Lahaina is located on the western side of the island and has been the center of life on Maui for centuries. Not only is it friendly and picturesque, it also offers plenty of Hawaiian history, serving as the home of Hawaii’s kings and queens, merchants and whalers whose legacies still remain. Below are just a few of Lahaina’s highlights.
The Baldwin Home is a restored residence from the 19th century that once belonged to Dr. Dwight Baldwin, a missionary and Harvard trained physician. It is the oldest building on Maui. The museum is open daily and there is a small admission charge. The Carthaginian III, berthed in Lahaina Harbor, is a replica of the 19th century ships that used to sail Hawaii's waters in search of whaling adventures. The ship contains its own museum with exhibits that include information on whaling, a film about humpback whales and an original whaleboat from Alaska. It is open daily 9am to 4:30pm. There is a small admission charge.
Lahaina Jodo Mission is a Buddhist temple located on Puunoa Point, overlooking the islands of Molokai, Lanai and Kaho`olawe. It is one of the most beautiful and serene places in Hawaii and one that shouldn’t be missed. The temple and pagoda both feature solid copper shingles on their roofs that were individually formed by hand. Inside the temple, Buddhist paintings by noted artist Hajin Iwasaki, adorn the walls and ceiling. The statue of the Amida Buddha, made of copper and bronze and standing 12 feet high, is the largest of its kind outside Japan. The grounds are open daily 8am to 8pm, and admission is free.
The Lahaina-Ka'anapali Sugar Cane Train provides transportation between the two resort/shopping areas of Lahaina and Ka'anapali — plus a scenic tour of six miles of plantation country from the deck of an 1890s-style train. From December to April, it is a common sight to spot humpback whales frolicking in the warm Pacific waters. Trains operate daily with numerous runs between the hours of 8:55 a.m. and 4:50 p.m.
The Banyan Tree, an import from India, has been a Lahaina landmark for more than 12 decades, and is the largest in the United States. The shady branches cover over half an acre, providing the coolest spot in Lahaina. It was planted in 1873 to mark the 50th anniversary of Protestant missionary work in this lovely town. It’s located directly across from the Wharf Cinema Center and right next to the Pioneer Inn, near the harbor on Front Street.
Lahaina provides plenty of shopping opportunities. 505 Front Street, at the south end of Lahaina, is an ocean front mall with four restaurants and ocean view dining. You can shop for jewelry, hand painted clothing, and unique gifts. Lahaina Center, on the north end of Front Street, provides an array of shopping and dining opportunities. The Whalers Village has five dining establishments and 60 upscale shops full of art, fashion, jewelry, and specialty gifts. The Lahaina Cannery, located between Lahaina and Kaanapali, is Maui's only fully enclosed, air-conditioned mall containing some fifty shops and restaurants and a free keiki hula show from 1-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
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Lahaina
