All the ingredients for the Hawaii vacation of your dreams are here in Maui. Enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of picture perfect beaches, tropical waterfalls, majestic mountains, other worldly Mt. Haleakala, and native Hawaiian forest.

The excitement of every imaginable water sport, fantasy golf and tennis, world-class shopping and exotic nightlife can be found on Maui. Or just relax by the pool, stroll along a golden beach, explore historic Lahaina town, then sip a Mai Tai and watch a spectacular sunset.

The Valley Isle
Maui is understandably popular. Second in size in our island chain, "The Valley Isle" comprises more than 700 square miles and features two distinct locales, east Maui and west Maui.

The town of Kahului is the island's transportation, commercial and financial hub. Here you'll find Maui's largest airport, abuzz with inter-island and U.S. Mainland flights, as well as the island's largest harbor, where oceanliners and cargo ships jockey for position.

Presiding over east Maui is 10,023-foot Mount Haleakala, "House of the Sun." The highway from sea level at Paia to the summit of this dormant giant boasts the greatest altitude gain in the shortest distance of any road in the world. The scenery changes from cane fields to tropical forests to a lunar landscape near the top. See the sunrise from the chilly summit and you'll know how the mountain earned its name. Hiking and camping in Haleakala Crater are quite popular, as is a considerably less strenuous mountain activity.

Some of the longest stretches of white-sand beaches in the state are on the south side of east Maui. In fact, the Valley Isle boasts the state's largest number of swimmable beaches and 120 miles of shoreline in all. Offshore you'll see the islands of Lanai and Kaho'olawe, Maui's neighbors to the south.

The center of activity in west Maui is Lahaina. This rustic whaling town was Hawaii's state capital until 1845, and the rich history of the island can be seen and felt here to this day. Classic shops along Front Street, the Whaling Museum, and the whaling ship Carthaginian offer several days' worth of exploration.

Come enjoy the beauty, the excitement, the recreation and relaxations of Maui.

Points of Interest:

• Golfing: test your skill on one of the many beautiful and challenging courses.
• Haleakala National Park: "The House of the Sun," one of the world's largest volcanoes, boasting a circumference of 21 miles and a 3,000 foot deep crater. Drive up and catch the sunrise.
• Iao Valley State Park: Featuring gardens, a rock formation resembling the profile of JFK and the famous Iao Needle spire.
• Whale Watching: The North Pacific humpback whale migrates to Hawaii for the winter season (January thru April). Watch them frolic from the beach or take a whale-watching cruise for a closer view.
• Whalers Village: Shopping village with exhibits depicting the history of whaling in Hawaii.

Top Five Things To Do on Your First Trip to Maui:

5. Visit Iao Valley State Park to see the Iao Needle, a 2,250-ft. rock pinnacle.
4. Browse through Lahaina storefronts and visit the 60-ft. tall Banyan Tree.
3. Take a boat trip to tiny Molokini island for unparalleled diving or snorkel at Black Rock off the Kaanapali coast.
2. Take the long, winding road to Hana and see the Seven Sacred Pools.
1. Drive up, up, up to Haleakala National Park and learn about the volcano.

At all Aston properties on Maui we have:

Camp Kaanapali (offered to children ages 5 to 12)

Camp activities include a variety of Hawaiian cultural and outdoor-based activities such as hula dancing, ukulele lessons, beach exploration, lei making, sand art, kite making/flying, swimming, scavenger hunts, games, arts, and crafts.

Both day and evening sessions are available. One-time registration fee of $10 per child includes a t-shirt.

Daily rate of $25 per child includes meals. Registration must be made 24 hours in advance upon arrival at the resort. Registration is held daily at 8 AM at the Camp Kaanapali Center in room 135.

Camp Kaanapali hours are Monday to Friday (with the exception of major holidays), 8 AM to 2 PM. Friday evening sessions are 5 PM to 9 PM and include dinner. Space is limited to 16 participants per session. Children who are ill may not attend.

Note: Camp Kaanapali is located at the Aston Kaanapali Shores and is available to registered guests of all Aston properties on Maui.

MAUI BEACHES

Kapalua Beach
One of the best white-sand beaches in Hawaii. A great swimming beach for snorkeling and for children also. Since those rocks in the water are formed as the "horseshoe-shaped," it is a safe barrier to protect people for snorkeling, as well as the beginner or learner.

