Giving the tree 5 stars for surviving the fire. While downtown Lahaina is gooooone, there are some…read morefabulous local restaurants to support - like Honu Oceanside.

The Lahaina Banyan Tree lives! After the 2023 fire it was questionable but the tree is being…read moreprotected and nurtured, and even though they had to remove a third of it, it is growing! There is fencing around the whole courtyard so you can't go under it, but you can walk all the way around it, and there is free parking nearby.

My father's family were born and raised in Lahaina and I finally made it to Pioneer Mill and to…read morefind our family's commemorative brick, which is laid at the base of the smokestack. It was a proud moment, knowing that my father's family were born and raised in Puukolii, Lahaina. As a youngster, I heard stories from my dad, uncles and auntie about life in Puukolii and growing-up in Lahaina. Being able to visit and see the landmarks was quite a sight.

If you never saw the original Pioneer Mill, you really missed seeing something wonderful from…read moreMaui's past. The gargantuan steel structure and smoky/sweet smell greeted you as you drove up Lahainaluna Road which was covered in dust, caked-on red dirt, and cane stalk remnants. The mill stood on both sides of the road with a bridge-like connector in the middle. Come present day, the only surviving artifact is a majestic 225 foot high smokestack that has been beautifully restored into a free visitable monument, complete with restored locomotives. For the past six years (since 2009) they held an event known as the Lahaina Plantation Days that showcased plantation history, exhibits, arts, crafts, entertainment, and food booths, which benefitted the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Sadly the event's finale was this year, 2015.

I was just out and about in Maui, Hawaii and we were walking across this park and I saw this. It…read more was the remainder of an old fort. What was left of it? I guess they couldn't leave more of it because of the danger of the rocks falling, but it's something to see. I guess this was a fort used to defend the island. At some point I took a snapshot of what it was saying and the history. Nice to take some selfies by the fort.9

You can find the Old Fort in Historic Lahaina, Maui on the corner across from the Lahaina…read moreCourthouse. It's an interesting recreation of one corner of the old fort that once stood on the property and a good example of cut coral building construction - something you see from the early days of Hawaii's settlement from the west. Divers would go out into the reefs and chisel out huge blocks that would be shaped into the building blocks - several historic buildings on Maui and Oahu use similar materials, like colonial churches. I'd say overall this location is of only modest interest, there isn't much innovation to be seen through the example. It is on a beautiful stretch of property however and perfect for a photo op. Plenty of free street parking nearby but really, just stay in Lahaina and walk to it - it's on the Historic Lahaina walking tour, which I also recommend.

Waine'e was the first Christian cemetery in Hawaii and the final resting place for much of the…read moreHawaiian Royal Family. From the Lahaina Historical Guide: The sacred Queen Keopuolani, the highest royalty by virtue of bloodlines in all Hawaii, born in Wailuku in 1780; she was the first Hawaiian baptized as a Protestant. Wife of Kamehameha I, mother of Kamehameha II and III. (1778 - Sep 16, 1823) King Kaumuali'i, the last king of Kauai. His island was the only one that Kamehameha the Great never took with force.(1780 - May 26, 1824) High Chief Ulumaheihei Hoapili, a general and King Kamehameha I closest friend; Hoapili married two of Kamehameha's queens, Keopuolani and Kalakua. He was governor of Maui from 1823 until his death. (~1775 - Jan 3, 1840) Hoapili-Wahine (Kalakua Kaheiheimalie), wife of High Chief Hoapili and governor of Maui from 1840 to 1842, who donated 1,000 acres of land to start Lahainaluna School. (1778 - Jan 16, 1842) Kekauonohi, one of the five queens of Kamehameha II, born in Lahaina in 1805, served as governor of Kauai from 1842 to 1844. (1805 - Jun 2, 1851) High Chiefess Kuini Liliha, granddaughter of King Kahekili, daughter of Hoapili; Liliha visited King George IV with her husband, Boki, Kamehameha II and Queen Kamamalu. In 1830 Liliha started a rebellion with 1,000 soldiers on Oahu while she was governor there. Her father, Hoapili, forced her to give up her office and return to Maui. (1802 - Aug 25, 1839) Princess Nahienaena, darling of the high chiefs and the Hawaiian people, sister to kings Kamehameha II and III. (1815 - Dec 30, 1836) Many missionary children are buried in Waine'e Cemetery, as is Rev. Richards, who baptized Queen Keopuolani on her deathbed in 1823. Visitors should be aware that Hawaiians consider this site sacred.

It's only used for civic business events (leased). Not open for tours as far as I know. Built in…read more1833 according to their website. From their site: "When the whaling industry declined during the Civil War, the U.S. Seamen's Hospital officially closed on September 10, 1862. The building was leased as a boarding school in 1864, then in 1878, the Bishop Estate took ownership. It has also been used as a private home and a meeting room for civic groups. Today, the property is leased for business use." The humongous anchor on the front lawn caught my eye. It's a short stroll from Lahaina Harbor.

