With its plantation-style wooden buildings, Paia Town is a charming community reminiscent of early 20th century Hawaii. The main street is lined with art galleries, fascinating boutiques and craft shops, and a mouth-watering variety of casual restaurants and take-out eateries.

The ocean is quiet in the summer, but in the winter months, monster waves roll in and Hookipa Beach becomes a world class playground for windsurfers and kite surfers from around the world. Not surprisingly, several professional competitions are held here every year.

Fruit stands are a staple along Maui's Road to Hana and it's a must to stop and 'talk story' with the locals. Chances are, you'll learn a few Hawaiian words – like 'lilikoi' (aka, passion fruit), which is every bit as delicious as it sounds.

For many, hiking in a bamboo forest is an adventure full of mystery and surprise. On the path through densely-packed, towering bamboo you'll discover natural pools, waterfalls, and trees ripe with strawberry guava.

On the Keanae Peninsula, the views are striking. The breeze amplifies the laughter of children playing soccer in a freshly-mowed field while, more often than not, rainbows radiate like halos above the Congregational Church, which survived the tsunami of 1946.

You don't necessarily have to look to the skies to find rainbows on Maui. Clusters of rainbow eucalyptus trees can be seen on the Road to Hana along with yellow ginger blossoms and flaming red awaphui ginger that Hawaiians once used as shampoo.

Tranquil Hana Town is an unspoiled village from another place and time. Here, pastures roll right up to the main street and time lays back and allows you to browse botanical gardens or a farmers' market without a care in the world.

With its rugged shoreline, unique red sand, and quiet park, Koki Beach on Maui's east coast is an ideal place for a picnic. Here you can watch local surfers test their skills in surf that can be surprisingly strong.

When the sun is in the right spot, a kaleidoscope of color rises from Wailua Falls, where water cascades 80 feet down a verdant cliff. It's a vivid reminder that the Island of Maui is indeed one of nature's great masterpieces.