In 1980, Hike Maui founder Ken Schmitt put on a backpack and abandoned his city life to live off the land in an East Maui jungle. For the next three years, he studied birds, plants, insects, the ocean, and the geology of this incredible island. After his educational stint in the jungle, Ken worked briefly as a crew member on a catamaran, where he encountered numerous visitors who wanted to see the “real Maui” but didn’t know how to go about doing that.
In 1983, Ken started Hike Maui, the first land-tour company in the State of Hawaii. For the first decade, he was the company’s sole employee, and became renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of Hawaiian history, culture, botany, and ethnobiology. Over the ensuing years, Ken hired like-minded individuals to perpetuate his vision, and his once one-man show grew exponentially.
Although Ken retired in 2012, Hike Maui’s current owners are carrying on his legacy of providing guests with an enlightening experience. Along with imparting tons of interesting information about Maui and Hawaii, Hike Maui’s highly trained guides deliver plenty of fun and adventure, too. We regularly hear from our guests the time spent with Hike Maui was the best day of their entire vacation!
We take the worry out of your adventure so you can fully enjoy your Hike Maui experience. While having a fun day in the rainforest, jumping into waterfall pools, driving the Hana Highway, or exploring Haleakala Crater, our guides are very conscious of all safety-related needs. Our Hike Maui staff members are trained to provide you with a safe and enjoyable day, and they are equipped to handle any situation that may arise. Guide certifications include advanced CPR and First Aid Training, and a permit for hiking in the National Park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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- For our Waterfall/Rainforest Hikes: Running shoes or sports sandals (like Tevas, Chacos or Keens).
- For our Haleakala Crater Hiking Experience: Running shoes are perfectly suitable. There’s no need to bring hiking boots unless you want to (they do take up a lot of suitcase space).
- Your shoes will likely get muddy, dirty, and/or wet on any of our hikes.
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- Hikes vary in approximate length from 1 to 4.5 miles, depending on the specific tour you choose.
- Individual distances can be found in the tour descriptions.
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- For our Haleakala Crater Hiking Experience: Shorts and short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts are best. If mosquitoes really bother you (your guide carries repellent), you could wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Also, you’ll want to wear your swimsuit so you can swim in the waterfall pools (optional).
- For the Four-mile Crater Hike: The weather is often cool or cold (the altitude is 10,000 feet); then it can warm up as you hike. So layered clothing is best, including a jacket, down vest, sweatshirt, or sweater. The can be quite intense, so you may want to bring a hat. You guide will also carry extra jackets.
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- Towel: Waterfall tours include swimming (optional)
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen (look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide-based sunscreens): Helpful on any tour, but essential on the Haleakala Crater trip
- Camera & Phone: Please bring a Ziploc or a plastic bag to prevent any damage from moisture
- You are responsible for any personal equipment you choose to bring along
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Hike Maui provides:
- Water
- Food
- Backpacks
- Ponchos, in case of rain
- Insect repellent, if needed
- Hand sanitizer
- And, of course, our guide to keep you safe
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All tours will include snacks, and most will have a lunch choice:
- Turkey sandwich
- Ham sandwich
- Vegetarian Garden Burger
- Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich
- We can accommodate some special dietary needs—just ask
Additionally you will get:
- Cookie
- Tropical fruit
- Bottled water to drink
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On some hikes there are toilets or porta potties at the trailhead. Once we’re hiking, though, we head for the bushes. If you’re uncomfortable using the bushes, please let your guide know before the hike begins so you can both decide what’s best for you.
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We have eliminated person-to-person contact whenever possible on our tours. You can include a prepaid gratuity when you make your reservation, or call our office after your tour. Our guides also gratefully accept digital payments and, of course, cash. If you’re happy with your hike, a tip is always a good way to show your appreciation.
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Hotel transfers are offered on several of our tours, subject to availability. For an additional fee, we’ll pick you up at your hotel and return you after the tour. Transportation is available from all major resort hotels and condominiums, but not private residences or in towns outside of our service area. Our vans are PUC certified, commercially insured, serviced regularly for high performance, air conditioned, and are cleaned and disinfected after every tour.
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If you cancel 24 hours or more prior to the date of the event, you will receive a full refund less a 10% cancellation fee. If you cancel within 24 hours for any reason, you will receive no refund.
OUR OFFICE
Behind all our exceptional guides and tours is an incredible office staff that orchestrates flawless trips 365 days a year. Our team manages hundreds of reservations and guests from all around the world on a weekly basis, and is here to assist you in choosing the best adventure for your particular wishes and prepare you for your day with us. Additional team members set you up with your gear and meals, and maintain our tour vans to the highest level. With 40 years of providing award-winning eco-tours on Maui, it’s our mission to ensure you have fond memories of your day with us, and go home having experienced the true Aloha of Maui.
AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS
All of us at Hike Maui take great pride in providing fun and informative guided tours, as well as superior customer service. One-of-a-kind Maui excursions are our specialty, whether it be hikes to dazzling waterfalls or magnificent Haleakala Crater, or our popular Kayak, Snorkel & Waterfall Hike Combo. It’s our mission to help you make lasting memories of your time with us. We invite you to see what our satisfied guests have to say, and we look forward to having you join us for one or more of our top-rated hikes during your visit to Maui!
