Maui · Things to do

Entering the Summit District between 3am and 7am needs a reservation bought on Recreation.gov at $1 per vehicle, released up to 60 days ahead; none are issued at the gate, and the park entrance fee is separate. The summit road climbs to 10,023 ft, so it is genuinely cold at dawn even in August.

Pailoa black sand beach, a sea arch, a seabird colony and a stretch of the old Hawaiian coastal trail toward Hana. Open 7am to 6pm, and both entry and parking must be reserved in advance: non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, while Hawaii residents with ID are free.

A short, steep rainforest valley behind Wailuku, dominated by the Iao Needle, an eroded volcanic spine rising about 1,200 ft off the valley floor; it is also where Kamehameha I defeated Maui's army in 1790. Open 7am to 6pm; non-residents reserve ahead and pay $5 entry plus $10 parking.

Aquarium at 192 Maalaea Road near Maalaea harbour, open 9am to 5pm, with general admission covering the exhibits and the 3D sphere theatre. Budget about two hours; it is the obvious wet-weather option and works well with young children.

The coast road east is the drive itself rather than a destination — narrow, one-lane bridges, and slow both ways. Waianapanapa sits along it and needs its reservation booked before you set off. Note that the Pools of Oheo in the Kipahulu District are not open for swimming; you can view them from the Kuloa Point Trail.