The Pali Tunnel is a 315' long, 2-lane bi-directional tunnel on Maui's state highway 30, AKA…read moreHonoapiilani Highway, located on the "pali ", or cliffs between McGregor Point and Ukumehame on the island's west coast. It is Hawaii's oldest tunnel and the only one on Maui. The tunnel's facades are upside down trapezoids, with the year "1951" engraved on both sides. The half cylindrical-shaped interior is naturally bumpy from the mountain's boulders and rocks. It's short enough to not warrant lighting, but a solar-powered system was installed around the late '90's, early '00's mainly for bicyclists. The push of a button before entering the tunnel on either side turns on the lights then times off automatically. I've seen it lit only once so far. There are many myths and urban legends when driving through the tunnel, such as the driver taking their hands off the wheel and placing both hands on the vehicle's ceiling for the entire duration inside while steering with their thighs. Another more popular and still current one is honking or holding your horn the entire way through. Both are pointless, stupid and dangerous, so just don't do it! I've always wondered why they constructed the tunnel instead of blasting through the mountain to create passes like they did on the other 99% of the highway. Possibly due to the geography/topography? TIP: If you look above the tunnels (and on both sides of the current highway while on the pali), you can still see the old roadway and cut outs that used to be the slow and dangerous route to and from west & central Maui.

Great walkway. Amazing sunsets. A few cool restaurants. Dukes is not too far away. A few merchants…read moreset up at the Westin.

This is about a couple of miles long. It runs through the whole entire Westin property from end to…read moreend. No motorized vehicles, skateboards and no bicycles. That's what I admire the most. No dodging the above while you're walking the entire length. It's not that wide so I appreciate the restrictions. About three big homes sits in this property just next to the Westin. They're pushed a bit from the walk way with a low fence but please respect their privacy. Easy access to the beach from this walk way. The end takes you to a public beach and to a different resort facilty as well. Nobody's fenced in really. It's all a pass thru that's open to everyone. Awesome way to walk off that HH food and booze or to do a simple short two mile jog. Whatever it is you want do with this place you will admire it for its simplicity and access form the main road. Beautiful sunset can be had here while you're walking. You will also walk by a couple of the Westin's restaurants. The Pailolo Bar and Grill and Ocean Pool Bar and Grill. We use this everyday in lieu of walking the road to go to the Whalers Village. Thank you for putting this up! Mahalo!

Quick stop to check out the ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs…read more These are subtle but worth viewing. Little creek running nearby.

Common Draw Hawaiian…read morePetroglyphs (aka Pu'u Kilea) that are purported to be drawn in by some of the original inhabitants of the island of Maui. The Good: *Over 100 figures depicting animals and humans *It's definitely more interesting considering these native Hawaiian drawings and how closely they match some of the Native American's Petroglyphs that I've seen throughout the desert southwest. *1.1-mile out-and-back easy trail that begins at the Olowalu General Store *You can forgo the trail and drive right out to the Petroglyphs, but I'd highly recommend an AWD SUV, like a Jeep® or that ilk. *Dog-friendly trail *Free The Meh: *While interesting, it's def one of the least impressive displays of Petroglyphs I've seen, but I'm pretty spoiled. *While there are a decent amount of Petroglyphs, they're all very far away and difficult to see. Fwiw, the ones in my photos were taken with a 100-500mm lens. The Ugly: *Location of the Petroglyphs has a very creep Deliverance-style vibe to it. Also, be aware you're near some residences, so be prepared for a local yokel to come jamming thru the area at 80mph. TLDR: If you really want to see it, then buy all means, go for it. But, if you're on the fence about visiting, then definitely skip this. Only recommended for the true Hawaiian history connoisseur.

What an incredible experience that we will never forget. Working with Denise at the Lahaina Loft…read morewas the very best choice we made for our wedding day. This is the perfect location and Denise has the best team of vendors!!! The feeling we had sneaking in through the Coco Nene store downstairs to surprise our guests and finally seeing the space was and still is incredible. The care we were given - not only on our wedding day, but countless emails and a trip to meet up with her. She always made us feel like we were her #1 priority. Highly recommend the location, Denise and her "A" team - they will bring your dream to reality. When you book the loft, ask Denise for my list of vendors. Denise is a true gem and now a friend for life.

12/2/2022: My Waikoloa HI friend, Pamela who I've known for 32-years wanted perusing Lahaina…read moreLoft's art gallery. Inside Lahaina Loft are exquisite, beautifully detailed, works of art which are absolutely mind-blowing which Pamela and I became awe stricken! This Lahaina Loft visit, Pamela and I had the pleasure speaking in-depth conversations with Glass-Blowing Artist, Evan Schauss who began discussing all of his gorgeous works of art. All are amazing and yet, Evan Schauss described the arduous process creating each hand-blown glass piece: Dangerously HOT working with molten glass and high, 4500° heat! Ooooof~Too hot for me! Regardless, Evan Schauss proves his MASTER glass-blowing artistry. Aside, I was able viewing Anthony Hopkins' art collection as well. Seriously, I was like a child in a candy store with the inability choosing which one I wanted: All are too beautiful!