Off The Beaten Path
For returning visitors or those who prefer to fully immerse themselves in Maui's culture, this itinerary was created by locals for anyone interested in discovering the lesser-known pleasures of Maui.
Upcountry Maui
Halfway up the slope of magnificent Haleakala, one discovers a cool, verdant, and often overlooked paradise. Known to locals as “Upcountry”, it is composed of tiny communities, vast and verdant farms, and people who enjoy a slower pace of life, even by Maui standards.
Makawao and Upcountry
4 hours
Begin your tour of upcountry with a stop in friendly Makawao, a former paniolo (cowboy) town that has reinvented itself as a quaint artists colony of sorts. Today Makawao is home to an inviting blend of galleries, shops, and restaurants. But its historic past is still very much alive, evident in the hitching posts dotted around town.
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Farm Fresh Foods
1-4 hours
A short drive away, the lovely town of Kula is alive with the bounty of the rich volcanic soil it is famous for. The area's flowers and vegetables are legendary, especially the famed sweet Kula onions – featured on many a local menu. The area is also known for its culinary herb farms, luscious tropical (and non-tropical) fruits, and the wonderful Ali'I Kula Lavender Farm.
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Tedeschi Winery
2 hours
To the south, surrounded by the vibrant fields of the Ulupalakua Ranch, the Tedeschi Winery offers free tours and a taste of history. The tasting room is located in a cottage originally built for Hawaii's King Kalakaua in 1874. Be sure to try the famous Pineapple wine – a Maui original.
Festivals
If there's one thing the people of Maui love, it's a reason to come together and celebrate their luck in living in such a beautiful place. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll almost certainly find a fair, festival, or function of interest to you.
Maui Onion Festival
6 hours
In the spring, Kaanapali celebrates one of Maui's tastiest icons, the Kula sweet onion. Since 1990, The Maui Onion Festival has been attended by thousands of visitors, and features celebrity chef demonstrations, entertainment and the ever-popular Maui onion recipe contest.
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East Maui Taro Festival
3 hours (not including drive to Hana)
During the last part of April, the tranquil town of Hana draws crowds of locals and visitors alike in celebration of a local staple, the taro plant. This delightful and delicious weekend cultural event features a Saturday festival with performances by local musicians, hula demonstrations, food booths (featuring the star ingredient), arts & crafts displays, and some messy but memorable hands-on poi-pounding. On Sunday there’s the ever-popular pancake breakfast, followed by tours of local farms and gardens.
Kapalua Wine and Food Festival
4 hours
What began as a small conference on the pleasures of wine has evolved into major epicurean experience that draws visitors from around the world. You'll find a full range of regional and global specialty wines to sample, as well as cuisine prepared by some of Hawaii's finest chefs. The four-day June event is the longest-running festival of its kind in Hawaii.
Maui Film Festival
2-8 hours
While most people come to Maui for the sun and surf, a growing number of annual attendees come to sit in the dark. The Maui Film Festival has gained international attention as a showcase for regional filmmakers, from animated shorts to feature films. Of course the fantastic after-parties add to the festival's popularity.
Hula O Na Keiki Festival
4 hours
In mid-November, the grounds of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel come alive with sights and sounds of Hawaii’s most famous dance, as performed by its most beloved citizens – the keiki (children). This extraordinary three-day event fosters a deeper understanding of the dance, and of all Hawaiian chanting and music. Performances range from ancient hula and chanting to more modern hula interpretations.
3 hours
In late June, the already lively town of Paia turns up the volume a bit in a celebration of all that makes the town so unique. Join the locals in a day filled with food, music, and entertainment of all kinds. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, and your chance to meet dozens of local artists who make Paia so… colorful.
Hana
A full day if you drive, a half day if you fly, the town of Hana is definitely off the beaten path. Far from the glittering beaches of West Maui, the wondrous little town seems lost in time. In fact, until the early 1900's, Hana was cut off from the rest of the world. It was only then that the first hairpin turns of the now-famous Hana Highway were first carved from the volcanic slopes of Haleakala. And while some people do come to learn the history of the tiny community, most come to rediscover the things lost on modern civilization. Quiet. Calm. Simplicity.
Hana is a place of unique spirit and rare beauty. Smiles greet you around every corner. Granted, there are very few corners. You can explore most of the town in a few hours. We recommend a stop at Hana's oldest family-owned business – the Hasegawa General Store – dating from 1910.
As for natural attractions, the Pools of Oheo are a short 30-minute drive, as are a rainbow of beaches, including the black sands of Waianapanapa State Park, the gleaming white sands of Hamoa Beach, and the red sands of Kaihalulu.
Should you choose to stay in Hana, there are several bed and breakfasts and a modern hotel that has an award-winning restaurant and spa.
Lahaina Art Galleries
As a visitor to the rough and tumble whaling port that was Lahaina in the mid-1800's, it would have been difficult to imagine legions of art collectors ever roaming these same streets. What a difference a century and a half can make.
With over 40 galleries and hundreds of resident designers, painters, and craftsmen, once-provincial Lahaina has earned its reputation as one of the Pacific Rim's major art markets.
From local legends to some of the most coveted names anywhere, Lahaina's galleries offer a rotating collection of fine paintings, glass, photography, sculpture, pop art, jewelry, and much more. You'll even find historic pieces including original antique maps and rare scrimshaw creations (carved ivory.)
And be sure to stop by the Old Jail Gallery. Operated by the non-profit Lahaina Arts Society, it serves as home to 185 member artists.
Seeing all that Lahaina has to offer can easily take the better part of a day, so take your time, and stop for lunch at one of the many oceanfront cafes along the way.
And should you be on Maui on a Friday night, don't miss Art Night in Lahaina - every Friday between 7pm and 10pm. Several participating art galleries open their doors along Front Street, inviting the public in to meet represented artists, view new creations, and celebrate the diversity of Maui's artistic community.
Other Maui Itineraries
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