A day in Maui on a budget: Volcanoes, Willie Nelson, and half-price sushi

To have fun in paradise, you don’t have to spend oodles and oodles of money. Here’s an example of a day on Maui filled with adventure, relaxation, and award-winning sushi that won’t break the bank:

Watch the sun rise over Maui's Haleakala Volcano: It calls for an extremely early departure -- as early as 3 or 4 a.m. if you’re coming from the west side of the island -- but it’s worth it to see the sun peak over the glorious crater. Before dawn, take off up Haleakala Highway to Haleakala National Park. After a winding drive up the side of the volcano, you'll find cold crisp air, clean bathrooms, and a crowd of people waiting to witness the dawn of a new day. It does cost $10 per car to enter the park. Note that there's no gas station or food, so be sure to fill your tank and bring some coffee to keep you warm. Before you head out, be sure to look in the paper, online, or ask your hotel’s concierge about the precise time of the sunrise.
Breakfast with Willie Nelson: After welcoming the sun, head down the volcano toward Paia town and stop for some coffee and a stomach-filling breakfast at Charley's cafe, a favorite of singer Willie Nelson (yes, you may even spot him!). Prices range from $6.25 for pancakes to $13 for the New York Steak Paniolo Breakfast. Everything comes with your choice of rice, breakfast potatoes, or sliced tomatoes. They also have plenty of vegetarian dishes.

Head to the beach: After you've filled up at Charley's head to the beach to catch up on some Zzz. Maui beaches are free to visit, refreshing, and the best way to spend a day on island. With tons of choices, from Big Beach on the South side to Kaanapali or Flemmings on the West side, you are sure to find a favorite place to rest and relax.


Early dinner at Sansei Sushi Bar: Located in both Kihei and Kapalua, Sansei serves some of the best sushi on the island. On Sundays and Mondays, patrons line up as early as an hour before they open in order to score half-off their order (available from 5:30 and 6 p.m.). Sit back, drink sake, and have a relaxing ending to a fun filled (and relatively cheap) Maui day.


-Sarah Burns of The Ohana Mama