Kahului is located on the north side of Maui and home to beautiful beaches as well as great restaurants. As the island's main shopping district, Kahului has many commercial shopping centers and also big box stores. It is also the site of a deep-draft harbor as well as Kahului Airport which is the island's main airport.

Things To Do

Many activities are available in Kahului from water sports to land tours and visits to historical attractions. Visit the beach for a day of fun relaxing or trying kayaking, surfing or stand up paddleboarding. Nearby Iao Valley State Park is fun for the whole family with hiking in the lush valley, great views of the 1,200-foot tall Iao Needle, and interactive exhibits at the park's Hawaii Nature Center. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center is a community gathering place on the Wailuku side of Kahului hosting major theater and music events including everything from ballet to hula dancing performances. You choices for activities in Kahului are many and varied, with close access to everything from snorkeling excursions to helicopter tours. Favorite day trips include a visit to the summit of Haleakala Volcano and the scenic drive to Hana town.

Nearby Beaches

Kanaha Beach Park is located behind the Kahului Airport and is a popular beach for windsurfing and kiteboarding due to the frequent and favorable offshore breezes. Barbecues, showers, bathrooms and trees provide shade and make it a nice place for a picnic. Located between Spreckelsville Beach and Kahului Bay, Kanaha Beach takes in nice views of Iao Valley and the West Maui Mountains. More great beaches can be found to the east including Hookipa Beach renown as one of the world's best windsurfing and kitesurfing beaches, and also the picturesque Baldwin Beach which is nice for swimming including a lagoon area great for small children.

Restaurants

Kahului offers a multitude of dining choices from casual fare to fine dining. The Kahului Ale House is a family-friendly restaurant that serves up great pizza and salads as well as island-style dishes like Ale-battered Mahi Mahi Fish 'n Chips. They also take pride in showing every major sporting event on their many large TVs. For fresh fruits and vegetables check out the Aloha Friday Farmers Market at Maui Community College every Friday afternoon. The College is also the site of the Maui Swap Meet on Saturday mornings which is a great place for good deals on handmade crafts, flowers and even baked goods.

Shopping

As the retail center of the island, Kahului is home to several malls and department stores as well as big box stores including Home Depot, WalMart, Kmart and Costco. The largest mall is the Queen Kaahumanu Center with more than 100 shops and restaurants. Maui Mall is home to a diversity of stores including a Whole Foods Market and outlet stores. For more interesting shopping head east to Paia town as well as nearby Makawao and the town's of Maui's scenic Upcountry region.

Getting Around

A rental car is recommended when staying in Kahului so you can enjoy the area's great beaches and interesting sights and attractions from the volcano summit at Haleakala National Park to the waterfalls of Hana town. Maui's public bus system operates 7 days a week and provides service between most major communities including West, South and Central Maui including Kahului as well as Haiku, Kula and the Maui Upcountry.

Weather and Ocean Conditions

Temperatures in Kahului are mild all year around with summer temperatures averaging around 80 F and sometimes rising into the low 90s with tropical trade winds providing a comfortable, cooling effect. Winter temperatures average in the 70s. Casual and beach attire is appropriate for most activities though if you are visiting higher elevation areas bring something warmer as the temperatures may be significantly cooler. The winter months typically bring more rain on the north and east shores than on the west and south shores, which keeps everything lush and green. It's often best to enjoy beaches during the morning hours as the trade winds may blow a bit stronger in the afternoon. However most afternoons are nice as well for water as well as land activities. Inexperienced swimmers are advised to always swim and enjoy ocean activities at lifeguarded beaches. Winter months can bring big surf on exposed northern shorelines while summer conditions are often very calm. Like all Hawaii beaches, conditions can change at any time of year and you should always use caution before entering the ocean. Check with lifeguards before going in the water to learn about the safest areas to swim and enjoy the water activities you choose.

Vacation Info

From beachfront homes to condos in premier resort locations, we have Kahului area accommodations to suit your needs. Kahului vacation homes provide the optimal way to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with all the luxuries of resort living and all the comforts of home. Browse through our Kahului vacation rental listings to get an understanding of the different amenities and property features we offer. Our goal is to provide you with a with an unforgettable Kahului accommodation for your dream Hawaii vacation. We take pride not just in having the largest selection of high-quality vacation rentals in Kahului, but also in the fact that we stand behind our product and make sure only the best of the best Kahului properties are listed on our site. If you have questions about our Kahului rentals or which destination is best for your vacation needs, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

History

In the 1880s, Maui's first railroad was headquartered in Kahului and carried sugarcane from the plantations to the refineries and the harbor. The plantations were owned by the Alexander and Baldwin company which began to develop Kahului as a planned community in 1948 to provide workers with better living conditions than the plantation camps. Learn more about this area's past at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum in Kahului. On display in the historic 1902 building is plantation equipment along with various artifacts, photographs, authentic scale models and informational exhibits about sugarcane farming and milling.