Maui Kahului Airport is chief gateway to the island; however, the flight connections it maintains are largely domestic so many visitors are obliged to fly to Honolulu Airport (Hawaii’s primary gateway) first and then take a domestic transfer from there to Maui. The state’s official carrier, Hawaii Airlines, is one of the most significant providers of flights between the two airports.

Kahului Airport is small and hence offers a limited selection of passenger facilities. Essentials such as toilets, seating areas, ATMs and outlets for dining and refreshments are provided, but there is little available beyond this.

The SpeediShuttle is the only form of public transportation available from the terminal. The service connects with most major resorts on the island. The alternative is for visitors to hire a car from the airport and make their own way to their accommodation. Since the airport is located centrally on the island and most popular resorts are situated around the coast, the drive from the airport to favourite holiday spots can take an hour or more.

A bus service with limited coverage constitutes the only form of public transport on the island. The service is operated by the private company Roberts Hawaii and provides a total of 11 routes, which between them connect all of the most popular resorts and attractions. The buses operate seven days a week, including on public holidays. Taxis are also available and easy to find; although more convenient than buses, they are considerably more expensive.

By far the best way to get around Maui is to hire a car. To assist visitors with this, there are rental agencies located at the airport and in the major resorts. Drivers must be at least 25 years old and be in possession of a credit card and a valid driving licence.

The popular alternative to a car is to rent a motorcycle, but you should be sure that your holiday insurance covers you for motorbike accidents before you consider this. The roads on Maui are well maintained but many feature sharp bends and steep slopes so drivers need to take extra care.