Winter Wonderland
Mele Kalikimaka! Hawaii is a very popular holiday destination, so book everything early. Of all the islands, Maui is the most bohemian—with its wild terrain and hot beaches—and the seaside town of Kihei is the perfect home base for your winter getaway. Your home away from home is the oceanside Maui Sunseeker, a gay-owned-and-operated boutique hotel for adults only. The suites are spacious, many with their own kitchens, there’s a clothing-optional rooftop area complete with hot tub and massage services, you get free Internet access, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.
To keep in step with the eco-friendly vibe of the island, rent a reasonably priced biodiesel vehicle through Bio Beetle (www.bio-beetle.com; 877/873-6121) right near the airport in Kahului, where owner Shaun Stenshol will fetch you and drop you off. We like the Jeeps and 2006 VW Golf models.
Kihei is known for its beaches, so make at least one trek to the stupendous Big Beach and its neighbor, the gay- and clothing-optional-friendly Little Beach. Glassy turquoise waves, caramel-colored sand, and the best bodysurfing ever await you.
The food in Kihei is also great, but there are three standouts. For the best banana-macadamia nut pancakes, hit up the popular Big Wave Cafe (1215 S. Kihei Rd.; www.bigwavecafe.com). For the perfect post-beach snack, try Jawz Tacos (1279 S. Kihei Rd.; 808/874-TACO) for some choice and cheap fish tacos. And for fantastic steak, seafood, and sushi, you won’t believe the reasonably priced Cafe O’Lei (2439 S. Kihei Rd.; 808/891-1368).
