We are heading to Kauai in a few days. We will spend Sat - Sun (8days)in Kauai and then fly to Maui on Monday. We arrive in Maui around 11:30 am and then fly home at 10:00 pm. We have a rental car for the fews hours that we are in Maui, but any ideas on what to do with that time? We are a family of 6 with 4 teenage girls. This will be our only time on Maui so we would like to see a little of the island and or some to the things that are exclusive to Maui. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Walking around Lahaina would be fun for your teenagers and you. There are some historical things to see, a huge banyan tree, and lots of shop and eateries. You can parasail at the harbor there as well. That would make for a good half day. Then you could drive north up the west coast of Maui stopping at the olivine pools. This brings you around to Kahului where the airport is. You may even head over to walk around nearby Iao Valley, which is beautiful and historically-significant if you still have some time.

Make sure you see the banyon tree. It is the third largest in the world, and takes up a city block. It is something

lisa

The aquarium in Maalea (I don't know if I spelled it correctly) is exceptional. It is about halfway from the airport to Lahaina. It included a walk thru a plexiglass tunnel where the sea life surrpounds you.

Thanks for the replys. Is there a beach nearby that would have changing facilities and a safe place to park our van. We will have all of our luggage with us, unless we are able to leave it at the airport during our lay over. Does any one know about that?

You might want to save the beach bathing for Kauai--if you do the Lahaina drive(with a stop at Iao on the way, it only takes 1/2 hour), I can't think of any beaches with the facilities you need--but maybe someone closer to the town knows of one? (The beaches on the way to Lahaina are a little rocky, and have lots of surfers.)
AND: the drive around the island to Kahului can be scarier (IMO!) than the road to Hana, and because of very reduced speeds, can take a bit of time; might be good to see some of the scenery up that way, then go back through Lahaina, if time allows.

I agree with sylvia3. There are parts of this drive where you have rock face on your right and a drop off to the ocean below on your left - and it's ONE LANE. That's when you go real slow and honk.

Extract what you need for your time on Maui then check the rest of your baggage all the way thru' to home when you leave Kauai.
If you arrive at 1130 and leave at 2200 (10 pm) then in reality you've got about eight hours max.
The drive from the airport to Lahaina is pleasant and you could shop etc then have lunch if you wanted in Lahaina, drive back via the aquarium as suggested tho' it's far from cheap.
One thing we like to do on the way home is to go down Hana Hwy to Hookipa beach lookout with snack/picnic and just watch the windsurfers etc; you could couple this with a stop in Paia and, if time and interest, go up to Makawao.
Have a great trip

Some previous posters have assumed - it seems - that you're flying into the little airport north of Lahaina. However, my guess is you're coming into the bigger one across the island at Kahului, which is way more than a half-hour drive from Lahaina. Considering the security & baggage check-in time on your flight home, here's our idea:

Head inland to Paia. It's an interesting town to stroll in, the best bakery on the island, arts & clothes. Then down the road a bit to Mama's Fish House for an outstanding late lunch (before dinner prices kick in). Later, head up into the cowboy country for a nice drive into late afternoon. OR you can drive to Lahaina (takes an hour at least, especially if you stop for views) and spend the day, leaving around 630-7 for the plane home. Be cautious about rush-hour traffic on the main highway cross-island.

I have never been to Kauai so I don't know of the snorkeling there. I would imagine with more rain and rivers dumping into the ocean that the shore visibility would not be as good as Maui.
The Kamaole beaches in Kihei have great snorkeling and facilities including fresh water showers for free. The old lava flows down past Makena are interesting as is the sorkleling at Ahihi Reserve close by. After that I would head up to Lahaina for a few hours .