MAUI BASICS 101
Planning a trip to Maui? Lucky you! Whether this is your first time to the Valley Isle or your fiftieth, there is always something new to learn. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something new pops up… or closes down, unfortunately. We live on Maui so we know this island, and it’s never boring. Beautiful, enchanting, romantic, healing, fascinating, and sometimes maybe even a little aggravating (we do have traffic here). But never boring.
This Maui travel guide will help you with the basics of planning your trip. Below are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Maui. For other helpful Maui travel tips, including how to choose where to stay on Maui, take a look at our ALL ABOUT MAUI blog. We add new information and topics on a regular basis, so check back often. For specific suggestions on what to do, where to eat, and how to explore the island, see THINGS TO DO. And if you’re interested in grabbing the latest bargains (let’s face it, who isn’t?), you’ll want to subscribe to our free Maui Deals & Steals enewsletter.
***UPDATE 11/16/23 – On August 8, 2023, a devastating wildfire tore through the historic town of Lahaina, burning down over 2,200 homes, 86% of which were residential, and damaging 2,700 buildings. The rebuild will take years, and we’re monitoring the situation closely to keep our readers as best informed as we possibly can. West Maui (excluding Lahaina Town) is open to responsible, mindful, respectful, and culturally sensitive visitors. If you are looking for ways to help, we encourage you to volunteer on your visit to Maui.***
WHERE IS MAUI LOCATED IN HAWAII?
Maui is the second most eastward island in the Hawaiian chain. The bustling island of Oahu is located to the northwest, and Hawaii Island (also known as the Big Island) is located to the south.
The small, laid-back islands of Lanai and Molokai are situated less than ten miles to the west and northwest of Maui and are clearly visible from Maui’s western shores.
The island of Kahoolawe can be seen from Maui’s south shore, but is uninhabited and off-limits to the public.
TIP: Maui and Lanai are the only Hawaiian islands that have an interisland ferry service available on a regular basis. (For all other islands, the only interisland transportation is by air.) During the winter months, the ferry between Maui and Lanai provides a great opportunity for whale watching!
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT OF MAUI?
Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States. The State of Hawaii is governed by an elected Governor who is based on Oahu. Below the state level, the island of Maui, together with her sister islands of Lanai and Molokai, make up the County of Maui, which is governed by an elected Mayor and nine-member County Council.
TIP: In Hawaii, we call the continental U.S. the “mainland.” We don’t call it “the states,” because Hawaii IS a state.
WHERE IS THE MAUI AIRPORT?
Maui’s main airport is Kahului Airport (OGG), located in the town of Kahului in Central Maui. Kahului Airport is serviced daily by most major American airlines, with direct flights to and from the West Coast. Maui also has two smaller commuter airports with limited air service in Hana and Kapalua.
WHAT IS THE CURRENCY ON MAUI?
Hawaii is a U.S. state and, therefore uses the U.S. dollar.
DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
Not if you’re a U.S. citizen. For domestic travelers, visiting Hawaii is just like visiting another state. International visitors should look into U.S. entry requirements for their country of residence.
WHAT AREA OF MAUI SHOULD I STAY IN?
West Maui and South Maui are the most popular areas for visitors to stay in. These locations are where most resorts and condos are located, and boast some of the best shopping, dining, and beaches on the island.
If you don’t know your way around Maui yet, view our guide to Maui Regions and Towns for a brief description of the island’s different neighborhoods and resort areas. Also, check out How To Choose Where to Stay on Maui.
HOW SHOULD I DRESS IN MAUI?
The style of dress on Maui is cool, casual, and comfortable. Because of our warm, tropical climate, comfort generally trumps high fashion. You’ll be most comfortable in sandals and breathable natural fabrics. You can leave the dinner jackets and stiletto heels at home and enjoy Maui’s laid-back style. You won’t need to get too dressed up here.
TIP: Evening can be cool, especially in winter. Bring a sweater, just in case. But you probably won’t need anything warmer than that, unless you’re planning on watching the sunrise or sunset atop Haleakala’s 10,023-foot peak.
WHAT TIME IS IT IN MAUI?
Hawaii uses Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) and does not observe daylight savings. So, during “standard time” in the mainland U.S. (November-March), Hawaii is two hours behind the West Coast/Pacific time zone and five hours behind the East Coast. From April to October (during daylight savings), Hawaii is three hours behind the West Coast and six hours behind the East Coast. So, if you live in New York, please don’t call your friend in Hawaii at 9 a.m. your time!
DOES MAUI HAVE SEASONS?
Yes, but Maui’s seasons are mild compared to seasons on the mainland. Our tropical climate varies by only a few degrees from winter to summer. The weather is usually warm and sunny year-round. Temperatures average in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, although on especially hot days in summer, temperatures could reach into the 90s. Maui also gets occasional tropical storms and rain showers.
Winter months (Approximately November through April) tend to be slightly rainier and cooler. The summer season (approximately May through September) tends to be drier and warmer, with slightly more humidity. Although there is more chance of rain during the winter months, it can rain at any time on any day throughout the year. That’s what keeps our Maui green and beautiful. Best Time To Visit Maui
And let’s not forget Maui’s other season: whale season! Humpback whales start arriving in the islands around November to mate and give birth. The whales stick around all winter before migrating north again in mid-to-late spring.
Hope you’ll be here relaxing on Maui soon!
For more tips, read my Practical Do’s and Don’ts for Maui Visitors, 15 Things NOT To Do in Maui, and my other ALL ABOUT MAUI blog posts.
(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.)
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