Location

Maalaea is at the southern side of the isthmus between the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala.

Information & History

There are plenty of things to keep you busy for a full day in Ma'alaea. You can begin with a morning snorkeling or whale-watching cruise followed by an afternoon visit to the Maui Ocean Center. You can end the day with an evening sunset walk on Ma'alaea Beach and then dinner at one of the harbor area's excellent restaurants.

In 1930, Airplane runways at Maalaea were set-up and extended using prison labor. In 1938, Maalaea airfield was condemned; only small aircraft were permitted to land there. The runway today is no longer in existence.

Maalaea, a small fishing village, is the site of the only remaining Shinto Japanese shrine in Hawaii dedicated to the fishing god Ebisu Sama. Surrounded by fields of sugar cane and the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, Maalaea borders on a bay favored by Maui's special winter visitors, the humpback whale. 

Links:

Maui Map

South  Maui Museums & Landmarks

South Maui Beaches

South Maui Hiking & Camping

South Maui Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

South Maui Watersports