Perfect Days #12- #14 – Lahaina Ocean & Other Activities

Lahaina works hard to preserve its 19th-century heritage as an important part of being one of the most popular tourist destinations in 21st century Hawaii. King Kamehameha’s royal capital from the turn of the 19th century until 1845, Kamehameha III moved Hawaii’s capital from Lahaina to Honolulu when the whaling industry was still at its peak. After whaling waned, sugar took over the town for the next hundred years.

Today boutiques, art galleries and dozens of eateries have replaced the raucous bars, dance halls and brothels of an earlier era. The cleaned up version of Lahaina's colorful past successfully endures thanks to local historic preservation efforts.
The 1½ miles of downtown Lahaina where Old and New Worlds meet along Front Street is full of things to see and do and tourists doing them. Walk, shop, eat, people-watch and enjoy all of the activities connected with boating that are part of the old whaling port in its new incarnation. Stay in Lahaina at a vacation rental and without a lot of driving you can enjoy an entire week or more of ocean and beach activities, meals and entertainment in town and within a distance of just 5 miles to the north and south between Ka’anapali and Olowalu.

Lahaina is not only a unique tourist destination in Maui and Hawaii, the town also is an exceptionally convenient base for touring north to Kapalua and south to Ma’alaea and even to Wailuku and the North side of the island. The fact that Maui is a comparatively small island really has its advantages. “Long trips” on Maui -- Lahaina to Wailea or Lahaina to Pa’ia – each are about 32 miles. Distances from Lahaina to other part of West Maui are:

• Lahaina to Napili - 9 miles
• Lahaina to Ka’anapali - 3.7 miles
• Lahaina to Wailuku around the Northwest coast via Kahakuloa - 38 miles
• Lahaina to Wailuku via Olowalu - 21 miles

Lahaina Orientation
Most shopping, browsing and sightseeing in Lahaina is along Front St. north of the Banyan Tree and Lahaina Harbor. The Wharf Cinema Center is directly across the street from the Banyan Tree. The nearest parking to the Banyan Tree is at Prison St. or several blocks away on Wainee St., across from the Maria Lanakila Church (Catholic) and the Seaman’s Cemetery near Dickenson St. that runs from Hwy. 30 to the Harbor. (Be sure to see -- and carry around with you -- the detailed map of Lahaina in the Maui Drive Guide at http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/maui_lahaina.html)

South of Dickenson St. along Wainee St. are several other historic sights – Old Prison, Hongwanji Mission and Waine’e Church and Cemetery, near Shaw St. that runs from Hwy. 30 to 505 Front St. In other words, as you can see in the Drive Guide map, one option for a historic walking tour of Lahaina involves a rather long loop along Wainee St., although you can park on either side of Dickenson and Wainee and then walk south on Wainee to Shaw and from there to 505 Front St. next to the Lahaina Shores Hotel.

Lahainaluna Rd. runs parallel to Dickenson St. and both of these streets have galleries and places to eat. The Lahaina Inn, at the corner of Lahainaluna and Front St., is across from Cheeseburger in Paradise and Kimo’s, both of which are excellent central meeting places for family or friends that wander off in different directions. The Lahaina Shopping Center and the Old Lahaina Center in the next blocks define the end of the Front St. shopping area until the Lahaina Cannery Mall. (Drive, don’t walk, to the Cannery Mall.)

Parking is the only hassle in Lahaina. Coming from the south, follow Honoapi`ilani Highway (Hwy. 30) north to Lahaina, turn left on Shaw St. or Prison St. (ideally before 10 am to increase your chances of finding a parking spot). Look for the free 3-hour parking lot at Prison and Front St. or free parking across from 505 Front St. If necessary pay for parking at Dickenson Street near Wainee.

The Lahaina Shopping Center has plenty of parking on both sides of Papalaua St. Park there and buy something before you leave in order to validate your parking ticket. You’ll find a great many more shops, galleries and places to eat nearby if you park at the Lahaina Shopping Center and walk south than if you park in the Shaw and Prison streets area and walk north.

