Lahaina Maui HI

Ships anchor in Lahaina harbour and tender guests into the former whaling town at the centre of visitor-oriented West Maui. Restaurants and shops are walkable from the landing, while taxis serve nearby beaches. Lahaina Visitors Center stands opposite the harbour.

Carry the printable map ashore.

Frequently described as the "jewel in the crown of Maui," Lahaina welcomes two million people each year, representing 83% of everyone visiting Maui. After the beaches, its town is the island's second most visited place. This historic community occupies the space between calm Auau Channel, facing Lana'i island, and the fertile summits and valleys of Mauna Kahalawai, the West Maui mountain range. It has housed many cultures across the centuries while continually welcoming arrivals to its shores.

Well over a thousand years ago, Lahaina's first Polynesian settlers found plentiful freshwater streams, green valleys of fertile volcanic earth, warm sunny weather and an abundant, unspoilt sea. Much of that description still applies. Its well-recorded progress through successive eras has left a flavour of each in present-day Lahaina, now home to over 18,000 permanent residents.

Stroll along waterside Front Street to watch passers-by, appreciate the weather and unwind.

Hiring a car is the best option for Maui's most popular sights, as available public transport is not a strong alternative. A few hire firms operate in Lahaina, West Maui, but may have restricted opening hours and vehicle supply. Most agencies are in Kahului near Kahului Airport, approximately a 45-minute drive from Lahaina pier.

Bus links to other island destinations are reliable and affordable, with a day pass costing only $4.

Downtown Lahaina can occupy plenty of time, thanks to its many distinctive shops.

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar, represented by $. ATMs are found everywhere.

Visa, MasterCard and other major cards are accepted very widely, including for purchases of only a few dollars, and occasionally provide the sole way to pay. Visitors from overseas should remember that advertised prices can appear cheaper than the final cost because tax and tips are rarely included.

Sales tax applies in most states and ranges from 2.9% to almost 10% of the purchase price, with 4-6% common. It is nearly always added when paying rather than shown in the marked amount. Gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises are exceptions.

Tipping is expected and widespread in America. Americans may disagree over the proper amount and recipients, but these rates are generally accepted:

• For full-service dining, leave 15-20%, often the waiter's or waitress's only income. Pay it in cash or add it to the card slip. Only a few restaurants include an automatic service charge; if one does, any additional tip is discretionary. Review the bill.
• For taxi drivers, hairdressers and other personal-service providers, allow 10-15%.
• Bartenders generally receive $1 for each inexpensive drink or 15% of the total.
• Bellhops usually receive $1-2 for each bag, with a $3-5 minimum in any case.
• Give a hotel doorman $1 per assisted bag and $1 for summoning a cab.
• Tour-guide gratuities depend on duration, group size and overall standard. For a half day or shorter, allow $5-10 per person; for a longer tour, allow $10-20.
• Private-car and limousine drivers normally receive 15-20%.
• For hotel housekeeping, an optional amount is $1-2 per day on a long stay or at least $5 on a very short one.
• Food delivery, including pizza: $2-5, with more possible for very large orders.

No language is official at the U.S. federal level, although English overwhelmingly dominates everyday life and several states have made it their official language. Spanish is also official and widely used in New Mexico, French is official in Louisiana, and Hawaiian has official status in Hawaii. None approaches English in use, and these designations are principally historical.

Call 911 in an emergency.

Across major cities such as New York and Los Angeles, numerous supermarkets and drugstores routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Department stores, shopping centres and most other large retailers usually trade from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Sunday hours are often shorter, generally 11 a.m. or noon until 5 or 6 p.m. Businesses tend to remain open on holidays, except key occasions including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when shops generally close.