Maui -- activities for nerds?
 

Tomorrow I leave SFO for my second trip to Maui. I'm wracking my brain to see if I've missed anything for my itinerary list.

On this trip I know I will finish my SCUBA certification; dive 4 days. I'd like to take several day hikes probably Swinging Bridges/Waihee Valley, Pipiwai trail and a TBA third. [on a previous trip I did all the must dos: shopped in Lahaina, Kihei, Wailea & Wakamao; played golf in Wailea; took the snorkel boat to Molokini; went to a Luau; had romantic dinner on the beach 2x; and summited Haleakala].

Is there anything Nerdy or Arty-yet-weird to do? Eg. is there a place to make my own lava, or better yet, make my own lava tiki statuette.? Are there strange galleries or museums? Where would you take your weird cousin Jane (the computer-obsessed gal who goes to Burning Man every year so that she can watch Giant crane jousting and play with dry ice)?

There is a short (1/2 mile), flat hike to some petroglyphs behind the general store in Olowalu (next to Chez Paul restaurant) south of Lahaina.

Kinda weird.

I'll check it out. Thanks.

The petroglyphs are very cool! don't forget to climb a little to see the higher-up ones. (Guess I'm a nerd...)
Go to La Perouse Bay and check out the lava flow.

Take the ferry over to Lanai and check out the petrogylphs on their hills. I rented a jeep a few years back and found them. Also, seeing the "Garden of the Gods" makes you feel like you are on Mars. Great day trip.

I liked all the weird flowers at the Japanese Gardens.

Are you into astronomy? I think the Hyatt has a rooftop telescope and I've seen ads for someone who does telescope showings on Haleakala. I haven't tried either one yet but it sounds kind of nerdy to me. ;)

i liked the show called U'lalena at myth & magic theater in Lahaina... kind of a cirque-de-soile meets luau extravaganza.

If you are into history, in Lahaina, visit the Old Courthouse - big banyon tree in front, and the Baldwin house across the street; in Wailuku visit the Baily House Museum (if you've been to the 'Iao Valley and 'Iao Needle you probably went right by the Baily House.) The Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului has a free exhibit starting Sunday - ARCHIPELAGO:
Portraits of Life in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Have fun!!!

Wow... are you still there... sigh..... a nice long Maui vacation...... wish we were all there....