Hanakao'o/Canoe Beach Park
A popular sandy beach on Maui's west shores. Ideal for swimming and enjoying other water activities such as jet skiing, body boarding, body surfing, and canoe racing.

Kaanapali Beach
One of Maui's best beaches, with grainy golden sand. Summertime swimming is excellent. The best snorkeling is around Black Rock, where the water is clear, calm, and populated with brilliant tropical fish.

D. T. Fleming Beach Park
Located north of the island, starting at the 16th hole of the Kapalua golf course, this beach cove has a shallow sandbar extending out to the edge of the surf. Generally, the waters are good for swimming and snorkeling; however, off near the sea cliffs, the waves are big, perfect for surfing.

Kama'ole Beach Park I, II, & III
Located on the south shore in Kihei, Kamaole Beach Park I, II, and III is great for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and picnicking. Seasonal high surf.

Wailea Beach
The best golden sand beach on the southwestern coast, great for swimming, and the gentle waves offer kids of all ages tons of fun! Some of the best island sunsets are in Wailea.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON MAUI

Iao Needle
Near the county of Wailuku, the tranquility of Iao Valley beckons. Waterfalls feed streams that flow through dense rainforests, and the dramatic Iao Needle rises 2,500 feet from the valley floor. Click here to visit the Maui State Parks website.

Upcountry Maui
This peaceful part of the island of Maui, comprised of the towns of Pukalani, Makawao, and Kula, where exotic protea flowers and gourmet Maui onions flourish.

Maui Ocean Center
Located at the Ma'alaea Harbor Village, it is the largest tropical reef aquarium in the country. For more information call: (808) 270-7000.
Hours of Operation: Open daily 9 am - 5 pm

Maui Tropical Plantation / Waikapu
Take a tour of the Maui Tropical Plantation, one of Hawaii's most popular fruit and flower crops. Enjoy plantation-made fresh fruit dishes in the restaurant and shop in the Country Store for "made-in-Maui" gifts. With our Aloha Book coupon, you receive 2 FREE adult tram tour tickets with a minimum $25 food & beverage purchase. ResortQuest Kids receive one FREE children's admission for one paid adult.

(Road to) Hana & Hana Cultural Center
The road to remote Hana Town is a series of 617 winding curves, 56 bridges and the most scenic coastline in Hawaii - an approximate 2-3 hour drive. Every turn in the road reveals towering waterfalls plunging into the 7 sacred swimming pools of O'heo. Probably the most famous single road in Hawaii, indeed this "Highway to Heaven" rivals sightseeing any place in Hawaii.

Seven Sacred Pools
This series of lovely waterfalls and tranquil pools trails through the O'heo Gulch and flows into the ocean nearby. The Pipiwai Trail, above the Seven Sacred Pools, is one of the best hikes on Maui. It is 4 miles roundtrip.

Front Street and Lahaina Town
The heartbeat of Kaanapali and definitely "where the action is," is Front Street in Lahaina, a mile-long stretch of art galleries, gourmet restaurants, curio shops, boat trip adventures, whale watching excursions and beautiful sunsets.

Kaanapali
One of the top resort areas in the world, Kaanapali is situated along three miles of golden sand beach with a misty mountain backdrop and every recreational activity one could want.

Sugar Cane Train / Pacific Railroad
Take a tour of Kaanapali and Lahaina town through the sugar cane fields in an open air coach to learn a little history of Lahaina. ResortQuest Kids receive one FREE children's roundtrip day train ticket with one paid adult.

Whalers Village Museum at Kaanapali and Shopping Complex
This museum is in a shopping complex with whaling memorabilia interspersed throughout the outdoor mall area. Learn all about the "giants of the deep" and enjoy a collection of more than 400 whaling implements and artifacts. Explore the hundreds of antiquities recalling the boisterous, rowdy years of the great whalers, history of whaling and whale biology, see fascinating displays of a six-foot model whaling ship complete with gear and a 40-foot sperm whale skeleton all in a picturesque atmosphere of yesterday.

Haleakala National Park
Haleakala, the "House of the Rising Sun," measures at 10,000 feet from the base of the sea and accurately claimed as the tallest single mountain on Earth. This mamoth dormant volcano last erupted in 1790, is where one should stand to capture an unforgettable scenic moment. Haleakala offers great hiking, camping, biking and best view of the sunrise in the world. Click here to visit the Haleakala National Park website.