Safety Tips in Maui

It's always important to be aware of the sun. Relaxing on a beautiful beach with a breeze can make you easily forget to check you skin for signs of a sunburn. We always slather on the sunblock; usually SPF 100 and make sure to re-apply requently. Liz and I both brings hats to ensure our faces do not fry in the sun.

The best thing to do is avoid peak burn times that are from 11am-3pm. We usaully get ourselves some lunch, drinks and shopping during this time to avoid getting crispy.

The warning sigsn found in many of the beaches, cliffs and waterfalls are there for a reason. Heed the warning signs and proceed with caution.

Maui is a beautiful natural island and there is so much to see and do, but not at the cost of injuring yourself. Take a moment to read the caution signs an understand the dangers and risks you may be taken.

As I noted in my Oahu tip, the traditional Hawaiians believe that every living thing has a life and a place of its own. Everything from a plant, stone, shell, sand, animal should be left without removing it from its natural home.

As travelers we should learn to respect other cultures by obeying written and unwritten laws. Be an informed traveler, read about the places you are visiting and the traditions and cultures that make that location unique.

I was totally disgusted at what I saw during our visit to the Black Sand Beach. This couple with clear plastic bags full of the black sand!! Tsk, tsk I wanted to say something so badly, but I Ferni stopped me. I just don't understand what they were thinking!

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Hana Highway can be dangerous as there are many twists and turns and due to flooding some or all of the highway may be closed at any given time. During our latest visit there were closures at certain parts of the highway, as well as many one lane closures plus this over-turned truck which blocked one of the lanes for miles.

For up to the minute closures, check out the link below of Hana Highway closures and please take precaution when driving.

Throughout Maui and in particular in areas near waterfalls, rivers and by the ocean you will come across all sorts of signs heeding warning of flash floods and other dangers.

Take precaution and obey the signs as a sudden and unexpected flooding can occur during any rain fall.

This particular sign was at the river at Iao Needle State Park.

Be conscious of what you say in Hawaii and how you portray yourself in public. Not everyone that we came across had the "aloha spirit" we were so eager to encounter. Unfortunately, we had 2 different encounters back to back days that almost ended up a disaster.

a local car stopped in front of me on a narrow road and decided it just felt like talking to a friend on the side of the road. I was polite and waited a bit. After 1 minute of no movement i decided to give a friendly honk. worse mistake of my life. I had about 40 guys giving me looks and telling me if i don't shut up they will kill me (true story). their land, their rules type of attitude. even though its frustrating, just remain calm, its just not worth jepordizing your safety.

My other incident was in a bar when a local told us never to say anything about hawaii unless we are local and almost started fighting with us. Some of these guys are bitter at mainlanders. So just be calm and respectful in public and enjoy the good things Hawaii has to offer...

Be careful on swimming at Maui, because there are several cases of shark attack on the cost area. Generally people do not respect the nature and its rules, and the strongest law is one of the most important nature laws.

When everybody recommends not to join in the water before 7 am and after 7 pm, follow it, because they know how dangerous is it. At my first week in Maui, 2 people were attacked by sharks in the beach in front of my house, just because they couldn't hear what people say. Of course it's not a high risk to be attacked in Maui, but it happens, then, take care.

I strongly recommend to follow up the swimming time and not to go far away from the sand, do no try to risk yourself looking forward to discover something new, because everything there was already discovered and the risks are clear too. Talk to a lifeguard before start swimming everywhere.

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Nakalele Blowhole on Maui is really impressive. It was shooting 30-40 feet in the air. A woman happened to be standing on the rocks near the ocean (to the right...not visible in the picture)when it started to blow. None of us realized that the water was coming through the rocks where she was standing...we were all focused on the one spot where it was shooting up. It almost knocked her into the ocean. Just a word of caution to be careful where you stand.