Maui
Maui Nightlife
Looking for wild island nightlife? We can’t promise you’ll always find it here—and sometimes you’ll just have to be the party. This island has little of Waikiki’s after-hours decadence, and the club scene can be quirky, depending on the season and the day of the week. But sometimes Maui will surprise you with a big-name concert, world-class DJ, outdoor festival, or special event. And if the event promises to draw a big crowd, chances are it’s at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Wailuku, or the MACC, as it is known.
Lahaina and Kihei are your best bets for action. Lahaina tries to uphold its reputation as a party town, and succeeds every Halloween when thousands of masqueraders converge for a Mardi Gras-style party on Front Street. Kihei is a bit more local and can be something of a rough-and-rowdy crowd in parts. On the right night, both towns stir with activity, and if you don’t like one scene, there’s always next door.
Outside Lahaina and Kihei, you might be able to hit an “on” night in Paia (North Shore) or Makawao (Upcountry), especially on weekend nights. Your best bet? Pick up the free MauiTime Weekly, or Thursday’s edition of the Maui News, where you’ll find a listing of all your after-dark options, island-wide.
Maui Shopping
We hope you’ve saved room in your suitcase. With the help of our shopping guide, you’ll find the top shops for everything “Maui grown,” from lilikoi (passion fruit) jams and fresh pineapples to koa wood bowls and swimwear. Even fashionistas can get their fill of bohemian-resort chic style in Paia, luxury brands in Wailea and paniolo (cowboy) threads in Upcountry’s quiet Makawao town. If you’re seeking authentic Hawaiian artisanal goods, check out handcrafted Mele Ukulele, Randy Jay Braun photography, and Robert Wyland’s marine-life paintings.
But before packing up your plunder, conjure up some Zen by soaking in Maui’s natural resources. Rejuvenate in a yoga class, then enter one of the island’s world-class spas to unwind. Among the best are the Waihua Spa at the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua, the Grand Wailea Resort’s Spa Grande, and the Four Seasons Resort’s spa in Wailea. Most treatments are infused with ingredients indigenous to the Valley Isle, like kukui nut, coconut, ginger, and eucalyptus. Plus, you’re sure to find a spa product or two to bring home. Lavender salt bath, anyone?
