ACCOMMODATIONS | DINING & ATTRACTIONS BY REGION | ISLAND ACTIVITIES | MAP VIEW

Getting to Maui

The main airport on the island of Maui is Kahului Airport (OGG). You can fly direct from many cities including SFO, LAX, YVR, EWR, ATL and more. You may also fly to Honolulu Airport (HNL) on the island of Oahu, and take an island hopper to Maui — Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines offer cheap connections. OGG is about 30 minutes from Wailea.

From the airport, you can either rent a car, take a taxi, or use a ride-share service to get to your destination. Uber and Lyft are options on the island, but the availability of drivers varies widely, with early and late hours having few options.

Renting a car is your best bet. Depending on where you are traveling or exploring, having a rental car is the best option for getting around the island. A four-day rental is nearly the same price as a round-trip shuttle to/from the airport.

Travel reminders:

The island has limited bank options (American Savings, First Hawaiian, Bank of Hawaii). There are no Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, etc. bank branches.
Maui has a strict rule on sunscreen: Mineral only.
Stay up-to-date with Hawaii’s Travel Requirements
Book accommodations ASAP
Book flights ASAP
Check back with your airline for a drop in fare (in case you can get a price adjustment)

Packing list:

Mineral sunscreen (view guidelines)
Maui Revealed (our favorite guidebook)
Rain jacket (in case of unexpected weather)
Warm clothing (in case you visit Haleakala)
Reusable water bottle
Flip-flops
Bathing suit
Hat & sunglasses
Pen in carry-on for in-flight declaration form

Accommodations

We suggest staying in the Kihei/Wailea area. Please plan a 45+ minute drive to the venue (if there is an accident on the road, there is no detour and you could be delayed a long while).

Depending upon the type of trip you’d like to take, we’ve found that staying at Airbnbs and Vrbos tends to be cheaper. That said, some of the nicest resorts in the world can be found on Maui.

Wailea Beach Resort — contact us for info on joining our room block at a discounted rate

Booking Sites:

Dining & Attractions by Region

Kīhei & Wailea

South — The beachy southwest shore is the sunniest, driest end of the island. Kihei is more chill and easygoing, while Wailea is where the majority of the resorts are located — a beautiful walk along the coastal path during sunset is worth your while, especially if you’re in the area visiting Makena Beach State Park.

Coconut’s Fish Cafe — a cheap eats walk-in, great tacos and the best coconut shrimp!
Kihei Caffe — breakfast eats
Monkeypod Kitchen — one of our faves (reservation recommended 6 weeks before)
Morimoto — at the Andaz, great for a grand night out! (reserve early)
South Shore Tiki Lounge — great late-night spot
Da Kitchen
Nalu’s South Shore Grill
Sansei Sushi Bar
Paia Fish Market South Side
Maui Brewing Co.

Pāʻia

North — A town of colorful and rustic storefronts filled with local art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and restaurants. Drive over to Ho’okipa Beach nearby to see some of the world’s largest wave breaks and incredible surfing.

Mama’s Fish House — the ultimate Hawaiian experience, book a reservation ASAP
Waikomo Shave Ice — our friend Thomas’ shave ice is the best we’ve ever tasted — all-natural flavors, ice cream, açaí bowls… a must try!
Lima Cocina + Cantina — Peruvian
Vana Paia — Japanese
Choice Health Bar Paia — awesome smoothies
Paia Fish Market

Kula, Haiku & Makawao

Upcountry — Golden beaches give way to rolling hills and misty mountains as you ascend these higher elevations surrounding Maui’s highest peak, Haleakalā. Try goat yoga, walk through a lavender farm, and visit the Haleakalā National Park*. Makawao has a lovely shopping street with local vendors.

Kula Country Farms — local produce, strawberry lemonade is a must!
MauiWine — try the pineapple wine
Grandma’s Coffee House
Kula Bistro — generous portions
Marlow — pizza
Nuka
Designing Wahine — a well-curated shop with unique souvenirs
VIDA by Sip Me Maui — coffee shop with a lovely courtyard

* Advance reservations are required for sunrise

Hāna

East — Hāna is the most isolated of all towns in the Hawaiian Islands. If you’re here, you’ve driven the road to Hana (good for you!), a full-day trip mentioned above. There is limited cell service in certain areas, so we suggest you bookmark these points on your map prior to the drive.

