DK Travel : Maui : Places of interest

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Wailua

Marked out by its lo’i kalo (taro patches), the village of Wailua is just over halfway along the road to Hāna. Native Hawaiians raise and tend the precious plants in the traditional way of their ancestors. At mile marker 18, you can turn left onto Wailua Road, go past St. Gabriel’s Church and the Miracle of Fatima Shrine, and reach an easily accessible and highly refreshing waterfall.
Waimoku Falls

One of Maui’s tallest, Waimoku Falls cascades more than 400 ft into ’Ohe’o Gulch in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. Hikers can reach the falls by taking the Waimoku Falls Trail (see Waimoku Falls).
Waine’e Cemetery

The first Christian cemetery in Hawai’i. Many Hawaiian ali’i (royals) are buried here, including King Kaumuali’i, the last king of Kaua’i; Queen Keōpūolani, the highest Hawaiian ali’i ever baptized as a Protestant; and Princess Nahienaena, sister of Kings Kamehameha II and III.
Waiola Church

Immortalized by American author James Michener in his novelHawai’i , this church was built in the early 1800s and, over its 200-year history, has been destroyed three times – twice by windstorms and once by fire. The building was repositioned during its last reconstruction in 1951 and has been standing sturdily since. Still known largely as Waine’e Church, it was officially renamed Waiola (“water of life”) in 1953.
Wai’ānapanapa State Park

The natural features of this park include freshwater springfed caves, a magnificent black sand beach, heiau (temples), blowholes, the King’s Trail (see Wai’ānapanapa Beach Trail), and a fascinating natural stone arch traversing towering peaks of lava.
Whalers Village Museum

The skeleton of a 40-ft Sperm whale guards the entrance to Whalers Village, a museum that presents a vivid picture of the 19th-century Pacific whaling industry. Photo murals, an authentic whaling boat complete with gear, and a re-created ship’s forecastle graphically illustrate the seafaring life.
Wo Hing Temple

This brightly painted building illustrates the influence of Chinese immigrants to the commerce of Maui. Brought in great numbers to work on sugar plantations, it was not long before the Chinese settlers had enough money to leave the employment of others and set up their own businesses. The Wing Ho Temple, built by a Chinese fraternal society as a social hall, now preserves the history and contributions of Maui’s Chinese community through its exhibits.
’Āhihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve

Walking trails through the dramatic lava fields of this reserve lead to natural pools and archaeological sites. And, in the underwater sections, terrific snorkeling and scuba diving can be found. This is a reserve, however, and visitors are reminded that damaging or removing anything of the natural habitat is strictly illegal.
’Īao Valley

The sacredness of this valley stretches far back into the prehistory of Hawai’i, but in more recent times it became known as the site of one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on Maui. Hundreds were killed in the 18th century when Kamehameha I waged war to unite the islands under his rule. The area is now a state park, with marked trails for hiking and the cool freshwater ’Īao Stream offering the respite of a cool dip on a hot day. (see ’Īao Valley and Kepaniwai)
’Ulupalakua Ranch

Ship captain James Makee established the ranch in 1856 and built a house for his large family, cisterns to capture water, a sugar mill to generate income, and a cottage for his frequent guest, King Kalākaua. Today, the house is gone, the cisterns are filled in, the sugar mill lies in ruins, and the restored King’s Cottage is Tedeschi Winery’s tasting room. ’Ulupalakua continues, however, as a working ranch, and many of Maui’s paniolo (cowboys) ride its 20,000-acre range.