Maui County

Province · Hawaii, 🇺🇸 United States

Population 164,754

Area 3,033 km²

Time zone Pacific/Honolulu

Official website www.mauicounty.gov

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Featured Lists

belindah / CC BY 2.0

Maui County's Absolute Must-Sees

This selection spans Maui’s diverse geography, from the 10,023-foot volcanic summit of Haleakalā to the historic 19th-century whaling port of Lahaina. Highlights include the lush rainforests of the ʻĪao Valley, the tiered waterfalls of Ohe’o Gulch, and the Pipiwai Trail’s dense bamboo forests. Coastal sites feature the white sands of Ka'anapali Beach, the natural geyser at Nakalele Blowhole, and the Maui Ocean Center, which focuses on endemic Hawaiian marine species and coral reef conservation.

10 places

Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0

Maui's Volcanic Wonders

Maui’s landscape is defined by two primary volcanic masses: the massive Haleakalā shield volcano and the older, deeply eroded West Maui Mountains, or Mauna Kahālāwai. This list explores the island's geological evolution, from the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā Crater to coastal cinder cones like Puʻu Olaʻi. These sites showcase unique features including high-altitude peat bogs, ancient rift zones, and colorful mineral deposits formed by eruptions and erosion over nearly two million years.

7 places

Pamela L. Summers / CC BY 3.0

Best Beaches

Maui's coastline features a diverse array of shorelines, from the expansive golden sands of Ka'anapali and Wailea to the volcanic black sands of Honokalani. Many locations, such as Maluaka and Kahekili, provide immediate access to coral reefs for snorkeling, while Ho'okipa is a global hub for professional windsurfing. This selection includes family-friendly parks with full amenities like Kamaole I, alongside secluded spots like Kumimi Beach on Molokai, known for its extensive fringing reef and calm snorkeling conditions.

16 places

Mikeo / CC BY-SA 3.0

Maui Parks and Viewpoints

Maui’s diverse landscape spans from the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā to the volcanic black sand beaches of Waiʻānapanapa State Park. This collection features high-altitude overlooks like Leleiwi and Halahaku, which provide views into the Haleakalā crater. In West Maui, the ʻĪao Valley State Monument showcases the 1,200-foot ʻĪao Needle, a basaltic core surrounded by rainforest. Coastal locations include the Peahi cliffs and the family-oriented beach parks of Kihei, such as Kalama and Kamaole, known for protected swimming areas and sunset vistas.

14 places

ForestWander / CC BY-SA 3.0 us

Maui's Nature Adventures

This collection spans the diverse landscapes of Maui and Molokai, featuring the volcanic terrain of Haleakalā National Park and the rugged north shore cliffs of Molokai. It includes the 200-foot Puohokamoa Falls and the accessible swimming holes of Twin Falls. For multi-day excursions, the list highlights remote wilderness cabins like Hōlua and Palikū, alongside the rare high-elevation bog ecosystem of Kamakou Preserve. These sites showcase dramatic geological formations, from shield volcanoes to sheer coastal palis.

10 places

Joel Bradshaw / CC0

Hawaiian Heritage Sites

This collection spans the historical timeline of the Hawaiian Islands, from pre-contact archaeological sites to 19th-century missionary architecture. Key landmarks include the Piʻilanihale Heiau, one of the largest ancient stone temples in Polynesia, and Waiola Church, the final resting place of early Hawaiian royalty. The list also features the Baldwin Home Museum, the oldest standing house on Maui, alongside petroglyphs and sugar industry ruins that document the transition from ancient kingdom to the plantation era.

15 places

Michelle Harding / CC-BY-SA

Historic Christian Sites

Maui County's historic churches reflect the intersection of Hawaiian heritage and missionary influence. This list includes 19th-century stone structures built from lava rock and coral, such as the 1823 Waiola Church and the 1857 Palapala Ho'omau Church. Notable architectural features range from the unique octagonal design of Kula’s Holy Ghost Mission to the Gothic elements of Wailuku’s Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. These sites serve as active places of worship and repositories of local history, housing the graves of Hawaiian royalty and significant cultural figures.

16 places