Breakfast

It’s easy to find good breakfast choices in Lahaina at: The Pioneer Inn, Sunrise Café, A&J Kitchen, Del & Bakery in Lahaina Center, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Buns of Maui, Moose McGillycuddy’s, Swiss Café (Internet access available) and Lahaina Coolers. In these three Perfect Days, boats providing ocean activities serve breakfast and ferries to Lana’i and Moloka’i sell breakfast.

Whale-watching

Lahaina is the starting point for many of the island’s deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, sailing and whale watching trips, and sunset and dinner cruises. Of course in season whalewatching becomes part of all of these marine trips and cruises. From December to March or April, Maui is the world’s humpback whale vacation and whale-watching capital. More than a thousand Humpback whales arrive, females bearing their young and males singing, breaching and blowing. (Wouldn’t you know it? The guys seem to be having most of the fun.)

Most whalewatching tours last about two hours, provide snacks, beverages and, in some instances, drinks for purchase, and often have a naturalist or other knowledgeable person to narrate whale history and activities. Trips depart from Lahaina Harbor every few hours all day. Several whale-watching tours guarantee sightings or you’ll get another try FREE.

• Listen to whale “songs” through underwater hydrophones aboard four Pacific Whale Foundation vessels (two catamarans, a power catamaran and a 41’ motor vessel) that offer early morning, morning, mid-day and sunset tours.
• A couple of hours in the morning on America II should provide a very enjoyable whalewatching and sailing experience.
• The rigid hull inflatables with RAIVS engines of Capt. Steve Rafting and Hawaiian Rafting Adventures are fast and comfortable vessels to find visiting whales and listen to them on hydrophones.
• The high-speed 30’aluminum-hulled inflatables of Ultimate Rafting Maui have marine biologists on board, underwater viewing cameras and hydrophones to enrich whale education and watching.
• The Kaulana prefers to take you whalewatching in the afternoon on its 70’ power catamaran.
• The 118’ yacht Maui Princess is the only whalewatching vessel that offers a “Whale cam” – an underwater video camera and color monitors on board – for undersea whalewatching, but morning and afternoon sailings of sister yachts Lahaina Princess and Molokai Princess provide just as much education and fun.
• The high speed Whale Express and the 48’ adventure raft Explorer sail at 8am, 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm daily and provide complementary binoculars as well as soft drinks.

(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/whales_maui.html)

Beneath the Ocean
After whalewatching on the surface of the ocean, watching marine life 130 ft. below the ocean on an Atlantis submarine will seem all the more exciting. Depart Lahaina harbor from 9am-2pm for a 10-minute trip on an Atlantisshuttle (watch the whales ship-to-submarine and back) to a 48-passenger submarine. Another way to see the underwater wonderland is aboard the Reef Dancer, a semi-submersible with windows on upper and lower decks for viewing sea life. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/subs_maui.html)

Sunset Cruise
Lahaina, Ka’anapali and to a lesser extent Ma’alaea are the starting places for sunset cruises that usually last two hours and include drinks, pupus (hors d’oeuvres) and sometimes live music. Lahaina’s sunset cruise choices include:

• The 70’ power catamaran Kaulanaprovides live music, cocktails, an open bar and pupus during its 2-hour sunset cruise.
• In addition to champagne, the 50’ sailing yacht Scotch Mist lures chocoholics with chocolates while they are watching glorious Maui sunsets.
• Mai Tais and hors d’oeuvres add to the fun on the 47’ catamaran Paragon during sunset cruises.
• The day’s sailing choices on America II, the 1987 America Cup Challenger, culminate in a sunset cruise that this world-class 12-meter racing yacht makes more even exhilarating.

(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/sunset_cruise_maui.html)

Dinner Cruise
Spend your day sightseeing, shopping and having a very leisurely lunch in Lahaina, and end the day with a two-hour dinner cruise that may include live music or entertainment, dancing and an open bar. During whalewatching season, as a bonus you may see whales cavorting nearby. Excellent dinner cruise choices include:

• Dine during sunset topside on the observation deck of the 118’ Maui Princess plus dance to live music in the cocktail lounge.
• The dinner and accompanying music provided aboard the 50’ sailing catamaran Manutea during the Pacific Whale Foundation dinner cruise (April 1-Sept. 30)is worth the price of the cruise itself.
• For those looking for a “personalized” experience on a private charter, watch the sunset aboard the Shangri-la while enjoying one of Longhi’s Mediterranean dinners, accompanied by just the right wines, served after everyone has had a chance to snorkel in the Honolua Bay Marine Sanctuary.
• Enjoy live entertainment and a dinner of shrimp scampi, marinated island fish, teriyaki chicken, delicious ribs and many other dishes aboard the Spirit ofLahaina dinner cruise and watch Lahaina and the West Maui Mountains as the sun goes down.

