My family was born and raised on Puukolii. I enjoyed growing up visiting the museum. I hope they…read moreopen a new one by the smoke stack soon. I want to show my kids where their family came from.

I was looking for the bathroom after eating at a restaurant right next door on the second floor of…read morethis shopping complex in old Lahaina. Overhead sign of plantation worker cutting sugar cane, complete with face mask, and this was before the pandemic! Tiny museum shows through drawings, artifacts, exhibits and photographs the history of Lahaina plantations. No entry fee. Plantation days and tourism exhibit. When the demand for whale products waned, it was discovered that processed sugar could survive the long trip to the mainland from Hawaii. Pineapple products, and sugar plantation pictures. Pictures of various pieces of sugar harvesting field machinery, a crane on metal treads with a grabbing device for picking up piles of cut sugar cane, tractor type truck for pulling truck loads of cut caner. Steam locomotive for pulling railway wagons of cut sugar cane. Exhibits, pictures and films showing the history of sugar cane in Hawaii from the late 1800s through the 1950s. Also shown are the immigrant workers that these companies exploited. Hawaii imported thousands of Chinese and Japanese workers to toil in the very labor intensive sugar harvesting industry. Workers head to toe with protective clothing from the centipedes, scarf to keep out the dust, with long sleeved padded pants and shirts, ready to harvest the sharp spikes of the sugar cane plants, and hat to protect from tropical sun. Very hard labor work under difficult conditions, before mechanization in the 1950s. Not a job many Americans would do today! Exhibit on WW2 in Hawaii, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. Worker strikes in the 1950s for better work conditions and pay. Sugar industry and plantations went downhill with the first commercial flights of the Boeing 707 four engine jet liner in 1959, which reduced the flight time from the west coast from 12 hours to 6 hours to Hawaii. Tourism became the premiere industry of Hawaii. After eating a big lunch at "Down the Hatch" restaurant, a lot of people are going to pass here on their way to doing "Down the Hatch" at the restrooms.

A piece of history that describes the intersection between Chinese, Hawaiian, and American lives…read more I understand there is geopolitical and cultural conflict in today's environment. However, this museum focuses on common ground that I feel most can relate despite one's cultural or social backgrounds. Humans are just humans, and there is more in common than differences if we are willing to be empathetic. The curator Dr. Yip is very friendly and knowledgeable. The price of admission is $8 per adult, but you get a PhD that gives you a tour. A small building but it it is packed with history. People are willing to spend hundreds to look at pineapples, so $8 for a doctor to give a personal tour of Chinese Hawaiian American history is worth it. I would highly recommend this place if you are in this area.

Wo Hing Museum is located on Front Street in the Lahaina Historic District. The building was built…read morein 1912 and it served the growing Chinese population centered in Lahaina, primarily those working in the sugarcane fields. The museum had beautiful art pieces and sculptures and a short film presentation. It is the year of the pig and Chinese New Years so we got to tie a red ribbon on a tree and make a wish. The museum had some great knowledgeable people working to answer any questions and share the history of Chinese sugarcane workers. If you like history this is the place to visit.

Yes it is small, only 3 rooms, but it is fascinating and gives you a good idea of what life was…read morelike on Maui for the colonials. Baldwin was an interesting character, reading up about the man and his family before visiting will help you get an in depth understanding of what you are seeing. It is the only remaining house of a row of such houses on Front Street. Volunteers give you a tour and if you ask nicely they will give you time to go around yourself after so you can study things in greater detail. The tour is the downstairs rooms only as the upstairs rooms are offices for the Lahaina Restoration Foundation who look after all of Lahaina's historical sites. Remember the cost for entry goes directly to helping keep the building maintained for the future so everyone can share in Maui's heritage and history ;)

Couldn't enter as it was closed when we reached. However it's a great place to touch the history of…read morethis area and Front street. On the front street and while walking you can see this on one side of road. Small house and also has a museum and a gift shop. House looks very old but maintained pretty well.

Maui 101! If you love maui and want to learn about its native species HWDC is an amazing…read moreexperience. My favorite is the immersion room. Kids can spend hours learning about turtles, whales, monk seals and native birds.

