Most people think surfing kind of sums up pretty much everything sports-related in Hawaii, but there’s so much more, like paddling, swimming, yoga… Wait, yoga is a sport? Anyway, this is where you’ll read about our readers’ favorite groms, gyms and beaches to barbecue, because grilling is most definitely a sport.
Best Yoga Teacher
When it comes to the best yoga teacher, MauiTime voters think James Onnikian is number one. Surprisingly, running a yoga studio on Maui wasn’t his first passion. In fact, he’s a world champion kickboxer, well studied in the methods of martial arts. He feels that yoga and kickboxing offers the best all-over body workout. That makes him even more qualified to kick your butt into shape, which is probably why our readers voted him best. Try Onnikian’s yoga practice at his studio Maui Yoga and Kickboxing in Kihei. Jamesonnikian.com. @jenrusso
Runner up: Jennifer Lynn
Best Spa
Maui’s best spa is also the biggest in the state. Imagine for a moment 50,000 square feet of pampering splendor, from the terme to sauna, with 40 luxe treatment rooms and a second-level, outdoor resting lanai. Located at the Grand Wailea, Spa Grande’s newest therapies include farm-to-spa sustainable treatments that are sourced locally and include the niu coconut muscle relief, a honey cocoon using honey farmed on their rooftop apiary and their taro skin soother. A full service salon and exquisite gift shop rounds out the experience from head to toe, and you can get their exclusive bath salts and products as part of your retail therapy, which allows you to bring your spa experience home. 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr.; 808-875-1234; Grandwailea.com. @jenrusso
Runner Up: Kapalua Spa
Best Yoga Studio
MauiTime readers apparently enjoy their yoga hot and intense, so they decided that the Maui Yoga and Kickboxing studio is the best place on the island to practice your adho mukha savasana. What makes their studio so unique? Besides climate controls that jack up the temperature to 100 degrees with 40 percent humidity, the studio combines yoga and kickboxing for a complete mind and body workout. Of course, not all of their yoga is balmy–you’ll find traditional ashtanga and yoga strength training. 202 E Lipoa St., Kihei; 808 875-9642; Mauihotyoga.com. @jenrusso
Runner Up: Island Spirit
Best Barbecuing Beach
Surf, sand and sizzling burgers on the grill–Kam 3 really does have it all. With a large grassy lawn, picnic tables, showers, a public bathroom and, of course, barbeques this beach is the perfect spot to cook up your dinner after a fun day in the ocean. Throw in a ridiculously stunning sunset every evening, and it’s no surprise this beach usually has an inflatable cityscape of jumping-castle birthday parties in full swing. Bring your grillable goodies and cook up a fun day with the whole ohana. S. Kihei Rd. @beccanaka
Runner-up: Launiupoko
Best Local Amateur Surfer
Matt Meola
Carving, spinning, jumping; Matt Meola creates the most impressive aerials with ease and fluidity. This 24-year-old Haiku native has been surfing his whole life, frequenting Ho‘okipa during the winter, then travelling to surf destinations around the world in the summer. His water acrobatics have caught the attention of sponsors like Rockstar, Kaenon and Oxbow. In 2011, Meola shot to surfing stardom by winning Taylor Steele’s online video contest, Innersection. Meola continued his videography projects by using the excitement of his surfing antics to produce, along with fellow surfer Albee Layer, The Isle, a web series sponsored by Rockstar. @beccanaka
Runner-up: Shane Hurdman
Best Local Grom
Kelson Lau
He may only be 12 years old and stand less than five feet tall, but there’s nothing small about Kelson Lau’s surfing. Fearlessly going for it on some major waves, Kelson carves like an old pro, even placing in some local surf competitions. Hailing from Peahi, this saimin-loving grom is just as dedicated to his grades at Kalama Intermediate as he is to the waves. Already sponsored by Hurley, Dakine and Lau Lau Shapes, his surfing is making a bigger splash than the waves at Jaws during a north swell–and you’ll probably find him tearing it up out there pretty soon. @beccanaka
Runner-up: Joao Marco
