All I have heard about Maalaea is very negative things...is it really that bad? I have read about how windy it is but other than that is it really that bad? Has someone been there recently that could tell me? What good things are there to do there? We already got our place and now I am having doubts after reading about all these negative things about Maalaea...can someone help?

Don't get too upset, esp. if you have confirmed reservations. The scenery is very very nice, the beach is lovely (for walking),and there are nice restaurants at the harbor there. At infrequent times it can be polluted from burning fields, and the water is not the best for swimming, but there is a nice bird/wildlife sanctuary there now. Just explore all the wonderful beaches for snorkeling, swimming, body surfing, etc. that are south from Kihei to Makena (as everyone else does!) and north of Lahaina (Kaanapali, etc.) It's Maui, after all--you'll have a great time exploring the island wherever your home base is.

p.s. Maui Revealed would be a good book for you to peruse re: Maalaea and is very good for the rest of the island.

We stayed at condos (VRBO) in the Maalaea area in January 2006 and in February 2006. There was no smoke from burning cane. We did not swim there so did not notice if the water was icky.

We really like to stay in this area because it is fairly inexpensive. Our 2b/2b condos were $150 and $175 per night. We spent most of our time whale watching so being near the PWF at Maalaea was extremely convenient. We also saw tons of humpbacks from our condo balcony.

The area is quiet; the breeze means that air conditioning is not needed. We were not disturbed by early morning flights; however, we were awake and up by 5:00 every morning.

We really prefer this area to Kihei.

Jakspears, many Maui guidebooks steer you away from Maalaea Harbor area or don't even mention it as a place to stay because of the ferocious wind (I don't mean nice tradewinds. It's supposed to be the second windiest place in the world, I have heard.) "Maui Revealed" mentions frequent pollution from the sugar cane burning, the new Wind Farm being built there, and recommends not staying there.

If I could change my reservations without much penalty, I would. Why stay in an area knowing you might be uncomfortable or disappointed in your surroundings when there are many beautiful areas to stay on Maui, not all of them expensive?

How often do you make a trip to Hawaii? Maalaea Harbor coming cheaper would not be a good reason for me to stay there. You can get very good deals for South Kihei with great swimmable beaches and none of the problems of Maalaea Harbor.

That's a big "if" but I second the motion.

This will probably be the ONLY time that we will be able to go to Maui because we have a tight budget! The reason we are going there now is because my sister wants to get married on the beach since its always been her dream. I am pretty sure I would have to pay a BIG fine for cancelling and plus for our price range and the amount of ppl staying with us we couldn't find anything else that was open. And we need the computer in the room for some work purposes. It seemed like a good deal to me but now I am kind of worried to stay in Maalaea. But then again its not like I am going on MY honeymoon...lol We won't hardly be in the room except to sleep. Other than that we should be all over the island. Does anyone have suggestions as to what their FAVORITE thing to do in Maui was?

I think there's a fun place called Buzz' Wharf. Is it still there? I remember a decent dinner, sunset and a yummy desert.

Thanks! I just checked out the prices and they really aren't too bad. Makes me hungry!!haha

I stayed in Maalaea a few years ago and thought it was just fine. Not my favorite area, but very good value for the price. We liked the central location, for day trips easily in any direction. The small shopping center next to the aquarium has some good shops in it- I LOVE Island Soap and Candle! There is a small beach park at the end of "condo road" that is good for a morning swim. Buzz's Wharf is one of my favorite restaurants. You will be very close to Maalaea Harbor and will enjoy seeing the boats coming and going. Very convenient, of course, if you decide to splurge on one of the snorkel or sightseeing cruises. IMO, the best things to do on Maui are all FREE...so your tight budget doesn't need to be a huge concern. Drive to Upcountry for unforgettable views down the slopes to the ocean beyond, visit lush Iao Valley. Hit a couple of the lavish hotels for breakfast or lunch and stroll the fantastic grounds and art-filled interiors. Visit 2 or 3 beaches in different parts of the island...maybe Napili or Kapalua, busy Kaanapali, and then one of the nice So. Kihei or Wailea beaches. The swap meet is fun on Saturday morning. There are free hula shows at some of the malls, and check the newspaper to see if there are any free music concerts at Borders, or perhaps local festivals.

Jake, I'm the person who posed the other Maalaea questions. We have stayed there four times in the past. It was a bit windy, but coming from Alaska we enjoyed the slightly cooler temps. I had been asking questions because it has been 6 years since we were there. The location is central to driving nearly everywhere and the scenery is wonderful. Buzz's Wharf (back then anyway) was a good place to eat.

The Place is a fairly newish restaurant near Maalaea (and the Pacific Whale Foundation) that's really good...highly recommend. Also has a view of the harbor there.

Hmmmmm, thanks beanweb. When we started going in the 1980's there was a tiny old grocery/fish market there. It was probably on the site where the new mall is. They had 3 tables on the deck and you could pick your fresh fish lunch out of the cold case and eat it on site. C'est la vie!

