General Geographic Area: West Maui

In a nutshell: West Maui is home to loads of beautiful beaches, and the towns of Lahaina and Ka’anapali. To the north of this region, Ka’anapali and Kapalua boast plenty of higher-end condos and resort hotels, plus four world-class golf courses. Lahaina, the most-visited spot on Maui, is midway around the head and where you’ll find lower and mid-range lodging options.
Minuses: Only one narrow two-lane road in and out makes for the most congested traffic in Maui.
Sound-bite: “Today: Golf lessons, shopping, then some beach time to rest up for party-time tonight in Lahaina!”

West Maui is a large area which has seen the majority of Maui’s hotel and resort development. Ka’anapali Beach Resort is Maui’s largest (and first) master-planned resort, boasting 11 hotels and condos. Lahaina, known as Maui’s old whaling, party and shopping town also boasts loads of history and is home to one of Maui’s two main recreational ports. West Maui has four world-class golf courses, including the world-renowned PGA championship Plantation Course at Kapalua.

West Maui has only one main thoroughfare: the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30.) The Honoapiilani Highway runs right along the scenic shoreline, and in some places, right up to the shorebreak. It makes for fantastically unique drive. The highway continues all the way around the scenic West Maui Mountains, finishing up along a precarious cliff-edge drive that emerges back on the other side of Central Maui from where you started.

Being the most densely populated tourist area, and having only one narrow road in and out makes for heavy traffic. When there is an accident, forget about it – the road can be closed off entirely, cutting off access in or out of this side of the island for many hours at a time.

There are many opportunities for shopping and dining and new condos, hotels, time-shares, shopping centers and strip malls continue to spring up year after year.

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

You may also be interested in:

• Oneloa Beach (aka Ironwoods Beach)
• Roy’s Kaanapali
• China Boat

“We need to be sort of close (30 minutes or so) to an Olympic sized pool. My son is a competitive swimmer…Do you have any idea if there is a community or recreation center pool on the island?”

Maui has no shortage of great public pools! There are public pools within 30 minutes of most places visitors will stay.

Here is the County website links to the locations and specifications for our public pools:

South Maui:
Kihei Aquatic Center

West Maui:
Lahaina Aquatic Center

Upcountry:
Upcountry Pool (Pukalani)

Central Maui, Wailuku:
Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool
New Wailuku Pool
Old Wailuku Pool

Central Maui, Kahului:
Kahului Pool
Kokua Pool

Molokai:
Cooke Memorial Pool

View Public Pools in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Upper Waikani Falls (aka Three Bears)
• Hale Kaikane 4BR House
• Kamaole Beach Royale 207

*This affects all traffic in and out of West Maui as this is the only route and traffic is backed up significantly. It will take a while to clear and further issues will create more delays*

If you are staying in West Maui, best to find something to do there. If you were planning on visiting West Maui today, best to reschedule your trip for another day (I did!)

View Wesbound Closed 12/3/10 in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• The Melting Pot
• Basil Tomatoes Italian Grill
• ‘Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve

Traffic is backed up, expect this backup to persist into evening hours.

If you’re already in West Maui
Find a beach to settle down on for the day and enjoy yourself! You will likely be able to pass though here this evening once the accident and backed up traffic has been cleared.

If you have an urgent need to pass in or out of West Maui this afternoon
Traffic is flowing slowly.

Don’t be tempted to try the West Maui North Shore route
The closed route is the only practical route in and out of West Maui – do not ever attempt the back route when the main route is closed. Police often close the back route during these closures because it becomes very unsafe (and virtually impassible) with any significant traffic.

County of Maui Road Closure Hotline – 808-986-1200
(This line is known to have long delays being updated with current info)

View Honoapiilani Hwy Closed in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
• Piilani Hwy 31 Closed
• Mauigrown Coffee Co.

County of Maui Road Closure Hotline – 808-986-1200
(This line is known to have delays being updated with current info)

View Road Closed 7/13/2011 in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• West Maui’s North Shore – Kapalua to Wailuku
• Nakalele Blowhole
• Olivine Pools