Once the capital of Hawaii, Lahaina is a town rich with the history of Maui’s transition into the 19th century. Ever wonder why all of the resorts that claim to be located in Lahaina are actually five minutes away in Kaanapali? That’s why. Because back in the day, Lahaina was where it was it. (And by “it,” I mean everything.) If you’re thinking about staying in Lahaina during your visit to Maui there are a few things you should know:
Lahaina was once Hawaii’s wildest port. In the 1800’s whaling ships brought whalers to the boisterous town, which catered to the appetites of the sea faring men with brothels and booze. The missionaries who lived on Maui at the time were appalled by the hedonism of the whalers, and by the willingness of the native Hawaiian women to entertain them. (It is said that the native Hawaiian women often swam out to meet the boats, and their inhabitant sailors, when they arrived in Lahaina’s port.) This whaling/missionary era has been preserved through the efforts of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation whose headquarters are located on the corner of Front and Dickenson Streets. To visit more historical sights by foot, you can pick up a self-guided walking tour map, which include the Baldwin House, The Master’s Reading Room, Hale Pa’i Printing House, Wo Hing Chinese Temple, Hale Aloha Church and The Old Lahaina Courthouse. You can even visit the Lahaina jail, (The Hale Pa’ahao Prison) which was built by the missionaries to show the whalers that they were serious about putting a stop to all of the drunken revelry.
These days Lahaina isn’t as much about debauchery and blubber as it is about shopping and dining out but it is certainly still holds the title for most bustling town on the island. Lahaina is almost always flooded with tourists who can be found, any time of year, any time of day, strolling along Front Street toting shopping bags and ice cream cones. Front Street is Lahaina’s main street and it is chock full of T-shirt shops, surf shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Introverts, beware- Lahaina is not the place to stay on Maui if you aren’t in the mood to deal with crowds- especially crowds of tourists. (The population of Lahaina swells to 30,000 or more during high tourist seasons.) If on the other hand, you enjoy people watching, shopping, eating, and hustling and bustling, Lahaina might be your cup of tea. Lahaina is also where you will board boats bound for those ever popular whale watching and fishing expeditions, and it is at the Lahaina ports where you will catch your ferries to Oahu and Lanai’i if you are traveling to those islands.
Lahaina’s popularity as a tourist attraction and seaport makes parking difficult, but it really is a little gem of a town and it is well worth braving the crowds for a day visit. Why just a day? The big resorts at Kaanapali are about a five-minute drive from Lahaina and while Lahaina is home to a few quaint B&B’s, most of the places to stay on Maui are elsewhere, as are the best beaches, slightly cooler temperatures and the quintessential laid back Maui atmosphere.
~Sage Jessica Murphy