Spotlight's Maui Gold Magazine

Kahului is Maui's port city and a rapidly expanding commercial center. Hana Highway (36) turns into Ka‘ahumanu Avenue, named after the favorite wife of King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian islands into a kingdom 200 years ago. This main boulevard serves three large shopping areas, the first being the Maui Mall offering a variety of locally-owned shops, boutiques and restaurants popular with local residents and visitors alike.

The largest of the malls is Ka‘ahumanu Center with Maui's largest movie theater complex and a healthy selection of ethnic restaurants upstairs. Recently opened is the Maui Marketplace on Dairy Road near the Airport. Border's Books, Sports Authority, Eagle Hardware and a variety of boutiques and specialty stores are conveniently located here.

Just off Kahului Beach Road is the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, host to some of Hawai‘i's most avant garde programs, films and concerts.

The charming town of Wailuku is the capital of Maui and seat of the county government which includes Lana‘i and Moloka‘i. Nestled afoot dramatic mountain slopes and surrounding macadamia nut orchards, Wailuku's sloping streets, wooden storefronts and easy-going local atmosphere make it an interesting stop when visiting ‘Iao Valley (photo left). Turn onto Market Street for the shopping district.

At the intersection of Main and High Street is Ka‘ahumanu Church, Maui's earliest Christian Church, standing in contrast to the modern office complex across the street, as well as the nine-story "Kalama O Maui" government building which houses former Mayor Linda Crockett-Lingle's office and the County Council chambers.

Three miles inland from here is one of Maui's most picturesque natural sights–The ‘Iao Valley. On your way there is the Maui Historical Society Museum (built 1833-1850) featuring exhibits of art, canoes, ornaments, period furniture and relics of ancient Hawai‘i. A must see, particularly for the kids, is the new Hawai‘i Nature Center featuring thirty unique interactive exhibits and tours, native streamlife aquariums and live animal exhibits. The centerpiece of Iao Valley is the famous ‘Iao Needle, a 2,250-foot lava rock pinnacle covered with lush foliage. Visitors can stroll through the park and climb the path to a sheltered lookout.