O’AHU & MAUI HAWAII: WHERE CITY LIFE MEETS NATURAL BEAUTY
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TODD ELLIOT & JEFF ZIMERMAN
Explore Oahu on Two Wheels with Hawaiian Style Rentals
Ditch the confines of a car and discover the hidden gems of Oahu at your own pace with
Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales. A premier bicycle, scooter and moped rental service in Waikiki since 2005. Offering a fun, memorable, and flexible way to explore the island, they provide well-maintained equipment and local insights to help you create your perfect Hawaiian adventure. You can change and get new ebike batteries at anytime as they will change those so you don’t have to overnight charge them if you like.
We experienced Oahu via E-bike cycling for four days. E-bike cycling offers numerous benefits; by making it easier to conquer Oahu hilly terrain with ease, to providing an efficient, eco-friendly way to bypass & navigate traffic congestion and also to enjoy the stunning natural beauty with less physical strain. It’s a versatile mode of transport that enhances accessibility for a wide range of people, combining practical commuting with the joy of exploring scenic routes. The E-bikes transformed the island exploration experience by making it easier to conquer challenging terrain and navigate traffic. Oahu has over 200 miles of bike paths, lanes, and routes, which allows cyclists to bypass heavy car congestion and reach their destinations faster. We cycled with ease steep volcanic hills, such as the path to Diamond Head. We found parking in Oʻahu easily on the bikes, which can be very difficult and expensive with a car. E-bikes eliminate this hassle, offering easy, convenient parking options. Their customer service was outstanding.
Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales has a convenient Waikiki location at 2556 Lemon Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815. They are open seven days a week from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and it’s recommended to reserve online for the best offers on multiple-day rentals. https://hawaiianstylerentals.com/
Diamond Head Cruises: The Essential Oahu Ocean Experience
“Diamond Head Cruises” in Oahu offers a variety of semi-private and private boat tours, including snorkeling adventures, sunset sails, whale watching (seasonal), and custom charters. Their tours provide unique, ocean-based views of the iconic Diamond Head crater and Waikiki coastline. For travelers seeking a memorable perspective of Oahu’s stunning coastline, a cruise with Diamond Head Cruises is highly recommended.
For visitors looking to explore the stunning waters off Waikiki, Diamond Head Cruises offers a range of personalized and intimate boat tours, specializing in small group experiences (up to six passengers) on their high-speed adventure rafts or private yachts. Guests consistently praise the professional, engaging and friendly crew, who prioritize safety and ensure a memorable journey along Oahu’s scenic south shore.
We went on the Turtle Canyon Snorkel Tour, which was the highlight of our trip. A two hour adventure to Turtle Canyon, a popular spot to swim with green sea turtles (Honu) in their natural habitat. This tour is suitable for all skill levels and includes high-quality snorkel gear. This Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure is a very popular semi-private tour takes guests to “secret spots” around Turtle Canyon, a vibrant reef area known for abundant marine life, including the chance to swim alongside Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and colorful fish. No prior snorkeling experience is required, as the crew provides all necessary gear and guidance.
We highly recommend Diamond Head Cruises, a unique way to experience the beauty of Oahu’s coastline, providing unforgettable memories from the best vantage point: the ocean.
(808) 351-2335 • [email protected] • diamondheadcruises.com
Auana: Cirque du Soleil’s O’ahu Resident Show
Cirque du Soleil has established its first-ever resident show in Hawaii, titled ʻAuana, which offers a unique blend of high-flying acrobatics and authentic Hawaiian culture and storytelling. Located in a custom-designed, intimate theater at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel in Honolulu, the show has quickly become a must-see attraction, celebrated by locals and visitors alike.
The title ʻAuana is a Hawaiian word meaning “to wander” or “to veer off the beaten path,” reflecting a journey through the cultural landscapes and stories of the islands. Unlike traditional Cirque du Soleil shows which use “Cirquish”, the production is performed entirely in the Hawaiian language (ʻōlelo Hawaii), highlighting a commitment to cultural authenticity.
The narrative unfolds in eight parts, or chapters, tracing the stories of Hawaii, from the voyaging of the first Hawaiians to the golden age of Waikiki. Key cultural elements are interwoven with classic Cirque du Soleil acts, creating a vibrant and respectful tribute to the land and its people. This show features an ensemble of international acrobats and local Hawaiian talent, ensuring the stories are told with both artistic grandeur and cultural integrity.
For tickets and more information, you can visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/auana. Special Hawaii resident discounts are available. For a fun & informative evening we recommend seeing Auana.
Maui Animal Farm
Maui Animal Farm, located at the base of the West Maui mountains, is a hands-on heartwarming petting zoo, sanctuary for rescued animals and educational center owned and operated by Heidi Denecke. Known for her passion and hospitality, Heidi offers visitors an interactive experience to meet and learn about a diverse range of animals, many of which are rescue or sanctuary inhabitants.
