Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [275]
Reefdancer ( 667-2133; Lahaina Harbor; adult/child 6-12 per 1hr $33/20, 1½hr $45/25; departures 10am-2:15pm) This glass-bottomed boat has a submerged lower deck lined with windows. The views aren’t as varied as on a submarine but the underwater scenes are still eye candy and you won’t feel claustrophobic.
Sugar Cane Train ( 667-6851; www.mauisteamtrain.com; 975 Limahana Pl; adult/child 3-12 $22/15; 8am-5pm) The restored, century-old steam train that once carried cane from the fields to Lahaina’s sugar mill now carries tourists on an hour-long trip between Lahaina and Ka′anapali. The ride’s a bit poky and there’s not really much to see, but kids will love it and steam-train buffs will no doubt want to hop aboard.
Trilogy Excursions ( 661-4743, 888-225-6284; www.sailtrilogy.com; 180 Lahainaluna Rd; adult/child 3-15 $190/95) This first-rate operation specializes in ecofriendly catamaran tours to Lana′i that let you get your feet wet. The 6am trip from Lahaina to Lana′i’s Hulopo′e Beach includes a BBQ lunch, beach volleyball and snorkel time; the 10am boat adds on dinner and sails back to Lahaina at sunset. In winter there’s whale watching along the way.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Mauians love a party and Lahaina is party central. The top festivals draw huge crowds, with Front St closed to traffic during the events. For updated details on festivities, contact the LahainaTown Action Committee ( 667-9194, 888-310-1117; www.visitlahaina.com).
Chinese New Year On a weekend between mid-January and mid-February, Lahaina welcomes the lunar new year with a street festival on Front St, complete with colorful lion dances, martial-arts demos and an explosion of firecrackers.
Ocean Arts Festival The humpback whale migration is the theme of these festivities celebrated on a weekend in mid-March at Banyan Tree Sq with Hawaiian music, hula and games.
Banyan Tree Birthday Party Lahaina’s favorite tree gets a two-day birthday party on the weekend closest to April 24, complete with a frosted cake and a serenade by island musicians. Kids will love the piñata smash.
International Festival of Canoes (www.mauicanoefest.com) Maui’s signature cultural event draws master carvers from around the Pacific to carve outrigger canoes. The whole log-to-launch process takes place right in the town center over two weeks in May, culminating with the Parade of Canoes down Front St and ceremonial launchings from Kamehameha Iki Park. Festivities include Hawaiian music and island grinds. Don’t miss it.
Na Kamehameha Pa′u Parade & Ho′olaule′a Traditionally dressed Hawaiians on horseback, marching bands and floral floats take to Front St to honor Kamehameha the Great on this public holiday in mid-June. Festivities follow at Banyan Tree Sq.
Fourth of July Bands perform on the lawn of the public library from 5pm and fireworks light up the sky over the harbor at 8pm.
Halloween in Lahaina Once a huge bash dubbed ‘Mardi Gras of the Pacific,’ this street festival along Front St has been scaled back, but it’s still the place to revel on October 31.
Holiday Lighting of the Banyan Tree Lahaina lights Hawaii’s biggest tree on the first weekend in December with thousands of colorful lights, accompanied by musicians, carolers and a craft show. And, of course, Santa shows up for the keiki (children).
SLEEPING
Despite the flood of tourists filling Lahaina’s streets, the town offers surprisingly few places to stay. All of west Maui’s resort hotels are to the north, where the beaches are better. On the plus side, Lahaina’s accommodations tend to be cozy and in tune with the town’s historic character. The nearest campground (Click here) is in Olowalu, 5 miles south of town. Click here for midrange