BLOG

GRAND RE-OPENING!

Air Maui Helicopter Tours will be re-opening in March of 2021! We have taken this time off to enjoy our families and our beautiful island and now we can’t wait to get back to our passion, sharing the wonders of Maui from the air with our guests! Hawaii is one of the safest places to come and travel with the new travel with aloha program and we are ready to serve you with our new COVID safety measures in place. We are offering special re-opening discounted rates for any future flights as long as you complete your booking by June 1, 2021. So, don’t wait, choose your tour now! If you are interested in learning more about Maui County travel requirements, you can check out their website here: http://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information We will be opening with all of our tours available. Each one is special and has something unique to offer. Check out their descriptions to determine which tour is right for you! Our guests enjoy top notch service from the time they book a tour. Our friendly and professional service will set you at ease and help create an experience that you will never forget! But don’t take our word for it, here’s what our guests have to say about their time with us: “We decided to take a 45 minute tour because we had time before we flew home. It was awesome! The views and thing you won’t see any other way are incredible! If you’re thinking about it, just do it! You will not regret it.” – Curiosity46881943720 “Our Pilot was entertaining and most importantly his flight skills were top notch! We loved getting to see a bit of Maui from the sky. Waterfalls, Mountains, Ocean and Rainbows… what more could we ask for? We would do it again, in a second. Thank you for a wonderful memory to take back home with us!” – amandapatterson2020 “This tour was so awesome!! Captain Kirk put all of us at ease with his soothing voice and great knowledge about the islands. I was terrified at first, but once we got going, the ride was so smooth, and the scenery SO AMAZING, that I forgot all about my fears and just enjoyed the ride.” – Dena F “Pilot Jim is a gem! He was, first and foremost, a real pro! He was also funny, fun, safety oriented, and reassuring to those with a bit of fear. Purchased the extra video / picture package and it captured the tour perfectly, much better than any pictures we took during the flight. Highly recommend this tour!!!!!” – hipmomfromChiTown If you have any questions or concerns, we would be happy to talk to you. We are excited to be re-opening and can’t wait to fly with you! Call us at (808) 877-7005 to speak with one of our staff members or you can book any of our tours online!

STAY AT HOME ACTIVITIES

With a stay at home order in place for all of Hawaii until at least April 30th COVID-19 has quickly changed all of our daily lives. Although Air Maui is currently closed for all flights, we look forward to the time when we can serve all of you again. In the meantime, we hope that everyone is able to stay home and stay safe during this time. If you are looking for a way to break the quarantine doldrums, check out some fun stay at home activities below. Take this time to spend time with your family, try out that new hobby you’ve always wanted to do, or catch up on those house projects you’ve been meaning to do. Let’s stay connected to our loved ones in the ways that we can and be support one another as much as possible during these challenging times. Arts & Crafts Arts & crafts activities are a great way to unwind and can often be completed with items you already have around the house. Whether you are looking for activities to do with your kids or you would like something to keep yourself busy, there are tons of interesting and creative activities on the web. Check out the link below for activities that you can create with your kids from 3 supplies or less. www.care.com/c/stories/3882/13-crafts-for-kids-to-make-with-3-supplies-or/ Educational Apps for Kids Although I am sure we are all trying to limit our kids screen time while they are stuck at home, sometimes we just need a break, and that’s okay! Try out some of these free educational apps for kids and turn their screen time into learning time. www.familyeducation.com/fun/21-free-educational-apps-kids Board Games & Puzzles A great way to spend some fun time together as a family is to break out a board game or puzzle. This gives your family a chance to spend some quality time together that is fun for everyone while being together. Check out the link below for some of the best games for kids and families. whatmomslove.com/guides/best-board-games-kids-families/ Family Movie Night Looking for a fun activity as the night is winding down? Pop some popcorn, bust out the juice boxes and enjoy a family movie night! If you are looking for the perfect movie that everyone can enjoy, check out the link below for a list of fun family movies with recommended ages. www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-lists/family-movies-we-love Activities for Energetic Kids If you have kids with lots of energy to spend, try some of these activities: scavenger hunts, musical chairs, obstacle courses, dancing, exercise cube, and more! And remember that even though you need to keep your distance from others, you can still get outside to get some fresh air. Check out the link for tons of ideas to get your kids moving even while they are stuck at home. handsonaswegrow.com/30-moves-for-excess-energy/ Gardening Kids love planting seeds and watching them grow. It’s also a great way to get then to eat their fruits and veggies! If you are lucky enough to have a space outside to grow a garden, take advantage. If you don’t have a space outside, check out some of these ideas for indoor gardens in small spaces. If you have kids they will love to help! www.apartmenttherapy.com/15-indoor-garden-ideas-for-wannabe-gardeners-in-small-spaces-228575 Cooking Activities Cooking is a great activity to try out with your kids. Not only can they learn math concepts while at home, but they can learn about nutrition and develop practical life skills. Who knows, maybe they will even be making you dinner once in a while! Check out some kid friendly recipes by following the link below. tasty.co/article/melissaharrison/cooking-with-kids4 New Hobbies If you are looking for a new hobby to try out during this time, check out this link! From scrapbooking to photography to whittling there are tons of different ideas, many of which you can get started with from at home. www.lifehack.org/articles/money/this-list-50-low-cost-hobbies-will-excite-you-2.html Home Improvement If you would like to have some fun with a few DIY home projects during your time at home, check out the link below for some budget friendly home improvement ideas. Some of these your kids may even be able to help out with. diyjoy.com/diy-home-improvement-ideas-budget/ Exercise Even though gyms are closed you can still get your daily exercise routine in. Check out the link below for some ideas on how to exercise at home. Remember to mix it up and keep it fun. www.verywellfit.com/best-ways-to-exercise-at-home-1231142 Here at Air Maui our guest’s safety has always been our top concern. Due to COVID-19 and the state mandated travel restrictions, we are not accepting new bookings for dates before June 1st. Please stay safe during this time and we look forward to being able to fly with you again soon!

