A Day in Lahaina
   by Patricia Hendershot

Banyan Tree Rentals has properties that are located in the heart of Lahaina, Hawaii on the island of Maui. Just two blocks away from historic down-town Lahaina and three blocks away from the water. Lahaina is one of the few cities that have managed to preserve its 19th century heritage.

Wake up in the morning, put on your sandals and take a stroll in down-town only to find some of the cutest breakfast places to sit down, relax and enjoy a fresh cup of Kona coffee and have a real homemade breakfast. After that you can take a walk over to the park and see the 130 year old Banyan Tree that is 50 feet tall and has grown 12 attached trunks. After you are done staring at the tree and all its amazing limbs head towards the water you get a great view of the islands of Lanai and Molokai, all of which you can visit for the day. Just stop by any tourist booth to get more information. This is also where all the cruise ships stops and unload their guests.

If you are there during whale season, it is an amazing sight to see the whales swimming in the blue ocean and if you are one of the lucky ones you may see a whale breach, which is spectacular. When the whales are out...everyone knows. You can see all the tourist boats hovering together in a flotilla formation. You may even run across celebrities like Paris Hilton who was visiting the art galleries during Christmas or even some of the celebrities who live right on Maui.

As you continue to walk down Front Street don't forget to stop in some of the fabulous art galleries and shops. There are some amazing things to see and the people that work in the galleries are very friendly.

Head back to Aina Nalu to lounge at the pool for a little while before you head into your condo that has a full kitchen to prepare lunch for your guests, or just cut up some fresh pineapple and mangos to snack on for now.

After lunch rent a scooter to see more of the sights of Lahaina or head North to Whaler's Village in Kaanapali and enjoy the fine shopping or take your beach towel along as well and relax on one of the most gorgeous beaches. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of waves crashing the shore, leaving all your worries behind. Check out some of the events that are available in the evening. There are several authentic luaus that you can attend, or heads back down to Lahaina and you can do dinner and have some amazing fresh, local fish and later head out to watch a movie at the local theater.

But the most important thing to do in Lahaina at night is to grab a scoop of ice cream, find a dark place, either on Front Street or back at Aina Nalu at the pool and sit back and look up at the stars. Most major cities around the world drown out all that beauty in the sky ...the stars are so bright, plentiful and vivid that it is definitely something to remember forever...that I promise you. Maybe you will even see a shooting star and make a wish to come back again to Lahaina really soon., We hope to see you here again as well, so go ahead make a wish!

Enjoy!