The Hawaiian island of Maui is as North American as any US mainland destination and yet it maintains a unique character of its own and a considerably more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere than other US cities. For tourists, this is essentially the appeal of this and other islands in the state, along with tropical weather and beautiful golden sandy beaches.

Lazing around on the soft sands, submerging yourself deep below the crystal clear ocean waters or trekking across the lush, unspoilt inland wildernesses are just a few of the possibilities for outdoor activities on the popular holiday island of Maui. Families with young children will love the Maui Ocean Center and most everyone will appreciate the delights of the island’s pretty parks and gardens.

The main tourist centres of west Maui such as Kaanapali, Kapalua, Lahaina, Honokowai, Kahana and Napili are all worth seeing, each offering its own unique selection of interesting sights. The Iao Valley State Park with its famous landmark known as the Iao Needle is not to be missed, while the Ka'eleku Caverns in Hana are also considered exceptional by most visitors’ standards.

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.

Banks: 08:00 to 15:00, Monday to Thursday; 08:00 to 18:00, Fridays; some open Saturday mornings
Post Offices: 08:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, daily; some larger stores stay open until 21:00 or 22:00