Maui region
Central Maui (Kahului, Wailuku & ʻĪao Valley)
The airport, the county seat and the gateway to ʻĪao
The isthmus between Maui’s two volcanoes: Kahului, with the main airport, harbor and big-box shopping; older Wailuku, the county seat, with local restaurants and the road up to ʻĪao Valley State Monument; and Māʻalaea harbor on the south side, where many Molokini boats depart.
Stay here if…
You’re on a budget, arriving late or leaving early, or want a central base for Haleakalā sunrise, ʻĪao Valley and an early start on the Road to Hāna.
The trade-off
Lodging is limited to a few hotels, mostly near Kahului Harbor, and this is a working town, not a beach destination: there are no resort beaches to walk to, and the wind blows hard most afternoons. ʻĪao Valley needs an advance reservation for non-residents.
Hotels in Central Maui
The airport, the county seat and the gateway to ʻĪao
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Tours leaving from Central Maui
Things to do
Our picks in Central Maui
Central Maui
ʻĪao Valley State Monument
It’s a big, misty mountain view only ten minutes from Wailuku town, with real history in every ridge.
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Maui Ocean Center
It’s the best way to learn what lives on Maui’s reefs before you snorkel, and a solid plan for a rainy or windy day.
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Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House
It gives the ʻĪao Valley drive real context: Hawaiian tools, kapa and featherwork, and paintings of Maui as it looked in the 1800s.
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Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (Kahului)
The ice is fine and fluffy, the flavors taste like real fruit, and the Dairy Road shop is minutes from the airport.
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Sam Sato’s
Dry mein is a dish you can’t really get anywhere but Maui, and this is where it lives.
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Tin Roof
It’s local comfort food made by a chef at the top of his game, served in a paper box at local prices.
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Maui Swap Meet
It’s a cheap, cheerful look at Maui life on a Saturday, with fruit and snacks you won’t find in a supermarket.
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