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY MAUI 2020

If you’re looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, Maui is the perfect place to be this Saint Patrick’s Day! Hawaii is known for its beautiful and frequent rainbows due to numerous rain showers and almost constant sunshine. Circular rainbows, double rainbows, and moonbows, we have them all. And if you are looking for great ways to spend your Saint Patrick’s Day on Maui, other than chasing rainbows, check out some of the fun events below! Mulligans on the Blue Mulligans, located in Wailea, is celebrating its 18th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration this year. Tickets to this Irish owned and run restaurant start at $11 and will increase as the event gets closer. Live entertainment includes Magically Delicious, On Me Tod, The Celtic Tigers, The Mad Bagpiper, and Island Soul. Enjoy classic Irish food, drinks and ambiance! www.mulligansontheblue.com Fleetwood’s on Front Street Fleetwood’s on Front St., located in Lahaina, will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with Corned Beef and drink specials along with live music featuring Johnny Ringo on the rooftop and Karrie O’Neill on the main stage as well as the Mad Bag Piper. www.fleetwoodsonfrontst.com Maui Brewing Company If you are looking to enjoy some great beers this St. Patrick’s Day, Maui Brewing Company is a great option! With locations in Kihei and Lahaina, they are known for their local, craft beer. Enjoy a brewery tour at the Kihei location, sit down for a yummy meal and beer tasting, or order up a pint of your favorite selection! www.mauibrewingco.com Rotary Club of Lahaina Go for the Green 2020 The Rotary Club of Lahaina is holding their 6th annual Go for The Green St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 13, 2020. They will have live music by Nevah Too Late, prize drawing, dancing, live auction, silent auction, and buffet dinner. Tickets are $100 and include 2 drink tickets. The proceeds will benefit community recycling, education and service projects. allevents.in/lahaina/st-patricks-day-party/200019041089814 If you are looking for the best way to enjoy a Maui rainbow, not to mention lush green mountains, waterfalls and more, Air Maui Helicopter Tours are the way to go! We are open all day on Saint Patrick’s Day. Here is what some of our guests have to say about their experiences: “We did the 65min entire Maui island tour. Wonderful flight. Loved the circular rainbow and amazing waterfalls.” – JohnRRogers “It was incredible: the views, music, professionalism of pilot David, his comments. We saw a circle rainbow!” – karinabuilenko “It was AMAZING! Clear skies over the crater, beautiful views of the cliffs, amazing waterfalls, and our pilot, Jim, loves to chase rainbows. It was SPECTACULAR.” – Robert B “Air Maui Helicopter tours is a MUST do when visiting Maui. I was in Maui December 2019 for my 5-year wedding anniversary and some of our friends did this 5 years ago when we got married. We did the West Maui/Molokai tour and I highly recommend it. Humpback Whales, 3,000-foot sea cliffs, 1,200 foot waterfalls, 360 degree rainbows (yes, 360!), the leper colony, olivine pools, blowhole, etc, etc. It was stunningly beautiful!” – Mike B “It was an outstanding tour. The pilot knew his history of the islands. We were able to see two humpback whales from above and fly through some rainbows, awesome viewing. The helicopter was roomy and comfortable. I really enjoyed the tour and will definitely go again.” ” – RockyWon “We were able to see a 360 rainbow over the channel between Maui and Molokai! A double one appeared for a few seconds. The scenery was simply breathtaking and Captain Kelby was a wonderful guide and kept us up to date on the names of the areas we were flying by and giving us the history of the islands as we went. I highly recommend Air Maui. They were professional, informative, and gave us a great memory to cherish.” – Leslie M Book any of our awesome tours online or call us at (808) 877-7005 if you have questions. We can’t wait to assist you in planning your trip with us!

