Explore West Maui

From charming towns to legendary archeological sites, from rich culture to worldclass resorts, West Maui is a place for discovery and relaxation. It’s the perfect home base for finding the Maui of your dreams—and leaving a lasting, positive impact that will ensure future visitors and locals alike can do the same. Whatever your passions, interests and inclinations, West Maui is the quintessential place for a regenerative tropical vacation.

If you’re led by spontaneity, Kā‘anapali provides a plethora of activities to suit anyone’s tastes. Once recreational grounds for Hawaiian royalty, the area echoes with the mana (spiritual power) of ali‘i (chiefs) who proved their status through fearless feats of diving into the ocean from ka leina a ka ‘uhane, a place where a soul leaps into eternity. Today you’ll find not only a daily cliff diving ceremony honoring that legacy, but also championship golf courses and beautiful white-sand beaches perfect for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Near the middle of Kā‘anapali Beachwalk, seek refuge from the sun at Whalers Village, where you can immerse yourself in 18th and 19th century history and culture at the whaling museum or art galleries. Prefer immersion of the retail variety? Whalers Village has got you covered with a variety of local stores and designer boutiques from which to choose.

Nāpili

Consider staying in the Nāpili area, home to several condominium complexes and hotels. A variety of nearby shops and restaurants make this a great area in which to stay and relax.

Lāhainā

The small town of Lāhainā has overflowing charm, charisma and history. Formerly a whaling village, this quaint town is now the perfect place for whale watching in season (typically from December through May), and its harbor offers activities from whale watching excursions to snorkel sails and sightseeing cruises. If you’re in the mood to explore, take a day trip to Lāna‘i or Molokini from Lāhainā Harbor. As the previous capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a current town on the National Register of Historic Places, Lāhainā is the perfect place to absorb Hawaiian culture. Explore the Lāhainā Historic Trail on a self-guided tour to see the sights and learn about the area’s rich whaling and plantation history. Or stop by the Lāhainā Heritage Museum at Banyan Tree Park for an interactive look at the area’s rich history. Want a guide? No problem—just visit the Lāhainā Visitor Center. You can even get your hands on history and do your part to mālama Lāhainā’s rich legacy by volunteering to process and help preserve historic artifacts from every historical epoch, from the Hawaiian Kingdom to the missionary, whaling and sugar eras.

With over 40 galleries, there’s no question how the town gained its reputation as a world-class art market. You can find lots of unique pieces here, from ceramics, scrimshaw and handcrafted woodwork to engravings and jewelry. Lāhainā’s spontaneous nightlife also lights up with artfulness—join the Friday Night is Art Night in Lāhainā Town, when galleries on Front Street open their doors and invite the public to chat with artists and view their work. When visitors accept their kuleana to support these and other small Maui businesses, you can maximize your economic impact for the local community.

Characteristic of this quintessential Maui town, a gigantic banyan tree stands out as both a photo-worthy landmark and a public gathering place for events and art exhibits on Front Street.

Lāhainā Banyan Tree

Filling an entire city block, the tree was planted in 1873 and now stands over 50 feet high, with 12 major trunks.

Lāhainā Jodo Mission

For a window into one of the many cultures that make up Hawai‘i’s rainbow quilt of ethnicities, visit the Lāhainā Jodo Mission—a replica of an authentic Japanese Buddhist Temple. While it may feel like you’re in Japan rather than Hawai‘i, the serene temple is beautifully set against the mountains of West Maui—a picturesque reminder that you’re still in the Hawaiian Islands.

Baldwin Home

Along Front Street, find the former home of Reverend Dwight Baldwin and his family from 1838 to 1870. Step inside this cool and quiet two-story home, made from coral and lava rock, to see how Western families lived in Lāhainā in the late 1800s. Docents are on hand to answer any questions. The home is open daily, and Friday nights for candlelight tours.

‘Ekolu Lindsey’s West Maui

“We don’t look at nature as something to conquer, but as something to protect, and live in balance with. Kipuka Olowalu in West Maui started out as a work project, to preserve and protect this Native Hawaiian cultural site. But we’ve morphed into an educational project because we’re always sharing, even when we’re just sitting next to each other, or pulling invasive weeds or dropping invasive trees. It’s that camaraderie that you create, and it continuously reminds me of the beauty of strangers coming together for a cultural benefit. This place is special, but it’s people coming together to restore balance that creates an exceptional experience that stays with you, long after you leave.”

Kapalua

A prime example of the natural wonders that can be stewarded and restored even in the midst of luxury resort communities, Kapalua is home to a colony of 500 pairs of nesting ‘ua‘u kani (endangered wedge-tailed shearwater birds) at Hāwea Point. That’s up from just six in 2001, thanks to community efforts that you can support through Hawai‘i Land Trust or the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project. When you embark on the Kapalua Coastal Trail, you can feel the same bracing tradewinds these seabirds soar upon as you take in expansive vistas and make your way through lava fields, along a beach boardwalk and through resort pathways overlooking the dramatic coastline. To protect Maui’s fragile ecosystems, do your kuleana as a visitor and be sure to stay on marked trails, please don’t take rocks or plants, and take your trash with you. For those seeking moments of contemplation, go within as you walk the meditative labyrinth at nearby Makāluapuna, set on a lava bluff surrounded by ocean. And of course you’ll find world class golf, shopping, restaurants and beaches throughout Kapalua. If you’re visiting in June, don’t miss the delicious dishes and drinks at the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. Or enjoy the area’s unique historic sites at any time of year. Snorkel at Kapalua Beach and look out for Hawai‘i’s state fish, humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a. For a slower pace, seek romance with your loved one and witness an extraordinary Hawai‘i sunset over the serene waters of the Pacific.