The Island Of Maui Hawaii

The Cruise Port Of Lahaina

Lahaina is the cruise port of call for the gorgeous island of Maui, a port famous for its miles of beautiful white sand beaches. Lahaina has excellent shopping in a central area famous for its galleries. The tender landing is near to a beach with plenty of beach shops and great restaurants serving up Hawaiian cuisine. Be sure and stop for a shave ice.

The island of Maui is actually two volcanic cones with a flat plain connecting them. The larger volcano is Haleakala rising 10,023 feet out of the Pacific and boasting the largest crater in the world some 20 miles across . It is still considered active with eruptions spaced many years apart. The scenic Haleakala National Park is known as the “house of the sun” setting the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes—and skyscapes. The other volcano is Puʻu Kukui rising above the town of Lahaina.

Where You Dock

Lahaina is a tender port with boats landing in the towns marina. The town is very walkable with the major parts of the town being four or five blocks back from the waterfront and extending up and down the waterfront for three-quarters of a mile.

There are a number of public beaches only a short distance from the marina area as well.

Transportation

For getting around the island Maui has rental cars, taxis, a bus service, and a train. The buses and train run between resort areas and are great for shopping and getting to major beaches.

The Maui Bus service consists of thirteen bus routes and provides service in and between various Central, South, West, Haiku, Kula and Upcountry Maui communities. All of the routes are operated seven days a week, including all holidays. No transfers are given on any of the routes. All routes cost $2 per trip and there are no transfers ($1 for those over 55) and there is a day pass for $4. From the tender dock it is a short walk to the Wharf Cinema Center where four bus routes connect.

If you’d like to explore the entire island renting a car is recommended. For specific destinations taking a tour is the best option for limited time schedules.

The island of Maui is shaped like a figure eight 45 miles long and 25 miles wide, with the well known Hana Highway being the main scenic route along the north shore east around Haleakala to the eastern tip.

Money

The U.S. Dollar is the only regularly accepted currency with major credit cards welcome and ATM machines easy to find.

Island Attractions

Haleakala National Park, where you can hike to the summit of a dormant volcano and watch the sunrise
Road to Hana, a scenic drive with waterfalls, beaches, and lush rainforests
Lahaina, a historic whaling town with shops, restaurants, and art galleries
Kaanapali Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand with clear water and great snorkeling
Iao Valley State Park, a lush valley with a famous needle-shaped rock formation

Sunrise from Haleakala

Haleakala National Park – In addition to the appeal of a tropical paradise, beautiful waters and great beaches the real center of attention is Haleakala. There a few places on Earth where you can go from sea level to over ten thousand feet in only a dozen miles, as the crow flies. The road climbs at a gentle rate and the view from the top is breathtaking. It is recommended that visits should be scheduled early in the day as it is common for the peak to become wrapped in clouds later in the day because of its height and the trade winds,.

The Town of Lahaina has a long and varied history. The earliest settlers of Maui date back to around 450 A.D or earlier. In 1802, King Kamehameha declared the Maui town of Lahaina the capital of his Hawaiian island kingdom. He built a brick palace on the shores of Lahaina and you can see the ruins in the middle of town along with other royal buildings and residences on a site called Moku`ula. Lahaina served as the seat of government for over 50 years, until the capital moved to Honolulu.

In the 1800s, Lahaina was also a major whaling port and fishing town, thanks to its harbor and a location on the major whale migration routes. You can learn more about this historic town by visiting exhibits at the Baldwin Home Museum and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Baldwin and other missionaries taught the Hawaiians to read and write in both English and Hawaiian. They established the high school above Lahaina while descendants of the Baldwins went on to develop the irrigation system and sugar cane industry on Maui.

The center of town is Lāhainā Banyan Court (a Park) near the waterfront with the oldest tree on Maui at its centerpiece.

The Road to Hana is a scenic drive along the northeastern coast of Maui, famous for its stunning views of waterfalls, beaches, and lush rainforests. The road stretches for about 64 miles and has over 600 curves and 50 bridges. Some of the popular stops along the way include:

Paia Town, a charming surf town with unique shops and restaurants
Twin Falls, a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole
Waianapanapa State Park, a black sand beach with sea caves and hiking trails
Seven Sacred Pools, a series of waterfalls and swimming holes in Oheo Gulch

The Road to Hana is a full-day trip, so plan accordingly.

Kaanapali Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand on the west coast of Maui. It’s known for its clear water, great snorkeling, and beautiful sunsets. The beach is lined with resorts, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular destination for tourists. Some of the popular activities at Kaanapali Beach include:

Snorkeling and scuba diving to see the colorful marine life and coral reefs
Parasailing and jet ski rentals for a fun day on the water
Sunset catamaran cruises to enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean and coastline
Beachfront dining and shopping at the Whalers Village shopping center

The island is famous for whale watching and depending on the season there are a number of whale watching tours available in Lahaina.

Shopping Opportunities

Hilo Hattie – most popular store for the largest selection of Hawaiian clothes and souvenirs.
Wharf Cinema Center – 3-level building with stores and restaurants across from the Banyan Tree in Lahaina.
Lahaina Cannery Mall – Maui’s only enclosed air-conditioned shopping center.

Lahaina has a thriving art community with a number of local and nationally recognized art galleries as well as thriving art glassblowing studios.