Visitor Information

For advance information on traveling in Maui, contact the Maui Visitors Bureau, 1727 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793 (tel. 800/525-MAUI [6284] or 808/244-3530; fax 808/244-1337; www.visitmaui.com).

The Kaanapali Beach Resort Association is at 2530 Kekaa Dr., Suite 1-B, Lahaina, HI 96761 (tel. 800/245-9229 or 808/661-3271; fax 808/661-9431; www.kaanapaliresort.com).

The state agency responsible for tourism is the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB), Waikiki Business Plaza, 2270 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 801, Honolulu, HI 96815 (tel. 800/GO-HAWAII [464-2924] or 808/923-1811; www.gohawaii.com).

If you want information about working and living in Maui, contact the Maui Chamber of Commerce, 250 Alamaha St., Unit N-16A, Kahului, HI 96732 (tel. 808/871-7711; www.mauichamber.com).

Information on Maui's Parks

National Parks -- The islands of Maui and Molokai have one national park each: Haleakala National Park, P.O. Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768 (tel. 808/572-4400; www.nps.gov/hale); and Kalaupapa National Historical Park, P.O. Box 2222, Kalaupapa, HI 96742 (tel. 808/567-6802; www.nps.gov/kala).

State Parks -- To find out more about state parks on Maui and Molokai, contact the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., No. 130, Honolulu, HI 96813 (tel. 808/587-0300; www.hawaii.gov), which can provide information on hiking and camping. For free topographic trail maps, call the State Department of Forestry at tel. 808/984-8100.

County Parks -- For information on Maui County Parks, contact Maui County Parks and Recreation, 1580-C Kaahumanu Ave., Wailuku, HI 96793 (tel. 808/270-7230; www.co.maui.hi.us/departments/Parks/Recware).

Hawaii on the Web

Below are some of the best Hawaii-specific websites for planning your trip.

• Maui Visitors Bureau (www.visitmaui.com): An excellent all-around guide to travel tips, Hawaiian culture, activities, tours, lodging, family vacations and events, weddings, and honeymoons. Info on Molokai and Lanai is also listed -- but keep in mind that only members of the MVB are listed.
• Planet Hawaii (www.planet-hawaii.com): An island-by-island guide to activities, lodging, shopping, culture, the surf report, weather, and more. Mostly you'll find short listings with links to other websites.
• Maui Island Currents (www.islandcurrents.com): Specializing in arts and culture, Island Currents gives the most detailed lowdown on current exhibitions and performance art. Gallery listings are organized by town, while in-depth articles highlight local artists. You can consult restaurant reviews from the Maui News "Best of Maui" poll for suggestions and prices.
• Maui Net (www.maui.net): The clients of this Internet service provider are featured in this extensive directory of links to accommodations, activities, and shopping. The activities section has links to golf, hiking, airborne activities, and ocean adventures, such as scuba and snorkeling. These links lead to outfitters' sites, where you can learn more and set up excursions before you arrive in paradise.
• Molokai Visitors Association (www.molokai-hawaii.com): This is a very complete site for activities, events, nightlife, accommodations, and family vacations. Enjoy the landscape by viewing a virtual photo tour, get driving times between various points, and learn about local history.
• Lanai Visitors Bureau (www.visitlanai.net): Find everything you wanted to know about the island of Lanai, from activities and accommodations to maps, a calendar of events, and even romance.
• Hawaiian Language (www.geocities.com/~olelo/hltableofcontents.html): This fabulous site has not only easy lessons on learning the Hawaiian language, but also a great cultural calendar, links to other Hawaii websites, a section on the hula, and lyrics (and translations) to Hawaiian songs.

Tip: What to Pack

Maui is very informal: You'll get by with shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers at most attractions and restaurants; a casual sundress or a polo shirt and khakis are fine even in the most expensive places. Dinner jackets for men are required only in some of the fine-dining rooms of a very few ultra-exclusive resorts, such as the Lodge at Koele on Lanai -- and they'll cordially provide you with a jacket if you don't bring your own. Aloha wear is acceptable everywhere, so you may want to plan on buying an aloha shirt or a muumuu (a Hawaiian-style dress) while you're in Maui.

So bring T-shirts, shorts, long pants, a couple of bathing suits, tennis shoes, and rubber water shoes or flip-flops. Don't forget a long-sleeved cover-up (to throw on at the beach when you've had enough sun for the day). If you plan on hiking, bring hiking boots and several pairs of good socks. You might also want to bring binoculars for whale-watching.

The tropical sun poses the greatest threat to anyone who ventures into the great outdoors, so be sure to pack sun protection: a good pair of sunglasses, strong sunscreen, a light hat, and a canteen or water bottle if you'll be hiking -- you'll easily dehydrate in the tropical heat, so figure on carrying 2 liters of water per day on any hike. Campers should bring water-purification tablets or devices.

Don't bother overstuffing your suitcase with 2 whole weeks' worth of clothes: Maui has laundry facilities almost everywhere (except Hana). If your accommodations don't have a washer and dryer or laundry service (most do), there will most likely be a laundry nearby.

One last thing: It really can get cold on Maui. If you plan to see the sunrise from the top of Haleakala, bring a warm jacket. Even in summer when it's 80°F (27°C) at the beach, 40°F (4°C) upcountry temperatures are not uncommon. It's always a good idea to bring long pants and a windbreaker, sweater, or light jacket. And be sure to toss some rain gear in your suitcase if you'll be in Maui any time between November and March.