Heidi Denecke acquired the former Lahaina Animal Farm in 2016 and renamed it Maui Animal Farm, bringing to it a vision for an animal education center and therapeutic programs. A world traveler with a background in hotel sales, she traded her business suits for cowboy boots to create this unique haven.
The farm is home to approximately 200 animals, including goats, pigs, horses, miniature horses, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, chickens, tortoises, and cats. Visitors consistently praise Heidi’s warm and welcoming demeanor, noting how she ensures a hands-on experience for everyone, from children to adults. Guests can expect to feed animals, hold bunnies and ducklings, brush goats, and even give a belly rub to a pig named Hau’oli.
Beyond the daily tours, Heidi’s commitment to animal welfare and community runs deep. In 2019, she established a nonprofit, Tiny Hoof Animal Therapy of West Maui, to provide animal and equine-assisted therapy programs. The farm also serves as a critical community resource, a fact highlighted during the tragic August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina. While her property was spared, Heidi was ordered to evacuate. In a testament to her dedication, she worked quickly to evacuate animals, writing her phone number on her horses and opening gates to give them a chance to escape. In 2022, community members even rallied to support her through a GoFundMe campaign after she broke her ankle, preventing her from running the tours that were her sole source of income.
Maui Animal Farm offers public morning tours from Tuesday through Saturday, with private parties also available for booking. The experience is often cited by visitors as a highlight of their Maui trip, offering gorgeous mountain and ocean views along with the unique animal interactions. https://www.mauianimalfarm.com/. We definitely recommend a visit to the Maui Animal Farm on your next Maui visit.
Ka’anapali Surf Club
The Ka’anapali Surf Club is a water sports provider located along Ka’anapali Beach in West Maui, Hawaii, offering a variety of lessons and rentals, including surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The club provides private and group lessons, which include certified instructors, necessary equipment like boards and protective footwear, and water safety instruction. The club has become a premier destination for anyone looking to experience the thrill of the ocean, from first-time surfers to seasoned water enthusiasts.
All equipment, including boards, protective water shoes, and rash guards, is provided with lessons and rentals. All instructors are certified in First Aid and CPR and are experienced staff.
We went Kayaking and enjoyed the vibrant marine ecosystem. The area is well known for Hawaiian green sea turtles and a variety of tropical fish, particularly near the natural break of Black Rock, on the northern end of the beach. Black Rock is also a very popular snorkeling spot. During the winter months, kayakers may even spot migrating whales. We had a spectacular kayak experience between the abundant of sealife and views of neighbor islands Lana’i and Moloka’i. The best time to kayak is typically in the early morning, when the ocean conditions are the calmest and the winds are light, making for a smooth and peaceful experience.
Whether you’re looking to check an item off your bucket list or foster a new passion for surfing, the Kāʻanapali Surf Club provides a safe, professional, and exciting environment to connect with the ocean and experience the spirit of aloha. Tyler Larronde is the owner, very knowledgeable and personable. On your next Maui vacation we definitely recommend experiencing from the water. For more information or to book a lesson, visit https://kaanapalisurfclub.com/
MAUI WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD BED & BREAKFAST
Maui What a Wonderful World Bed and Breakfast is a family-run B&B run by hosts Eva and Jim Tantillo since 1994 in Kihei, South Maui. It features four guest suites (Guava, Pineapple, Papaya, and Mango), provides a complimentary breakfast, and offers amenities like a BBQ area, laundry, and beach gear. The location is a short walk to Keawakapu Beach, and is also close to other conveniences like shopping and dining.
Guests have access to numerous free amenities; complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking and use of a washer and dryer. Also their is complimentary use of beach gear, such as boogie boards, beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. Air conditioning in all units. Breakfast include fresh fruit, pastries, bagels, and other baked goods, along with drinks like juice, coffee, or milk. Guests can also find yogurt, granola, and other treats stocked in their suite’s refrigerator. There is also free parking. Very friendly dogs greet you upon arrival.
Our experience at Maui What a Wonderful World Bed & Breakfast was overwhelmingly positive. Praise to our friendly and helpful host, Eva, the well-equipped and clean bedroom suites, the tranquil and safe neighborhood, and the provided amenities like beach gear and breakfast. While the location is not directly on the beach (appox 1 mile), it is close enough to take in the beautiful ocean views, and walk to the nearby beaches and restaurants. Eva and Jim know Maui extremely well, and provided valuable recommendations and suggestion.
We couldn’t get over how beautiful the stay was here. Nice size bedroom, back garden for sitting and upstairs kitchen sitting space with studding views of the beach. There is also outdoor sitting area in their back garden.
We definitely recommend staying here. They have shared the #1 rating on TripAdvisor since 2017. Click on this link to make a reservation https://amauibedandbreakfast.com/