Maui's main airport is Kahului Airport, where jet flights from neighboring islands arrive several times a day. Two tiny commuter airports on the island include the Kapalua West Maui airport, with a 3,000-foot runway capable of handling only small aircraft, and Hana Airport, where Island Air is the exclusive carrier.
Kahului Airport has daily shuttles into Lahaina and Kaanapali, but most people rent a car at the airport because it's the easiest way to get around. Taxis are also available. Although most people arrive in Maui by air, there are also ferries to the island from both Molokai and Lanai.
Flight Times to Maui
- From San Francisco: 5 hours, 20 minutes
- From Los Angeles: 4 hours, 20 minutes
- From Chicago: 9 hours
- From New York: 11 hours
Local Time
Maui is on Hawaiian Standard Time, two hours earlier than the West Coast (Pacific Standard Time), and five hours earlier than the East Coast (Eastern Standard Time). Unlike the rest of the U.S., the Hawaiian Islands do not observe Daylight Savings Time. That means that during the summer months, Maui is three hours earlier than Pacific Daylight Time and six hours earlier than Eastern Daylight Time.
Getting Around
Most visitors to Maui rent cars and this is probably the best way to get around. If you wish to explore some of the island's dirt roads, you can rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle. There is little in the way of public transportation on Maui, and distances between sights make relying on taxis or limo services prohibitively expensive.
Language
Both Hawaiian and English are spoken on Maui. To learn a few phrases of Hawaiian, look at this
language guide.
Tourist Information
The Maui Visitors Bureau has specific information about the island and can be reached at 808-244-3530 (telephone) or 808-244-1337 (fax). The main office is located in Wailuku at 1727 Wili Pa Loop, opposite the Wailuku post office. There is also an information kiosk at Kahului airport. For information specifically on Kaanapali Beach, contact the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association at 808-661-3271 or 800-245-9229.
If you wish to get information on the island before leaving, call 800-525-MAUI. The Maui Visitors Bureau will send you a travel planner and an informational packet.
Telephones
The area code for the entire state of Hawaii is 808.
What to Bring
Travelers to Hawaii should pack light cotton clothes, a bathing suit, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. The majority of people on Maui dress casually, although the island does have a few upscale restaurants and nightclubs where a jacket or skirt wouldn't be out of place. Sandals or bare feet are the norm, but if you are planning on climbing Haleakala or going upcountry, bring hiking boots and a warm layer of clothes.
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