Lahaina, Maui

Lahaina - Meaning “cruel sun,” leeward Lahaina boasts historic landmarks, dozens of art galleries, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Lahaina is happening. It’s been a hot spot since the early 1800s when Kmehameha made it his capital and the town was filled with rowdy whalers and watchful missionaries. Today, Lahaina’s bustling Front Street is lined with galleries, restaurants, clothing stores, tourist haunts and beautifully restored historic landmarks.

Between browsing and biting into a juicy Cheeseburger in Paradise, you can step back in time to the days of sea captains, missionaries and royalty. “Lahaina—A Walking Tour of Historic and Cultural Sites” gives the scoop on 31 points of interest plus four museums: Baldwin Home, Woo Hing Temple, the Carthaginian sailing brig and Hale Pai. Each attraction has a fascinating story to tell. See the largest Buddha outside Japan at Jodo Mission; learn the tragic story of Princess Nahienaena. Get the free brochure at the Masters’ Reading Room at Front and Dickenson Streets, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, (808)661-3262. Admission into Wo Hing Temple is by donation; the Carthaginian and Baldwin Home have a nominal fee. All Lahaina Town museums are open 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m. daily; Hale Pai, at Lahainaluna High School, is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.

Lahaina’s dozens of art galleries offer many mediums. There’s a focus on marine art, see story page 60; and whales appear in every store on t-shirts, pot holders, ash trays and aloha wear. Beside the cozy shops lining Front Street, there are several shopping centers.

See what gamefish are tipping the scales at Lahaina Harbor; it’s located behind the Old Courthouse. The nearby banyan tree, planted in 1873, is nearly a quarter mile in circumference—the state’s largest.

Better beaches and championship golf is further north, in Kaanapali and Kapalua where outer island views of Lanai and Molokai are best. Kaanapali Beach, a long stretch of sand fronting hotels and Whalers Village shopping center, is nicknamed “Dig Me” beach for all the bathing beauties. Sheraton Maui’s Black Rock is great for snorkeling.

The ocean view from the lobby at the Kapalua Bay Hotel is incredible; golf and tennis in Kapalua is equally scenic and challenging. Winter surfing and summer snorkeling are good at Mokuleia and Honolua Bays. They’re past mile marker 32 and part of a 45-acre protected marine conservation district.

WEST SIDE TOP TO DO
•Browse Front Street
•Take a historic Lahaina walking tour
•Carthaginian Museum
•Hale Kahiko at Lahaina Center
•Whale Center of the Pacific at Whalers Village in Kaanapali
•Best Sunset Suppers-: see story page ?
•Best Snorkeling: Olowalu south of Lahaina, Black Rock in Kaanapali, •Honolua Bay in Kapalua
•Best Surf: Honolua Bay and D. T. Fleming Beach in Kapalua
•Golf:Royal Kaanapali North and South Courses; Kapalua’s Plantation, Bay and Village Courses
•Sugar Cane Train

SCENIC SUGAR CANE TRAIN
A puffing steam engine pulls old-style passenger cars between Lahaina and Kaanapali aboard the Sugar Cane Train. A conductor sings songs and narrates the ride. Enjoy views of the West Maui Mountains and coastline. A depot and gift shop is in Lahaina; rides daily, (808)661-0089.

WHALE CENTER OF THE PACIFIC
Two, free exhibits are located at the Whalers Village in Kaanapali. Whalers Village Museum covers the history of Lahaina’s whaling industry including the recreated sleeping quarters of a whaling ship and an extensive scrimshaw collection. Hale Kohala (House of Whale) features the scientific story of whales with interactive fun and marine models. Open daily, (808)661-5992.