Travel Tips 24 > North America > United States of America > Hawaii >
Maui
The island of Maui is one of the islands of Hawaii, a state of the United States of America. It is the second largest of the eight major islands.
It's been said many times. Maui no ka 'oi. Maui is the best. Any resident of Maui—in fact, many people in Hawaii—will tell you this. But don't just take an islander's word for it. Ask the tony readership of Conde Nast Traveler, whose Reader's Choice Poll named Maui the Best Island in the World twelve out of the last thirteen years, and the Best Pacific Island for sixteen straight years. Truly, Maui's charm is universal.
And when you consider what Maui has to offer travelers, is it any wonder? Quintessential Maui experiences include seeing the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala, sunning on the beaches in Kaanapali and Kihei, driving the Road to Hana through lush rainforest, and watching humpback whales during the winter in the waters off Maui. What could anyone ask for?
Maui has a population of about 150,000 people, about the same as the Big Island but in a fraction of the area. Shaped like a figure eight (or a lopsided dumbbell), Haleakala takes up the lion's share of the east side of the island, while the West Maui Mountains, the remnant of an extinct volcano, is on the west. The area between the two volcanoes gives the island its nickname: The Valley Isle.
Areas and Cities
Central Valley
Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains meet here in the middle, and this is also the main population center of Maui, with twin towns surrounded by acres of sugar cane and pineapple fields.
The two towns of the Central Valley have two distinct personalities to them. In Kahului, it's all about commerce, trade, and transportation. This is strip mall and big-box store heaven (or hell, depending on your point of view). The island's two largest malls are located here, as are the island's principal deep-water port and main airport. It's modern and dynamic, but without the skyscrapers of downtown Honolulu.
Head several miles west to the slightly smaller town of Wailuku, and you step back about 50 to 100 years, back to the days when daily life revolved around Main Street. In Wailuku, this is still the case; buildings here maintain the look and feel of the early 1900s. The site of county government, Wailuku is also home to several buildings listed on both state and national historic registers. It is the gateway to the Iao Needle, but has few other tourist attractions. Two golf courses are located in nearby Hyashi Village.
West Maui
West Maui is the main tourist center of the island, home to most of the island's resort destinations.
Lahaina is an old whaling town on Maui's west coast, with a charming (though touristy) feel these days. Nearby are the master-planned resort areas of Kaanapali and Kapalua.
South Maui
South Maui is one of the fastest growing areas on Maui, with high tech industries and a tourist center on the southwest coast.
Kihei is a recent upstart on the south coast. Beyond the omnipresent beaches and resorts, Kihei is home to Maui's small but growing high-tech industries, including a supercomputing center.
Wailea and Makena are master-planned resort areas located just south of Kihei.
East Maui
Sparsely populated East Maui centers around the village of Hana and the winding road that leads to it.
Isolated Hana is located on Maui's eastern tip surrounded by dense rainforests. The Highway to Hana is a tourist attraction in its own right, as it winds for hours through green valleys, past waterfalls, and over one-lane bridges.
Upcountry
Located in the foothills of Haleakala, the area known as Upcountry is a ranching area, and its cooler temperatures also lend itself to specialized agriculture.
Pukalani and Makawao are the two largest communities of Upcountry Maui. Pukalani has a rural residential feel to it, while Makawao is home to larger lots and ranches and a funky town center.
Kula is also home to large ranches, and is home to the only winery on Maui, Tedeschi Vineyards.
Other destinations
Talk
See Talk in the Hawaii section.
Travel to Maui, visa requirements
Kahului Airport (IATA: OGG) is the main airport for the island of Maui, and the second largest commercial airport in the state. It is a secondary hub for Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines, which provides interisland service to Kahului from the other major airports in the state. Several major U.S. airlines also provide non-stop service to Maui from the West Coast and beyond.
To get to Lahaina and Kaanapali, where most major hotels are located, exit the airport and follow route 380 to its junction with route 30, and turn left on route 30 toward Lahaina. For Kihei and Wailea, follow the above instructions and turn left on route 31 about a mile from the route 380 junction.
When departing from Kahului Airport for the U.S. Mainland, all baggage must be inspected by Hawaii State Department of Agriculture inspectors at the airport. Be advised that fresh fruits (with the exception of pineapples and treated papayas) are prohibited from leaving the islands to prevent the spread of fruit flies.
Get around
Maui doesn't have much of a public transportation system so you'll probably want to rent a car. Fortunately, renting a car in Hawaii is much cheaper than anywhere else in the United States. Larger groups should schedule and arrange their Maui charter bus a few weeks before their intended arrival. You can view more resources on Maui transportation including maps of OGG Kahului airport, destination drives to attractions and activities as well as discounted Maui car rentals information here.