(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/dinner_maui.html)

Sailing
Sailing trips on schooners and twin-hulled catamarans leave from Ma’alaea, Ka’anapali and Lahaina.

• From Lahaina a 2-hour morning or afternoon sail (or a sunset sail) on the fast, sleek America II delivers an unforgettable thrill.
• In addition to snorkeling excursions off the West Coast and to Lana’i, the 50‘ Scotch Mist sailboat offers 2-hour sails (and champagne sunset cruises) along the West Coast.
• Take a snorkel tour, sail and snorkel tour, sail and watch the sunset tour or just sail on azure waters aboard the 40’ Kamehameha Catamaran.

(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/sailing_maui.html)

Deepsea Fishing.
Waters around Maui are often too shallow for big fishes so you’ll have to take a 30-60 minute boat trip to deepsea fishing areas. Morning is the best time to leave on a 6 or 8-hour round-trip to fishing grounds.  Half (4hr), three-quarter (6hr) and full-day (8hr) deepsea fishing charters (AERIAL III, No Problem, Hinatea, Kanoa, Lucky Strike II, and Marlin Mischief) all leave Lahaina Harbor (and Ka’anapali Beach and Ma’alaea Harbor) at 7am or earlier to get to areas where you can catch mahimahi, ono, ahi, aku sailfish, spearfish and marlin. You’ll return to Lahaina in time to clean up and get ready for dinner and evening entertainment. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/sport_fishing.html)

Molokini
The sunken crater of Molokini, a marine sanctuary, has incredibly clear visibility down to 180’. Most of the snorkeling trips to Molokini leave from Ma’alaea and a few leave from Kihei Boat Ramp and Makena (in front of the Maui Prince Hotel). The 65’ motor yacht Lahaina Princess sails at 8 am from Lahaina, serves continental breakfast and returns from Molokini at 2pm after an all-you-can-eat deli and BBQ lunch. On the return trip the ship visits the fantastic Coral Gardens/ Olowalu Reef. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/kini.html)

Snorkeling Trips from Lahaina
The waters around Maui and Lana’i are teeming with colorful tropical fish and still have healthy reefs to support them. Snorkeling cruises to Molokini and elsewhere usually leave from Ma’alaea, provide snorkeling gear, soft drinks, instruction and good cheer. Snorkeling trips out of Lahaina to West Maui sites include:

• The 40’ Kamehameha only takes 6 passengers on 3-hour half-sailing, half-snorkeling trips from Lahaina off the coast of West Maui, with whalewatching in season.
• The “Captain’s Choice” of snorkeling sites aboard the Scotch Mist, a 50’ Santa Cruz, may include Lana’i, Olowalu and other West Maui sites during its 4-hour sailing cruise.

(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/snorkeling_maui.html)

Lahaina-Lana’i
Just across the channel from Lahaina, Lana’i’s world-class golf courses, resorts and gourmet restaurants, incredible snorkeling along the coast, fascinating historical sites and landscape add a very special dimension to sightseeing and activities on West Maui. Lana’i snorkeling and other excursions to the island leave from Lahaina Harbor aboard the Trilogy, Pacific Whale Foundation, LahainaPrincess and a variety of other boats.

