Spotlight on Hawaii

KIHEI & MOLOKINI

 Twenty years ago the Kihei-to-Wailea coastline was little more than a scrubby "kiawe" jungle at the foot of Mt. Haleakala.  Today, it is Maui's fastest-growing resort and residential community boasting several shopping centers, scores of condominiums and several stunning new luxury hotels.

 Magnificent white sand beaches stretch for miles along Kihei Road all the way from Maalaea Harbor to Makena.  Every few hundred yards the well-kept lawns of different condominium resorts grow right to the water's edge, making a dip in the warm ocean only seconds away.  This part of Maui is dry and sunny, receivingless than ten inches of rainfall annually, perfect for seasonal visitors escaping the cold.

 For a direct route to Wailea take the Piilani Highway (31), which offers scenic views of West Maui, Lanai, the uninhabited island of Kaho'olawe and the volcanic islet of Molokini – one of Maui's most breathtaking snorkeling spots.

 Snorkeling cruises depart for Molokini from Maalaea, Kihei boat ramp and Lahaina Harbors, usually in the morning.  Many of the fish at Molokini are tame and the protective arms of the sunken crater rim assure calm waters for novice snorkelers.

 At the entrance to Kihei is Kealia Beach Plaza, where you can sign up for one of those popular Molokini cruises.  Down south Kihei Road, Azeka Place is the home of their famous ribs, and you can treat yourself to some heat-beating ice-cream.  24-hour medical care is available at the Kihei Professional Plaza, which also offers a pharmacy, hair salon, and a trendy boutique.  Kihei Town Center offers a convenient 24-hour supermarket, an excellent steak house and a good place to pick up sandwiches and fresh fruit smoothies.  And Rainbow Mall is a cross-section of stores ranging from video rentals and camera shops to boutiques and restaurants.

 On weekends and holidays the Kamaole Beach Parks are popular with local residents and are actually three separate sandy beaches with their own picnic tables, showers and changing rooms.

 At the end of the road is the massive lava flow that in 1790 formed La Perouse Bay, now an official sanctuary for over 90 species of exotic reef fish.  Looking out over  the azure waters, past Molokini, is the looming shape of Kaho'olawe.  For the last 40 years Kaho'olawe was used as a bombing range by the military, but the island was recently returned to Hawaii by