General Geographic Area: Central Maui

In a nutshell: Central Maui is the isthmus between West Maui and Haleakala. It is also where most business gets done on Maui. Visitors will pass through here several times, usually on the way to somewhere else.
Minuses: The Pu’unene Sugar Mill spewing smoke from its stacks into the blue sky sure is a buzzkill.
Sound-bite: “OMG, OGG!”

Central Maui is where Maui’s business gets done. The Kahului Airport and Harbor are where all our “stuff” (and people) come in. The Maui County government, Costco, WalMart, two protected wetlands and ‘Iao Valley…just to name a few of the many reasons you might end up in Central Maui on purpose. Like most of the island, there are also several absolutely spectacular beaches here – including the beach where kitesurfing was born.

Central Maui is comprised largely of the isthmus between West Maui and Haleakala. Kahului and Wailuku are the largest towns in this area. Most visitors will fly in to the Kahului airport.

While it is largely not a tourist destination in and of itself, Central Maui is a hub virtually every visitor will (and must) pass through several times. Traveling from either of the resort areas (West and South Maui) to any other region of Maui requires passing through Central Maui.

Central Maui has several main highways crossing through it, many of which you’re bound to find yourself on. Practically every visitor will take Airport Road, which turns into Dairy Road (Hwy 380) to the junction of 380 & 311. If you are staying in West Maui, you’ll continue on 380 (which becomes the Kuihelani Highway here) to the other side of the central valley. South Maui visitors will take the Mokulele Highway (Hwy 311) from the junction. If you happen to be one of the few lucky folks staying in on the North Shore, Upcountry or Road to Hana regions, you’ll be exiting Central Maui sooner, and by hanging a left onto Hana Highway (Hwy 36) at the K-Mart on Dairy Road.

Ma’alaia Harbor, the Maui Ocean Center and ‘Iao Valley are among the main tourist attractions in Central Maui – but many visitors will find themselves shopping at one of the big box stores, supermarkets or Central Maui’s only two-story shopping mall, the Ka’ahumanu Center. (Don’t be tempted to avoid trying to pronounce Ka’ahumanu by calling it the “Maui Mall” – especially if you’re asking for directions – there is a shopping center/strip mall just a bit down the same road with that very name.)

For more specific information on Central Maui, browse the Central Maui category.

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At beaches with lifeguards, look out for orange high-surf flags in the sand. If they are present, visit the lifeguard stand to read or talk to a lifeguard about the conditions.

Keep in mind that the county almost never closes beaches during dangerous conditions. Flags and warnings will also not be up outside of lifeguard hours. It is up to you to understand that Hawaii’s oceans can become dangerous, and that it requires each individual’s attention, respect and understanding of conditions.

If you ever get caught in a rip-current, please keep in mind the three most important things to your survival:

image: NOAA

Conserve your energy -Don’t fight
Remain calm and conserve your energy. Float, breathe and don’t panic. Always remember that you can not escape the current by swimming against it.

Swim parallel to shore
If you swim parallel to the shoreline, you can escape the current. When out of the current, swim at an angle towards shore.

Float
You can easily float in the current, do not panic if it is taking you further from shore than you believe you can swim. Waive your hands for help and wait calmly for assistance.

You can get current beach conditions, warnings, and safety tips here:

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Windsurfer launching at Euro Beach

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Two mile stretch of rough/raw beaches and tidepools. Frequently used by fishermen and windsurfers.
Minuses: Directly in flight path of Kahului Airport. Attracts some “iffy-characters.”
Sound-bite: [Roar of jet engines]

DETAILS:
Actually more than one beach, “Spreckelsville Beach” is the historic name for a two mile stretch of beaches from Baby Beach in Spreckelsville to Kanaha Beach in Kahului. Most of these beaches have been left to the windsurfers, fishermen, and Maui’s well-hidden homeless population. With recent development in the area, including a new access road to Camp One, more people are starting to find their way here.

The names of the individual beaches that make up Spreckelsville Beach, in order from west to east (see map below) are: Camp One, Sprecks Beach (aka Euro Beach), Lobster Cove, Sugar Cove and Baby Beach.

At the east end, Sugar Cove and Baby Beach are separated by shoreline features and access roads, and these days each is typically considered distinct from catch-all “Spreckelsville Beach.” I’ve written about each of them in their own article. (Sugar Cove is still in development.)

Camp One, at the other end of Spreckelsville Beach, is named for an old plantation camp razed to make way for the airport, and is literally at the end of the Kahului Airport’s main runway. Planes suddenly tear into the peaceful ambiance, barely overhead with their roaring jet engines. If you’re an airplane buff, you might really enjoy the unusual proximity – in fact, you’re so close to the planes here that the FAA has determined that kitesurfing actually has the potential to pose a danger to the airplanes, and is prohibited here. (Good info for kiteboarders considering where it is safe to launch in this area: Maui Kiteboarding Association website.)

Sprecks Beach is a favorite for European Windsurfers (hence the nickname Euro Beach.)

Sugar Cove often had good boogie boarding in the winter and access is from a few roads down (via Nonohe Place).

Somewhere along Camp One Beach

Recently development has moved into this area, and in order to gain approval the developer made a deal with the County to remove the immediate shoreline area from development. They also agreed to install infrastructure to make these beaches more accessible and the access road to Camp One has just been widened, graded and graveled, making for easy parking access right at the oceanside. Expect this beach to become more visited as development continues. Euro Beach also has a decent sized parking lot at the end of a winding poorly-graded unpaved access road.