Just remember one thing. You don't spend much time where you are actually staying. You will be out and about everyday, and only coming back to your room/condo for resting/sleeping. If you are going to face large penalities, I would not worry about it. After all, you are in Maui, could be worse.

near sugar beach is a sandwich shop called dina's witch, or something like that. get a great sandwich or a decent bowl of saimin there...the highlight of the place is the wallpaper...it's made from currency from around the world. nearly every sq inch is covered in cash!

Buzz's is still there and still good, had lunch there on Sunday on the way to airport

I think Maalaea (yes it's windy) would be an excellent base for touring the island and even better if you can watch the comings and goings in the harbour. from your condo.
Have a great trip.

We booked a condo there for July. I am not worried about the negative comments. Often I find that negative comments are a way of keeping people away from the "Nice" spots!

I have heard that the wind is very nice, espcecially in the summer!

I will let you know.

Regarding the negative remarks about Maalaea. Did the person who wrote these remarks actually stay there? If they did, was it only once? I know what Maui Revealed says…..I bought their book (2003). Thank goodness, I never read the part about Maalaea. I would have thought they were telling the truth, and stayed clear of it. I've being going to Maui for over 15 years. I've stayed in Kaanapali, Kihei and Wailea. Once I discovered Maalaea, I never stayed at any other location again. I have stayed at four of the nine vacation properties there. I stayed at the Milowai (twice), the Island Sands (twice), Maalaea Kai (once) and the Kanai A Nalu (three times). I have never seen the little bugs they talk about. Twice in all those years there was a bad smell while I was staying at one of the properties almost next to the harbor. After a few days, we realized the odor came from the water. I stopped staying at that particular complex. Maalaea does have a wonderful breeze, but it is not "punishing". It is cooling and you don't notice the high humidity of Maui because of it. Where isn’t there a breeze on Maui? The afternoon snorkel cruises are almost half price because the ocean gets so windy. It's odd, Maui Revealed said the winds aren’t bad in the mornings or evenings out on Maalaea Beach (which Maui Revealed said is a really nice jogging and walking beach), but they stated the winds were strong in the afternoon. This is true, but they also write that the winds are bad in Maalaea all the time? This contradiction makes no sense to me…. They forgot to mention that the four mile long Maalaea beach is next to a nature preserve, and it is a government protected area, so there aren't any hotels, businesses or homes along this beach. Because of this, I have never seen it crowded. Compare this beach to the crowded conditions at Kaanapali or Wailea’s beaches. Plus, all the bumper-to-bumper traffic you have to endure to get to them. I think the person who did the review for Maui Revealed must have been really pissed off at someone in Maalaea and since then, they have trashed the whole area. The information on the rates could be seen as misleading. They are actually higher than in Kihei for a comparable unit. And the three properties that are right on the sandy beach, with some units just a few feet from the sand (Makani A Kai, Hono Kai and Kanai A Nalu), are not cheap. Plus, you can see the whales out in Maalaea Bay from their lanais and some of the beachfront units are booked solid during the winter months because of this.

I’ve also read that Maalaea is so windy, they built a wind farm there. Since I’d never seen the wind farm, I researched it. There is a wind farm, way up on the top of the mountain, above McGregor point. It is so high up, that when I was at the Kanai A Nalu last month, I couldn’t even see it.

And the only time I have smelled horrible fumes from the power plant or the Kealia Pond, both of which are down wind from Maalaea, was when I was on N. Kihei Road. And yes, the stink was so bad (like rotten eggs) that I made sure to roll up my windows and turn on the air each time I drove to Kihei.

Why doesn’t Maui Revealed write about the crime in Kihei or Wailea?? I heard the author lived on Maui. I stayed in Kihei until I was told about the “Crime Watch” section of an online publication called Maui Weekly. I was so shocked about Kihei and Wailea’s daily crime rate. If you don’t believe me, check out: www.mauiweekly.com . When the page comes up, go to the left side column. About halfway down it says “Crime Watch”, click on it. It lists all the reported crimes each day in South Maui. At the bottom of the page are more “Crime Watch” links, click on them….they go from the current crimes (October 18th) all they way back to last July. I realize there is crime on the islands…but it’s out-of-sight in Kihei and Wailea.

Everyone should do lost of research as to where they want to stay. When you find a place you like, the best rating is what prior guests have said, don’t rely on what you find written in a guidebook. Maybe their researcher stayed in one unit one time and it was a bad experience. I don’t go through travel agents or rental agents. I only deal with the owners who rent out their condos. They are cheaper than the agents and you can find these condos on at least 50 sites that advertise “Vacation rentals by owner”. Dealing with an owner, I can get actual photos of the unit I will be renting (no bate and switch), all the amenities it has (air or no air) and I can read what prior guests have written. I can even contact them if I so desire. I like Maui Revealed; I’ve used my copy many times. But I think their determination to “bury” Maalaea with “half truths” is very petty, really below the caliber of the book. Shame on them.

Seems that someone is hawking their own place, judging from the record of posts.

I've been in Maalaea a few time, and twice was to eat at Buzz which is a good spot. Anyway, Ive chosen to stay elsewhere on the island, and have never gone over $150.- a night (no it wasn't a two bedroom though). My faves are UpCountry, Lahaina, and Napili. I would like to try Makena though. Also check out B&B's as some have condo like units.