Blog Post by Athena Walsh

Aloha, I hear you are thinking of vacationing in Kihei – Good Choice!

Kihei is an 8-mile-long beach town from Sugar Beach (where we are located!) all the way from Kihei Town to Wailea.

Beaches: Kihei has the most pristine and sunny beaches on Maui! Why, because we are on the Leeward side of the Island, protected from most of the wind and waves.  While North Kihei is almost all sandy beach, the best swimming and snorkeling beaches are farther south…

The most popular Beach on Maui is Oneloa, fondly known as Big Beach Makena.  While this is a lovely beach, be careful as Oneloa Big Beach can be one of the most dangerous beaches as well. Mostly in the summer months when the “South Swell” arrives.

Oneloa – Makena State Park (Big Beach)

From Charlie Youngs and the Kamaole Beach Parks down… Kamaole Beach Park 1 & 2 are awesome and there are fun restaurants across the street, 3 is good for boogie boarders and families looking for a small playground,  there are BBQ’s and lots of happy picnickers!

Keawekapu Beach is less than a mile south of the Kamaole Beaches and is a long beach that runs right into Mokapu and Ulua Beach in the resort community of Wailea (a fun walk during low tide), Keawekapu (pronounced: K aa Ve kaa poo) is also a nice wide beach (without being too wide) with nice sand and great snorkeling in front of the Mana Kai Resort. 

I recommend taking a drive along So. Kihei Rd. until the road ends at La Perouse Bay, a few miles past Oneloa Big Beach Makena State Park. The last 2 miles is a Lava Field from the last Volcanic eruption on Maui, hundreds of years ago! 

La Perouse Bay is famous for Scuba Divers and Spinner Dolphins! (although not so many Dolphins anymore…). Just before La Perouse and the Lava Field is Ahihi Bay, which is an underwater Marine Preserve teaming with tropical Fish and even Turtles at times. The drive to La Perouse is gorgeous!!! There are many secluded coves and beaches along the way and you have to see BIG BEACH Makena State Park. 

Depending on who you are, the Sunday Sunset Drum Circle (100’s of people not a real circle anymore) at “Little Beach” Makena is hugely popular with a certain crowd. It is even on Trip Advisor now. There will be no parking for at least a half mile on Sunday afternoons, so beware. 

Whichever day you choose, I highly recommend a drive out to La Perouse Bay even if you do not stop along the way to swim, snorkel or watch a sunset. 

Shopping: The Shops at Wailea are where you go for high-end shopping.  Everything from Gucci & Prada to Tommy Bahamas Shop & Restaurant and so many more Shops…

In Kihei, we have a lot of “strip malls”. Small shopping centers that run alongside South Kihei Rd. There are 3 main sections, starting with Azeka’s in N. Kihei, which is on both sides of So. Kihei Road. (McDonald’s is a good landmark)…

1 mile farther south you will see Kukui Mall (Starbucks Coffee), Kihei Town Center (Foodland is Kihei’s most popular grocery store) and Kalama Village ‘Open Air Market Place’ plus a couple of other Marketplaces as well. Within these 4 “blocks” you will also find at least 25 Restaurants and 3 Food Trucks! Kalama Beach Park is across the St. for fabulous sunset views year round. (Maui Kayak, SUP and Surf Board Rentals and Lessons are all held here as well)

Restaurants in Kihei-Wailea: 5 Palms Beach Grill and Sarento’s on the Beach have the best Views in Kihei, both restaurants have location, location, location… and really good food. (both are also popular for Happy Hour)

We like Bistro 808 (not the deli-big difference) Café O Lei Steak & Seafood Restaurant (no, it’s not Mexican) Threes’ Bar and Grill (good also for football games on Sundays- huge screen and happy hour prices) we have 20% off coupons (B, L, D) and I go to Sansei Seafood & Sushi Restaurant almost once a week! (going tonight!). Sansei is Sushi, however, they have Steaks, Chicken, and fish as well. lots of cooked food… The crusted Ahi Tuna Rolls and Rock Shrimp Dynamite is award winning! 50% off Sundays/Mondays Early Bird Special-25% the rest of the week for E.B.)

Nalu’s at Azeka’s outdoor Mall is where I go for good Hawaiian music starting at 7:30 PM (T/W is my favorite nights), Healthy Burgers and Salads etc. (awesome seared Ahi Tuna Burger…)

The Maui Brewing Co. is in Kihei as I mentioned. They do not have the Restaurant going yet (too busy opening a new location) so they have a different Food Truck each day or week. However, I recommend walking across the street if you want to eat, and go to Cow Pig Bun! Gourmet Burgers and Whisky is their theme -they also make the best Mac-n Cheese; the not so secret ingredient is tiny pieces of potato… Sunset ocean views if you are going at that time.

For a healthy vibe besides Nalu’s is the new Fork & Salad (see above blog as well). They are mostly Organic and GMO-free. Like an upscale Subway, except with all types of salads! And Soups and Kampuchea etc. All locally sourced…

Coconuts Fish Tacos is #1 on Trip Advisor for Fish Tacos! (also at Azeka’s Mall)

Maui Friday Festivals are the new thing on Maui and Kihei hosts every 4th Maui Friday at Azeka’s Shopping Center. 

Tours: Kihei Surf Lessons and Rentals, SUP Lessons or Rentals, Makena Kayak Tours, Wailea Lu’aus and Sunset Cruises to Snorkel Tours departing from the Kihei Boat Ramp, Scuba Diving, and Spa Grande’ at the Grand Wailea!!

Well, I hope you managed to read this whole blog post on things to do in Kihei, I know it is kinda long! Any questions or for Kihei Tour Tickets please call the Ladies at the Maui Snorkel Store at 808-879-6260.