This item originally appeared at aarp.org/travel, where I’ve been publishing a variety of stories.
Maui is a magnificent part of the Hawaiian Islands, with wondrous beaches, posh resorts, sensual hula shows and Instagram-worthy coastlines. Those memories can be expensive if you’re not careful. Luckily, however, there are lots of great free and extremely affordable ways to enjoy the island. Here are some tips from a 20-time-plus visitor.
GO IN THE SHOULDER SEASON
Summer is pricey as kids are out of school and many families want a beach holiday. Winter is expensive as snowbirds are anxious to flee the cold. I find it’s best to go in April/May or September/October. You’ll probably pay less for your accommodations, and you’ll almost certainly pay less for your flights and your rental car.
SHOP LIKE THE LOCALS
Wise visitors to Maui make their first stop the giant Costco that’s just a mile or so from the airport. It’s a great place to stock up on fresh produce and meats (you’ll pay a fortune at small specialty shops in the tourist zones, so it’s well worth it). It’s also a money-saving spot for wine, liquor, snorkel gear and Hawaiian shirts or flip-flops. If you’re back over near the airport on a driving excursion, and you probably will be, stop here for gas; they often have the best price on the island.
There are tons of places on Maui where you can enjoy inexpensive or free entertainment. JIM BYERS PHOTO
FREE and CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT
The splashy hotel luaus are very good, and they usually include good food and lovely performances by both men and women dancers, as well as fire juggling or other acts. But they can be expensive; $125 for an adult for the Old Lahaina Luau, often voted best on the island. Save a bundle by taking advantage of the free shows at major resorts and at one of the island’s small shopping centers The Sheraton Ka’anapali Hotel has a nightly torch lighting ceremony at sunset, where a young man in a loin-cloth dashes about lighting the tiki torches, then proceeds out to a high point of lava rock that arches out into the water and dives headfirst into the ocean. Touristy, sure, but lots of fun. And free to watch. The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, which rightfully bills itself as the “most Hawaiian” hotel on the island, has free nightly singing and dancing performances at a small outdoor stage. It’s especially fun when the little kids (“keiki” in the Hawaiian language) perform, and anyone can go, even non-guests. The Lahaina Cannery Mall also has regular, free shows. Up at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on beautiful Napili Beach, multiple Grammy award-winning “slack key” guitar player George Kahumoku Jr. regales audiences with wild stories and virtuoso guitar performances, as well as hula performances. The shows run every Wednesday night, and admission is $37.99.
The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel has been called the most Hawai’ian hotel in the state. KBH PHOTO
WHERE TO STAY
The aforementioned Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is one of the less expensive options on a ridiculously long beach that offers stunning sunsets and tons of water sports. They have free ukelele and lei-making lessons, as well as other cultural programs. The owners also run The Plantation Inn in the fun and funky town of Lahaina. The Plantation Inn has simple but nice rooms and a small pool, and it’s a two-minute walk from great shopping and restaurants. Guests at the Plantation Inn can use the facilities at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel for free. A little further north at crescent-shaped Napili Bay, the Hale Napili has reasonable oceanfront condos. Usually a little cheaper, but not right on the beach, is the Napili Village complex. In the Maui capital of Wailuku, the Wailuku Inn is a fine B&B that’s known for tidy rooms and a wonderful Hawaiian-style breakfast. Down in Hana, the Hana Kai has nice, condo-style units for reasonable prices; some of them with nice ocean views. Wailea hotels tend to be quite expensive but the Kihei area next-door is much more affordable, albeit sometimes windy. If you insist on Wailea, the Fairmont Kea Lani has large suites that are great for families. An Air BnB is always a nice option, as are condos or condo-style units where you can make your own breakfast, lunch or dinner. Be sure to look for a place with barbeques, as there are few things better in the world than grilling your dinner over an open flame with an adult beverage in your hand and the sun going down over the ocean.
Roadside stands and food trucks are a great way to save money on Maui. JIM BYERS PHOTO
WHERE TO EAT
Avoid the resorts or the splashy waterfront places with valet parking if you want to save money. In the Wailea area, try Maui Tacos at the Kamaole Beach Center shopping area. Also on the Wailea side, 808 Deli features what some call the best sandwiches on the island (try the turkey, or perhaps a chop salad). You’ll often find food trucks down the road at beautiful Makena Beach, just south of Wailea. Sam Sato’s is a legendary spot for good, filling, simple meals in an industrial area of Wailuku. No awards for décor, but great value for folks on a budget. Just south of Lahaina, stop at Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop for tasty meat pies and other treats. In Kaanapali, CJ’s has breakfast servings big enough for an NFL offensive lineman and a huge variety of dishes on the menu. Almost any town or village in Hawaii will have a place or two offering what’s called a mixed plate; usually beef or chicken with rice (sometimes two scoops), macaroni salad or potato salad, and poi. The carb load is outrageous, but they’re usually not expensive (they’re $12 to $18 at Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina) and always extremely filling. Just north of Hana, the Nahiku Marketplace (a collection of super-casual shops in a jungle setting at the side of the road) has good Thai food. In general, avoid the beach areas and resorts and stick to the small shopping plazas in Kahana or Kihei where the locals go, or try places away from the beach, such as Haiku, Wailuku or the cowboy-town of Makawao.
The Maui municipal golf course at Waiehu, just north of Wailuku. JIM BYERS PHOTO
WHERE TO GOLF
The big boys like Wailea or Kapalua can cost $150 or even $225. But there are several nice, inexpensive golf courses on Maui, including Pukalani in upcountry Maui and the Waiehu Municipal Course, which is said to have more holes along the ocean than any course on the island. Greens fees at Waiehu, which is run by Maui County, are just $63 for non-residents on weekends and $58 for non-residents on weekdays. Look for twilight rates, too. If you need to play one of the better-known courses, look for a multi-day pass as a way to save.