• Pack a picnic lunch and take the 45-minute cruise (with whale-watching in winter) over to Lana’i on Expeditions Lanai Shuttle and spend the day at Manele Beach, snorkeling or touring the island.
• Expeditions Lana’i offers a 4-hour land tour with all of Lana’i’s highlights including the Munro Trail (weather permitting), Garden of the Gods, Shipwreck Beach and various historic sites.
• Trilogy Excursions take you to Hulopo’e Bay Marine Sanctuary for snorkeling and scuba diving, with a BBQ lunch, or later with a deli lunch and BBQ dinner on the beach, returning during sunset. Tour Lana’i on a jeep or explore the coast in a kayak and snorkel along the way.
• Sail for a full day aboard Paragon Sailing Adventure’s 47’ catamaran to Manele Bay and Hulopo’e Bay for a picnic lunch on the beach after a morning of snorkeling.
• In addition to snorkeling at two beautiful reefs, the Pacific Whale Foundation’s catamarans take you on a half-day excursion (including breakfast and BBQ lunch) to shoreline areas and bays around Lana’i visited by spinner, bottlenose and spotted dolphins.
• The 65’ power catamaran Spirit of Lahaina only travels at about 60% of capacity for the sake of passenger comfort on a six-hour exploratory journey around the waters of Lana’i.
• Spend a half- or full-day, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, on a hard-bottom inflatable at more than a half-dozen snorkeling sites around Lana’i with Hawaii Ocean Rafting and Ocean Riders or on an aluminum-hull inflatable with Hawaiian Rafting Adventures.
• Enjoy breakfast, lunch and snorkeling around Lana’i aboard the Seaview Express.
• Seaview Explorer provides a 48’ explorer class raft and a 30’ speedboat for 4-6 hour excursions to snorkel, followed by exploration of Lana’i on land.
• Capt. Steve’s Rafting provides a full-day rafting adventure to Lana’i exploring beaches, coves and caves, and underwater sites.
• Three couples can travel to snorkeling spots around Lana’i and wherever the winds go on Rainbow Chaser 2, a catamaran with three private staterooms.

(See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/lanai.html)

Lahaina – Moloka’i

Spending more than one day on Moloka’i would be much more satisfying, but in just one day you can sail on the Maui Princess a double-deck Princess Yacht to Moloka’i’s main town of Kaunakakai, shuttle to the high cliffs overlooking the former Kalaupapaleper colony, join a guided hike down the steep cliffside trail to tour this historic settlement, have lunch, fly a Moloka’i Air Shuttle from Kalaupapa to MKK airport and shuttle back to the Maui Princess waiting in Kaunakakai to take you back to Maui. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/lanai.html)

Diving
Dive trips to Lana’i leave from Lahaina (and also Kihei Boat Ramp, Ma’alaea Harbor and Ka’anapali). From Lahaina, you can take a morning or afternoon dive trip of 2-4½ hours to Turtle Reef, Lana’i, Molokini and other dive sites. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/lanai.html and http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/diving_maui.html)

Mala Wharf
From Front St. turn toward the ocean on Ala Moana St. for the Mala Wharf’s parking lot. Just south of the pier, sandy Pu’unoa Beach is an easy place for snorkelers to enter, head straight out from shore and probably see turtles. Lots of surfers congregate at Pu’unoa Beach. Otherwise Mala Wharf is the departure point for dive, snorkel and other excursions on smaller boats to Lana’i and West Maui sites and destinations:

• Extended Horizons dive boat takes certified divers and snorkelers to a choice of dozens of sites for 4½ hours in the morning or 3 hours in the afternoon. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/extended_horizons.html)
• Spend a morning or afternoon snorkeling around Lana’i or a full-day circumnavigating Lana’i, exploring beaches, reefs and the coastline, Mon.-Sat., 7am-2pm, in one of Ocean Riders inflatable rafts. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/ocean_riders.html)
• Capt. Steve’s Rafting provides a full-day of exploration above and below water around Lana’i on an inflatable raft. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/captsteve_lanai.html)

Golf
While playing golf at Ka’anapali’s North Course and the less difficult South Course you’ll rarely see rain or be troubled by morning wind (however you might not be able to arrange a tee time unless you book early). As an alternative Perfect Day for golfers, combine cruising, golf and sightseeing on an excursion to Lana’i that includes 18 holes of golf in scenic, forested surroundings at the Experience at Koele or at the coastal 18-hole, all-ocean view The Challenge at Manele. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/expeditions_lanai_golf.html)

Evening Entertainment
In addition to a romantic sunset dinner cruise, Lahaina offers visitors many memorable evening entertainment experiences:

