Spotlight's Maui Gold Magazine

Lahaina has been a hot spot, both literally and figuratively, since ancient times. Its name translates from Hawaiian as "cruel sun," and while this may seem too harsh of a description, it's true it's a rare day when it's not warm, sunny and dry in this picturesque seaside town.

Long ago, the ali‘i (Hawaiian royalty) recognized Lahaina's calm, blue waters were ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing and surfing. They came here often to relax and play.

In the 19th century, foreigners, too, were charmed by Lahaina, whose wide roadstead provided safe anchorage year round for their ships. Traders came, then whalers and missionaries. Noting its importance as a stop along Pacific sea routes, King Kamehameha established Lahaina as the first capital of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1802.

During whaling's heyday in the mid-1840s, more than 400 ships moored in Lahaina every year. While the vessels were being reprovisioned, their crews enjoyed shore leave to the fullest. "For a few days, they raised hell at the port of Lahaina," writes Maxine Mrantz in her book, "Hawai‘i's Whaling Days."

Appalled, the staid missionaries urged the ali‘i to enforce a strict code of laws, which Mrantz shares in part: "No more fiddling or dancing on the Sabbath... no more going for horse rides on the Sabbath... no more gambling... no more licensing of grogshops... no more taking girls out to the ships." Nevertheless, Hale Pa‘ahao, the town's prison, was continually packed with rowdy sailors.

More than a century and a half later, Lahaina maintains its lively demeanor. Although the town proper measures just one-and-a-half miles long and a few blocks deep, it is chock-full of intriguing diversions, including 19th-century historic sights, fine art galleries, trendy boutiques, souvenir shops, and award-winning restaurants.

Lahaina hosts many annual events coordinated by the non-profit LahainaTown Action Committee whose mission is to promote, preserve and encourage the historical, cultural, social, commercial and environmental vitality and significance of Lahaina town. (For dates of current LahainaTown events, call (808) 667-9194, toll free 1-888-310-1117 or go to www.VisitLahaina.com.)