MAUI CHRISTMAS 2019

If you are looking to escape the cold and enjoy a tropical Christmas, there is no place better than Maui! Enjoy the beautiful weather as well as some Christmas cheer! If you are interested in fun seasonal activities, keep reading below to find out what fun activities are happening around Maui this year. Visit with Santa, ride the Christmas train, enjoy a delicious Christmas feast, and more. Christmas Dinner Skip the cooking and make a reservation for Christmas dinner at one of Maui’s best restaurants. Some great choices include Merriman’s, Mama’s Fish House, Hali’imaile General Store, Gannon’s, nyloS, Sarento’s, and Fleetwood’s. Check their websites for special menus and don’t forget to make your reservations early! Pictures with Santa If your kids would like to get pictures with Santa there are several places around the island. Queen Kaahumanu Center, Maui Mall, and The Shops at Wailea are all having visits from Santa at various times throughout December. Check out their websites for dates and times and other seasonal events and information. The Holiday Express Sugar Cane Train The Holiday Express Sugar Cane Train will be running in Ka’anapali from November 29th to December 31st at 6pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $35 or $50 for premium tickets and children 2 years old and younger are free. Meet Santa and enjoy milk and cookies as well as a gift for each child. www.sugarcanetrain.com Christmas Fair & Electric Golf Cart Parade On Saturday, December 7th the Pukalani Country Club will host a Christmas Fair and Electric Golf Cart Parade from 3-7pm with children’s activities, a cookie baking contest, craft & gift fair, food, music, hot chocolate, and ugly sweater contest. Entrance fee is $2 and children under 12 are free. www.facebook.com/events/pukalani-hawaii/2nd-annual-pukalani-christmas-fair-and-electric-golf-cart-parade/782132828874205/ Lahaina Banyan Tree The 22nd Annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree in downtown Lahaina will be held on Saturday, December 7th. The tree will be lit with over 6,500 lights. The ceremony will be held at 6:30pm and the tree will remain lit throughout the holiday season. www.lahainatown.com Christmas 5K Run & Santa’s Half Mile Keiki Dash Register now for the Christmas 5K Run or the special Half Mile Keiki Dash for children 8 years and under taking place on December 15th. The keiki race begins at 7:30am and the 5K begins at 7:35am. The cost is $20 before December 14th or $25 on race day. www.virr.clubexpress.com Holiday Pops Concert at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center If you are looking to enjoy some classic Christmas music, the Maui Pops Orchestra will be performing December 15th at 3:00pm playing songs such as Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, The Christmas Waltz, and more. Featuring Pianist David Benoit and Vocalist Sara Gazarek. www.mauipops.org/concerts Air Maui is closed Christmas Day, but we are open for the rest of the holiday season! This is a great time to enjoy a flight with us as it is whale season and if you are lucky you will spot a whale from the air! Also, the waterfalls are especially spectacular due to the extra rainfall during this time of year. Here’s what some of our guests have to say about their experiences: “The warm people to people contact was great and the pilot very enjoyable. This was such a great adventure experience: still not over it. Just . . .wow. I would recommend this trip to anyone. I was thinking I was going to be scared but I was so overwhelmed in a great way.” – jstanger2016 “We loved our flight with Air Maui. We toured Maui and Molokai, with a beach front landing. Our pilot was very informative and fun to be around! You could tell he really enjoyed his job. It was an amazing experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat! Highlight of our trip.” – Maddi1346 “This was my fiancé’s first time to Maui so I wanted it to be a fantastic trip and going on the helicopter tour with Air Maui was the highlight of our visit! The crater, the waterfalls and everything in between was breathtaking. We loved it, thank you!” – Footprints662232 “Awesome flight. The pilot took us into areas that not only were breathtaking, he explained the names of the spots and why they were called that so we were able to appreciate it all that much more. Even with clouds threatening we were able to find clear places to fly into with spectacular views. The staff at Air Maui were very pleasant and helpful to make sure we had the best experience possible.” – timZ1572GT A helicopter tour of Maui makes a great gift for that person in your life who has everything. Book online through our tours page or call us at (808) 877-7005 if you have any questions!

