lesbiantravel.net » Hawaii

Gay & Lesbian Hawaii: Maui Sunseeker

sydney — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:45:58 +0000

Maui Sunseeker
Rooms: 17
Amenities: Two hot tubs, gas grills, wireless & guest computers
Prices: $105 +
Gay & lesbian primarily, but welcomes everyone

Maui Sunseeker, located in Kihei, is the largest gay and lesbian hotel in Hawaii. Southern Maui’s Mai Poina ‘Oe La’u Beach is nearby – in fact, steps from the door of the Maui Sunseeker. Seventeen guest suites include the Penthouse Suite, a 1,000 square foot, one bedroom suite with a sleeper sofa to accommodate up to four guests.

The Maui Sunseeker is gay owned and operated. The resort has been renovated and updated to have a more modern feel, and has now also taken over the Wailana Inn.

Activities you can take part in while staying at the gay and lesbian Maui Sunseeker in Hawaii include helicopter tours, biking, hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, rafting, parasailing, sunset dining tours, various LGBT events, spa treatments and more.

Maui Sunseeker Resort: Lesbian Hawaii

sydney — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:43:37 +0000

When I start looking into a gay hotel, there are a few criteria I look at. I don’t want to write about/recommend something just because they cater to the lesbian crowd, or simply because they’re TAG approved. I look at both the facility itself and the reviews it’s gotten from travelers. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this spot as I scanned the Web for cheap Hawaii deals. Summer is almost gone here, and work is a grind, and a few weeks lying on the beach feels like a necessity these days, rather than a luxury!

I first heard about the Maui Sunseeker Resort being a good lesbian hotel in Hawaii on a message board, then started looking into it more. Located in Kihei on the south shore of Maui, it welcomes travelers of any orientation, but does cater to gays and lesbians.

The Basics:
Pacific Ocean Views (seasonal whale watching)
17 room gay owned and operated hotel
Close to beautiful Little Beach, the Iao Valley, Hana, Lahaina and the volcano, Haleakala
Clothing optional rooftop deck
Two hot tubs
Massage therapy available

From what I read, the cons some travelers mentioned were a lack of bars, shops and attractions near the hotel, so you will need to drive if you stay here. Also, there have been a few mentions of “motor lodge” type accommodations, though there are many, more that say the facilities were amazing, so I guess it depends on the type of room you opt for. Gay and lesbian single Hawaiian travelers may be disappointed, this is definitely more of a couples place.

Gay Travel Hawaii: Explore the Islands

sydney — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:59:21 +0000

Hawaii is very open to gay and lesbians, however, there are still deeply traditional Asian roots in many communities, meaning that there are still cultures where it’s not accepted. While same-sex marriage never passed here, the debate started in Hawaii. Since tourism is the number one industry in Hawaii, this means that hotels and restaurants do cater to the gay and lesbian traveler, and gay travel in Hawaii is a booming industry. There is not a large gay scene, here, however. It’s also a bit hard to recommend gay establishments here, as they come and go like crazy. Many of the ones we visited a few years ago are no longer there.

Waikiki is on the island of Oahu. It used to be that the gay hub of Waikiki was along Kuhio Ave, but many businesses along here have closed in the past few years, and the famous Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand moved to Kapahulu Ave. It had stood under a banyan tree for almost ten years on Kuhio, but has been moved to the Waikiki Hotel, where it sits with open verandahs, overlooking Kapiolani Park. It’s got a laid back vibe, with a glass-enclosed dance floor, a canoe hanging over the bar, and the crowd is very mixed.

Angles on Kuhio is an upstairs bar with an outdoor lanai and open air dance floor. There are also two bars, and you’ll find this place packed with gay and lesbian tourists come late evening. Next door is Fusion, which is open until 4 am, and tends to be a final stop for many. There are a few dance floors, male strip nights and drag shows.

Two beaches on Oahu are considered gay and lesbian: the Queen’s Surf Beach (east end of Waikiki, near Hula’s Bar) and Diamond Head Beach. Lounge on the sand, ogle bronzed bodies, and enjoy a nearby snack bar.

Maui, with a population of 142,000, has the second largest gay and lesbian community, mostly located around Kihei. While public nudity is outlawed in Hawaii, there is a popular nude beach in Maui, and lots of gay friendly bed and breakfasts. Many offer commitment ceremonies and help with wedding planning.

Honolulu’s gay pride festivities are in late June, and on the small side. In late summer, check out the Gay and Lesbian Cultural Festival with dancers, singers, comedians and a showcase of films. Universal Show Queen is a drag queen pageant in late spring.

Gay lodging in Hawaii includes The Cabana at Waikiki, a gay-owned boutique hotel. The rooms are funky and tropically furnished, with one or two beds, with a jacuzzi and continental breakfast. Another popular option is Hotel Honolulu, just off Kuhio Avenue. This hotel is older, but still nice, and has a roof garden and various theme rooms: Hollywood and Oriental, to name a few. There is a gift and antique shop next door called Treasures, if you want to stock up on men’s bikinis, handcuffs, or gay travel books and magazines.

Gay Hawaii activities:

Taking the Plunge: A gay-owned travel company. Choose from various reef and shipwreck dives, no matter what your skill levels.

Rainbow Charters: lesbian-owned yacht charter.

Tip: If you’re in Honolulu, try Keo’s, which Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines named as “America’s Best Thai Restaurant.”