As you leave Lahaina Town, your next big destination is Ka’anapali. Along the way you notice a few beaches like Pu’umo Beach, Wahikuli Wayside Park, and Hanaka’o’o Canoe Beach then you will be on the outskirts of Ka’anapali.

Prior to 1956, Ka’anapali was part of a large sugar cane plantation. This is the year the company board sat down and devised a plan to create the very first resort in Hawaii, the location they choose was Ka’anapali Beach. They plan came together and in 1962 the resort opened its doors. Today, this is not the only resort found on this beach as other soon found this beach to be the perfect spot for vacationers to enjoy what Maui had to offer.

This beautiful beach is separated by what is called the Black Rock. Black Rock better known by locals as Pu’u Keka’a is the remains of a volcano and is a place of legend. Here is where it is believed that the souls of the departed leave this earth by leaping off Black Rock. This is the spot on Maui in which the soul would leave to join their ancestors; each Hawaiian Island has a designated spot for the souls to leave the earth and join their family gone on before. As the legend goes, if the soul of the deceased person was not greeted by a family member or ancestor it would be tied to the earth, thus playing pranks and attaching their souls to rocks in the area. If you plan to take back a souvenir, it would be wise not to pick up any rocks nearby the Black Rock or you will hear the locals tell you that you could be taking with you the spirit of a deceased Hawaiian.

Around mile marker 25 you will find a very wonderful beach that everyone enjoys which is Kahekili Beach Park. Here you can relax and enjoy a day in Maui just as you imagined. If you wish to do a bit of grocery shopping for a picnic it would be best if you visit the shops north of Ka’anapali instead of along the beach close by the resorts as the prices are much less.

Another great beach on this stretch is Napili Bay. This beach is often crowded as it is one of the most popular. Therefore, if you really wish to enjoy this beach it would be best to get here as early as possible in the morning.

Keep traveling along highway 30 and you will pass by some of the best shopping areas on West Maui such as Kahana Gateway Shopping Center and Napili Plaza Shopping Center. The Kahana Gateway Shopping Center is the last stop for gas until you arrive in Kapalua and the best grocery store can be found at Napili Plaza Shopping Center.

Just north of Kapalua is what is called Makalua-puna Point. The lava here is unlike any lava on Maui. It is light in color, which in some cases is very white. You will also find the unique formation of lava known as Dragon’s Teeth. The front lawn area of this area was at one time a place of controversy as Carlton Hotel proceeded with a plan to build on the property. However, once they began digging, the bones of several Hawaiian’s were unearthed. Finally, after only removing around 900 remains they gave up and replaced these remains with the others, which totaled 2,000. In 1990, a law was enacted to ensure this would never occur again so the ancient Hawaiian’s could rest in peace.

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