**Photo courtesy of Swimswam.com**
Best Scholastic Athlete
Renny Richmond
In his senior year at Seabury Hall, swimmer Renny Richmond became a six-time state champion, tying the record for the number of state championships won by a Maui swimmer. Richmond closed out his impressive high school career by earning more titles than any other male athlete in Maui Interscholastic League history. In 2012, Richmond also participated in the U.S. Olympic trials in his signature 100-meter butterfly race. Looking forward to continuing his aquatic ventures, Richmond has committed to attend the University of Arizona on scholarship in the fall. @beccanaka
Runner-up: Brittany Trey
Best Local Coach
Beginning in 2004, Melissa Rajesh introduced Maui’s keiki to the fun and challenging world of gymnastics through Maui Tumblers. Acting as a mobile gymnastics company, Rajesh and the rest of the Maui Tumblers certified coaches bring gymnastic programs directly to schools, camps and even birthday parties. Rajesh leads her students in active learning through stretching exercises and obstacle courses and by introducing them to new skills and activities. Rajesh creates a safe and engaging environment for all, promoting fitness and fun through flipping, tumbling and lots of smiles. Mauitumblers.com. @beccanaka
Runner-up: Shane Hurdman
Best Swimming Beach
Aww, who wants to swim here? All Ka‘anapali has are miles of white sand and crystal clear water. Some spots are better for surfing, and Black Rock is a super-popular snorkeling spot, but for much of Ka‘anapali’s length you can just dive into the water and have a grand time in relative safety. Sure, there are thousands of visitors slowing turning scarlet on the sand and thousands of hotel and condo rooms just a few yards away, but that’s the price we must all pay for one of the island’s best beaches. @apignataro
Runner-up: Big Beach
Photo: kevinmcgill/Wikimedia
**Photo Courtesy of County of Maui**
Best Public Pool
Perhaps because this place is still relatively new at just eight years old (and because the pool at the Westin Resort in Ka‘anapali isn’t exactly “public”), it’s proven popular with our readers. According to the county Parks Department, the Lahaina Aquatic Center includes “competition and warm-up/children’s pools, scoreboard, PA- and timing-systems, meeting, conference and locker rooms.” Not really sure our readers are loving the LAC because of its meeting rooms, but it’s nice to know they’re there should a water polo match get out of control and require immediate mediation. @apignataro
Runner-up: Pukalani Aquatic Center
Best Locals Beach
Yeah, I can see why our readers opted for Big Beach as the preferred spot for Maui’s local residents. Maybe it’s the fact that, unlike Ka‘anapali, Big Beach is huge and completely undeveloped. Or perhaps it’s because of the let’s call them “challenging” surf conditions, in which massive waves explode on shore. There are few more awe-inspiring sights than watching people born and raised on Maui grab their body boards and run into the waves on high-surf conditions the instant the lifeguard gets off the Public Address system after warning everyone about the “life-changing injuries” that can result from getting worked in that surf. @apignataro
Runner-up: Baby Beach
Best Snorkeling Spot
Black Rock
Yes, Black Rock in West Maui is one of the most popular snorkeling spots on Maui. Anyone who goes into the water there after 8am can see that. But popularity doesn’t always equal best, and when there are that many people splashing around in the water hoping to spot turtles, it’s inevitable that nearby sea life will get spooked. In truth, there are all sorts of wonderful snorkeling spots around the island, including Ukumehame, Honolua Bay, Makena and Palauea, which is also known as White Rock. Those spots offer the same clear water and coral reefs as Black Rock, but without the big crowds. @apignataro
Runner-up: Honolua Bay
Best Hike
Even for Maui, this is an impressive hike. Known as the Pipiwai Trail, it starts near Oheo gulch in Hana and runs about four miles round-trip through gorgeous, sublime bamboo trees before ending at the impressive Waimoku Waterfalls. Along the way there are bridges, boardwalks, Banyan trees, waterfalls, streams and all the tropical rain forest beauty people have come to expect from Maui. As is pretty much the case with any hikes in Hana, proper hiking footwear is a must as heavy rains (and flash floods) can start at any time. You should have at least some hiking experience, as the trail gains about 900 feet in altitude from the coast to the falls. @apignataro