MAUI HALLOWEEN 2019

f you are planning to be in Maui for the Halloween season, you’re in luck! In addition to all of the great activities Maui has to offer year-round, there are also some great Halloween activities for adults and children alike. So, when you are ready for a break from all the sight-seeing and relaxing on the beach, check out some of these fun events! Halloween in Lahaina The Halloween party on Front Street in Lahaina is a HUGE event with over 30,000 people in attendance. To avoid traffic, you may want to consider taking a cruise to the event, booking a shuttle, or getting a room in a nearby hotel. The fun begins at 4pm with a children’s parade and continues into the evening for adults with costume contests and various events at the local restaurants and bars. lahainatown.com/halloween-party.php Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch is open every day in October from 9:00-4:00. Admission is $3 per person and ages 2 and under are free. They have a great selection of pumpkins of different sizes, colors and varieties as well as some fun activities such as farm games, jumping castles, face painting, costume contests, and more. There are also drink and snacks for sale. kulacountryfarmsmaui.com/pumpkin-patch Maui Comic Con If you are looking for another fun place to show off your Halloween Costume, check out the Maui Comic Con at UH Maui College on October 26 & 27. This is a free event where you can also meet award winning cartoonist Eric Powell as well as local artists and creators. The men’s and women’s costume contest will be held on October 26th and the group and keiki contest will be on October 27th. Go to their website to sign up and find out more about events and special guests! www.mauicomiccon.com Haunted House at Hyatt Regency The Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali will be hosting their annual haunted house again this year on October 25 & 26. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children and the experience lasts about 10 minutes. Proceeds benefit the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association’s Annual Charity Walk. kaanapaliresort.com/haunted-house-at-hyatt-regency-maui-resort-and-spa/ Queen Ka’ahumanu Center Halloween Spook-tacular QKC will be hosting the Halloween Spook-tacular on Thursday, October 31 from 5-7pm. There will be face painting, balloon animals, magic, a keiki costume parade and costume contest. Trick-or-Treat at participating merchants and there will even be non-food treats for keiki with allergies available. queenkaahumanucenter.com/events/the-halloween-spook-tacular/ Mystery at Maui Mall On Saturday, October 26 from 3-7pm Maui Mall will be hosting a scavenger hunt and costume contest. There will also be trick-or-treating, face painting and a photo booth. Registration for the scavenger hunt begins at 3pm and registration for the costume contest begins at 5pm. Check out their website for more information. www.mauimall.com/event/halloween-extravaganza Shops at Wailea Keiki Halloween On Sunday, October 27 from 2pm-6pm, the Shops at Wailea will host a costume contest and trick-or-treating. One grand prize winner will receive two round trick coach tickets anywhere in the United States that Alaska Airlines flies! Registration is from 2-3 pm and trick-or treating begins after the costume contest at 6pm. Check their website for more info. Event parking is $5. www.theshopsatwailea.com/event/Halloween-at-The-Shops/2145533383/ If you are looking to spend your Halloween in a truly magnificent way, book a flight with us here at Air Maui; we are open on Halloween! If you don’t want to miss out on the nighttime fun, don’t worry! Book an early flight and you will still have plenty of time for evening fun. Here is what some of our guests have to say about their time with us: “We did the doors off your, and it was the coolest thing I have done in a long time! All the wind in your face and the clear unobstructed views can’t be beat. The best way to see most of the island in a short period of time, especially for the price. All the staff and the pilot were super friendly and very informative.” – Shane B “The staff were very nice & knowledgeable. The pilot was very safe, got us up close, and made sure no matter where you say you had a great view! Highlight of my trip!!“ – tcwhitson “Our tour was fantastic! Captain Kirk made the tour even better! He was very interactive and fun and his music choice was great. All of the other employees we encountered were super friendly and informative as well! We purchased the video and picture we enjoyed it so much! We would definitely fly with Air Maui again!“ – Cortney B “This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience for most of us to be able to see the landscape of Maui by air. “Captain Kirk” made the trip informative, entertaining, and I felt completely safe throughout. The waterfalls from this vista will bring you to tears. Seeing Haleakala by air the day after I had witnessed the sunrise there was equally spectacular! This was worth every dollar spent.“ – Rhonda F A helicopter tour of Maui is a great way to celebrate any holiday! Book online through our tours page or call us at (808) 877-7005 if you have any questions.

