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LAHAINA TOWN
As far back as the late 1700’s
King Kamehameha the Great chose Lahaina as the capital
of Hawai’i and his favorite home. The sheltered coast and
delightful beaches made Lahaina an ideal playground for
the king and his royal family.
Today, Lahaina could easily
be called the fun capital of Maui. Known all over the world
for its colorful waterfront atmosphere, Lahaina attracts
over a million visitors each year. People of all ages love
to explore the famous Front Street where one can
find resident celebrities like George Benson and Carol Burnett
casually sipping coffee at one of Lahaina’s sixty restaurants.
 Informality
and fun are written all over this town, a spirit that stretches
back to the 1840s when whaling ships would anchor off Lahaina
“Roadstead,” discharging their crew of rowdy sailors.
After months at sea, these salty dogs went straight to the
taverns for grog and bawdy merriment. Troublesome drunks
were thrown in the Hale Pahao prison which still
stands today on Prison Street.
Strolling through Lahaina
is a must for every visitor. Front Street is a “nautical
village” of oceanfront shops and restaurants. Hundreds
of curio shops, sophisticated jewelers, art galleries and
boutiques contain a myriad of wares ideal for gifts or personal
mementos of your visit to Maui.
The historical town center
is noted for its 110-year old Banyan Tree, one of
the world’s largest which grows over an entire block just
in front of The Wharf Cinema
Center. The Center which boasts more than 50 shops and
restaurants, surrounds a comfortable courtyard decorated
with waterfalls and convenient, umbrella-shaded tables.
A walk toward the north end
of town leads past the wharf, the Seawall and Lahaina
Market Place, a collection of shops and restaurants
set in an open-court atmosphere. After Lahaina Shopping
Center, with a large parking area and a good place to
find photo supplies, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Across
the street from Longhi’s Restaurant, you’ll find Lahaina
Center, home of Hilo Hattie and the Hard Rock Cafe.
A few blocks to the north, you can enjoy the air-conditioned
comfort of Lahaina Cannery.
Lahaina, by day or night, is a warmhearted, romantic town,
which for centuries, has been a popular haven for vacationers.
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