now; this has helped put my mind @ rest. I am now looking forward to spending a year in Maui. I just have one question, would you direct me to finding out the regulations for shipping plants. Yes, I could give them away. However, these plants where nurtured by my Father hands for over 30 years he has since made his transition. So if it is doable I will be bringing him along through his beloved plants. Thanks for any information you can give and for sharing your Maui experience! Bodacious Blessings, Robin
Robin
March 8, 2012
Jeremy, Fabulous Information. Maui has been calling me for a little over 2 years now; this has helped put my mind @ rest. I am now looking forward to spending a year in Maui. I just have one question, would you direct me to finding out the regulations for shipping plants. Yes, I could give them away. However, these plants where nurtured by my Father hands for over 30 years he has since made his transition. So if it is doable I will be bringing him along through his beloved plants. Thanks for any information you can give and for sharing your Maui experience! Bodacious Blessings, Robin
Jeremy Stice, R(S), Accredited Buyers Representative
March 8, 2012
Aloha Robin,
I am glad that you enjoyed the post and I certainly can understand Maui weighing heavily on your mind. I’m not sure exactly what you will want to do about bringing over your plants but I would start with contacting the Matson shipping company as they handle the majority of the shipping for the State of Hawaii. I don’t think it is going to be an easy process because I would imagine that the plants will have to go through a pretty rigorous agricultural inspection process but it certainly can be done. I hope you get them here. Aloha and take care.
Jeremy Stice, R(S), Accredited Buyers Representative
March 8, 2012
Aloha Robin,
I am glad that you enjoyed the post and I certainly can understand Maui weighing heavily on your mind. I’m not sure exactly what you will want to do about bringing over your plants but I would start with contacting the Matson shipping company as they handle the majority of the shipping for the State of Hawaii. I don’t think it is going to be an easy process because I would imagine that the plants will have to go through a pretty rigorous agricultural inspection process but it certainly can be done. I hope you get them here. Aloha and take care.
Jeff
June 17, 2012
Hello everyone~
I am trying to find my way ‘home’ to Maui where I hope to continue my dreams of being an artist, writer and musician. After seeing those pictures, especially the technicolor sunset that I could never grow tired of I wonder why anyone would want to live anywhere else.
Peace and all good things~Jeff
Jeff
June 17, 2012
Hello everyone~
I am trying to find my way ‘home’ to Maui where I hope to continue my dreams of being an artist, writer and musician. After seeing those pictures, especially the technicolor sunset that I could never grow tired of I wonder why anyone would want to live anywhere else.
Peace and all good things~Jeff
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Ken
October 20, 2012
Is Babson an accredited school? Never heard of it.
Ken
October 20, 2012
Is Babson an accredited school? Never heard of it.
Sara
September 5, 2013
My husband and I are taking our first islanders together this October. Any suggestions for sightseeing at a reason less price? And food? Wed like to stay local not touristy…
Sara
September 5, 2013
My husband and I are taking our first islanders together this October. Any suggestions for sightseeing at a reason less price? And food? Wed like to stay local not touristy…
Rick
December 2, 2013
This is a well written story, you are very lucky to have found your paradise, thanks for sharing it with us. I am an american who has lived outside america for most my life and have experienced prejudice living in countries such as Africa, Asia and even in Australia among other white people. I believe there is value in being a minority, this teaches us an inner strength as well as treating others different from us as equal.
Rick
December 2, 2013
This is a well written story, you are very lucky to have found your paradise, thanks for sharing it with us. I am an american who has lived outside america for most my life and have experienced prejudice living in countries such as Africa, Asia and even in Australia among other white people. I believe there is value in being a minority, this teaches us an inner strength as well as treating others different from us as equal.