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Naturally Beautiful Lahaina, Hawaii
On the tropical west shore of the island of Maui, Lahaina offers lush green valleys and beautiful beaches that beckon more than 2 million visitors every year!
The town was once known as the royal capital of the Hawaiian kingdom and was well known in its earliest days as the center of the whaling industry. Today, many visit the town for its quaint shops, natural beauty and glowing sun.
Although a small town of 9118 people, the area is not short of resort hotels and B&Bs. During the high travel season, the population can swell to 40,000 people…clearly this town has got something special to have that kind of draw!
One of the neatest attractions to see is the Banyan tree planted at the Courthouse Square. You may be thinking what’s so special about a tree? Well, I’ll tell you what…The massive tree measures just about a half kilometre in circumference…that’s pretty much a football field! The tree was planted back in 1873 to mark the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in the town. The tree was imported from India and was only 8 feet tall when planted. Since it’s planting almost 130 years ago, the tree has sprouted 12 trunks and grown 60 feet tall.
So why talk about the tree so much? The tree is a great gathering place where you will often find meetings happening, craft shows and some street entertainment. It is easy to find Courthouse Square because like most things, it’s located just off of Front Street.
Front Street is a great place to find a most of restaurants in town. Not sure what you want for dinner that night? Take a stroll through the area and check things out, everything is pretty well walking distance. A few of my favorites are Mala, located at the far north end of Front Street behind Lahaina Cannery Mall, and David Paul’s….You can find All kinds of dining here, from simple and fresh, to fast food, and fine dining. Enjoy!
A short drive up Highway 30 will take you Ka’anapali beach and the Whaler’s Village area. The beach is one of the most popular in the area and Whaler’s Village offers lots of shopping and restaurants to check out. You’ll also find a great museum offers a historical look at Lahaina’s whaling history, and a display of a whale skeleton.
While in Hawaii, we’d encourage you to take in a hula show. There are many options, but here are just a few. If you are mostly looking for a small, adult setting with premium service, you may enjoy the Feast at Lele. , or head further north and see the charming show done by the Keiki of the Napili Kai Foundation at Napili Kai Beach Resort. Another great place us the Old Lahaina Luau which is great for anyone into history and Hawaiian culture.
On your next trip to Maui, make sure to spend some time in this charming little city. It’s the perfect place to slow down and take in the beautiful Hawaiian sunsets.
CruisePlus Note: If you want a break from the beach, take a day trip up Mt. Haleakala. This is about the journey, not just the summit….the change in topography and climate on the way up will surprise you, as well as the different kind of natural beauty. You will see farms, may choose to go horseback riding, or do the bike ride down the volcano, but we’d also highly recommend that you take a moment to visit Makawao. Makawao is a charming village with beautiful galleries and a great opportunity to see the work of local artisans. PS – take a warm jacket!
Fri March 11, 2011