I know the parking there can be atrocious. Has anyone found the answer to great parking there especially if free or low cost.

It's not worth the aggrevation, just pay the $5 or whatever and be done with it. You'll waste more than $5.00 worth of time driving around looking. You can get some free time in the Hilo Hatties lot if you buy something, I think it's 2 hours.

I have never understood why people complain about the parking in Lahaina. It is tight but nothing compared to the downtown of even small cities.
I almost always get a free two or theee hour parking space on any of the major streets that run off Front Street (Papalaua, Lahainaluna, Dickenson, Prison, Shaw). If that doesn't work, park at the Lahaina Shopping Centre and you get free parking (I forget how long) with any small purchase at the ABC store or any store.

And on Saturday and Sunday (or any day when school is not in) there is parking on the street in front of Kamehameha School on the south end of Front street (just South of the harbour).

My secret is to have my husband circle while I shop We find spots across from the photo place.

Where is "the photo place" ?

There's a paid parking lot on Lahainaluna a block south from the Lahaina Inn. We stayed at the Inn and the parking was added to our bill. Pretty cheap and definitely worth not having to drive around.

Hilo Hattie's will validate with out a purchase. I think it is for several hours. They are very smart though, I always find something I HAVE to have each time I go in.

I agree with what Rusty said, compared to a lot of places, parking's not that big a deal. We parked at the Lahaina Shopping Center too and got it validated with something we bought at ABC. No big deal. P.S. Avoid Lahaina, it's a tacky trap.

love
roxy

Stay on Kaanapali and take the busses into Lahaina. They run all the time and are easy to use.Safe when having Mai Tais as well!

I usually book my activities thru AdventureMaui & they will validate your parking anytime & any length of time at the lot where Hilo Hatties is. There is a free parking lot near the Pacific Whale Foundation store & I've always found parking space there.

We parked in the McDonald's parking lot about a block up from Front street. Had a great dinner at Cafe O'Lei.