Major highways
- Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30) is the road to Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua; it runs between West Maui and Wailuku around majestic cliffs and along white sand beaches.
- Hana Highway (Routes 36 and 360), the "road to Hana," traces Maui's north coast from Kahului to the village of Hana on the eastern shore. Winding along steep, forested mountainsides, in many places the road narrows to only a single lane. Although the road to Hana is only 56 miles long, it turns and winds so continuously that the whole journey takes three hours one-way.
- Haleakala Highway (Routes 37, 377, and 378) is the road that leads to Pukalani and Makawao in upcountry Maui and takes you to the summit of Haleakala.
Lahaina Kanaapali Railroad
Also called the Sugar Cane Train, the Lahaina Kanaapali Railroad is both an attraction and a means to travel between the Kannapali resort area and Lahaina Town. The official Lahaina Kanaapali Railroad web site offers more information as well as discounted tickets.
Maui attractions and sightseeing
Humpback whales breed off the coast of Maui from about December to March. Whalewatching cruises make frequent trips, though more often the whales are easily visible from shore.
Haleakala National Park offers alpine wilderness and stunning views of Maui and beyond (from the summit you can see five of the eight main islands, more than are visible from anywhere else in Hawaii).
Wainapanapa State Park has black sand beach, sea arch, sea caves, a small blowhole to see.
City tours
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Many tour boats run out to the spectacular volcanic atoll Molokini a few miles offshore, known for terrific visibility. There are also plenty of beaches, especially in the west and northwest, where you can simply wade in and get to excellent snorkeling spots just offshore. Black Rock (at the north end of Kaanapali Beach) is one such place. There are several local shops where you can rent snorkel gear by the day or week. Remember that the sea turtles are protected by both state and federal laws. It is illegal to harass turtles and turtle nests. This includes touching and chasing the sea turtles.
Mountain biking
Many different companies lead mountain bike trips down Mt. Haleakala. If you can ride a bicycle, you can do this. It's a 26 mile trip, but you only have to pedal for about a quarter mile. Generally, there are trips that start with watching the sun rise at the top of Haleakala, then trips that start later in the morning. Be aware that for the sunrise trips, you'll probably end up leaving your hotel at 2AM, or even earlier if you're staying in the Lahaina or Kapalua area. It takes some time to drive to the top of the mountain, get everyone equipped, etc. Your tour group will probably lend you some type of jacket and gloves, but plan on being cold while you're waiting for nature's show -- the overnight temperature will probably be in the 40s or 30s. Many find the 10,000-foot summit's view of the pre-dawn colors and ensuing sunrise breathtaking enough to justify the early start and the cold. Others beg to differ, advising visitors to get a good night's sleep and take the later trip. For those excited about the sunrise, a fair warning: cloud density at the mountaintop can be hard to predict, so you may not see as far as you might like.
Most Rental companies will also rent you a bike, a bike rack, and some gear so you can ride Haleakala at your own pace (assuming you have someone willing to drive you to the top). This is a great option if you're a speed demon but not without certain dangers. Riding down Skyline, the trail head of which is located beyond a cattle grate just below the summit of Haleakala (but above the visitor center) off a side road that leads to the observatory, is an exhilarating scream down a fire road covered with lava chips, shifting sand, and unforgiving hard-packed dirt, very technical and very fast. A fall will definitely remove some skin, at the very least. Single track trails exist as well: one is Mamane, the trail head of which can be found about half-way down Skyline on your right. Do not ride a bike below the Waipoli access road. Doing so will be a violation of park rules (posted signs are fairly hard to miss) and will also be no fun at all as the trails are simply too small and difficult and you will just have to climb back up to the access road to leave the park anyway. And it will very likely be cold and you will very likely be soaked (think: cloud-forest), so don't do it. Once you hit Waipoli simply ride out of the park with Haleakala on your right and the ocean below on your left. Getting stuck on Haleakala after dark can be very hazardous as it often freezes. Riding down the paved road like the packaged tourists do is much safer and easier, of course, but maybe not quite so much fun.
Also, it's hunting season year-round on Haleakala, so try not to let yourself be confused with a wild boar.
Hiking
Hikers are drawn to Haleakala National Park. One good route starts from the visitor center near the top to dormant volcanic cinder cones; the trail head is 8/10 mile past mile marker 7 on highway 340. There's also a fantastic hike called "13 Crossings" which traverses a stream 13 times. On the way, you'll see a bamboo forest and at the end a waterfall.
Road to Hana
Take the road trip on Hwy 36 (Hana Hwy) stopping on the road to see waterfalls, lush greenery and beaches. A private aroboretum and botanical garden (with an entrance fee) called "Garden of Eden" around the 10-mile marker has peacocks, bamboo gardens and view of Puohokamoa Falls. The round-trip will be difficult to complete in one day, so stay over in Hana to break it into two days. Wainapanapa State Park, 2 miles east of Hana, has cabins to offer. There are other private nicer places to stay, also in and around Hana.
