Historical and Cultural Activities
Maui has both a fascinating history and a rich modern culture. There are a number of sites worth visiting that are representative of its past or that exhibit its creative present.
Bits and pieces of the old whaling town of Lahaina can still be found here and there, and they are really quite interesting. These sites include the following:
The Baldwin House: Built in the 1830s by the missionary and physician Rev. Dwight Baldwin. Front and Dickenson St.
The two-masted brig Carthaginian: Moored on the Lahaina waterfront, the Carthaginian is outfitted to resemble a typical ship of the nineteenth century.
The Hale Pa'ahao: A restored prison from the 1850s and a reminder of Lahaina's wild days as a major port. 187 Prison Rd.
The Wo Hing Temple and Museum: Originally built in 1912 by members of the Chinese Wo Hing Society. 858 Front St.
Note that the Baldwin House and the Carthaginian charge a small fee to visit.
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation offers walking tours of these and other historical sites, and they have a brochure that outlines a self-guided tour. The foundation office is located at the Baldwin House, at 120 Dickenson St. in Lahaina. It is open from 10 A.M.-4 P.M.. Call 661-3262 for more information, or visit the Web site at www.lahainarestoration.org.
FAST FACT
Lahaina is home to a great banyan tree on Front St. that is well worth seeing if you've never seen such a thing. As a banyan tree grows, some of its branches drop and take root in the ground to form a complicated network of smaller trunks. The famous Lahaina tree was planted in 1873, and its branches have spread out over an impressively large area.
Other Attractions
Pi'ilanihale Heiau Kahanu Garden 248-8912 www.ntbg.org
Probably the biggest ancient temple in all of the islands, the Pi'ilanihale Heiau covers nearly 3 acres. It is a complicated structure first begun in the late 1200s and subsequently expanded. The heiau is on the property of the Kahanu Garden just west of Hana.
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum 3957 Hansen Rd., Pu'unene 871-8058 www.sugarmuseum.com
Explore the history and technology of the sugar industry. Open 9:30 A.M.-4 P.M.. Monday through Saturday.
Bailey House Museum 2375-A Main St., Wailuku 244-3326 www.mauimuseum.org
The museum is the home of the Maui Historical Society and features exhibits illustrating life in nineteenth-century Maui. Open 10 A.M.-4 P.M., Monday through Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $1 for children 7–12. You can stop and visit the museum on the way to 'Iao Valley.
Whaler's Village Museum 2435 Ka'anapali Pkwy. 661-5992
All things whales and whaling are exhibited here, including whaling artifacts, scrimshaw, and model ships. The museum is located at the Whaler's Village Shopping Complex and is open daily from 9:30 A.M.-10 P.M. Admission is free!
Maui Arts & Cultural Center 1 Cameron Way, Kahului 242-2787 www.mauiarts.org
As a venue for the performing and visual arts, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center hosts programs all year round. The facility includes two theaters and an art gallery. Check their Web site for a calendar of events.
Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center 2841 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, HI 96768 572-6560 www.huinoeau.com
The Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center is devoted to artistic excellence with exhibitions, classes, and other activities. They are located in a beautiful old plantation mansion at Makawao. The center is open every day from 10 A.M.-4 P.M.. Tours are available starting at $10/person.
RAINY DAY FUN
Aviation buffs might be interested in a visit to the grave of the great Charles Lindbergh. It's located at the Palapala Ho'omau Church in Kipahulu. The good or bad news, depending on how you look at it, is that you're going to have to drive down to Hana, and then some, to get there.
