Everyone loves summer vacation on Maui! June, July, and August are very popular months for a visit to Maui–particularly for families, as most children have school break during this time. There are loads of things to do on Maui in summer, including some of the island’s most popular annual events and festivals. If you are planning a summer visit, here are a few of the many Maui events you can enjoy.
Updated March 17th, 2023
Continue reading “Things to Do on Maui in Summer (June-July-August)”
Spring is one of the loveliest times of the year on the Valley Isle. May Day (May 1) is Lei Day in Hawaii, just one of many reasons to visit Maui in spring. The winter crowds are gone, the spring weather is stunning, and prices are usually lower than during the busy winter and summer seasons. Here are some popular things to do on Maui in spring.
Continue reading “Things To Do on Maui in Spring (March-April-May)”
Maui is a wonderful destination for families, and a Maui family vacation is sure to create treasured lifelong memories. Summer is the most popular family travel season on Maui, but there are plenty of family activities on Maui year-round. You won’t run out of options to keep everyone entertained, from toddlers to teens. It’s more likely you’ll have a hard time deciding which activities to squeeze in to your limited time on the island. Following are a few of my suggestions for fun family activities on Maui.
Yes, there ARE Maui activities that won’t break your budget! Here are 25 suggestions for free things to do in Maui. Many of these are long-time ongoing activities, but schedules do change so when you’re here please reconfirm the dates and times just to make sure you don’t show up for a non-event!
1. Maui Friday Town Parties If it’s Friday, there’s a party on Maui…and it’s free! The Friday Town Parties, sponsored by the County of Maui, take place on Friday evenings in different towns across the island. There is no admission fee, and they are great fun for both visitors and residents, with live entertainment, local food available for purchase, arts and crafts vendors, and Friday-only offers from local merchants. (Note: Maui Town Parties were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Towns across Maui are working to bring back their town party. Currently, only 2nd Friday in Lahaina and 4th Friday in Kihei are operational.)
• 1st Friday of the Month, Wailuku (Central Maui) on Market Street – Temporarily suspended.
• 2nd Friday, Lahaina (West Maui) on Front Street – Back in action as of August 12, 2022!
• 3rd Friday, Makawao (Upcountry) — this one is every other month – Temporarily suspended.
• 4th Friday, Kihei (South Maui) at Azeka Shopping Center Mauka – Back in action as of June 24, 2022!
2. Fireworks Shows Fireworks are a big deal on Maui. There are free aerial firework shows in Lahaina on the 4th of July and in Wailea on New Years Eve. No charge. Just find a place on the beach and look up!
3. And Speaking of the Beach. . . It’s free! All beaches on Maui are open to the public, and most are free to visit. However, there are a few state parks that charge an entrance and parking fee, like Waianapanapa State Park and Makena (Big Beach) State Park.
4. Kapalua Coastal Trail The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a spectacular oceanfront trail that winds from Kapalua Beach to D.T. Fleming Beach Park. At 2.5 miles, the trail is excellent for morning walks or sunset strolls. (Places to stay in Kapalua.)
5. Kaanapali Historical Trail This easy oceanfront stroll along the Kaanapali Resort area explores significant historical sites marked by plaques.
6. Wailea Beach Walk A lovely 1.5-mile paved walkway along the ocean fronting Wailea’s spectacular resorts.
7. Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge A 2,200-foot boardwalk featuring self-guided interpretive exhibits with information about local wildlife. Located beachfront on the highway between Maalaea and Kihei. (Vacation condos in Maalaea.)
8. Lahaina Historic Trail Covering 55 acres and 62 historic sites in the town of Lahaina, some of which are National Historic Landmarks. Here’s more info on this self-guided tour. For a printed guide to this trail, visit the Lahaina Visitor Center in the Old Lahaina Courthouse at Banyan Tree Park. (Places to stay in central Lahaina.)
9. And Speaking of the Banyan Tree. . . Free cultural festivals and events sometimes take place under the famed Lahaina banyan tree, so when you’re here check local newspapers for the latest info.
10. Hiking Most hiking trails on Maui are free, and those with an admission fee (the incredible trails within Haleakala National Park and Iao Valley State Park) are well worth the price for pedestrian or vehicle entry.
11. Road Trips Free. Free. Free. There are no toll roads or toll bridges on Maui. So drive around and explore. The Road to Hana and upcountry Maui are particularly popular excursions for a road trip.
12. Keiki Hula Shows Keiki means “children,” and keiki hula shows are particularly adorable as you will see local children who are learning to perform hula. There is a free keiki hula show at the Napili Kai Foundation’s longstanding weekly keiki hula show for a $10 tax-deductible fee. Every Tuesday at 5:30 pm.
13. Hula Lessons Want to try it yourself? Enjoy a free one-hour hula lesson at Lahaina Cannery Mall on Tuesday at 2:30 pm.
