Cruising the Hawaiian Islands - in an article entitled Hawaii the Beautiful, Luisa Frey Gaynor thoroughly reviews her recent 7-day island cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines (apparently Norwegian is the only line to offer cruises within the islands--both beginning and ending in Hawaii), usatoday.com

Pacific Whale Foundation Snorkel Tours - daytime and evening cruises to different locations, offered by a group that provides education, conducts research, and promotes conservation; we booked our tour to Lanai through Expedia aboard the beautiful Ocean Discovery catamaran to snorkel (two stops) and see wild dolphins, and we had knowledgeable and entertaining staff, great service, great food and drinks--overall a wonderful excursion, pacificwhale.org

Hana Highway - fabulous 'off the beaten path' day trip (two days or more is better) to the more or less remote town of Hana on Maui's East coast takes drivers along winding roads, across narrow bridges, past waterfalls, small towns, and gorgeous lush tropical foliage--well worth the effort; this site lets you see what to expect along the way; in the car we found the guidebook Maui Revealed to be very detailed and helpful in finding the right spots to pull over and take in a spectacular view or buy a last minute snack, and so on, gohawaii.about.com

Aina's Hana Maui - family run Hawaii Vacation Rentals just as you enter the town of Hana, consists of 3 rooms (one with a kitchen) separated from the main house on a nicely landscaped property; accommodations are modest, even a bit rustic, but very clean, comfortable, and adequately appointed, alternative-hawaii.com

Papakea Condos - 13 acres of lushly landscaped grounds on the Kaanapali coast of Maui, 11 low rise condo buildings, two pools and Jacuzzis, shiny new gas barbeque grills, golf putting ranges, koi ponds, shuffleboard courts, oceanfront lawn area with lounges, and more are yours to enjoy when you rent a condo in this resort; we rented through a vrbo.com owner and were very satisfied with the arrangements.

Eating Well on a Budget in Maui - Rosemary McClure reviews ten spots to eat reasonably when in Maui (see our review of Aloha Mixed Plate)

Heavenly Hana - this town is a worthy destination and John Flynn, Chronicle staff writer, advises where to stay, what to eat, and what to do in Hana, Maui, sfgate.com

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