Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In order to cash in on the advertised rates, you are essentially signing yourself up
to endure a timeshare presentation separate from the activity that lasts a couple of
hours. While no one plans on going to a meeting while on vacation, it could end up
saving you a bundle on many of your island activities in the long run.
A word of caution, however, before you start committing to everything on the
whiteboard. Often the activity providers (particularly the Molokini snorkeling tours)
are with companies that aren't in the upper echelon of their genre, so comb over
the particulars of the agreement (90 percent of afternoon Molokini snorkeling tours
don't end up going to Molokini). Before committing to a discounted lu'au, find out
which lu'au it is to see if it's one you want to attend.
Even though you might not plan on buying a timeshare, many of these closers
could sell ice to an eskimo. You could end up walking out with the most expensive
luau you'll ever attend (but you now “own a piece of Maui”).
A notable stop that has nothing to do with clothing, jewelry, photos, or paintings, is
Lahaina Scrimshaw
(845 Front St., 808/667-9232,
www.lahainascrimshawmaui.com
)
, a
classic retail outpost featuring the historic seafarers' craft of carving scenes on ivory. Or,
just in front of Pioneer Inn, you could always just throw shopping to the wind and get your
photo taken with a parrot on your head (Wed.-Sun. evenings).
505 Front Street
Down at the southern end of Front Street, most shops are open 9am-9pm, including several
art shops, clothing shops, and a
Whalers General Store
for sundries.
Wharf Cinema Center
Right across from the banyan tree, the
Wharf Cinema Center
(
www.thewharfcinemacenter.com
)
is a three-story beehive of merchandise that constantly
buzzes with shoppers. For art, check out the
Simon-Jon Gallery
(808/667-4088), and for
jewelry, the
Jade Tiki
(808/661-2008,
www.mauitikigoddess.com
)
offers Burmese jade in
a nice deviation from the ubiquitous black pearl markets. There's also a bookstore on the
third story. The most popular souvenirs are from the wooden tiki carvers who sit out on the
sidewalk and expertly chisel crafts to the glee of onlookers.
