The Ultimate Guide to Maui’s Cities and Regions

Visiting Maui soon? Understanding Maui’s cities and regions will make the trip-planning process much easier.

Each part of Maui offers something unique. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, knowing the highlights of Maui’s cities, regions, and neighborhoods will help you design a perfectly tailored island itinerary.

This guide breaks down the best spots for travelers to explore, stay, and enjoy on Maui.

 

Maui’s Cities & Regions

 

South Maui

South Maui is known for its abundance of beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and places to stay. This Maui region comprises three towns: Kihei, Wailea, and Makena.

Kihei is Maui’s largest city and one of the most popular places to stay for travelers. You’ll find a mix of affordable condos and luxury vacation homes. Kihei is characterized by warm weather, sandy beaches, and countless bars, restaurants, and activities. This sunny Maui city is a great place to experience Maui’s local flavor.

Wailea is a resort community known for its luxury properties, gorgeous beaches, luaus, golf courses, and upscale dining and shopping. Some of Maui’s most famous restaurants call Wailea home, like Monkeypod Kitchen and Tommy Bahama. Wailea is also home to one of Maui’s most popular snorkeling spots: Ulua Beach.

Makena, just a stone’s throw south of Wailea, boasts some of Maui’s best beaches and snorkeling spots. This Maui neighborhood is a luxurious enclave with high-end vacation homes and gated condo resorts. Makena is a great place to stay if you want to escape the resort scene but still be close to shopping, activities, and restaurants.

 

West Maui

The ‘West Side’ is the most popular Maui region for visitors, home to the towns of Kaanapali, Napili-Honokowai, Kapalua, and Lahaina.

West Maui has something for every type of traveler and budget. Whether you want to luxuriate in lavish resort spas, enjoy thrilling activities like zip lining or parasailing, or simply park your towel on the beach fronting your condo.

Kaʻanapali is Maui’s tourism capital. This little Maui beach city has almost everything you need to enjoy a quintessential Hawaii vacation: luaus, shopping, dining, golfing, snorkeling, surfing, boat tours, spas, and a wide variety of accommodations. Kaanapali is an excellent option for first-time visitors or those who choose to forgo a rental car.

Napili-Honokowai includes a handful of communities, including Honokowai, Kahana, Mahinahina, and Napili. This is a laid-back, local area of Maui, marked by oceanfront condos, relaxed eateries, and a handful of stellar snorkeling spots and beaches. If you stay in this area, you’ll likely spend a ton of time at Napili Bay, one of West Maui’s most beloved beaches.

Kapalua boasts some of Maui’s most elite resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton and Montage, plus a handful of stunning villas and condos. Kapalua has worldwide acclaim for two reasons: the golfing and Kapalua Bay. Kapalua is among Hawaii’s top golfing destinations and even hosts the annual PGA Sentry Tournament of Champions. Kapalua Bay was also named America’s Best Beach in 2018. There’s a lot to love about this Maui neighborhood!

Lahaina is still in the recovery process following the August 2023 wildfires. However, we’re happy to report a small number of restaurants have reopened on Front Street near the Lahaina Cannery Mall!

 

Central Maui

Central Maui is the island’s industrial and commercial hub. This region has numerous communities and neighborhoods, but the big three are Kahului, Wailuku, and Maalaea.

Kahului is home to Maui’s largest commercial airport, OGG. It’s also where most of the big box stores are located, like Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Target. Kahului has a few airport hotels, but most visitors choose to stay elsewhere. However, Kahului deserves a mention just for food alone. There are fantastic places to eat around here, from the food trucks at Costco to local gems like Tin Roof, Guri Guri, and Momona Bakery.

