ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
If you’ve seen just one photograph of Maui's lush interior, odds are it was of the magnificently phallic 2250ft ʻIao Needle, the green pinnacle that…
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
Welcome to the flat bit. Central Maui is the isthmus connecting the West Maui Mountains to mighty Haleakalā, giving the island its distinctive three-part shape. This odd wedge of topography, Maui’s most arable piece of land, was once known only for its fields of waving sugarcane, but it now boasts a potpourri of attractions. To the north, the island’s commercial center, Kahului, contains windswept Kanaha Beach, a hub for water sports. Sister-city Wailuku is a funky up-and-comer with the best lunch scene, and the gateway to the lush ʻIao Valley. On the southern coast, Maʻalaea is home to a top-notch aquarium and its harbor is the launchpad for a Molokini cruise.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
This longstanding tourist attraction is a cross between a farm, a dining destination and a botanical garden. The large gift shop stocks art, aloha wear,…
Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
This small but historically evocative museum occupies the 1833 home of Wailuku’s first Christian missionary, Edward Bailey. He was the second missionary…
Kahului
Well, you can’t judge a beach by its cover. Wedged between downtown Kahului and the airport, and hidden behind a strip of ironwood trees, this mile-long…
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
Rising straight up to 2250ft, this velvety-green pinnacle is Maui’s iconic landmark. Most people shoot their mandatory photos from the bridge near the…
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
This homespun museum occupies the former residence of the sugar mill’s superintendent. There’s the usual display of industrial machinery, including a…
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
This midsize aquarium showcases Hawaii’s dazzling marine life, including species found nowhere else. The floor plan takes you on an ocean journey,…
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
A bird-watcher's oasis, this refuge harbors native waterbirds year-round, and hosts migratory ducks (October to April) and hawksbill and Hawaiian sea…
Guidebooks
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Get to the heart of ʻIao Valley & Central Maui with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