14. Polynesian Dance and More The Outlets of Maui in Lahaina presents free Polynesian dance shows throughout the month, along with other free activities. Check their schedule for the latest performances. (This might be still impacts by the COVID pandemic shut down).
15. More Polynesian Dance Shows Enjoy a free one-hour performance of Polynesian dances (including Hawaiian hula) every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at The Shops at Wailea .
16. Farmers Markets and Swap Meets Local markets crop up across the island weekly. Entrance to swap meets and farmers markets are completely free, but you’ll want to bring some cash along with you. These events boast vendors selling everything from produce and flowers to soaps and handmade t-shirts. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Farmers Marekts and Fruit Stands on Maui to find a Farmers Market near your accommodation, or head to the Maui Swap Meet, held every Saturday from 7 am to 11 am.
17. Community Festivals Many of Maui’s community festivals are free, and — during normal non-COVID times — there is at least one such event every month on the island; check the local papers for dates and details or check my blogs for seasonal annual festivals. Some major Maui events have started to return in 2022. We’ll likely see the majority return in 2023.
18. Visit the Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center Located just a few miles below Makawao Town, the Hui Noeau is a former sugar plantation turned visual art center. Here you can browse artworks by local artists and take a self guided tour of the stunning, historic grounds, free of charge. The Hui also boasts an excellent gift shop with works by local artisans.
19. Maui Sunsets. . . They are free. They are glorious. And they are completely different every evening.
20. Hawaiian Music Concert The last Thursday night of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. there is a free concert under the stars on the lawn of the historic Baldwin Home Museum in Lahaina. You are welcome to bring a blanket, mat, or low beach chair to make yourself comfy.
21. Ukulele Lessons Royal Lahaina Resort offers free ukulele lessons (with ukuleles provided) every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Ukuleles are also available to rent after the lesson, if you’d like to keep up on your practice! Many of the shopping centers also offer free ukulele lessons, such as Whalers Village and the Shops of Wailea.
22. Kids Play Free Golf at Wailea At Wailea’s acclaimed Gold and Emerald Golf Courses, kids play free after 3 p.m. One junior player, age 7 to 17 years old, can play free when accompanied by a paying adult. Available seasonally, so contact Wailea Golf Club for details and tee times.
23. Watch the Surf Action at Ho’okipa Beach Park Ho’okipa, located on Maui’s north shore just past the town of Paia, is one of the top windsurfing sites in the world. There is no fee for parking or to enter the beach park, and watching the windsurfers is mesmerizing. Alternately, during periods of high surf, you will see big wave surfers at Ho’okipa. Watch from a safe distance, please!
24. Whale Watching Yes, it’s free. Of course, whale watching boat tours provide a great close-up experience for a fee, but the whales themselves don’t charge admission. Just stand on the shoreline, look out to sea, and you’re likely to see whale activity in Maui’s waters during “whale season” (mid-December to mid-May).
25. Sunset Cliff Diver at Black Rock Stand on Kaanapali Beach and watch the cliff diver soar off of Black Rock into the sea fronting the Sheraton Maui every evening at sunset. The resort has provided this nightly ritual for decades, and it is a beautiful sight. (Nearby condos in Kaanapali.)
Happy Travels!
Questions? Comments? Drop me a line:
(Note: We recognize and respect the significance of the ‘okina and kahakō markings in the written Hawaiian language; however, we have omitted those diacritical markings on our site in order to integrate with the more common spellings used in online searches.)
©Copyright 2016-Present Maui Accommodations Guide. If you wish to share content from our site, you may do so only by publishing a link to our original content on MauiAccommodations.com, so full and clear credit is given to us. Any other unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials on this site (either text or photos) without our express and written permission is strictly prohibited. For permission to use excerpts or photos from our site, please contact the publisher. Mahalo!
Winter is one of the most popular visitor seasons on Maui. . .for obvious reasons! While most of the United States is blanketed under snow and suffering through miserable temperatures, Maui’s perpetually warm weather becomes more appealing than ever. If you are planning a winter escape, here are some of the most exciting events and fun things to do on Maui in winter.
Continue reading “Things To Do on Maui in Winter (December-January-February)”
If you love the feel of soft, sun-warmed sand between your toes, then Maui — with 30 miles of beaches— is the place for you! There are plenty of lists out there proclaiming “Maui’s Best Beaches,” so I don’t think you need yet another list from me. Instead, I’m going to share some important Maui beach tips to help you safely enjoy your beach experience.
Trendy celebrity-chef restaurants, sprawling food truck villages, iconic fish houses, and roadside Hawaiian BBQ stands? YES, please! If you love food and drink, Maui will not disappoint. The island offers an astounding range of food choices and a variety of unique products that gastronomes will adore (pineapple wine or sugar cane vodka, anyone?) Maui also hosts some of Hawaii’s finest annual food & beverage events. Here are our recommendations for the best Maui food tours and experiences. This is Maui for foodies!
