Welcome to our exploration of Kihei, a vibrant coastal community on South Maui known for its beaches, local food, and unique culture.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 8 facts on what makes this area distinctive and worthwhile to visit.
Kihei is all about sunshine
Kihei has the most dreamy weather and climate thanks to Haleakalā Volcano, which blocks rainfall on Maui’s south sides. When other parts of Maui might be rainy or windy, Kihei is all sunshine and dry, warm weather. This makes it an excellent location for those seeking a beach vacation.
Kihei has 6 miles of beaches
Six miles is a lot of beach, especially when they offer stunning views, swimming, sunbathing, and tons of water sports.
Kamaole Beach Park, which is split into three distinct sections, is reknown for its golden sand, grassy areas, and picnic spots. In the heart of Kihei is Kalama Beach Park, a known spot for surfing and paddleboarding lessons.
Kihei is excellent for whale watching
From December through April, Kihei becomes a prime spot for whale watching as North Pacific Humpback whales migrate south to the area to breed and give birth. You can often see whales from the shoreline, especially during the peak season between January and March.
There are also many whale watching tours available in Kihei, which can give you a closer look at these incredible creatures. You can visit the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, an educational beachfront facility with views of Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, West Maui — and whales of course!
Kihei’s food scene is on point
In Kihei, you can enjoy a range of options from food trucks serving local plates to all-out fine dining. Here are 3 locally-owned spots to try:
– Nalu’s South Shore Grill: family-friendly restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
– Miso Phat Sushi: ultra fresh and delicious sushi with generous portions
– Maui Brewing Company: microbrewed beer and specialty cocktails along with a diverse array of tasty food, and occasional live music
Kihei also hosts a popular local event, Kihei’s Fourth Friday Town Party at Azeka Mauna from 6-9pm, with food vendors, live music, and local artisans.
Convenient location to the rest of Maui
Kihei’s south central location on the island provides easy access to explore the rest of Maui. It’s a mere 20 minutes from the Kahului Airport and serves as a convenient base for venturing out to the North Shore, Upcountry, Iao Valley, Maalaea, and Lahaina.
Also, if you’re up for some marine adventure, the centrally located Kihei boat ramp is your launchpad for snorkeling tours or whale watching expeditions.
It’s undoubtedly laid back
Kihei is a residential town with few large resorts, and offers an easygoing, non-pretentious local life alongside tourist activities. Like most of Hawaii, the pace of life in Kihei is quite a bit slower than the Mainland.
Kihei also has nearly everything you need for daily living, including major grocery stores, many shops and restaurants, a library, post office, and plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy.
Relatively affordability
Unlike other regions on Maui, Kihei doesn’t house large luxury resorts or high-end shopping malls. The town offers more moderately priced accommodations, shopping, and dining, making it one of Maui’s budget-friendlier choices.
The most stunning sunsets
Because it faces west with views of Lanai and Kahoolawe, Kihei’s sunsets are some of the most breathtaking on the island.
Just be aware that during certain times of the year, the sun’s position might be obscured by the West Maui Mountains, particularly from North Kihei. But a short drive towards Wailea should offer an unobstructed view of the sunset.
Image credits: Tristan Ramberg, Alan Rodriguez, Ian Rinefort, Jesse Collins, Steve Wrzeszczynski, Ris & Ry
***
Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo or rental home in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui.
Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo or rental home in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui.