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread — on the way to Hana after mile marker 16
Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill — incredible Hawaiian flavors, not to be missed!
Hāna Farms Roadside Stand — pizza oven and bakery
Coconut Glen’s — delicious vegan ice cream

Lāhainā

West — This is the region where our wedding venue is located, named after the historic town of Lāhainā*. All these shops are located just across the street from our venue, The Olowalu Plantation House:

Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop
Olowalu Farmer’s Market & Juice Stand
Kamala’s Kitchen — pizza shop
The Maui Butterfly Farm — great for kiddos

*Lāhainā town, about 10 minutes north of our venue, is sadly no longer standing due to the wildfires this August. In the 19th century, Lāhāina was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. As a whaling village during the mid-1800s, over 1,500 sailors took leave, including Herman Melville, who immortalized the era in his classic novel Moby Dick. When you pass by the town during your travels, please do so in love and respect for this incredible place. While the community continues to heal, the island welcomes tourists to support its economy and people.

Kāʻanapali, Kapalua & Napili

West — The closest resort area to stay in – Kāʻanapali is 20 min and Kapalua is 30 min from our venue. With three miles of white sand and crystal clear water, it’s no wonder why Kāʻanapali Beach was once named America’s Best Beach. There are many hotel options, most with excellent pools if that floats your boat. Head up a bit further north to check out the Nakalele Blowhole.

Island Activities

Activities

Sunrise & Sunset

Chasing the sun is one of our favorite activities. Papawai Scenic Lookout is a wonderful place to watch the whales as the sun dips below the horizon. We also love walking the Wailea Beach Path — pro tip: the hotels have free valet if you get the ticket validated at a bar/restaurant. Secret Cove Beach is a secluded and truly beautiful spot. For an epic experience, Haleakalā Volcano Summit* is worth the drive for a breathtaking high-up view.

*reservations required for sunrise

Whale Watching

During January through April each year, the warm waters attract over 12,000 humpback whales (or koholā) to nurse their young — keep your eyes on the horizon for some incredible sights! Though you’ll be able to see whales wherever there’s an ocean view, we recommend Papawai Scenic Lookout (especially at sunset), Wailea Beach Path, McGregor Point Lookout, Olowalu (yay, our venue!), and Kā’anapali Beach Walking Path. To get up close and learn about these amazing creatures, take a boat tour with Pacific Whale Foundation.

Sea Turtles

The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (or honu) can be spotted year round swimming just offshore or sunning themselves on the beach. If you see them, make sure to leave them be. Some of the best spots to find them are Ho’okipa Beach (a.k.a. Turtle Beach), Kū’au Beach Park, Black Rock Beach, Slaughterhouse Beach, Five Graves Path, Maluaka Beach, Makena Landing Park, and if all else fails, visit the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium to see turtles and other sea creatures.

Road to Hana

This 64.4-mile-long drive* is well worth it! The lush, winding road passes by waterfalls, stunning views, and unique adventures. Maui Revealed has a helpful section with mile markers for stops along the way. Make sure to save time for Waimoku Falls — the Pīpīwai trail leads you past a banyan tree through a stunning bamboo forest to a huge waterfall! Check out our dining section below for food options.

*requires a full day to drive there and back, so leave early in the morning to avoid a pitch black return

Hiking

Hiking is one of the best ways to explore Maui. Nakalele Blowhole (1 mi), Magical Enchanted Forest (.6 mi), ‘Iao Valley State Monument* (1.5-1.8 mi), Twin Falls (1.5-2 mi), Waihou Spring Trail (1-2.4 mi), Hosmer Grove Trail (2-6 mi), Pipiwai Trail-Ohea Gulch (4 mi), Waihee Ridge Trail (5 mi), La Perouse Hoapili Trail (5.5 mi), Haleakalā Sliding Sands Trail (10 mi), Halemauu Trail (10 mi) and bonus: Kings Gardens Maui* (includes chocolate making).

*must be booked in advance

Pineapples

Pineapple fan? You’ve come to the right place… Discover how they’re harvested on a Maui Pineapple Farm Tour. Savor our friend Thomas’ shave ice (truly incredible natural flavors) at his shop Waikomo in Paia. Try a Piña Colada or Lava Flow at South Shore Tiki Lounge in Kihei. Sip a Mai Tai at Monkeypod Kitchen in Ka’anapali or Wailea. Taste the pineapple wines at MauiWine in Kula.