UPDATE: This blog was updated in August 2022, but due to the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on Maui’s tourism and food & beverage industries, some of the businesses, events, or activities mentioned in the blog could possibly change their operations temporarily. Please check with businesses directly to verify their operating status and hours. Mahalo!
There are plenty of opportunities to explore how some of Maui’s top products are made. Here are some of our favorite Maui tours and tastings.
OCEAN VODKA
Ever been to a vodka farm? Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery is located in Upcountry Maui. A 30-minute tasting tour will give you an inside look at Hawaii Sea Spirit’s 80-acre operation and allow you to sample some of their premium products— Ocean Organic Vodka Included. The property is also home to a cafe, which serves craft cocktails, local-inspired eats, and flatbreads. Relax on the expansive lawn while you eat and take in a stellar Upcountry sunset. (Hot tip: last call for food and drink is at 6:45, while the sun doesn’t set until after seven in the summer. For the best sunset views, plan a winter visit.) There is no admission fee to visit the farm, gift shop, or cafe; there is a fee for the half-hour tour.
SURFING GOAT DAIRY
Just down the road from the vodka farm, this charming certified-humane goat farm produces more than 30 delicious (and national award-winning) goat cheese products— including aged soft cheese, chevre, and quark. There is no admission fee, so you can stop by anytime to sample the products. But three guided tours are available for purchase, and I personally love the 2-hour Grand Dairy Tour offered on Saturdays. Fun and informative! You can feed and milk the goats, learn about the cheese-making process, and enjoy a very generous tasting of the dairy’s gourmet goat cheeses. Come hungry!
MAUIWINE
Situated on a historic estate in Ulupalakua (Upcountry Maui), surrounded by trees that are well over 150 years old, MauiWine’s tasting room and gift shop could not be located in a more picturesque setting. The winery (formerly known as Tedeschi Winery) started in 1974 and now produces a range of unique pineapple wines as well as traditional estate wines. Wander the lovely grounds and stop by the tasting room to sample these wonderful handcrafted wines. Guided tours of the grounds are complimentary; there is a fee for wine tasting.
MAUI BREWING COMPANY
Maui Brewing Company, Hawaii’s largest craft brewery, offers 45-minute guided tours of its gleaming brewery facility in Kihei, ending with a tasting (for a fee). If you want to enjoy a meal along with your brewsky, you can dine at the large new signature restaurant that opened on the premises in 2018. Even if you’re not a beer drinker, it’s a great restaurant— and there’s plenty of cocktail and non-alcoholic options on offer as well (psst, try the Maui Brewing root beer).
MAUI PINEAPPLE PLANTATION & DISTILLERY TOUR
The Maui Pineapple Tour is an authentic 90-minute tour of a working pineapple plantation in Hali’imaile (near Makawao). You’ll learn about “all things pineapple” and go right into the pineapple fields to sample fresh-picked Maui Gold pineapple, an extra sweet variety. Plus, you’ll leave with your own pineapple, boxed and ready for travel (included in the tour price). You can also choose to include a 30-minute distillery tour of Hali’imaile Distilling Company.
CHAMPAGNE HALE AT THE CLIFF HOUSE
Champagne Hale is a seasonal pop-up event hosted by the Montage Kapalua Bay. The event takes place at one of Maui’s most epic venues: the Kapalua Cliff House, perched above the waters of Namalu Bay. Guests can enjoy bubbly glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagnes served alongside gourmet appetizers. The champagne isn’t cheap, but for upscale travelers (or a special splurge), this is an exquisite way to enjoy a Maui sunset. Check the Montage’s website for dates.
O’O FARM GOURMET LUNCH AND FARM TOUR
O’o Farm in upcountry Maui offers a genuine “farm to fork” experience. The experience kicks off with a tour of the 8.5-acre farm, during which you will harvest the produce for your meal. Then, relax and enjoy a chef-prepared gourmet lunch incorporating the farm-fresh products, set on the slopes of Mount Haleakala with stunning views of the island. Also offered is a similar O’o Farm experience for breakfast that includes a coffee farm tour: The Seed to Cup Gourmet Breakfast and Tour.
A luau provides a great introduction to the music, dance, and food of Polynesia! Most luau menus feature traditional Hawaiian dishes like kalua pork, poi, and Molokai sweet potatoes (a local purple variety), plus many other local foods. No one leaves a luau hungry! There are lots of great luaus to choose from, but in my opinion, the following three Maui luaus truly stand above the rest for doing something extraordinary with the food and show. Both are highly recommended — especially if the culinary experience is a top priority for you at a luau.
