For this mother of two and creator of the popular blog, Fat Mum Slim, the pull of Hawaii is simply too strong to resist. On her fourth visit to Hawaii with her family, Chantelle was captivated by Maui – the perfect destination for variety, choice and spontaneous adventures. With Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s Manager of Hale Huakai (ocean activities centre), Kepa Naeole sharing his favourite local haunts, we asked Chantelle to share her highlights reel.
Hawaii has become a favourite family holiday destination for you – what keeps drawing you back?
Oh, I love Hawaii and my whole family loves it too. We first visited back in October 2014, and it was love at first sight. We’ve always lived near the beach, and loved it… so holidaying in a tropical location is what we love best. We spent a week exploring Oahu back then, and just adored the landscape, the people, the culture, the pace at which people live, the positivity (watch out, it’s contagious!) and the food. We’ve since been back three times, with this last visit mostly spent on Maui.
Needless to say we’re planning on heading back next year as well! Hawaii is the perfect place for us, because the flight isn’t too long, everything isn’t too expensive, it feels safe for the kids, there’s so much we’re yet to explore, and I honestly can’t imagine a more perfect place to visit.
You recently spent seven days on Maui for the first time, what makes it such a special destination?
You know when something is so beautiful, it’s hard to put into words? Let me try though; flying into Maui was like stepping into a whole new world.
The pace is calm and beautiful, and it feels a little more untouched than other places I’ve been. It’s amazing that you can be on one part of the island and it’s dry and arid, and then you drive for five minutes and it’s lush and green, like a rainforest. Another few minutes and you’re right on the beach and you can even head to Upcountry Maui and feel that cool chill in the air.
The food is beautiful and fresh; the little towns are filled with colour and local people sharing their goods. It’s not too busy, it’s super easy to navigate and there are so many gems to explore. I feel like in those seven days we didn’t even scratch the surface but we felt more relaxed than ever….
What is it about the local people that inspires you to keep returning to Hawaii?
I’ve been lucky enough in my travels to meet with locals from around the world and it’s honestly one of my favourite things to do; to be able to see a place through the eyes of a local. Kepa was so warm and friendly, but also so passionate about his home. I loved hearing about how he’d explore as a young boy, and still be able to share those same things with his young children. It was also so cool to see how respected Kepa is around Maui, everywhere we went people knew him and wanted to stop to talk to him.
The locals in Hawaii are so warm, friendly and welcoming. We stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Resort, It’s like truly being embraced, celebrated, shown the customs, and being welcomed into someone’s home or way of living. It’s so hard to explain, but it feels like a warm hug. Even when you leave, no one says goodbye, instead they say “A hui hou,” which means until we meet again, because they want you to return and continue the friendship.
What was the most memorable part of your time on Maui?
I love the beach at Kaanapali, so swimming there was really memorable for me. The water is beautiful. We were all swimming around, right near the shore and I could see a dark shadow just to the left of me, and it was a turtle! It popped its little head up and then kept swimming. It felt so surreal! Like, did that really happen?
Eating lunch at Mama’s Fish House was also amazing, so was hanging out with Kepa and hearing his stories, going to the Luau at Kaanapali, seeing turtles sunning themselves at Hookipa Beach Park, and the drive up to visit Haleakala Crater was stunning too. Oh, and eating the shave ice will always be memorable!
You’ve got two young girls, what was their favourite experience?
We love talking about our trips together and when I ask them it changes every time. One moment it will be meeting the goats at the Surfing Goat Dairy, the next it will be swimming at the beach, or learning to hula. They made so many great memories there. I know for Lacey, she loves making new friendships and being able to meet and play with Kepa’s daughter was a real highlight for her. They would have loved to spend more days together.
What are your three absolute, must-visit places in Maui?
It’s so hard to pick favourites! I’d say Haleakala Crater is definitely on the list. We went in the middle of the day, and the view was amazing, but when we go back we’ll try and make it for a sunrise to really capture how stunning it can be. I’d also put Hookipa Beach on my list. You can stand up at the top, at the park and check out the view and the big surf (and have cows just hanging out to your right!), or you can head down to the sand, take a dip and watch turtles head up for a rest in the sun. It’s hard to pick just one for the last one, but I think Paia Town is such a beautiful spot, so quaint with its little shops and a great spot to meet locals, shop, and enjoy beautiful food. I suggest grabbing some food from Paia Fish Market, and then finishing with a shave ice from Tobi’s (I love the Haleakala Sunrise with vanilla ice cream).
Who would you recommend visit Hawaii?
Hawaii is great for everyone. We find it perfect for families, and know that it will suit the girls when they’re young but also as they grow into teens. We’d also like to head back and spend some child-free time too, because we think it’s the perfect place to unwind and chill out as a couple. Adventurers will have plenty to do, as would foodies, and then those who love to shop will be VERY happy visiting too. It would actually be easier to ask me who shouldn’t visit Hawaii, and I’d simply say people that don’t love to have a good time should probably avoid coming. It’s that good!
What criteria comprise your perfect family holiday and why does Hawaii tick all the boxes?
First up, there has to be water – preferably a beach and a pool so that we have the best of both worlds. Those things make the kids super happy to start. My husband Shane loves to surf, stand-up paddle board, snorkel and do anything in the ocean… I love all of those things (although haven’t mastered the surfing part) but I want it to feel safe, so Hawaii ticks that box for me. It’s safe and welcoming so I can just totally relax when we’re there.
We travel a fair bit and I also want to be able to show the girls a little about the culture and history of the island, or have them walk away with something that stays with them forever and that Lacey can go back to school and share with her class. I’m a foodie, so I want to be able to try new foods, and really get to know what locals love to eat but also I love when places are naturally beautiful and super Instagrammable. That makes me happy!
What are your three suitcase essentials for an unforgettable adventure in Hawaii?
Easy! Swimwear, hat and sunscreen. That’s all you need to have a good time!
You’ve established an incredible audience around your Fat Mum Slim photo-a-day challenge. What is your most photo-worthy location in Maui?
There were so many, and it was so hard to not just bombard my followers with Maui photos. Living on the east coast of Australia, we don’t get to see the sunset over the beach, so being able to sit on the beach outside our resort and watch the sunset was super magical to me. It’s made even better if you’ve got a cocktail in hand while you do so! That made for some amazing photos. Everywhere is so photographable though!
Click here to watch Chantelle and her family soak up the magic of Maui with Kepa.