Shopping, Maui souvenirs
As one would expect from a tourist mecca like Maui, there are several areas to find good shopping. Also as one would expect, the prices can be quite inflated. ABC Stores can be found all over Maui and the other Hawaian Islands and offer souvenirs and beach junk (such as sunscreen and straw mats) at potentially lower prices than tourist traps. In Lahaina, a good place to "walk the shops", find Old Lahaina Book Emporium. Kaanapali has Whaler's Village Shops and Restaurants, home to lots of stores and restaurants, including plenty of high-end stuff like Coach and Tiffany.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- CJ's Diner, Kaanapali Beach area. Cheap (given its proximity to the Kaanapali mega-resorts) with hearty breakfast and lunch food. Packed lunches with provided coolers and ice are available.
- Plantation House, [1]. 669-6299 in the Plantation Course golf clubhouse in Kapalua. The best sunset view on Maui, plus great food, makes this many people's favorite Maui restaurant. Three or four kinds of fresh fish done in your coice of five or six interesting preparations, plus meats, specialty salads, vegetarian entrees (just ask your server), and bananas foster for dessert. Also open for breakfast and lunch.
- Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar, [2]. 661-9090 There are several restaurants with ocean views in Lahaina, but this restaurant on a rooftop is the only one that gives you a 360-degree view of both the ocean and the mountains. Food is good but service is slow. If the weather isn't indicating a rooftop experience, the downstairs dining area is covered, offers a great view, and has a slightly more casual menu with appropriately lower prices.
- Io, [3]. 661-8422 Next door to PacificO (same owners) in the 505 shopping center in Lahaina. Great beachfront views and wonderful innovative food, including unusual vegetarian presentations.
- David Paul's, [4]. 667-5117 No view, and very expensive. a block from the ocean in Lahaina. But the food and service are outstanding.
- Bubba Gump, [5]. 661-3111 A theme restaurant based upon its namesake, "Forrest Gump", this restaurant is fun for the whole family (especially if you like shrimp), and a lot cheaper than the above Lahaina restaurants. Right on the ocean in Lahaina.
- Kimo's, [6]. 661-4811 A Lahaina classic for decades, Kimo's is on the ocean side of Front Street in the middle of town. Make reservations for dinner if you don't want a long wait.
- Mama's Fish House, on the beach in Paia, [7]. On the expensive side, but one of the best seafood restaurants on the island. The food is excellent, and there are usually nearby windsurfers to watch.
- Maui Tacos, several locations - cheap, good Mexian food specializing in seafood tacos. The atmosphere is not much to speak of (it is in a mini-mall).
- The Old Lahaina Luau, in Lahaina [8]. The best and most authentic luau on Maui. The food and entertainment are both top-notch. Make a reservation for the last night of your visit.
- Hula Grill, in Ka'anapali [9]. The best family friendly upscale restaurant on the westside. In the heart of Whalers Village local muscians serenade you while you dine on Local fish.
- Va Bene in Ka'anapali, +1 808 667-1200. An excellent Italian restaurant located in the Marriot along the beach front walk. The food is superior to the other restaurants in the Ka'anapali resort region and is fantastic value. The 4 course prix fixe menu is an especially tempting deal with soup or salad, pasta course, main entree and dessert all for $35 with a 3 glass wine flight for an extra $10. (This is great value in touristy Ka'anapali.) On Friday and Saturday nights there is also a buffet available. Since the restaurant is located away from the bustling Whalers Village, this place is also a little quieter which makes it a great place for a romantic ocean side meal.
- Paia Fish Market, [10]. This is somewhat of a fast food fish restaurant, but some of the best food on the island. Two people could get the entire meal (potatoes and coleslaw) for one and only the entree for the other. The entire meal will cost less than 20 bucks. The fish quesadilla is amazing!
- Chez Paul, a few miles south of Lahaina, +1 808 661-3848, [11]. An excellent provincial French restaurant. It doesn't look like much from the outside but it is first class by almost any standard and a breath of fresh (traditional) air when compared to the upscale mainland chains that seem to be popping up all over Maui. The combination of a fresh seafood with lucious sauces is irresistable. Be prepared for a great evening with a substantial bill at the end.
- Charley's Restaurant, in Paia, +1 808 579-9453. Charley's is a classic Paia restaurant, the service isn't spectacular but don't let that turn you off. The food and atmosphere are well worth it.
- Jacques Bistro, in Paia, +1 808 579-6255. Jacques is a nice outdoor restaurant in Paia that serves great cuisine at good prices for Maui. The chicken curry is excellent, as well as their fresh fish. A great choice for dinner in Paia.
