Hawaii the spirit of Aloha

West Maui is dominated by the historic town of Lahaina, once the scene of debauchery among whalers and willing young Hawaiian women, now less licentious but still a great party town. The old buildings along its famed Front Street now house a range of good restaurants and bars and stores of all kinds, from the ubiquitous T-shirt shops to boutiques and galleries offering the finest in jewelry, arts, and crafts.

Ka'anapali Beach is the center of action with sunbathers, windsurfers, boaters, parasailers all enjoying the water and eyeing each other.Past Kapalua are some of Maui's best beaches, great for swimming, snorkeling, bodysurfing, and surfing when the conditions are right. Check out lovely Napili Bay -- great for kids, Kapalua Beach with excellent snorkeling, D. T. Fleming Beach Park, and Honolua Bay.

The Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree: This huge tree, the largest in the state, came from India in 1873 and has been a Lahaina landmark for more than a century. It's a great place to escape the mid-day heat, (the word lahaina means merciless sun) or to come at dusk for a screechy serenade by mynah birds who crowd into its branches. It's next to the Pioneer Inn, a historic hotel that still offers rooms and a happening bar.
The Courthouse: Located next to the banyan tree, what was once a courthouse and prison now houses two art galleries. The small boat harbor is a fun place to walk around and is the launching spot for any number of ocean adventures.
The Brig Carthaginian II: This square-rigger is an authentic replica of an 18th century vessel and serves as a museum of whaling. Exhibits, videos, and artifacts tell the story of the whaling life.

South side of Maui

The south side has three distinct areas, Kihei, Wailea, and Makena. Kihei is highly developed with high-rise hotels and condos offering a variety of accommodations near the beach. It's also a real bustling community, with housing developments, shopping centers, restaurants, and parks. Along the six-mile stretch of beach that fronts Kihei Road there are a number of attractive spots for swimming, picnicking, and windsurfing.

Wailea is another world, an upscale resort community that encompasses expensive homes, world-class golf courses, five-star hotels, and some of the best beaches on the island. If you're so inclined, take a tour of some of the hotels themselves for their stunning architecture and elaborately landscaped grounds. The resorts have made the beaches they front fairly accessible to the public, with parking areas, showers, and picnic tables, and since few hotel guests venture beyond their swimming pools, they are relatively uncrowded.