Part One: The Airbnb we stayed in Maui, Hawaii

There are vacations and then there is a vacation to Hawaii! Our initial thoughts before planning a trip to Hawaii were that of a touristy destination with huge crowds and overhyped attractions. We resisted taking a trip to Hawaii for the longest time but after moving to California, the proximity just warranted a trip sometime during our stay. After having taken the plunge last year during Thanksgiving break, I can't stop thinking of the time we will go back to Hawaii!

While planning our trip, we tried to stay away from anything popular and crowded. We were yearning for a relaxed vacation, a getaway that would help us reconnect after a very hectic and disorienting move to the west coast! Our requirements made Maui an easy pick over Honolulu or the Island of Hawaii. It was tempting to island hop to Kawaii but we resisted the urge as there was plenty to check off our list in Maui. It also gave us reason to plan a second trip ;)

While choosing an accommodation in Maui, we were torn between staying on a waterfront resort property or a vacation rental. After surfing Airbnb for options, we fell in love with the energy of this listing HALEKALANI - Paradise in Upcountry and quickly made reservations for a week. 

This Japanese inspired home was perched high up on a mountain with panoramic views of the island and the Pacific ocean. At every point during our stay, we were reminded of how our decision to stay away from the hustle and bustle has paid off so well. It was tranquil and serene, tucked away in a secret place where we could see everything we wanted to while still maintaining anonymity.

Living area

The property was a fully furnished 2 bedroom, 1 bath just off Kula Highway. The layout included an open plan huge living area with vaulted ceilings, dining area, upgraded kitchen and a deck overlooking the valley. The cooking range in the kitchen island, facing the living room which made cooking a breeze while still being able to watch the kids. It also came with a single car garage, washer, dryer and every island need taken care of: snorkeling gear, beach umbrella and mats, beach toys for the kids, towels and more. 

After our trip to Costa Rica with young kids, it was fairly mandatory for us to be able to stay put in one location and cook at least one meal every day. Eating every meal outside makes us feel bloated with decreased energy levels and Maui required us to sit up at the edge of our car seat, to watch out for the beautiful surprises lurking at every turn! Hello Road to Hana!! 

The location of this place was far from any restaurants and so we ended up cooking breakfast and dinner everyday. Pukalani Superette, a fully stocked grocery a short drive away helped us keep up with our eating at home schedule. I packed our usual fair of rice cooker, pressure cooker and snacks to aid the process.

It also came with a Japanese Samurai costume that we discovered later in our stay. Kiran nailed the part and looked smashing if I say so myself!! 

 Every corner of this home was well lit with plenty of windows and doors for sunlight to stream in, giving this place an airy and ethereal atmosphere.

Bedrooms

The two bedrooms were similar in size, basic with beds, side tables and closets for storage. One of the bedroom was facing the valley while the other had access to the side porch surrounded with ample greenery. 

During our stay I was also practicing the 30 Days of Yoga challenge and carried my yoga mat along. 

Bathroom

The bathroom had access to the side porch and the same view we had from the deck. Apart from the basic necessities it also came with vaulted ceiling and the best thing we could have ever asked for...a rainforest shower head! After an exhausting day of driving, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, parenting it was the best way to unwind and wrap the day with a nice hot shower! 

Deck

Most days we ate breakfast or sipped tea on the deck to the spectacular view of the far off mountains, greenery, rainbows and gentle ocean breeze. It usually got dark by the time we got back exhausted from our daily trips exploring Maui and mornings seemed like the perfect time to sit back and take in the view.

The owner of the house Jeff lived next door in a separate unit with his dog Kula. Jeff was warm, welcoming and very accommodating, guiding us with answers to any questions we had during our stay. The view to Jeff's home from our deck..

The overall property was open and spacious filled with lush greenery and manicured lawns. It was very well maintained and clearly loved. Everywhere we looked we saw banana and bamboo trees reminding us that we were indeed on a tropical island. 

A trip to Hawaii guarantees more that one rainbow spotting and although we saw cloudy and gloomy days during our stay we always knew there was a rainbow popping a short drive away.. 

Kula

The highlight of our stay had to be Kula, the dog. He would instantly know we were back home and would come running to our door. I always thought I was not an animal person but ended up changing my mind after meeting Kula. He was the most affectionate, calm and gentle dog and my kids bonded so well with him. They even had pretend plays where Nihaar was the dog and Sriman commanded him to go fetch and roll over and Nihaar willingly obliged haha. Nihaar, who was 3.6 years then, kept mentioning Kula many months after our trip too. 

Once we sorted our living situation we were yearning to hit the road and satiate our hunger to see Maui in all of its glory! Having a ride like this was just the icing on the cake. Stay tuned for Part Two, Three and Four for detailed posts on what we did during our stay!

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Part Two, Three and Four of our trip to Maui, Hawaii.

Other related posts:

The VRBO we stayed during our Sequoia trip

The Bison Resort