What to do w/a morning in Kahului

Hi, I%26#39;m actually asking this for my sister (I%26#39;m the travel forum junkie). Due to complicated flight plan from Alaska to the Big Island, they have to spend one night in Kahului close to airport. They already have a room booked at Maui Beach hotel (and yes expectations are low). They arrive late one evening so won%26#39;t be needing dinner recommendations etc. But is there anything walking distance from their hotel that might be interesting to see/do (shopping, beaches, museums, parks, anything) fora few hours the next morning before they leave to catch their 2pm flight to Kona? I think they are just using the hotel shuttle so won%26#39;t have a rental car for their one night.

They are a couple w/2 young teens who are fairly active so beach activity, hiking could also be possibilities.

thanks

What to do w/a morning in Kahului

Well. . . Kahului isn%26#39;t usually the favorite spot to spend time. But there are some options. For shopping, they can cross Kaahumanu Av from their hotel and go right to Queen Kaahumanu center, the biggest mall on the island. If they go left they can get to Maui Mall, a smaller shopping center but they have hula shows some days and tasty guri guri (local ice cream) at Tasaka%26#39;s. Plus Long%26#39;s drug, the essential all-purpose local store.

The hotel is on the harbor, and there aren%26#39;t any good beaches right there. If they want to walk a couple of miles, Kanaha beach park near the airport is nice and they could get their ';hiking'; in at the same time (although, part of it is through industrial area, not so scenic). But honestly, it%26#39;s a long walk and not one of the best beaches on the island.

I think it would be a better idea to catch a bus and go to the Kamaole beaches in Kihei. They could also ride to Maalaea, Lahaina, or Wailuku. They can catch the bus from either of those shopping centers I mentioned. Luckily their hotel is right near the ';hub'; where most of the buses go. Here is the website, you can find maps and schedules. www.mauicounty.gov/bus/busschedule81.pdf

What to do w/a morning in Kahului

You know, thinking about it some more, if the have a 2 pm flight then time is kind of tight to ride to Kihei, go to the beach and come back. Maybe instead, take the bus to Maalaea harbor center. It%26#39;s only a 20 minute ride, and they can go to the Maui Ocean Center as well as do a little shopping and get some shave ice or ice cream (can you tell, I like ice cream?). Nice ocean and mountain views from there, much prettier than Kahului. There might be some little beaches around there that they can walk to as well? Though kind of murky near the harbor.

Yep, The Queen K Mall would be a quick walk across the street and there is a go cart race track off the Sears end with a Sweets %26amp; Treats (Maui Dairy Queen) not too far away.

Hey,thanks for all the great tips. Probably my sister %26amp; her daughter will choose the shopping, and her husband /son might try the go karts you mentioned. I also read something online about a ';Paper airplane museum'; at one of the nearby malls -- sounds kind of kitschy -- anyone been there? One more question -- the day they are in Kahului is a Saturday -- isn%26#39;t there a swap meet or something somewhere in Kahului? they might like that. thanks

Oh yes, that is correct. It%26#39;s right next to the Kahului Post Office on Puunene avenue. The intersection of Kaahumanu (the street w/ your motel) and Puunene is on the far side of the Kahului Mall (Burger King).

Incidentally, there are actually three malls along Kaahumanu Avenue, each with a different vintage. The newest and most modern is the Queen (K)aahumanu with the big sail-like tent roof. The center one, Kahului Mall is the oldest, circa 1950, and was built along with ';Dream City'; back when Alexander %26amp; Baldwin was heavy in the business of housing plantation employess during the Sugar Cane hey days. The third and farthest back toward the airport is the Maui Mall, built in the go-go 80%26#39;s. So you%26#39;ve got some choices :)

Yes, they can walk to the swap meet on Sat morning. It%26#39;s next to the post office on puunene.

Another option would be to take the bus (sorry, don%26#39;t know the routes or schedules off-hand) to Wailuku town. You guys can check out the different shops on Market Street and Main Street. Also right up Main Street is Bailey House Museum, you can call them to check their hours. Queen Kaahumanu Center will offer you the same stores you find in the mainland (Sears, Hot Topic, Champs, etc.) so just thought that the shops on Market would offer somthing different. Also there is a food court on Main Street with a couple different options for eating.

We stayed at the Maui Beach hotel as we arrived late and did not want to drive. it is quite basic but it is clean and serves the purpose of a one night stay. There is a garage across from the hotel if you need to get drinks etc. The shopping mall is across the road and you can walk to it.

If you had time , the Maui Ocean Centre is worth a visit but it would depend on the times of the buses. There is a swap meet on a Saturday in kahului which you can walk to from the Maui beach hotel

so that would pas some of the time. The hotel is only about 5-10 mins from the airport by cab

Locals, could they take a cab to the Iao Needle? Too expensive? Kinda sad to spend one%26#39;s only time on Maui at a shopping center or swap meet.

Taking a cab to Iao Needle would certainly be an option. I%26#39;m guessing it would be about $20 each way. I%26#39;d call in advance for the cab there and also the return cab, say 2 hours later to allow time for a little hiking and exploring. I still recommend the bus to Ma`alaea Harbor though. Fast, easy, and you have shopping, dining, scenic views, and the Maui Ocean Center aquarium right there in one location. Also right there is Maui Family Fun center -- they have mini golf, bumper boats, trampoline and climbing wall.