MAUI SHOPPING

If you just arrived in Maui and realized that you forgot to pack your bathing suit, don’t worry! There are several great places to shop in Maui that are sure to have that much needed item you forgot at home. Some of these shops also have art, jewelry items, or clothing unique to Maui that can make the perfect souvenir! So, when you need a break from the sun or all that sightseeing, check out one of these fun shopping locations. Lahaina Outlet Mall The Lahaina Outlet Mall is a great place to stop if you forgot to pack something or you need a quick item that you want to grab for a good price with stores like Banana Republic, Gap, Carter’s, ABC Store, Guess, and Sketchers. There are also several sunglass stores as well as some more Hawaiian inspired stores such as Hawaiian Island Creations Surf Outlet, Maika’i Woods, and Maui Divers Jewelry. There are also several places to grab a bite to eat including Pi Artisan Pizzeria and Waikiki Brewing Company, coming soon! www.outletsofmaui.com Whaler’s Village Whaler’s Village, located in Ka’anapali, is an upscale retail center located right on the beach. There are some stores unique to Maui such as Logowear Maui, Maui Waterwear, and Glass Mango Designs as well as some more well-known brands such as Billabong, Tommy Bahama, Pacsun, Oakley, Quicksilver, Rip Curl, and Sephora. There are also some great places to eat such as Leilani’s and Monkeypod. Or grab a coffee or some gelato! www.outletsofmaui.com The Shops at Wailea The Shops at Wailea also feature some high-end brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada as well as some Hawaiian inspired brands such as Na Hoku, Mele Ukulele, Moonbow Tropics, Aloha Hat Co., and Kaliki Hawaii. Grab a coffee or some cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company or enjoy a bite to eat at Longhis, Lineage, The Pint & Cork and more. www.theshopsatwailea.com www.fleetwoodsonfrontst.com Maui Mall The Maui Mall has a few places to shop such as Maui Creations, TJ Maxx and Hawaiian Island Creations. There are also a few places to grab a bite to eat such as Thailand Cuisine and Whole Foods Market. There is also a Movie Theater and a Fun Factory if you are looking for some fun out of the sun. Check out their website for events hosted at the Maui Mall throughout the year such as Halloween costume contests, photos with Santa, ice skating and more. www.mauimall.com Queen Ka’ahumanu Center Queen Ka’ahumanu Center has many of the same stores you would find in most malls such as Bath & Body Works, Macy’s, Sears, Hot Topic and Forever 21. You can also find a few more Hawaiian style boutiques. There is also a movie theater, Fun Factory, and the Keiki Playhouse, a fun indoor play area for children. You can also grab a quick bite to eat at the food court. Also enjoy various events throughout the year. www.queenkaahumanucenter.com Other Shopping Experiences If you are looking to check out some fun local boutiques, you can also shop around upcountry Makawao with some shops such as Hot Island Glass, Pink By Nature, Driftwood, Fleur De Lei, Tribe Maui, and Droplets or check out Front Street in Lahaina with shops such as Maui Clothing Company, Maui Waterwear, Rip Curl, Maui Tropix, Sand People and Island Sole. Both locations also have places to eat after you are all shopped out! Whether you are looking for a souvenir or you forgot to pack your bathing suit, these are some great shopping options on Maui. If you are booking a helicopter tour with Air Maui, don’t forget that we also have a souvenir shop with t-shirts, hats, and other fun options that can help you remember your once in a lifetime trip! Here is what some of our guests have to say about their experiences with us: “The tour of Haleakala and Hana was amazing, gorgeous, awesome — you get the picture. At the end of it you have a chance to buy the video which we did and have watched it several times since we’ve been home. They also have some great souvenirs to purchase. This was the highlight of our vacation. We loved the sunset dinner cruise, and the zip lining, but the Helicopter tour was top drawer. Thank you to the staff of Air Maui for the great adventure.” – CanTamJam “We recently completed the West Maui and Molokai tour with Air Maui and had a Fabulous time! Everything was First-Class with this operator from the clean office facilities and souvenir gift area, to the professional pilot and efficient flight operations. My family of four thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend to anyone this great company. The views were amazing and the value couldn’t be beat! Would totally do it again!” – wadekj “The Air Maui experience is out of this world. The staff really impressed me. The pilot made us feel relaxed and made sure we enjoyed everything with special chosen music and knowledgeable commentary. They also sell cool hats and shirts.” – reyofdawn We would love to talk to you here at Air Maui and help you plan your trip with us. You can book online through our tours page or call us at (808) 877-7005 if you have any questions!

Scroll to Top