Runner-up: Waihee Ridge
**Photo courtesy of County of Maui**
Best County Park
Keopuolani Regional Park
Our readers picked a good one: Keopuolani Regional is the largest park in Maui County. It spans 110 acres, with about 85 of those acres actually accessible, developed parkland. It’s a sprawling place, great for ball games, barbecues or just long, quiet walks. It’s also home to the War Memorial Complex, site of the Maui County Fair. And since it’s all located next to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului, it’s also easy to get to. @apignataro
Runner-up: Kalama Park
Best Playground
Apparently our readers haven’t actually visited the Kalakupua Playground at 4th Marine Division Park in Haiku (known locally as Giggle Hill) lately, because the playground has been closed for some time. Oh, don’t get us wrong: there’s enough equipment and catwalks there to give any kid hours of enjoyment, but as of now, no one can use it because county officials closed it last October after deeming it unsafe. That means the County Parks Department will have to demolish it, then build a new playground that meets national safety standards. And no one’s really said when that will happen, or how many hundreds of thousands of dollars it will cost. @apignataro
Runner-up: Keopuolani Regional Park
**Photo Courtesy of Crossfit State of Mind**
Best Gym
Since the dawn of time, Humanity’s most dangerous sworn enemy has always been Exercise (OK, that might be an overstatement, but not by much). Whether it’s the line for equipment, people who don’t wipe down seats after use or generally lackluster workout routines, there are few of us who don’t dread going to the gym. But our readers have decided that Crossfit State of Mind is an exception. Crossfit combines short, high-intense circuits and is a growing a nationwide phenomenon. The concept focuses on strength and conditioning, using every part of your body. There’s no need to watch the clock or fight over the elliptical. Where do we sign up? 151 Kupuohi St.; 808-446-6007; Crossfitstateofmind.com @sandtothecity
Runner-Up: Powerhouse
Best High School Spirit
Even with such a limited number of high schools on island, school spirit seems a bit heightened on Maui. No place exemplifies this more than Lahainaluna. Established in 1831, the home of the Lunas houses not only spirited students but many decades of tradition, culture and community. Marked by the larger than life “L” in the West Maui Mountains, Luna Pride can be seen by all who travel the Honoapi‘ilani Highway to the Westside. Woven into the fabric of Lahaina’s rich history, the Lunas are something that can make us all proud. 980 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina; 808-662-4000; Lahainalunahs.org @sandtothecity
Runner-Up: Baldwin High School
Best Children’s Activity
Here, keiki can explore fascinating sea life without you worrying over rough currents or getting sand in your eyes. Voted the island’s Best Children’s Activity, the Maui Ocean Center offers a slew of exhibits including “The Living Reef,” “Hammerhead Harbor” and a 54-foot long acrylic tunnel offering uninterrupted views of “The Open Ocean.” The center also has special events crafted with children in mind–birthday parties, sleepovers and field trips are just a few. 192 Ma‘alaea Rd.; 808-270-7000; Mauioceancenter.com @sandtothecity
Runner-up: The beach
Best Activity Company
Rooted in its mission of keeping whales, dolphins and the ocean itself safe from pollution, hunting and extinction, Pacific Whale Foundation is this year’s winner as the Best Activity Company. Advocacy, conservation and fun are all important parts to PWF’s method. Not only do guests have fun, but the proceeds go towards continued marine research and conservation efforts. The family-friendly ocean adventures have been a hit for decades, and our readers seem to know why. 800-942-5311; pacificwhale.org @sandtothecity
Runner-up: Boss Frogs
Comments
comments