Our "What to Do on Maui" List

The web is filled with lots of lists and ideas for what to do on Maui (for example, “Maui Top Attractions”). This list focuses on no cost (or low cost) things to do on Maui. Specific restaurants, cruises, tourist sites and the like are can be found elsewhere on our web site and across the web.

We try to keep a copy of the source authority, Maui Revealed, in each of our units. Note that this is the 2015 edition – reviews of the 2018 edition suggest the author/publisher is trying to chisel readers to purchase a US$7 app to get current information about hotels and restaurants. The 2015 version, at least, is a very worthwhile US$20 homework assignment before visiting Maui.

For what it’s worth, here’s my list:

  1. Haleakala Park

    Lot of information online (Official Park Website and many other private websites)
    1. Checklist item: Sunrise

      I frankly think this is rather overrated – but it is a Maui checklist item. Reservations are now required. Luck is required, too. Odds vary during different seasons, but cloud cover obscuring the sunrise is always a risk. There’s relatively limited parking at the summit – late arrivers will have to park at the upper visitor center and hike up to the summit (10+ minutes – remember, it’s about 10,000 ft elevation). Also: it is cold at sunrise – prepare for freezing temperatures.
    2. The Visitor Centers

      The visitor center at the summit is relatively small for a national park (particularly in contrast to the one at Volcano National Park on the big island) but it’s still nice and, after a sunrise viewing, warm. Park rangers, guide information, topology models, natural history exhibits, viewing windows (again, cloud cover willing) and a gift/souvenir shop. The visitor center near the park entrance is a larger building (but with less parking!) and has much the same inventory although it is generally quieter.
    3. Hiking

      A range of trails from literally a few minutes to part/all/multi-day are described in the literature provided at the park entrance (also available in the lower visitor center). The park's website also has a hiking page. There are areas for picnic lunches as well. Again, be aware the park’s elevation is such that clouds and (cold) rain are common. And weather can change quickly – always be prepared.
    4. Other remarks
      • 2+ hour drive from Kihei
      • Count on encountering multiple downhill bikers tours on the road to / from the summit. You will also see a couple of stalwart souls biking up to the summit.
      • Of course, no cell coverage once you enter the park.
      • There are several small restaurants and eateries on the way. I have stopped at a few but, to tell you the truth, I don’t have any distinct memory (good or bad) or any.
  2. Maui Ocean Center

    The Maui Ocean Center doesn’t get as much notoriety as other sites on Maui. Perhaps because it is a private operation. Perhaps because it is lower key than cruises and snorkeling. In any case, it has wonderful exhibits about the natural history of the Hawaiian islands, a bit on the cultural history, life in the different bands of the sea shore, and some of the expected sea life exhibits. Kids will very much enjoy the Turtle Lagoon and the Open Ocean (underwater tunnel) exhibit. It is just a very short drive from Kihei in the Ma’ala’ea area.
  3. Iao Valley State Park

    This state park is something of a counterpoint to the Haleakala national park. The noted geographic feature is the Iao Needle (reaching the viewing point requires walking on a somewhat inclined pathway). There are displays about the cultural history (King Kamehameha’s battles). There is also an experimental agricultural area that is a pleasant walk and seems to entertain young children. Just before reaching Iao Valley State Park, you can stop at the Hawai’i Nature Center and Kepaniwai Park. Kepaniwai Park is something of a picnic-type park set in a “tropical paradise”.
  4. Lahaina

    Lahaina is in what’s called “west Maui” and is, appropriately, the oldest “western” (i.e., post-contact) site on the island. It has lots of reasons to be on this list: tourist stops such as the enormous Lahaina Banyan Court, the sidewalk shops up and down Front Street, some of the best (and most eccentric) dining on Maui, and cultural history sites (early churches, government buildings). It is possible to park (for free! In Hawai’i!) at the public parking lot located at Prison Street (yes, there’s an old prison on that street) and Front Street early in the day then walk up and down Front Street for most the day to take in all that can be seen in Lahaina then perhaps end the day at the Old Lahaina Luau. (The usual precautions about locking your car and not having valuables visible).

    The drive to Lahaina from Kihei is about a minimum of 45 minutes on a (mostly) two lane road (Highway 30). It can easily be double that with traffic, accidents, and road work. Early in the day is best for orderly travel. Expect general traffic, surfer backing out onto the road, commercial trucks, and road crews as the day wears on.
  5. NW Maui – Ka’anapali, Napili, Kapalua

    Continuing north on Highway 30 past Lahaina reaches Ka’anapali – a collection of all-in-one resorts (their cost is high and they pack guests in like sardines but there are nice ocean views from their rooms and their pool areas). Where there are high-end resorts, there are very high-end shops, too. The beaches in Ka’anapali are very well maintained. By law, all beaches have public access; staying at one of the Ka’anapali resorts is not a prerequisite for access.

    Yet further north is the smaller and older town of Napili and the Kapalua development. There are some less well-known tourist sites in this area (Dragon’s Teeth, Nakalele Blowhole) that are worth visiting and some quirky restaurants.
  6. Hana, “Road to Hana”, attractions on the Road to Hana

    I cannot encourage the common “checklist item” of traveling “The Road to Hana”. If you must, though, please study everything on the Road to Hana page. It is a comprehensive description with useful links (at the bottom of the page) including a map that scales nicely.
  7. Hiking

    The State of Hawaii has a very nice web page describing all the state hiking trails. Note that this page does not include the hiking trails in the Haleakala National Park.
  8. For somewhat more specialized interests:

Resort Specific Remarks

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< 2018-04-07 >