About Lahaina

"Lahaina" means "merciless sun," which is an apt climate indicator for this section of West Maui. Drier and hotter then its northern communities of Honokowai, Napili, Kahana and Kapalua; Lahaina offers the best bet for vacationers seeking guaranteed sunshine. Even the Ka'anapali resort community, just up the road, benefits from consistently blue skies.

The town center bustles with casual and fine dining including the popular David Paul's, Lahaina Store Oyster Bar & Grille, The Lahaina Fish Company, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Pacifico's and Kimo's. Nightly menus offer the local fisherman's catch of Ahi, Opah and Ono. Shops display swimwear, t-shirts, Hawaiian crafts, gallery artwork, jewelry and other mementos. The streets are often congested with limited parking, and the narrow sidewalks overflow with visitors during peak seasons. Frequently one to two cruise ships can be seen anchored just beyond the harbor, mammoth floating hotels quietly vanishing in the night with their thousands of satisfied visitors only to be replaced the next day by a new boatload.

But despite Lahaina's hustle and bustle, its luxuriously slow-paced peacefulness permeates the town. Sitting down for a tropical concoction at one of the local ocean view bars, the gentle strum of Hawaiian slack key guitar can calm any harried tourist. Residents take their time; moving comfortably in little more then slippers, swim trunks and t-shirts; to greet their neighbors and friends; complete their daily chores and breathe in the sweet, floral scented air. Surfing, talking story and hanging out is the priority. There is no rush.

Lahaina is conveniently situated for participation in a variety of unique and unforgettable activities. To begin, the harbor opens up an oceanic playground for snorkeling excursions, sunset dinner cruises, deep sea fishing adventures, whale watching or parasailing, kayaking, ferries to Lana'i and Moloka'i, dive trips and submarine rides. The Kapalua airport hosts inter-island explorations and helicopter sightseeing tours into and around the hidden valleys and magnificent peaks of the island, over the dormant volcano crater of Haleakala and above the tropical rain forests, sheer ocean cliffs and long stretches of empty sandy beach. Lahaina is also home to Hawaii's most authentic and popular luau, The Old Lahaina Luau. Arts and culture abound with Polynesian luaus (those featuring fire dancers), magic shows, the music and dance production of Ula' lena, film festivals, fine wine & food festivals and more! Easy walks or more challenging hikes; guided tours by foot, bus or boat; horseback riding; ATVs; star gazing; surf lessons and lei making are all available within a small radius of Lahaina.

In the 70's with the rush of development, the actual town of Lahaina escaped the construction of huge resort hotels, so today accommodations within the town itself are a rare commodity. Options are limited to Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, Aina Nalu, Puamana and sought-after bed & breakfasts or private condo rentals. The next best option is the higher-priced resort mecca of Ka'anapali and planning day trips into Lahaina. Accommodations Lahaina is one service that can assist you in securing the best available and affordable units in Lahaina Town.

If you've chosen to stay in Lahaina for your vacation, then you've selected well! Many vacation rentals provide a complimentary first morning orientation breakfast, sometimes attached with a timeshare presentation, or you can drop by our concierge and activities center, Best Hawaii Activities, right in Lahaina Town at 252 Lahainaluna Road for more island information, maps and booking services. Our agents are State of Hawaii certified tour guides and are an excellent resource for you!