Maui
Around Maui
Photo: Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Hawaii · 163k people
Maui
“Valley Isle”
Kahului · Wailuku
Where the ocean meets the volcano
Coral pinkOcean blueSunset orange
Aloha! Welcome to Maui, where the mountains meet the sea. Whether you're here for the surf or the sunsets, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and good food. Come share your stories and find your next adventure.
Clubs for Maui
No clubs for Maui yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Maui. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Maui. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Haleakala National Park Dormant volcano with sunrise views and silverswords
- Iao Valley State Monument Lush valley with the iconic Iao Needle
- Lahaina Historic District Historic whaling town with banyan tree
- Maui Ocean Center Aquarium showcasing Hawaiian marine life
- Ho'okipa Beach Park World-famous surf and windsurf spot
- Makena State Park Big Beach and Little Beach with golden sand
- Outdoors Hike to Haleakala summit for sunrise
- Outdoors Snorkel at Molokini Crater
- With kids Maui Ocean Center
- With kids Iao Valley State Monument
- Evenings Luau shows
- Evenings Sunset cruises
- Locals love Surf breaks
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Maui Film Festival June Annual film festival under the stars
- Maui Marathon September Scenic road race from Kahului to Kaanapali
- Maui County Fair October Classic county fair with rides and local food
- Maui Onion Festival May Celebrates the famous sweet Maui onion
- Maui Invitational November College basketball tournament held at Lahaina Civic Center
Maui enjoys a tropical climate with trade winds, making it pleasant year-round. The best time to be out is in the morning before the afternoon clouds roll in. Dry season runs May-October, wet season November-April; Haleakala can be cold at sunrise. Best: Mornings are ideal before afternoon trade winds and clouds.
Talk like a local
- “Shaka”
- Hang loose gesture or greeting
- “Broke da mouth”
- Delicious food
- “Talk story”
- Chat or catch up
- “Grindz”
- Food
Getaways
- Honolulu (Oahu) City life and Waikiki
- Hilo (Big Island) Rainforests and volcanoes
- Kapaa (Kauai) Lush greenery and Napali Coast
- Hana (Road to Hana) Scenic drive with waterfalls
Local flavour
Rooting for University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (football, basketball)
Eat and drink
- Plate lunch Rice, mac salad, and a protein like kalua pork or chicken
- Poke Raw fish salad with soy, sesame, and limu
- Shave ice Fluffy ice with tropical syrups and condensed milk
- Loco moco Rice, hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy
- Maui onion Sweet, mild onion grown on Maui
Where people go
- Beaches and surf breaks World-famous spots like Kaanapali and Hookipa
- Volcanic landscapes (Haleakala) Dormant volcano with lunar-like craters
- Plantation towns (like Lahaina) Historic whaling and sugar plantation towns
- Luau grounds Traditional Hawaiian feasts and performances
- Farmers markets Fresh produce, tropical fruits, and local crafts
Heritage and traditions
Maui is proud of its deep Hawaiian heritage, paniolo (cowboy) traditions in upcountry, and the resilience of its communities, especially after the 2023 Lahaina fire.
This time of year in Maui
- Maui Ukulele Festival October Free ukulele concerts at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
- Maui Ukulele Festival October Free concerts celebrating the ukulele, held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Say it like a local: “Da kine” — Thing or stuff (placeholder)
Festivals
- Maui Matsuri May A Japanese heritage festival in Wailuku with taiko drumming, dancing, and food.
- Maui Ukulele Festival October Free concerts celebrating the ukulele, held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
- Makawao Rodeo July 4th weekend A paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) rodeo in upcountry Maui, featuring bull riding and horse events.
- Maui Onion Festival May Celebrates the sweet Maui onion with cooking demos, tastings, and entertainment.
Landmarks with a story
- Bailey House Museum A former missionary residence in Wailuku with Hawaiian artifacts and a garden.
- Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum Tells the story of the sugar plantation era and its immigrant workers in Pu'unene.
- Wo Hing Temple A Chinese temple in Lahaina built in 1912, now a museum of Chinese culture.
- Lahaina Jodo Mission A Japanese Buddhist temple with a large bronze Buddha statue and a peaceful garden.
Food traditions
- Spam musubi A snack of rice and spam wrapped in nori, a local favorite from plantation-era Japanese influence.
- Laulau Pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed in an imu (underground oven), a traditional luau dish.
- Haupia A coconut milk dessert, often served at luaus and gatherings.
- Kalua pig Pork slow-cooked in an imu, a centerpiece of Hawaiian feasts.
- Maui onion Sweet, mild onions grown on Maui, used in salads, burgers, and onion rings.
Music and arts
- Hula Traditional Hawaiian dance with halau (schools) preserving ancient chants and movements.
- Slack key guitar Ki ho'alu, a fingerpicking style with open tunings, often played at gatherings.
- Hawaiian steel guitar A slide guitar technique that originated in Hawaii, influential in country and blues.
- Paniolo music Hawaiian country music from upcountry cowboys, featuring ukulele and steel guitar.
A little history
- 1800s Lahaina served as the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom under Kamehameha I and later monarchs.
- 1840s Whaling ships made Lahaina a major Pacific port, bringing trade and cultural exchange.
- 1870s Sugar plantations brought immigrant laborers from Japan, China, Portugal, and the Philippines, shaping Maui's multicultural identity.
- 1960s Tourism began to replace agriculture as the main industry, leading to modern development.
- Game day Outrigger canoe paddling
- Game day Surfing
- Outdoors Snorkel at Honolua Bay
- Outdoors Bike down Haleakala
- With kids Lahaina Banyan Tree
- With kids Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Hawaiian Pidgin (Hawaiian Creole English) is widely spoken, blending Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Filipino influences. Locals often drop consonants and use 'da' for 'the', and 'talk story' means to chat.
Only here
- The Lahaina Banyan Tree, planted in 1873, one of the largest in the US.
- The upcountry town of Makawao, known for its paniolo (cowboy) heritage.
- The humpback whale migration that visits Maui's waters each winter.
- The Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle in Iao Valley (already a landmark).
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Aloha' and 'Mahalo' – locals appreciate the effort.
- Drive with aloha: be patient, especially on the Road to Hana and in upcountry.
- Bring layers for Haleakala – it can be cold at sunrise.
- Respect the ocean: check surf conditions and never turn your back on the sea.
- Try local foods: plate lunch, poke, and shave ice.
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Nearby
Every areaKahului-Wailuku, HI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.