• ‘Ulalena at the Maui Myth & Magic Theatre is a spectacular 75-minute show of Hawaiian history and culture in music, dance, images, songs and acrobatics presented by 20 professional performers. Starts at 6pm except on Tuesday when there’s a second show at 8:30pm. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/maui_myth.html.
• The Old Lahaina Lu’au is the most famous (you may have seen them in the Macy’s Day Parade), most traditional (only the culture of Hawaii is represented) and most difficult lu’au in Hawaii to get tickets. It is often booked weeks in advance and should be booked before you leave the mainland for Maui or as the first event that you book upon arriving on the island. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/luau_maui.html
• Like the Old Lahaina Lu’au (owned by the same people), the Feast of Lele is presented in an outdoor setting, but the show and dinner are totally different. Seating is at tables on the sand. Everyone is seated at an individual table just for their own group or perhaps just a romantic twosome. Amidst chanting, singing, and dances, the Feast at Lele serves a five-course meal based on the cuisines of Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga and Samoa. Dinner is brought to candle-lit, white-clothed tables in a series of courses and cuisines timed to appear just as guests are watching performances of that particular culture on stage, all against the backdrop of a colorful Maui sunset. Since the Feast ofLele only takes a very small number of guests, this unique form of dinner theater should be booked before leaving the mainland or at the very beginning of your stay on Maui. Adults $95, children 2-12 $65, reservations essential. (505 Front St., 667-5353, see http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/feast_at_lele.html)
• Warren & Annabelle’s is a unique, terrific nightclub magic show that includes an appetizer platter and two drinks. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/warren_magic.html.

Lahaina’s Restaurants

Most activities in and around Lahaina – waterfront activities, watersports, golf, historic and gallery touring, shopping and even just people-watching on Front St. -- should raise a healthy appetite. No matter where your cravings for lunch or dinner take hold, several choices of superb or really good meals can’t be far away for budget-minded backpackers and splurgers, vegetarians and devout meat-eaters, desert-lovers and anyone else. The following recommended restaurants, divided by excellent lunch and dinner choices, all are reviewed in the Maui Directory of Restaurants & Eateries:

• Lunch: BJ’s Chicago Pizzeria, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Compadres Bar & Grill, Erick’s Seafood & Sushi, Hard Rock Café, Kimo’s, Lahaina Coolers, Pancho & Lefty’s, Penne Pasta and Pioneer Inn
• Dinner: Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar, Blu, Canoes, David Paul’s Lahaina Grill, Gerard’s, I’o, Kobe, Lemongrass, Longhi’s, Moose McGillycuddy’s, Pacific ‘O, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Thai Chef

Vacation Rentals – Lahaina Area

Lahaina is full of vacation rental choices -- houses, condos, cottages, rooms, and B&Bs, oceanfront, oceanview and inland, may of which are good values: Aloha Lani Inn, Bambula Inn, Blue Horizons B&B, Garden Gate B&B, Hale Ho’okipa B&B, House of Fountains, Lahaina B&B, Lahaina Shores, Makai Inn, Maui Oceanview Cottage, Penny’s Place In Paradise and some reasonably-priced condo units in Puamana.

Vacation rentals – Olowalu & Launiupoko
Just south of Lahaina, in Olowalu and Launiupoko, are some of our favorite shoreline vacation rental havens such as: the charming Olowalu Studio (for only $60/night); a marvelous estate-like retreat, Hale Ohia, with sweeping ocean views, great snorkeling, beach cove access and plantation village ambiance; and secluded Olowalu Beach Villa, on 450’ of beachfront, only 5 minutes from Lahaina but far enough away for privacy.

Some excellent vacation rental choices, some with wrap around decks for mountain and ocean views, are “hidden” in the hills above Launiupoko State Wayside Park. These cottages and houses provide seclusion and at the same time easy access to nearby Lahaina and all of the watersports between Coral Gardens, Olowalu  and Launiupoko State Wayside. Behind these cottages is the rain forest of Launiupoko Valley that walkers, hikers and joggers will love, but not many people seem to know about.

Vacation rentals – North of Lahaina

Ka’anapali, Honokowai, Mahinahina and Kahana are an easy 5-15 minute drive from Lahaina which adds hundreds of condos and other vacation rental choices (and beaches, restaurants, hiking and watersport activities) to a vacation in West Maui that mainly focuses on Lahaina for recreation, entertainment and meals.