GRAND WAILEA LUAU at Grand Wailea Resort (South Maui)
The Grand Wailea Luau (formerly Aha’aina Luau) reopened in January 2021 and has been reinvented to meet necessary COVID health protocols. No more long luau tables with guests brushing shoulders; no more serve-yourself buffet lines. Now your party is seated at your own individual table and you are served there, dining by candlelight. Enjoy excellent food, and one of the most creative luau shows shows on the island— featuring Hawaiian hula and Polynesian dances, fire dancers (pictured), a graceful aerial dancer who dangles from the palm trees, and a mesmerizing “cloud goddess” hula.
FEAST AT MOKAPU, at Andaz Wailea (South Maui)
The Feast at Mokapu is a reimagined luau experience with a hint of luxury. Traditional luau fare gets a gourmet twist— the menu was curated by Andaz executive chef Isaac Bancaco and dishes are plated rather than served buffet style. Guests can also take advantage of an open bar that pours craft cocktails throughout the night. The entertainment is second to none and tells authentic stories of the Polynesian voyagers that eventually settled on Maui’s shores.
FEAST AT LELE, 505 Front Street, Lahaina (West Maui)
Feast at Lele has always been known for featuring a smaller, more intimate venue than the typical luau.. more like a fine dining luau experience. Associated with the ever-popular Old Lahaina Luau and Pacific’O Restaurant, this unique luau offers a lovely show and a five-course, sit-down (no buffet) gourmet dinner of Pacific Island foods. Tables are individual— you can reserve a table for two if you wish, or a table just for your family and friends. And it’s the only Maui luau I know of that is literally ON the beach. Your feet are in the sand while you’re eating!
HAWAII FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
This statewide event takes place over three weeks on multiple islands in the fall, showcasing Hawaii’s locally grown foods and featuring a roster of internationally known master chefs and culinary personalities. Hawaii Food & Wine Festival events occurs on Maui each year (usually in October) in the Kaanapali Beach Resort area. Details & Future Dates (Stay nearby at these Kaanapali accommodations)
KAPALUA WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
The Kapalua Wine and Food Festival is one of the granddaddies of Hawaii food events! This longstanding (four decades and counting) Maui food festival features wine tasting seminars, cooking demos, and fabulous Grand Tasting event. Join renowned winemakers and celebrity chefs for this delicious weekend in Kapalua. It usually takes place in June. Details & Future Dates (Places to stay in Kapalua)
WAILEA RESTAURANT WEEK
Twice a year, in spring and fall (usually May and November), Wailea’s fabulous, world-renowned restaurants celebrate Restaurant Week with three-course, pre-fixe menus ranging from $29 to $59 per person. This is an excellent opportunity to experience these acclaimed restaurants at a value price and support a worthwhile cause while you’re munching — a portion of the proceeds is donated to the Maui Food Bank. Details & Future Dates (Here are some great Wailea condos to stay at) Notice: Wailea Restaurant Week has been canceled for 2022. We hope to see it return in 2023.
MAUI COUNTY FAIR
Okay, this isn’t a foodie event per se, but the Maui County Fair is where it’s at if you’re keen on trying local fare. When the fair comes to town in September/October, the food court takes over nearly an acre of fairgrounds, lined with booth after booth. Almost every popular local dish is served here— chicken katsu, chow fun, kalua pork, shoyu chicken, dry mein, loco moco, mochi, malasadas… I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Plus, booths are usually operated by school groups, churches, canoe clubs, and sports teams trying to raise money, so it’s a great way to support the local community. Stay in Maalaea, only 15 minutes from the fairgrounds in Wailuku! Details & Future Dates Notice: the Maui County Fair has been canceled for 2022. It will return in 2023.
For great Maui dining recommendations, see my other blogs: Top 20 Favorite Maui Restaurants and Cheap Eats on Maui.
Happy Travels!
Questions? Comments? Drop me a line: Blog@MauiAccommodations.com
(Note: We recognize and respect the significance of the ‘okina and kahakō markings in the written Hawaiian language; however, we have omitted those diacritical markings on our site in order to integrate with the more common spellings used in online searches.)
©Copyright 2019-Present Maui Accommodations Guide. If you wish to share content from our site, you may do so only by publishing a link to our original content on MauiAccommodations.com, so full and clear credit is given to us. Any other unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials on this site (either text or photos) without our express and written permission is strictly prohibited. For permission to use excerpts or photos from our site, please contact the publisher. Mahalo!
Fall is a truly lovely time on Maui. The hotter weather is behind us, and the hectic summer travel period begins to simmer down. And towards the very end of autumn, you might be lucky enough to spot some humpback whales! If you’re planning a trip to Maui in fall, here are some fun annual events that you can incorporate into your trip planning.
Continue reading “Things To Do On Maui in Fall (September-October-November)”
