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About Maui
Maui's name has a magical ring for visitors. No other island outside of Oahu draws as many visitors each year. Whether humpback whale-watching or watching the sunrise at the top of Haleakala Crater, the visitor won't be at a loss for unforgettable memories to collect on this island of long beaches and lush valleys. However, with 1.3 million visitors visiting Maui each year, expect the attendant problems: traffic, lines and high prices. Experience Maui chanting this mantra: book early.
Getting to Maui
Several airlines fly direct to Maui, with service to Kahului Airport on the western part of the island. Chicago-based United Airlines carries the most passengers. Other American carriers with frequent flights to the Islands include American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and Trans-World Airlines.
Since the Kahului Airport also handles interisland flights, one option is to first fly to Honolulu on O'ahu, and then connect to Maui. There are more flights available to O'ahu than to Maui.
Maui has two more airports, Hana Airport and the Kapalua-West Maui Airport, which both handle interisland flights only.
Getting to and from the airport
Maui has no public transportation system.
Between the Kahului Airport and the Kaanapali resort, Trans-Hawaiian Shuttle (877-7308), the largest shuttle service, runs every half hour 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week. The fare is $7 one way. Reservation is recommended. The shuttle ride is about 1 hour 15 minutes. Trans-Hawaiian also has service to other areas in West Maui by reservation.
Airport Shuttle, 667-2605, and SpeediShuttle, 875-8070, are two other shuttle services. They are both open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and run to most locations. Akina Tours (879-2828) runs shuttles from the Kahului Airport to Wailea 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. by reservations through hotels only. A free shuttle service runs from the Kapalua-West Maui Airport to major hotels in Kaanapali.
Rental cars are available at the Kahului and Hana Airports, and there are clear signs both into and out of the airports. Dollar is the only car rental company servicing the Hana Airport. The Kapalua-West Maui Airport has no car rental counters.
The following car rental companies are open seven days a week and have counters at the airports.
Kahului Airport:
Alamo: 871-6235, 1-800-327-9633. Open: 5 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Avis: 871-7575, 1-800-331-1212. Open: 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Budget: 1-800-527-7000. Open: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dollar: 877-2731, 1-800-421-6868. Open 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Hertz: 877-5167, 1-800-654-3131. Open 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
National: 871-8851, 1-800-227-7368. Open 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thrifty: 871-2860, 1-800-367-2277. Open 5:45 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Hana Airport:
Dollar: 248-8237. Open 8 a.m-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.
The Hana Highway is a little tricky to drive, and its tight turns and narrow roadway have surprised many visitors thinking they were going for a breezy ride but ended up delayed half a day.
There are no taxi cabs in the Hana part of Maui, but there are generally taxi cabs waiting at the curb outside the baggage claims at the Kahului and Kapalua-West Maui Airports. Yellow Cab of Maui, 877-7000, is one major taxi service. The fare from Kahului Airport to Kapalua is about $60, to Kaanapali about $50 and to Wailea about $30. The fare from the Kapalua-West Maui Airport to Kapalua is about $6, to Kaanapali about $10 and to Wailea about $50.
Where to stay
Maui has a few bargain accommodations in or around Lahaina on West Maui, or in the Maalaea to Kihei area on East Maui, mostly in condos. On West Maui, check out Hale Maui or Hale Ono. On East Maui, look into Shores of Maui and the Sunseeker Resort, and e-mail Wailana Sands and Waiohuli Beach Hale for information.
Maui also has strings of modern resort hotels on West and East Maui. Many prefer the much newer resort area of Wailea on East Maui.
Here are some hotels that offer good service at moderate to high rates:
West Maui:
The Kapalua Bay Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton
The Hyatt Regency Maui
The Westin Maui
The Sheraton Maui
East Maui:
The Four Seasons Resort Maui
The Grand Wailea Resort
The Outrigger Wailea Resort
Seeing Maui
Most tour companies on Maui offer trips to the Haleakala Crater National Park — the island's most popular hiking trek — 'Iao Valley, Lahaina and other hotspots. Robert's Hawai'i and Polynesian Adventure Tours are a few of well-known tour operators.
Some companies offer specialized tours, such as and fishing tours, eco-tours and helicopter tours.
The prime attraction for kids is the Maui Ocean Center with Plexiglas walking tubes. And junior engineers will also enjoy the Lahaina, Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad, which runs for around six miles and often features a singing conductor.
The following is a list of top tourist targets.
Village of Lahaina
Lahaina Banyan Tree
Lahaina Boat Harbor and the Brig Carthaginian
The Baldwin House Museum
Lahaina, Ka’anapali & Pacific Railroad
Whaler’s Village and Ka’anapali Beach
Maui Tropical Plantation
The beaches at Wailea
Bailey House (Maui Historical Society)
‘Iao Valley State Park
Kula and Upcountry Maui
Haleakala National Park
Hana and the Hana Highway
The Seven Pools of Kipahulu
