Located on Maui's north shore, this central transportation hub has the island's main airport and deep-water harbor. Local food markets and shopping centers line the active commercial district.
Kahului handles most of Maui’s air and sea traffic through its airport and harbor. Start your visit at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, where exhibits explain how sugar plantations shaped Hawaii. Watch for native waterbirds at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected wetland with walking paths. Check the schedule at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center—you might catch a hula performance or art exhibition during your stay. Don’t miss Tasaka Guri-Guri, a small shop selling pineapple-strawberry frozen desserts since 1915, or the steady winds at Kanaha Beach Park, popular for windsurfing. This town feels like where Maui residents go about their daily lives, with fewer tourists than nearby resorts.
Reaching Kahului and Transportation
Kahului Airport (OGG) has direct flights from cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver. Major airlines here include Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest. After landing, take the free shuttle to the rental car building, which opened in 2019 to centralize companies like Avis and Enterprise. If you prefer buses, Routes 35 and 40 stop at the airport, but they don’t allow large luggage. Taxis and rideshares like Uber operate here—expect a 5-minute drive to central Kahului. The town’s main roads form a grid: Kaahumanu Avenue runs past shopping centers, and Dairy Road connects to stores like Costco. To reach Wailuku, drive west on Kahului Beach Road for under 10 minutes.
What to See and Do
The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum displays old machinery, photographs, and records from Maui’s sugar production era. Adult tickets cost $7. Across the street, Puʻunene Mill still processes sugarcane—view its operations from the parking lot. At Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, follow wooden walkways to see endangered birds like the aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt). The Maui Arts and Cultural Center hosts concerts and art shows year-round; check their website for events during your visit. Kanaha Beach Park draws windsurfers with its strong afternoon winds—rent gear nearby or watch from the shore. For quieter time outdoors, walk through Maui Nui Botanical Gardens to learn about plants native to the island chain.
Where to Eat
Tasaka Guri-Guri in Maui Mall sells two-flavor frozen desserts for under $3. Try the strawberry-pineapple combo in a cup or cone. Zippy’s on Hoʻokele Street stays open 24 hours, serving plate lunches like loco moco (rice, burger patty, egg, and gravy). Food trucks cluster near Queen Kaʻahumanu Center: Maui Fresh Streatery uses local greens and tomatoes in salads and wraps. For dinner, Bistro Casanova prepares Italian dishes like spinach gnocchi and seafood crepes.
Sports and Outdoor Time
Sign up for kiteboarding lessons at Kanaha Beach with instructors from the Kiteboarding School of Maui. Beginners start on shallow water near the shore. Golfers can play 18 holes at The Dunes at Maui Lani, a public course with sand traps and views of Haleakalā. Birdwatching tours at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, six miles south, help identify migratory species like the kōlea (Pacific golden plover).
Stores and Supplies
Queen Kaʻahumanu Center has chain stores like Macy’s alongside Hawaiian craft vendors selling koa wood bowls and quilted textiles. Browse used books at Maui Friends of the Library Bookstore inside the mall—paperbacks start at $1. Stock up on snacks and sunscreen at Costco or Whole Foods near the airport before road trips to Hana or Upcountry.
Events and Community
The Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s outdoor amphitheater holds concerts ranging from Hawaiian music to rock. Free art exhibits rotate monthly in their gallery. On Saturdays, Maui Community College hosts a farmers market with papayas, lilikoi (passion fruit), and leis made from fresh orchids.
Daily Life and Tips
About 28,000 people live in Kahului, including students from the local university campus. Join residents at casual spots like Kahului Ale House for beer and fried poke nachos after sunset. Daytime temperatures often reach the high 80s°F in summer—bring a hat and reusable water bottle. Since Kahului isn’t a resort area, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower prices than in Lahaina or Kāʻanapali.
