Maui Regions and Areas

There is much talk, if not controversy, about how to split up Maui by region so that it can easily be described on a website such as this. Why the controversy you ask? Well, Maui, like all the Hawaiian islands, is part of a county politically divided into several districts, clockwise: Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao, and Hana (seen here). Since Molokai and Lanai are also technically inside Maui county, they are also districts, but we're ignoring them here. Quite honestly, to the modern day traveler these districts serve no purpose.

The remedy then is to find a way to divide the island into segments that are easy to recognize, describe, and access via the major roads of the island. This is where much of the debate comes from. Every "expert" has their own way of dissecting the island into pieces.

Our way is pretty simple and it's a method we've followed religiously in all of our physical guidebooks. We like to take the North, East, South, and West approach and we've stayed as true as possible to that format here online (see the map below to the right). In general, we've adjusted some region names as needed and kept others to preserve common reference. I'm sure some of you will disagree and send off an email to us, but this system has worked rather well for us and as noted, we're aware others have their own preferred method of dividing up the island.

Ultimately we've divided the island in a manner that helps us group spots together so that they are easily accessible along the major routes of the island. This allows us to use our mile by mile directions to easily and accurately describe each spot here on our website.

Via the links below we'll cover each of those areas in detail so you will know exactly what to expect in each region of Maui. The map seen here to the bottom right shows our divisions, versus the District Map. They are, clockwise: West Maui, Central Maui, Northeast Maui, Southeast Maui, Upcountry Maui, and South Maui.

Below is a general synopsis of what you can expect in each region of Maui, along with a variety of links providing you quick access to the most popular attractions in that region or area.

West Maui Region & Area (Northwest Maui Highlights)
Northwest Maui Region
---Dragon's Teeth
---Kahakuloa Head
---Waihee Ridge Trail

Southwest Maui Region & Area (Southwest Maui Highlights)
Southwest Maui Region
---Lahaina Town
---Ka'anapali
---Maui Ocean Center

Central Maui Region & Area ('Iao and Central Maui Highlights)
'Iao Valley and Central Maui Region
---Kahului Town
---Kahului Airport
---'Iao Valley State Park and Iao Needle (Kukaemoku)

Northeast Maui Region & Area (Northeast Maui Highlights)
Northeast Maui Region
---Pa'ia Town
---Ho'okipa Beach Park
Coastal Highway 360 - Hana Highway (Road to Hana)
------Twin Falls Trail
------Na`ili`ili-haele Falls (4 Waterfalls Hike) [KAPU]
------Painted Bark Eucalyptus Trees
------Waikamoi Ridge Trail (Ko'olau Forest Reserve)
------Waikamoi Falls
------Garden of Eden Botanical Arboretum
------Lower Puohokamoa Falls
------Upper Puohokamoa Falls
------Haipua'ena Falls
------Kaumahina State Wayside Park
------Honomanu Bay Lookout
------Punalau Valley Falls
------Honomanu Bay Beach (Road)
------Various Hana Highway Lookouts
------Nua'ailua Bay & Scenic Lookout
------Ke'anae Arboretum
------Ke'anae Peninsula & Village
------Ching’s Pond (Sapphire Pools)
------Ke'anae Peninsula Lookout
------Wailua Town & Lower Waikani Falls
------Wailua Valley Wayside Park
------Upper Waikani (Three Bears) Falls
------Wailuaiki Falls
------Kopiliula Falls [KAPU]
------Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside Park
------Upper Hanawi Falls
------Makapipi Falls
------Nahiku Road & Landing
------Ula'ino Road
---------Ka'eleku Caverns
---------Kahanu Garden
---------Pi'ilani Heiau
---------Helele'ike'oha Falls (Blue Pool) [KAPU]
------Wai'anapanapa Wayside Park
Hana Area
---Hana Town & Bay
---Kaihalulu (Red Sand) Beach
Highway 31 (P'ilani Hwy)
------Haneo'o Road
---------Koki Beach and 'Alau Island
---------Hamoa Beach

Southeast Maui Region & Area (Southeast Maui Highlights)
Southeast Maui Region
---Waioka Pond (Venus Pool) [KAPU]
---Ala'alaula Falls
---Paihi Falls
---Wailua Stream
---Wailua Falls
---Hahalawe Falls
---Pua'a lu'u Falls
---Kipahulu Area
------Haleakala National Park at Kipahulu and Ohe'o Gulch Pools (aka 7 Sacred Pools)
--------Kuloa Point Trail
--------Kahakai Trail
--------Pipiwai Trail
----------Makahiku Falls
----------Waimoku Falls
------Charles Lindbergh’s Grave
------Kipahulu Coastline
------Kukui'ula Falls
------Alelele Trail & Falls
------Kaupo Town
------Mokulau & Kaupo Store
------Kaupo Gap Lookout
------Pokowai Sea Arch
------Manawainui Gulch

Upcountry Maui Region & Area (Upcountry and Haleakala Highlights)
Upcountry and Haleakala Maui Region
Highway 37 - Haleakala Highway
---Enchanting Floral Gardens
Highway 377 (Upper Haleakala Highway)
---Kula Botanical Gardens
---Polipoli Springs State Park
Highway 378 ('Crater Road' to Haleakala Summit)
---Haleakala National Park
------Haleakala Lookout
---------Keoneheehee Sliding Sands Trail
------Haleakala Pu`u `Ula`ula Summit (Red Hill)
Highway 37 - Kula Highway
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park
Tedeschi Winery & Ranch Store

South Maui Region & Area (South Maui Highlights)
South Maui Region
Kihei Area
---Kihei Town
---Kama'ole Beach I, II, and III
Wailea Area
---Makena (Big Beach) State Park
-----Pu'u Ola'i Little Beach
---La Perouse Bay

Add Your Comments

Name:

Email:

Location:

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below: