I have a four hour layover next month at Kahului Airport. We are a family of five, and are interested in getting away from the airport for a couple of hours. Any suggestions for activities/shopping/restaurants in Kahului?
Or, do we have enough time to rent a car to explore Kihei, and, is there anything to do there?

Thanks for your help.

Don't know if this is feasible for you, but one idea is to take a one-hour helicopter tour of Maui while you are waiting. It is spectacular; really something to remember. You will see absolutely pristine rain forest and gorgeous waterfalls. It will probably be about $150/person, though. If you decide to do it, the helicopter terminal is about five minutes away from the main airport, and Blue Hawaii helicopters is a great company.

Otherwise, there is some sort of aquarium about 15-20 minutes away by car that is supposed to be interesting. I haven't been there.

Rent a car and visit the Iao Needle State Park a few miles away. Stop someplace on the way and pick up some picnic snacks.

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Do you know what time of day/night you will be free for this? It will matter.

MisterNice

My flight from KOA arrives at 10:30 am, I depart for LAX at 2:40 pm. all on Feb.24.
-Glenn

Thanks for the times. Assuming you dont claim any baggage (or have to check any), you should be in a rental car by 1100 am (go out the baggage claim area, pick up many (see below) free Maui maps and brochures in the kiosks) and walk 80 ft to the right for the car rent desks). You should check-in your rental car by 200 pm, thus you have 3 hours. So much to see, so little time.

The Iao Needle Park is about 15-20 min away, usually cool and nice but will be busy on a Sunday. Never fear, it wont be overcrowded. The Maui Aquarium is on the road to Lahaina (ugh!) about 30 min from the airport. It is new, has standard fish stuff, is overpriced and unvisited by MisterNice. A couple of restaurants are on site.

You can also travel the mostly shore Hana Road to Paia etc and wonder around. A good fish sammish etc place is on the right hand side by the only Paia traffic light. Or go upland a little and wonder around Makawao. A good really cheap Mex restaurant (really good) is Poli's by the only stop sign. Time your way to these places so you can have sufficient time to get back by 200 pm.

My choice on a sunny day would be Iao Needle (it often rains there....ask at the car rent place). Get directions to the Kahalui Safeway Supermarket (itsa on the way to Iao), pick up a few pre-made sandwiches, sushi, subs, some beer or soft drinks etc and have a picnic on a table in the Iao Needle Park (use the brochures as place mats) to save time and money. On a rare rainy day in Maui do the Makawao mini-mex and mini-town tour. Have fun!

MisterNice

We spent a lovely Christmas afternoon at Iao Needle Park in 1998. We did bring picnic lunch. It was very memorable.

The "some sort of aquarium" is VERY good. Also not cheap. Well worth the visit if you like such things, but Maui in 2-3 hours? I seem to remember my research suggesting some sightseeing to do (adj. to the AP) within a few minutes of the airport, or a more time consuming walk.

Probably the best thing would be to load up your family in a car and make a hour away/hour back run and have a bite to eat.

Be sure not to rent a car that is not t the airport, but a shuttle away since you'll loose time. If you just want to browse at a shopping center, there is one right at the airport. Iao valley is stunning, but be sure to hike the trail with your valuables, since they can enter a trunk in 1-2 minutes!!!!
Don't leave anything of value in the car.
The asquiarium is amll but very new. Iao Valley has a 10-15 minute slow easy hike, but if you're in good shape you can do it in less time. The park also has below it a unique little "decor" of various ethnic groups who came to Hawaii that you could take pictures of. You could stop by a local grocery store on the way and purchase the flowers called protea that only grow on Maui that you could take home and then dry it. It will last forever if you dry it upside down, as normal.
You can also buy anthuriums, but it would cost a little more. Maui is known for its flowers as well as wonderful food -- guri guri ice cream (like a sherbert), potato chips, and Japanese food. Wow -- so many choices but so little time!!!

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There's a GREAT beech just at hte end of the runway. I had some extra time before a flight out 2 months ago, and lay out at the beach and watched as the planes flew rgiht over my head. You're within a few hundred yards of the end of the runway, so it feels like you could almost reach up and touch them.

Good suggestions, all. I'd just like to add a few other possibilities from our visit last month, in case it's of interest...

The Maui Mall. There is a *great* paper airplane museum/shop there if that's of any interest to you. Not just paper, but airplanes made out of soda pop cans (aside to Catman..lots of these are PEPSI cans!). If you do go there, go to Long's drug store. It is where the locals shop and you can get some REALLY CHEAP Hawaii calendars (<$2 each) and macadamia chocolates (REALLL cheap) as well as other stuff.

If pineapple is of interest, Mr. Pineapple, on the access road to/from the airport is very convenient. Hints here: go for the LOW-ACID HYBRIDS. If htey are out, make the order anyway to be FedEx'ed to you or yoyur friends when they come in. Warning here--if you ever eat one of these, you are gonna be absolutely ruined for anything else for hte rest of your life. They also have coconuts to buy/ship. Aside: We sent some pineapples to our daughter's best friend stateside, and got a very nice thank yo for them and the coconuts...coconuts?? Seems Mr. Pineapple slipped one of those into the box, too. Just Aloha spirit, I guess.

Have fun, and enjoy. This is the best time of the year for Maui, in my humble opinion!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. We've been to Maui in '92--magnificent, particularly Kapalua. Iao Needle is a great idea, but I don't think we have enough time. The Maui Mall is an option, particularly if we cab it. BTW, my all-time favorite islands are: Hamilton Island, Australia; Maui; The Big Island; Marco Island; Aruba. Most disappointing are Bermuda, Curacao and St. Barts. I'll take the South Pacific over the Caribbean anyday.

I've got a Maui Mileage Run coming up this weekend with a 6 hour layover. I'll arrive at 530pm and leave at 1130pm. Looks like sunset is about 615pm. My folks are vacationing and will be able to pick me up, so no need for a rental car.

I've never been to Maui, but have been to Oahu (multiple times) and the Big Island. What is the best use of my time? Where should I eat (and I'd rather have 'locals' food, not fancy / touristy stuff.)

Thanks a lot.

Definitely do yourself a favor and swing by the Paia Fish Market. It's only a short drive from the airport. The fish tacos are amazing.

Between OGG and Paia there is a great viewpoint where you can watch the windsurfers from a fairly high vantage point. Great surf, great view, lots of wind, and there is good beach a few yards away. We saw a few large sea turtles in the surf there about 10 days ago. Great spot for the kids.

Enjoy!