First Time Hale Pau Hana Experience

Published on:

September 2, 2022

When people come to Hale Pau Hana for the first time, it leaves an impression. The first sunset. The first walk on the beach. The first time settling into a lounge chair with a beverage and letting the stress wash away.

Deanna McAlister-Gibson had her first Hale Pau Hana experience in June. Her daughter, Presleigh, was turning 12 and Deanna wanted to find a place that would be special. Deanna and her family weren’t new to Hawaii, having been to other islands previously. But they had never been to Maui, so she looked for locations directly on the beach, did website research, and made her selection.

It paid off.

Deanna and her daughter, Presleigh, pose for a photo in front of the Pacific Ocean during their stay at Hale Pau Hana.. — *Photo courtesy Deanna McAlister-Gibson*

Celebration Time

“My daughter felt very special to be able to come back to Hawaii for her birthday week,” Deanna said. “It was nice to have a kitchen, living room, and terrace to have her birthday celebration.”

When they weren’t inside celebrating, the family was enjoying all Maui has to offer. They snorkeled almost every day and saw beautiful honu swimming by. They walked to restaurants, found spots to enjoy Mai Tai’s, and rented stand-up paddle boards.

“We loved being on the beach! Watching the sunset every day was a dream. It was so easy to get in the water, shower off, and get back to our room. I loved all of it. ”

— Deanna McAlister-Gibson

The ‘On the Beach’ Experience

Their experience was different than that of family members who stayed at a large resort nearby.

“They did not have the ‘on the beach’ experience that we had,” Deanna said. “They had to walk to the beach, could not see the sunset from their lanai, and had no option to walk a short distance for provisions. Our spot was the best!”