Maui, travel guide part two

The other day my sister asked for a few pointers of what to visit on Maui. I immediately pointed here to the Maui travel guide I posted previously. Looking through it though, I realized that we've been back to Maui since and discovered several new places worth visiting. As before, the friendly little town of Kihei will serves as the reference point for all travels, as it is our favorite place to stay in Maui.

West Maui Coast and Mountains

Activities:

Atlantis Submarine Adventures: This was one of the high-lights on our more recent trip. None of us has been on a submarine before, and going 100 feet below sea-level and seeing all the sea life was mesmerizing. Unfortunately, due to the recent horrendous wild-fires which destroyed the lovely village of Lahaina and the harbor, the Maui branch of Atlantis Submarine Adventures is presently closed. If you have a chance, try to catch from one of the other islands as it was an absolute blast.
Maui Ocean Center: Located 15 minutes north of Kihei, the Maui Ocean Center is a good option for a rainy day or for when one needs a break from te beach. Nothing can replace a nice snorkeling adventure, but if you or the kids are not ready for that yet, then this place has you covered. It is not as large as the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, but there was still plenty to do and see.
Maui Tropical Plantation: About 15 minutes north of Kihei you can find the the Maui Tropical Planation. You can enjoy some nice dining here in very lush surroundings, or you can book tickets for the Tropical Express and learn more about many of the fruits that are grow locally, and particularly the coconut. The kids loved the train ride while we enjoyed some of the art pieces on display along the way by local artisans. Maui Zipline can be found in the same area, so consider combining both of these activities into the same trip. Finally, a couple miles down the road you have the small town of Wailuku, where from the hill side you can get some spectacular views of Maui. Once there, hop over to Kepaniwai Park & Heritage Gardens for some sigh seeing as mentioned in the previous guide.
Surfing Goat Dairy: Located about thirty minutes inland from Kihei is the Surfing Goat Dairy. The goat chees is absolutely delicious, so be sure to show up early and order one of their sample trays before the tour starts. The tour is fairly short and fun, and the kids loved feeding the goats. The owners are delightful people and we enjoyed getting to know them and learning some of their story.
Wailea Beach Path: About 10 minutes south of Kihei, in Wailea you can find the Wailea Beach Path. It snakes along all the fancy resorts but is accessible to the public and provides some spectacular views especially at sunset. It can get a bit narrow and a little crowded at times, but overall it is a fantastic walk. Be sure to bring some water and sunscreen. Parking can usually be found the side streets between the hotels and there are several pulic parking lots as well.

Atlantis Submarine, Wailea Beach Path, and Maui Tropical Plantation

Eat and Drink:

Cafe O'Lei (Kihei): This one was a pleasant surprise. We booked it last minute when looking for a dinner spot one night and were treated to some delicious seafood. The restaurant is much nicer inside than the outside may imply, but you will need to climb a small set of stairs to get there.
Maui Brewing Company (Kihei): This has become one of our go to places in Kihei in addition to the Paia Fish Market. The food is great and the beer is excellent. It is located on a hill, so there usually is a bit of a refreshing breeze, and the outdoor area provides plenty of space for kids to run around and be silly. Try to get there during off hours, as around dinner time it can get crowded and the parking lot will fill up.