WEST MAUI
Six towns make up the west coast of Maui: Kapalua, Kaanapali, Napili, Kahana, Honokowai and Lahaina. Even though the beaches here are quite busy, the hum of activity doesn’t diminish the areas natural beauty. This famous stretch of coast includes perfect swimming beaches where you can snorkel, tan, parasail or surf.
KAPALUA - Set in a major resort community, Kapalua is a golf-lovers paradise. Every January, Kapalua Resort hosts the Mercedes Pro attracting discriminating golfers worldwide. If you’re looking to drop those scores or sharpen your game, the Kapalua Golf School and Academy may be just what you need. With 30 different PGA professionals on staff, Kapalua Golf School and Academy provides the finest golf instruction on the island. Before this area became popular with tee time travelers, it was a plantation town and 2,675 acres of it was owned and operated by the Baldwin Family. In 1836 Dwight Baldwin started an agriculture company that is known today as Maui Land & Pineapple Company INC. In 1975, ML&P expanded their interests and started Kapalua Land Company, Ltd (KLC) a subsidiary dedicated to resort and community development. Over the years they have developed 2 hotels, 3 golf courses and various condominium and luxury family properties turning this quiet plantation town into a thriving community. With views of Molokai and Lanai, it’s no wonder Kapalua holds real estates’ golden ticket. Besides the perfect location, this 5.23-mile town features art galleries, clothing boutiques and restaurants.
KAANAPALI – In the 1960s, Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed the Tournament North Course in Kaanapali. A few years later, Jack Snyder followed up with the Resort’s South Course. Over the years, each have played host to a number of tournaments making Kaanapali a highly desired golfers getaway. In addition to gorgeous greens, Kaanapali, has 3-miles of golden shores and a seaside shopping mall. Whalers Village provides the well-to-do traveler with an upscale shopping experience. Shuttles usually run between Kaanapali and Lahaina.
NAPILI – Secluded bays and a quiet setting make the community of Napili popular with locals and tourists. Napili’s private shores offer visitors complete seclusion in a hassle-free environment.
HONOKOWAI- Honokowai is one of the smaller resort communities along the west coast. It is perfect for the traveler who is looking for “less fuss” in an intimate atmosphere. The beaches in Honokowai are extremely popular with divers. Being so, the town offers the largest rental selection of diving and snorkeling gear on the island. Green sea turtles and a variety of reef fish inhabit Honokowai Point making it a favorite stop amongst island guests.
LAHAINA - Historic Lahaina was the original capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It served as the main seaport for whaling boats and oversea trade in the 1800s. Today the town is developed around a small harbor and is easy to explore on foot. For the weary pedestrian, a large banyan tree located in town square provides a cool respite under its enormous vegetated canopy. Front Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, bustles with historical charm and is host to hundreds of shops, restaurants, art galleries and bars.