Wailuku, a bonafide hidden gem, is full of funk and local flavor. Downtown Wailuku is flush with vibrant murals depicting Hawaiian legends and themes — as well as a variety of unique local businesses, from coffee shops and juice bars to art galleries and thrift stores. What’s more, Wailuku is a foodies’ paradise, with countless local eateries waiting to be discovered. At the base of the West Maui Mountains, downtown Wailuku is only a few minutes from Iao Valley State Park. Wailuku is an unconventional – yet delightful – place to stay, with a small number of local Maui B&Bs to choose from.

Maʻalaea is a charming seaside neighborhood, home to major attractions like the Maui Ocean Center (Hawaii’s largest aquarium) and Maʻalaea Harbor, Maui’s snorkel tour hub. There are a few great reasons to stay in Maalaea. You can score an oceanfront condo for an affordable nightly rate, you’ll be steps from great restaurants in the Maalaea Harbor Shops, and the central location makes it a great jumping-off point for island-wide adventures. The only pitfall? Maʻalaea is notorious for strong tradewinds, so hang on to your hats.

 

North Shore

The North Shore is known for big wintertime waves, windswept beaches, and funky small towns. This Maui region features two major towns: Paia and Haiku.

Paia is a historic sugar plantation town, now a renowned shopping and dining destination. Just a few miles east of Paia is Ho’okipa Beach Park, Maui’s most popular [expert] surf spot and a world-renowned windsurfing destination. There are a handful of places to stay in and around Paia, but it’s more commonly visited on a day trip.

Haiku is a large residential community. Not many visitors explore this part of Maui – and truthfully, there’s not a ton to see. But Haiku has a few highlights worth noting. If you’re a sushi lover, pencil in an evening at Nuka Sushi. Baked on Maui is a funky coffee shop and a great breakfast stop before heading to Hana. And just outside Haiku in Huelo, you’ll find Twin Falls, an easy waterfall hike.

 

East Maui

Home to the famous road to Hana, East Maui is known for its waterfalls, black sand beaches, and dense jungle. There are numerous small communities along Hana Highway, but the largest and most notable are Keʻanae and Hana.

Keʻanae Peninsula attracts travelers for its old Hawaiian feel, stunning coastal views, and world-famous banana bread. About halfway between Haiku and Hana, stop here to stretch your legs, admire the countless squares of taro patches, and pick up a loaf of banana bread from Aunty Sandy’s.

Hana is a charming small community about 50 miles from Kahului. It’s well worth spending the night here, allowing you more time to explore all that East Maui has to offer. This region has a lot to see, from the black sand beach at Waiʻanapanapa State Park to the 400-foot-high Waimoku Falls at Haleakala National Park in Kipahulu. Fortunately, there are numerous places to stay in Hana, including condos, vacation homes, and a hotel.

 

Upcountry

Upcountry reveals a different side of Maui, where beaches and resorts are swapped for rolling pastureland and charming towns. Upcountry is one of Maui’s largest regions, spread across the enormous flank of Haleakala. The major towns in this region include Makawao, Pukalani, and Kula. Upcountry is also the gateway to Haleakala National Park.

Makawao, best known for its Hawaiian cowboy culture, is a historic town bustling with coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Makawao is also gaining renown as an arts destination, home to must-visits like Hui Noeau, Viewpoints Gallery, and Hot Island Glass. Stay near Makawao for a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Pukalani is mostly a residential area, but there are a few stops worth making. Check out Pukalani Superette, a historic grocery store, for delicious bentos. Head up the road to sip local beers at Mahalo Aleworks, dine on Neapolitan pizza at Marlow, or shop the weekly Upcountry Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

Kula boasts epic bi-coastal views, cool temperatures, and farm experiences galore. This gorgeous area deserves a place on your Maui itinerary. Beyond Kula, keep driving south on Kula Highway to visit the country outposts of Keokea and Ulupalakua, home to Grandma’s Coffee House and Maui Wine, respectively.

 

We hope this makes planning your Maui vacation easier! Mahalo for reading this guide to Maui’s cities, regions, and neighborhoods.

We hope to see you here soon!