Whether you're island hopping or taking the time to explore the island of Maui properly, Kahului is a must-see spot. If you're on your way to Wailuku or the West Maui Forest Reserve, Kahului is a great place to stock up and gear up before your nature adventure! It has a youthful vibe, thanks to the student population of University of Hawaii Maui College and many long-term visitors, who make the town a home base for further travels.
It wouldn't be a Hawaiian vacation without some place to set up surf. Kanaha Beach Park is not just a popular place to take a dip or relax in the sun; you'll find plenty of surf enthusiasts hitting up the waves, paragliding, and kitesurfing.
Eat your way through Kahului's favorites, which include sweet Lima Manju, Dry Mein, Saimin, among others.
The Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect spot for bird enthusiasts. Besides the plethora of wildlife this 143-acre wetlands supports, it's home to Hawaii's native birds such as the Hawaiian duck, coot, and stilt.
Head to Kanaha Beach Park and work up a tan, take in the sun and sand, and generally relax. Bring a good book for the day!
For golf enthusiasts who want to be challenged, check out the dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course!
If you want to try something hearty and Hawaiian, check out the low-key atmosphere and tasty food at Da Kitchen. Two can dine here for $23 over one dish because of generous portion sizes.
Vacationers love to visit in the winter, from November to March, as the temperatures range from 81 - 84, though this season sees the most rain. Summer is relatively pleasant with little rainfall, though temperatures rise to 89.
Travelers will land at the local Kahului Airport at Keolani Place. The distance to the city center is 2.7 miles, which takes eight minutes. Take a taxi or grab an Uber because local buses do not allow passengers with large suitcases to board.
It's easy to get around Maui by car. Getting from Wailuku to Kahului is a 7 to 10 minute journey, using Lower Main Street and Kahului Beach Road.
Since Kahului is just one district on the island of Maui, travelers come from neighboring towns like Wailuku and Kaanapali and Haiku. Buses are shuttles that have a general boarding fare of $2. Routes come with a warning: you cannot carry a large suitcase or a surfboard on board.
For a comfortable stay in luxury surroundings, don't miss the Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport. You can also check into the Maui Seaside Hotel. Backpackers will love the Banana Bungalow Maui.
Kahului City Center - the main core of Kahului, this area has tons of amenities, homes, is close to the Kahului Harbor, and houses the University of Hawaii Maui College.
Ah Fong Village - Ah Fong Village is a quiet district, away from the center, where many long-term vacationers stay.
Kanaha - this district is home to the beautiful and serene Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary.
Public transportation around Kahului consists of buses. The island is well connected but service is infrequent, especially on the weekends. A monthly pass costs $42.50 and a single fare, one way, for an adult is $2.
Hail any of the local taxis that charge by the meter. It's a flat rate of $5.25 to start and it's $2.50 per mile thereafter.
You can rent cars to check out the rest of Kahului and Maui from companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Alamo starting from $20 a day.
If you're in the mood for the hustle and bustle of shopping centers, check out the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center or the Maui Marketplace.
A gallon of milk is $1.52 and a dozen eggs will run you approximately $5.