My wife and I were walking around the mall and discovered this little location. Turns out it's a…read morefree art exhibit (that accepts donations). It focuses on wild life preservation, obviously. Honestly, we didn't feel there was really a whole lot to look at, though had we had our kids there were definetly a few activities for them to do. If this were a paid location, my rating would be lower, but based on the fact that it's free, it certainly doesn't hurt to pass by and check it out for yourself

Been to a few luau's and this one seemed was the most elevated and authentic experience. You're…read moregreeted with a fresh lei and personally escorted to the bar for the first of as many mai tai's as you'd like. The performances were culturally focused and I left learning a few things about the history of luaus and the influence of Polynesian heritage in Hawaii's formation. Performers were all talented and entertaining, but you won't get a fire-knife guy or an emcee who's cracking jokes. If you're looking for a minstrel show for tourists, this ain't it. The 4 course-menu was tastefully prepared and presented. Our server explained each of the dishes and I got the sense that everything was locally sourced within a few mile radius. The service was outstanding. Before dinner, you'll get the typical roast pig unearthing. And there were a few other stations that were interesting - Hawaiian bowling, hula demonstration, live band, etc. And of course, you're right on the waterfront so you can watch the sun set and have a beautiful view while you sip the aforementioned unlimited mai tai's. This luau has been going strong for 40 years, and I am so glad they survived the Lahaina fires. I felt good about supporting a Lahaina community that takes pride in their heritage and history.

Came here 2 nights before a wedding and it was a vibe! Loved the continuous entertainment,…read morewonderful views and service, and the open bar didn't hurt either! Food-wise, it's communal family-style. We enjoyed the meat, protein, and some vegetables. Everything was good. It felt pretty local which was cool (in that a lot of the performers and servers were truly a part of the community and interested in sharing Hawaiian history through hulu and performance.) Would be back!

Really moving to come to downtown Lahaina, or what it used to be... And still see the tree here…read more The last time I came, they were not letting anyone in town unless they were residents. This year, as rebuilding has continued, you can park in an industrial lot a block away from the park and then look into the fenced park at the Banyan tree, which is regrowing. So much was lost in the fire, but the tree is a symbol of #LahainaStrong. It was an honor to be able to come and pay homage to the people of WestMaui who went through a lot and are rebuilding.

Mourned at the L homecoming yesterday.... My cousin showed me a photo just the week before the…read morefires. Now, it's fenced off, and we admire it from afar, grateful that it still stands----

We visited both Down the Hatch (fast-casual seafood and American food) and Breakwall Shave Ice…read moreCompany twice on our last trip to Maui. Both are located here at The Wharf Cinema Center Shops & Restaurants. This is a three-story shopping plaza located on Lahaina's popular and touristy Front Street, directly across from the historic banyan tree. It's the largest banyan tree in the United States: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lahaina-banyan-court-park-lahaina. Free parking is located directly in front of the center on Front Street. Free parking is also available on nearby side streets. Paid parking is available in the center's garage, accessible behind the building via Luakini Street. I think some businesses may validate parking in the garage, but I'm not sure. We street-parked during both of our visits, once on Front Street and once on Hotel Street. This is a happening place thanks to a combination of tourists on the street plus an assortment of destinations and events inside the center. Down the Hatch and sister shave ice shop Breakwall, next door, are highly-rated and deservedly so. I recommend them: https://www.yelp.com/biz/down-the-hatch-maui-lahaina-3. We visited for dinner first, then lunch the second time. Both times, this shopping center was busy, outside in. Outside, there are street vendors and an information booth. Inside, there are multiple courtyards and a plaza. We spent most of our time dining on the below-street "Plaza Level." It was beautiful. The plaza has a koi pond that snakes its way through, surrounded by lush, colorful flora. The plaza is shared by Down the Hatch, Breakwall Shave Ice Company, and other businesses. Down the Hatch has a bar on the plaza. The restaurant's customers probably utilize the communal plaza seating way more than any other Wharf business. BTW, Down the Hatch was founded by three guys from Georgia, where I'm from. For our Saturday night dinner visit, there was live music on the middle level - "Wharf Level" - courtyard. This place is open-air, well-connected via multiple sets of stairways, and has good views throughout. It's a charming little, laid-back, hangout spot. Mexican restaurant and bar Amigo's (https://www.yelp.com/biz/amigos-lahaina) has a great view of the Wharf Level courtyard and stage. One of my nieces, only eight years old, liked the live musician, Down the Hatch, and Breakwall. She made a special point to go back upstairs and applaud/thank the musician before we left and she asked us multiple times after our first visit if we could go back to Down the Hatch. I thought that was cute. The Wharf is family-friendly. Aside from the aforementioned, restaurant cuisines at The Wharf include Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese, and there are a couple cafes. As far as shops and services go, there are about 30 of those. They include clothing stores, gift shops, jewelry stores, specialty/boutique shops, and services like massages at Aloha Thai Massage: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aloha-thai-massage-lahaina-8. This place isn't fancy or anything. Just a humble collection of businesses.

Outdoor dining, shopping and booze all in the same place? Hello, stop looking…read more Seriously though, great food throughout, nice shops and great bar for a drink.

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.

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!

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.