Camp One has historically been populated by a small amount of homeless people living in tents – the recent development and resulting increase in people visiting these beaches has pushed the homeless further out of sight, but they are still here – not normally a danger, but be sure to keep your valuables in mind (as you should everywhere.)

Key Info:
Location: Stable Rd. (Off of Hana Hwy 36 between mile 4 & 5)
GPS Coordinates: 20.907729,-156.416345
Facilities: None
Get directions

View Sprecelsville Beach in a larger map

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A typical stretch of Sugar Beach along South Kihei Rd.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: South Kihei Road passes along scenic shoreline with long beaches.
Minuses: It’s all relative!
Sound-bite: [wind]

Summary:
North & South Kihei Road hugs the coastline from Ma’alaea through Kihei. The northern end of these beaches seem to have been heaven-made for launching canoes, walking, running and beachcombing.

Wind here is often stronger in the afternoon, so it is great for kite and windsurfing, but laying in the sand during this time can often become a sandblasting experience. Since beach perfection is just a few minutes south, and much of the area is undeveloped, these beaches are often passed over by virtually all visitors.

Ma’alaea Beach (aka Sugar Beach) from Hauoli St., Ma’alaea to N Kihei Rd., Kihei

Close to the Ma'alaea end of Sugar Beach

Sugar Beach has become a popular name for the entire stretch of beach including Ma’alaea Beach and an additional mile of continuous beach that ends just north of Kalepolepo Park (below.) With four miles of continuous and well-packed sand, whatever you call it, this is a great beach for long walks and beach runs.

Ma’alaea Beach runs along the 700 acre Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, established in 1953, is one of the few natural wetlands remaining in Maui, and Hawaii. Many species of birds, including several of Hawaii’s endangered species, breed, nest and can be observed in this saltwater marsh. There is a coastal boardwalk through some of this area. An interesting side-note is that a natural tidal flat portion of this reserve was once used as the runway of one of Maui’s first airports. (Talk about a bumpy landing!)

Kihei Canoe Club. Winner, MauiGuidebook.com photo contest. Credit: Terrie Eliker

The northern 2.5+ miles of Ma’alaea Beach is almost entirely undeveloped, virtually deserted, and you will have it largely to yourself. While it has a lot of reef and tidepools, it is not among the most optimal for laying out and frolicking. Beachcombing, exploring the tidepools, enjoying the open spaces in the wildlife refuge, and soaking in the views can be a real pleasure – especially for those who enjoy some time in solitude. There are also two excellent surfing breaks here during a south swell.

Facilities: None.

Note:
Mile markers listed below are those on the Pi’ilani Highway for driving convenience. South Kihei Road runs parallel to the highway along the shoreline, all beaches are on South Kihei Road.

Mai Poina ‘Oe la’u Beach Park aka Veterans Park ~mm 4-5 (Pi’ilani Hwy) | GPS: 20.782798,-156.464624
Long sandy beach that runs along the north part of Kihei, the name is said to loosely translate to “not to be forgotten” and is a memorial park “Dedicated to all those who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom for all humanity.” Nice beach for long walks or runs. Kite and windsurfing are good here when conditions are right.

Facilities: Bathrooms, showers, picnic tables.

Kalepolepo Beach Park

Kalepolepo Park ~mm 5.1 (Pi’ilani Hwy) | GPS: 20.765043,-156.458831
[Rates higher than the rest, see the dedicated article.]
This 1.5 acre County beach park is next to two fishponds of historical significance; the Koʻieʻie Loko Iʻa fish pond (c 1400-1500) fronts the park.

The pond fronting the beach is walled in with lava rock, making it a calm place for children to play. This area has much historical significance, as it was once a thriving Hawaiian village and was popular with Hawaiian royalty.

Facilities: Port-a-potties, four picnic tables, three BBQs, shower.

Waipu’ilani Park ~mm 5.8 (Pi’ilani Hwy) | GPS: 20.756786,-156.459099
Facilities: Bathrooms, six tennis courts, volleyball court, soccer field

Kalama Park along the ocean.

Kalama Beach Park ~mm 7.5 (Pi’ilani Hwy) | GPS: 20.730489,-156.452372
A park you go to for an event or the wide selection of public facilities, not swimming and sunbathing. (see list below.)

There is an outdoor roller rink that is fun, and free. There is also a skate park here.

There is barely any usable beach here and there are vagrants and rougher types that frequent this park and can make hanging out for a BBQ or picnic uncomfortable.

Loads of facilities: five sets of bathrooms, many picnic tables, two showers, two pavilions, BBQs, park area, one volleyball court, four tennis courts, four baseball fields, two basketball courts, playground, public outdoor roller rink & skate park.

One of the best reasons to come to Cove Park.

Cove Park ~mm 7.8 (Pi’ilani Hwy) | GPS: 20.727779,-156.449862
Just at the south point of Kalama Park. Most commonly used for beginner surf lessons, several instructors are set up ready to go every day of the week. Rocky beach and swimming is poor. The park is not a go-to for most visitors besides for surf lessons. No facilities (although Kalama Park is right next door.)

See Google map below for exact locations.

View North Kihei in a larger map

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High Surf Notification 04 – HIGH SURF ADVISORY CANCELLATION

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has cancelled the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for NORTH FACING SHORES of MAUI and MOLOKAI.

EFFECTS: Surf has dropped below the advisory levels.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO REMAIN CAUTIOUS OF THE DECLINING SURF.

INFORMATION: This will be the last Maui County Civil Defense notification on this event

Hmax = biggest wave of hour; Htenth & Hthird = hourly avg of the largest in 10 & 3 waves
Data: PacIOOS chart of University of Hawaii buoy 187

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