Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 236

the southern end of west Maui and
moving northward, the coastal
communities look like this:
LAHAINA This old seaport is a
tame version of its former self,
when whalers swaggered ashore in
search of women and grog. Today,
the village teems with restaurants,
T-shirt shops, and galleries, and
parts of it are downright tacky, but
there's still lots of real history to be
found amid the gimcracks. Lahaina
is a great place to stay; accommoda-
tion choices include a few hotels,
quaint bed-and-breakfasts, and a
handful of oceanfront condos.
KAANAPALI Farther north
along the west Maui coast is
Hawaii's first master-planned fam-
ily resort. Kids will love the nearly 3
miles of gold-sand beach here, but
the hotels can be pricey (although
the amenities may be worth it).
HONOKOWAI, KAHANA &
NAPILI If a condominium unit is
really what your family will be com-
fortable in, this is the place for you.
In the building binge of the 1970s,
condominiums sprouted along this
gorgeous coastline like mushrooms
after a rain. Today, these older ocean-
side units offer excellent bargains for
astute travelers. The great location—
along sandy beaches, within minutes
of both the Kapalua and Kaanapali
resort areas, and close enough to the
goings-on in Lahaina town—makes
this area an accommodations
heaven for the budget-minded.
In Honokowai and Mahi-
nahina, you'll find mostly older
units that tend to be cheaper.
There's not much shopping here
(mostly convenience stores), but
you'll have easy access to the shops
and restaurants of Kaanapali.
Kahana is a little more upscale
than Honokowai and Mahinahina.
Most of its condos are big high-rise
types, newer than those immedi-
ately to the south. You'll find a nice

selection of shops and restaurants in
the area.
Napili is a much-sought-after
area for condo seekers: It's quiet;
has great beaches, restaurants, and
shops; and is close to Kapalua. Units
are generally more expensive here
(although I've found a few hidden
gems at affordable prices).
KAPALUA This is the very
exclusive domain of two gracious—
and expensive—hotels set on one of
Hawaii's best white-sand beaches,
next to two bays that are marine-life
preserves (with fabulous surfing in
winter). A host of condos and vaca-
tion homes are located here, but be
aware that the astronomical prices
match the incredible views.
South Maui
This is the hottest, sunniest, driest,
most popular coastline on Maui for
sun lovers—Arizona by the sea.
Rain rarely falls here, and tempera-
tures stick to around 85°F (29°C)
year-round. On this former scrub-
land from Maalaea to Makena,
where cacti once grew wild and
cows grazed, there are now four dis-
tinctive areas—Maalaea, Kihei,
Wailea, and Makena—and a sur-
prising amount of traffic.
MAALAEA If west Maui is the
island's head, Maalaea is just under
the chin. This windy, oceanfront
village centers on the small boat
harbor (with a general store, a few
restaurants, and a small shopping
arcade) and the Maui Ocean Cen-
ter , an aquarium/ocean com-
plex. Before booking your family
here, be aware that it's often—like,
350 days a year—very windy. All
the wind from the Pacific is fun-
neled between the West Maui
Mountains and Haleakala and
comes out in Maalaea.
KIHEI Kihei is less a proper town
than a nearly continuous series of
condos and minimalls lining South