Lahaina, Maui - A Leisurely Day For the Low Budget Visitor

After zip line rides, whale watching excursions, sunsetcome to Kamehameha Iki Park.
dinner cruises, surfing lessons, helicopter tours, etThis is the finish line for a race held every January
cetera, et cetera, you may be ready for a low budget,which features a marathon, half marathon, 15k and 5k.
relaxing day on Maui. There is no better place thanThey all finish at the same place which makes for
Lahaina, the old capital and favorite home site of thesome challenging logistics. Walk out and sit on the
Hawaiian kings. Time for a low cost exploration ofbeach or under one of the shade trees. There will
Front Street, Lahaina's main street which runs alongusually be a surfing class a hundred yards out.
the coast.Retrace your steps on Front Street and check out the
A good place to start is the banyan tree. Not aPioneer Inn, built in 1904 and lovingly restored. Stop in
banyan tree, but THE banyan tree in the parkfor a drink at happy hour and listen to the music. We
between Front Street and Lahaina's marina. Theespecially enjoyed Tuesday nights with Ah Tim, a big
banyan tree, planted in 1873 when it was only eightHawaiian with a voice to match his size.
feet tall, now covers two thirds of an acre with aPick up a brochure for the Lahaina Historical Trail.
diameter of 200 feet. There are many benchesThere are over 25 sites within this small area of
available so we will use one of these to sit and planLahaina.
our trip. There is usually plenty of room except onNext to the Pioneer Inn is a small park, the site of the
some weekends when it is the site of an arts andHauola Royal Birthing Stone, where royalty came to
crafts exhibition/marketplace.birth their children. There is also a brick outline at the
Adjacent to the banyan tree is the Old Lahaina Courtsite of one of the Hawaiian king's summer home. This
House which is now a free public museum andis the perfect place to sit on the sea wall and watch
bookstore. It is a great place to learn about the historythe sun set over the island of Lanai across the
of Maui with emphasis on the early missionaries andchannel.
the whaling industry. If you are getting hungry, there is aIf you are ready for a mile hike and some more good
Burger King on the other side of Front Street.food head up Front Street to Aloha Mixed Plate. Try
In front of the Court House is the Lahaina Harbor andthe loco moco for breakfast or the combination plate
Marina. It doesn't cost anything to walk along the docksfor lunch or dinner. This is the best bargain on Maui.
and check out the whale watching and sport fishingGreat view of the water with all the tables shaded by
boats. Take your time and you might be offered ahuge trees and umbrellas.
bargain trip for later.Enjoy your almost free day. There is enough to see
Next to the park is the local school. Walk past itand do in Lahaina that it may take you several days, a
staying on the ocean side of Front Street and you willweek, or a lifetime.