SOUTH MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 342

Getting There and Around
South Maui is easily navigable by car, although there are a number of parking challenges.
First, anyone staying at a Wailea resort is likely to incur a daily parking fee, some of which
can be upward of $20/day. Inquire if your resort has a parking fee and factor this into
the cost of the rental. One perk of the Makena Beach and Golf Resort is that there isn't
any parking fee. Second, when it comes to parking in Kihei, spots along the street in the
Kamaole II area can be tough to come by during the middle of the day, so either arrive
at the beach early or be prepared to do a little walking. Third, the only public parking lot
where you will encounter a fee in South Maui is in Ma'alaea, where spaces are charged at
a rate of $5 for the day. While having a car is a necessity for anyone wanting to do a lot
of exploring, those who just want to relax on the beach and make sporadic ventures else-
where can get by with a combination of walking, shuttles, public buses, and taxis.
CAR
Car Rentals
If you've already made your way to Kihei and decide you need a rental car, you don't need
to go all the way back to Kahului. There are a number of local options to get you out on
the road. One of the most popular services is family-owned Kihei Rent a Car (96 Kio
Loop, 808/879-7257 or 800/251-5288, www.kiheirentacar.com ) . They will even arrange a
free pickup or drop-off at the Kahului Airport for rentals longer than five days. The cars
are used, but that means you don't need to worry about looking like a tourist—there's less
chance thieves will break into your car. Since these cars already have a few dings, you
don't have to worry about scratching a shiny new Mustang. Rates are competitive and of-
ten beat out the major corporate competitors.
If you would rather get those corporate rewards point, Avis (1455 S. Kihei Rd., 808/
874-4077, 8am-5pm Mon.-Fri., 8am-4pm weekends) has an outlet in central Kihei right
next to Maui Dive Shop and Pizza Madness.
Taxi
To have someone do the driving for you and not worry about pesky details such as parking,
directions, or being sober, the best taxi service in Kihei is MJ Taxi (808/280-9309,
[e-mail] ).