- Hali'maile General Store, [12], +1 808 572-2666. This is a long way from the tourist areas, a few miles inland from Paia, but it's worth it the drive - the food is outstanding. Good for lunch or dinner.
Maui nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Many bars up and down the strip of Kihei that provide for a fun nightlife. Be prepared to head to bed early (11 or 12) Not too many places are doing much after that.
Gay/Lesbian/Bi
There is one gay night at a local bar called Hapa's - every Tuesday. Little Beach at Makena is one of Maui's unofficial clothing optional beaches and often has a gay/lesbian crowd. Sunset drum and dance gatherings are common on Sundays and draw a counterculture crowd.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
- Wailea Beach area:
- Ho'olei at the Grand Wailea, [13]. Luxurious beach vacation home rentals in Wailea with access to the Grand Wailea Resort amenities and resources including pools, golf, tennis, and the world renowned Spa Grande.
- Grand Wailea, [14]. On the Wailea beach. Spa and golf course.
- Outrigger Palms at Wailea, [15].
- Maui Makena Surf, [16]. Makena Surf is a security-gated community which features one-to-four bedroom condominiums with easy access to swimming pools, tennis courts, and nearby championship golf courses.
- Polo Beach Club, [17]. Polo Beach Club is situated along a private crescent-shaped beach in Maui and offers private Hawaii beach condos with beachside swimming pools and concierge services.
- Wailea Grand Champions, [18]. Wailea Grand Champions is a Hawaii destination featuring one, two, and three bedroom Maui villa rentals with access to Hawaii beaches and nearby championship golf courses.
- Wailea Ekahi Village, [19]. Wailea Ekahi Village overlooks Keawakapu Beach with views of the Pacific Ocean. The Wailea condominiums include private studios and one-to-two bedroom units.
- Wailea Ekolu Village, [20]. Wailea Ekolu Village is a destination in Hawaii which overlooks green fairways with views of Molokini, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. The Maui condominiums are set on 18 acres and situated near Wailea Blue and other nearby golf courses.
- Wailea Elua Village, [21]. Wailea Elua Village is situated along the mile-and-a-half beach walk which runs along Maui. Each of the condominiums provide gated access and offer garden views with access to barbecue facilities and putting greens.
- Wailea Point, [22]. Wailea Point is an ocean view property located along Wailea Beach. The luxury two bedroom, two bath condominium rental sits on 30 acres of manicured landscaping and is only available for a minimum stay of 30 days.
- Wailea Beach Villas, [23]. Wailea Beach Villas offers comfortable private homes with feature views of West Maui and offers personalized service, such as gourmet kitchens and concierge services.
- Kaanapali Beach area:
- Westin Maui Resort, [24]. Spa.
- Sheraton Maui, [25]. North end of Kaanapali Beach near Black Rock, where excellent snorkeling can be found
- The Whaler Maui, [26]. Just south of the Sheraton Maui (Black Rock)
- Outrigger Maui Eldorado, [27]. West Maui condominiums.
- Outrigger Royal Kahana, [28]. Beachfront condominiums.
- Hale Maui Apartment Hotel, [29]. 5 min north of Kaanapali and steps to the beach. Apartments with kitchen.
- Napili Bay:
- Outrigger Napili Shores, [30]. Condominiums adjacent to Napili Bay Beach.
- Lahaina
- Outrigger Aina Nalu, [31].
- Hana Bay:
- Hana Kai Maui, [32]. 18 studio and one bedroom condos each with kitchen and ocean view.
- Upcountry area:
- Jahwaiian Dreams, [33]. Lovely eco-friendly cottage in historic Makawao.
Get out
To get from Maui to the other Hawaiian Islands usually involves a short plane flight. If you want to go to Honolulu you will find frequent non-stop service. Most other destinations offer a couple of non-stop flights a day or a stop in, you got it, Honolulu.
Ferries run 5 times a day between Lahaina and the island of Lanai. Each way takes approximately 45 minutes, and costs $25 per person per direction. During high winds the boat ride can be particularly rough, so bring something for seasickness if you don't do well on boats. Cruise ships are also an interesting option.
When leaving Maui for the U.S. Mainland, all baggage must be inspected by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors at the airport. Be advised that fresh fruits (with the exception of pineapples and treated papayas) are prohibited from leaving the islands to prevent the spread of fruit flies. Consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more details. Bags are inspected by X-ray. At Kahului Airport, be prepared to submit to three checkpoints on the way to your Mainland flight: having your checked bags X-rayed for agricultural items in the ticket lobby, the TSA security checkpoint, and inspection of your carry-on baggage for agricultural items on the way to your gate.
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows