On the southern edge of the isthmus that forms Maui’s Central Valley, lies a thriving yet tranquil community: Ma’alaea, population 352, plus or minus. This intriguing corner of Maui includes a bustling boat harbor offering excursions that range from whale and dolphin watches to snorkel and snuba adventures to romantic dinner and sunset sails to chartered fishing expeditions.

Adjacent to the Marina are the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops, including The Maui Ocean Center Aquarium (voted Maui’s nbr.1 attraction), The Maui Golf and Sport Park for mini golf, water bumper boats, extreme trampoline and rock climbing, and various shops, restaurants, and a gas station. And then, tucked away off the main roads, on a secluded cul-de-sac named Hauoli Street (Hawaiian for Happy Street), you’ll find a small community of laid-back direct oceanfront resorts. The Hono Kai Resort is one of these. The Hono Kai’s four 2-and 3-story buildings rise just above the white sands of Ma’alaea Beach, facing the bay straight-on. From the pool and barbecue areas, you have a panoramic, nothing peek-a-boo about it coastline view that extends down to the Makena cinder cone, up the heights of Haleakala, and that sweeps out across the bay to the sunken volcanic cinder cone of Molokini Crater and neighbor island, Kaho'olawe. Lounge chairs are lined up on the front lawn at the ocean’s edge to give you a

On the southern edge of the isthmus that forms Maui’s Central Valley, lies a thriving yet tranquil community: Ma’alaea, population 352, plus or minus. This intriguing corner of Maui includes a bustling boat harbor offering excursions that range from whale and dolphin watches to snorkel and snuba adventures to romantic dinner and sunset sails to chartered fishing expeditions. Adjacent to the Marina are the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops, including The Maui Ocean Center Aquarium (voted Maui’s nbr.1 attraction), The Maui Golf and Sport Park for mini golf, water bumper boats, extreme trampoline and rock climbing, and various shops, restaurants, and a gas station. And then, tucked away off the main roads, on a secluded cul-de-sac named Hauoli Street (Hawaiian for Happy Street), you’ll find a small community of laid-back direct oceanfront resorts. The Hono Kai Resort is one of these. The Hono Kai’s four 2-and 3-story buildings rise just above the white sands of Ma’alaea Beach, facing the bay straight