Lahaina is one of the most historic towns in Hawaii and a must-see during your trip to Maui. It has a rich history, a famous tree, and one of the “Top Ten Greatest Streets” in America. It’s very bike and pedestrian-friendly, and only 4 miles from our Kaanapali bike shop, making it a popular destination to e-bike among our customers. We even offer 2-hour, 4 hour, and full day self-guided tours focused on Lahaina that include a detailed map and way-finding points so you don’t have to worry about researching and planning. If you have questions before renting an electric bike, we encourage you to read our rental FAQs.

GETTING TO AND FROM RIDESMART MAUI BIKE SHOP:

Kaanapali to Lahaina – 3.7 miles

Hop on your e-bike and ride south down the Honoapiilani Highway for 4 miles. You’ll ride on the wide shoulder of the Honoapiilani Highway until you take a slight right onto Front Street. It’s a beautiful, relatively flat ride, with ocean views. You can also take the canoe beach path. Please keep in mind that it gets busy on weekends and holidays and cyclists should be respectful to pedestrians when riding on the path.

HISTORY OF LAHAINA:

Lahaina was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom until 1845 when King Kamehameha moved to the larger port of Honolulu. It quickly grew in popularity during the whaling boom of the mid 1800’s, serving as a port for hundreds of ships that filled the village with sailors. Overtime, it has transformed into a quaint beachfront destination that has kept its historic charm.

WHAT TO DO:

Once you ride to Lahaina, there are a number of historic sites to see. If you plan to get off your e-bike and walk around, please make sure it is securely locked to a stationary object. We provide some of our top recommendations below, but you may also wish to download the Lahaina Historic Trail Walking Tour App.

Lahaina Banyan Tree – you can cool down under one of the country’s largest banyan trees right here in Lahaina! This 60ft high landmark has 16 trunks, spans 1.9 acres and is home to hundreds of loud mynah birds. It was planted as an 8ft sapling in 1873 by Maui’s then-mayor William Owen Smith in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the first American protestant missionary in Lahaina. If you happen to visit during December, don’t miss the Annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree in which 6,500 lights are strung through it’s branches.

Stroll down Front Street: ranked as a top 10 US Street by the American Planning Association, Front Street is an epicenter full of shops, restaurants, art galleries and history dating back to the 1820s. There are so many things to do… grab a bite to eat (keep scrolling for recommendations), buy a souvenir and enjoy the quaint and colorful storefronts.

Lahaina Banyan Tree – Source: Lahainatown.com

Get artsy – visit the many art galleries like Maui Hands, Bill Wyland Galleries and Maui on Metal. Schedule a lesson at Moana Glass to learn the ancient art of glassblowing while you craft your Maui souvenir.

Old Lahaina Luau – one of Maui’s top Luaus lets you experience Hawaiian culture, indulge in local food and free-flowing drinks, and be entertained from start to finish with hula dancers, fire spinners Hawaiian drums and more.

Experience the History of Lahaina – There are a total of 62 important historical landmarks along the Lahaina Historic Trail (Ala Moolelo O Lahaina). You can download the tour map on your smartphone or print out a PDF version and you’ll also find informative bronze plaques at many of these points of interest.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Lahaina Jodo Mission – A Japanese Buddhist temple built in 1968 sits on the oceanfront Puunoa Point. Look for the 12-foot statue of Amida Buddha completed as a commemorative project recognizing the first Japanese immigrants to arrive in Hawaii.

• Baldwin Home Museum – go back in time with a visit to the oldest house in Lahaina. American missionary doctor, Dwight Baldwin, built this home using coral and stone in 1834 after coming to Hawaii with the smallpox vaccine to protect Hawaii’s people during the epidemic.
• Hauola Stone – used by ancient Hawaiians as a healing place. Look for the brass marker in the water that directs you to the stone.
• Brick Palace – built by King Kamehameha as a palace for his wife, this site is believed to be the first Western-style building in Hawaii.
• Old Lahaina Lighthouse – Locally produced whale oil used to light the way for boats heading for Lahaina Harbor. It was only 9 feet when it was first built in 1866, but now stands at 26 feet tall.

WHERE TO EAT:

Fleetwood on Front Street

Multi-level venue owned by the drummer of the legendary Fleetwood Mac. Book a reservation for the rooftop, enjoy live music and indulge in tasty steaks, fresh fish and delicious desserts.
744 Front Street

Kimo’s Maui

Home of the famous Hula Pie (coined as “what the sailors swam ashore for”), this Maui staple has been serving lunch and dinner since 1977. Live entertainment happens every night of the week!
845 Front Street

Down the Hatch Maui

Featured on diners, drive-ins and dives, this local spot uses locally sourced fresh fish and has a unique mix of southern and Hawaiian style food. Don’t miss their Adult Shave Ice from 2-5pm daily.
658 Front Street #102

Captain Jack’s Island Grill

Great views of the famous banyan tree and Lahaina harbor at this pirate-themed restaurant. Popular menu items include the Fresh Island Ceviche, Fish-N-Chips, and southwest dishes such as burritos, fajitas and tacos.
672 Front Street

Cool Cat Cafe

They have been voted the “Best Burger on Maui” for five years running and have 13 to choose from. This is a great place to dine-in and sit in a retro booth in this 50s style diner, or get your food to-go so you can enjoy your burger on the beach.
658 Front Street

Down the Hatch Maui

Featured on diners, drive-ins and dives, this local spot uses locally sourced fresh fish and has a unique mix of southern and Hawaiian style food. Don’t miss their Adult Shave Ice from 2-5pm daily.
658 Front Street #102

Betty’s Beach Cafe

They also have brunch every weekend starting at 8am and happy hour daily from 2-5pm.
505 Front Street

LahainaLuna Cafe

Come for AFFORDABLE Asian fusion and local Hawaiian flavors like tacos, burgers, salads and local plates.
790 Front Street