Lahaina
Once the capital of Hawaii, Lahaina was the largest whaling town in the Pacific during the 1800s. Today, efforts to preserve historic buildings, homes, and museums have made Lahaina a National Historic District. Approximately 55 acres of the town have been set aside as historical districts. Aside from the quaint stores and restaurants along historic Front Street, Lahaina also boasts the exceptionally large Banyan tree planted in 1873 to commemorate the missionaries' first arrival 50 years earlier, not to mention the largest statue of Buddha outside of Asia.
Visitors to Lahaina can also view the remains of a fort erected in 1831 out of a conflict between the missionaries and the sailors on the whaling ships. All that currently remains of this site are the 20 foot-high stone walls and cannons.
One of the most famous landmarks of Lahaina is the Pioneer Inn hotel. Originally built in 1901, the hotel was restored and upgraded with modern amenities in 1997. The hotel's original façade and style was kept. Until 1950, the Pioneer Inn was the only hotel on the western side of Maui.
Close to Lahaina are also the resort communities of Kaanapali and Kapalua. Known for beautiful beaches and world-class golf courses, many visitors flock to Kaanapali and Kapalua each year for recreation, relaxation and rest. The first resort on Maui, Kaanapali features moderate to luxury hotels or condos for rent. Kapalua lies neatly within Hawaii's only working pineapple plantation.
West Maui
Kaanapali is also home to the Whalers Village Museum detailing the sailing life of whalers that signed up for trips to Japan or the Arctic that lasted anywhere from 3 to 5 years. The museum features over 70 species of whales and information about Hawaii's whaling history.
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Lahaina
