How Your Maui Vacation Can Make You Healthier!

Maui is a place of healing and rejuvenation. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. It’s no wonder those of us who live in Hawaii have the longest life expectancy of any other U.S. state! It’s possible to enjoy a healthy Maui vacation, too. Our island’s clean air, easygoing pace, inspirational natural beauty, and year-round mild climate promote wellness. On top of that, practitioners of healing arts and spirituality — from Acupuncture to Zen — abound here. (Header photo © Garrett Hacking, PhotographyG.com)

So, how can YOU tap into that healthy vibe when you are visiting Maui? Here are some suggestions for a healthy Maui vacation and some tips on our favorite Maui wellness practitioners—people who can help you get and stay healthy. Beyond the sun and sand, a Maui vacation can truly be life changing.

COVID UPDATE: This blog was updated in March 2022, but due to the continuing impacts of COVID-19, some of these practitioners, businesses, or activities might change their operations. Please check with them directly to verify their operating status and hours. Mahalo!

ENJOYING A HEALTHY MAUI VACATION

MAUI SPAS

Maui’s spas rank among the best in the nation, offering therapy, relaxation, and rejuvenation. There are many spa choices here, ranging from small boutique day spas to ultra-luxurious resort spas featuring grand facilities and exotic treatments, like Grand Wailea’s Spa Grande (pictured). Spa treatments on Maui often incorporate locally-grown ingredients—such as coffee or cane sugar scrubs, seaweed wraps, lavender aromatherapy, or pineapple and papaya enzyme facials. Whether you’re just seeking muscle relief after a round of golf or a full day of soul-nourishing pampering, you will find what you want at a Maui spa. 

FITNESS ACTIVITIES

Don’t just sit on the beach all day. If you’re gonna have a healthy Maui vacation, get up and DO something, even if it’s just to snorkel (that will force you to move your legs a bit)! Ask your accommodations if they have a gym, offer fitness classes,  or where the nearest exercise class is taking place. There are lots of fitness classes on the island, such as zumba and oceanside yoga. Or try something more challenging like SUP yoga (yoga on a stand up paddle board) — a true core workout! Take a surfing lesson. Walk on the beach. Go hiking, or stroll along one of Maui’s beautiful coastal paths. It’s easy to let “Polynesian paralysis” set in here (eat, sleep, flop on the beach, sip a mai tai, eat, sleep, flop on the beach, sip a mai tai), so keep on moving!

Yoga Classes

Nothing is as calming as a yoga class with the sound of lapping waves in the background, or chirping birds with the ocean breeze softly soothing your skin. We have amazing yoga classes held across all regions of the island in gorgeous outdoor settings or yoga studios. Many hotels and resorts offer yoga classes beach front, or the closest yoga studio might be just a 10-minute drive away. My favorite studios  according to location are: Island Spirit Yoga in Lahaina, Maui Yoga Shala and Lumeria in Paia/North Shore, and Maui Yoga Path in Kihei at Mana Kai Maui Resort.

 HEALTHY MEALS

Vegan and Vegetarian Cafes

Maui has a very health-conscious population, creating a demand for the healthiest, most nutritious foods. As a result, Maui is sprinkled with wonderful vegan and vegetarian cafes with local, fresh, organic foods. If you love salads, buddah bowls, superfoods, cleanses, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls and more, I recommend checking out the following establishments:

• West Maui: A’a Roots in Napili, Moku Roots in Lahaina, Choice Health Bar in Kaanapali and Lahaina
• Central Maui: Farmacy Heath Bar in Wailuku (expect long wait times here), Fork and Salad in Kahului
• South Maui: Sprout Vegan Cafe in Wailea, That’s a Wrap in Kihei, Fork and Salad in Kihei
• North Shore: Choice Health Bar in Paia, Maui Kombucha in Haiku
• Food Trucks: Throughout Maui there are MANY food trucks and parking lots with many food truck options. Some vegetarian-focused food trucks include Earth Aloha Eats, Rainbow Kitchen + Rebel Tonics, Brekkie Bowls, and Baya Bowls

Specialty Grocery Stores

Everyone loves Whole Foods, and on Maui we have even more options where you can shop for your local produce, specialty vegan, gluten-free, sugar free ingredients, as well as take out a delicious meal! In addition to Whole Foods in Kahului, the best places to go are: Down to Earth and Alive & Well in Kahului, Mana Foods in Paia, Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods in Kihei, and Honokowai Farmers Market (an actual store, not a market) in Lahaina.

MAUI’S BEST MASSAGE

Looking for a truly great therapeutic massage on Maui? In our opinion, Sam Molitas and his skilled team at Maui’s Best Massage really do provide, well . . . Maui’s best massage. Known for a high level of professionalism and expertise, they offer relaxation, deep tissue, lomi lomi, couples and group massages at their studio in Kihei. Or call and they will come to you at your hotel, resort, or vacation rental. (808) 426-7418

 CENTRAL MAUI CHIROPRACTIC

Central Maui Chiropractic has a board-certified chiropractic doctor with extensive experience as well as a wealth of knowledge in biomechanics and physiotherapy. They don’t provide simple “crack and pop” sessions that result in short-term relief and minimal long-term benefits. Rather, their goal is to not only relieve the symptoms of back and neck conditions, but to also facilitate long-term healing. This is accomplished through a focus on bio-mechanics and balancing muscle symmetry. This chiropractor has experience using a variety of techniques and will work with you to develop a personalized plan that will provide lasting relief for your body ailments.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncturist Ken Busto began his education over 20 years ago in Chinese medicine, and his passion for internal martial arts and qigong led him to acupuncture–specializing in corrective and rehabilitative exercise as well as performance enhancement. He practices in Wailuku (Central Maui). (808) 315-5020 

MAUI HEALING RETREAT

Maui Healing Retreat provides unique and varied services, offering a variety of beautiful accommodations across the island, and retreats and programs for health and wellness, spiritual awakening, cleansing/detox, enhancing relationships, team building, and more. They can even provide healthy, organic meals. Take a look at their various packages, or they can customize a program to meet your needs for a truly healthy Maui vacation. 

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR WHILE ON MAUI

CONSULT A MAUI DOCTOR ONLINE 

Doctors On Call, serving Maui since 1987, recently introduced a new, state-of-the-art telemedicine service, so you can visit a doctor online for non-emergency issues. Just access the new service on a computer, tablet, or smart phone device from anywhere there’s an internet connection. So, instead of driving to a clinic, you can—for instance–show the doctor that pesky rash on your arm, get something to treat your painful sunburn, or arrange to refill the prescription meds you forgot to pack. 

Relax. Breathe. Move. It’s EASY to enjoy a healthy Maui vacation!

• Looking for great places to stay on Maui? You’ll save by BOOKING DIRECTLY with the owners/managers of these accommodations.
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Happy Travels!

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