Shop Small on Maui
Put your dollars directly into Maui at the best shops, local grindz, locally owned tours, Maui rent a car companies, and tips on traveling to Hawaii during re-opening
2020 has been a rough one. We know you are ready for a vacation and there is still no better place to visit than Hawaii. Complete the pre-travel testing program and fly to the Aloha State! Hawaii is ready to have visitors back.
Jordan and I are sharing our favorite Maui owned businesses so you know your dollars are not leaving the island. Stay tuned as will be expanding this list to include all the Hawaiian islands!
Shop small at these Maui businesses:
π Where to Eat
π Where to Shop
π Local Tour Operators
π Travel Tips during the Pandemic
π Maui Rent a Car Companies
Eat Local on Maui
These restaurants opened immediately after the stay at home order was lifted. They kept us residents happily fed on local grindz.
π 808 Grindz Cafe for breakfast in Lahaina
π Kihei Caffe in you guessed it, Kihei
π Cafe Cafe Maui in Lahaina for the anti-Starbucks crowd and good coffee crowd, serving Maui Roasted Coffee
π Paia Fish Market in Paia, Kihei, and Lahaina
π Lahaina Coolers for lunch or dinner
π Tante’s Fishmarket for happy hour in Maalaea Harbor and Wailuku
π Maui Fresh Streatery is a food truck that local’s line up to eat at
π Banyan Treats for ice cream in Lahaina
π Napili Farmer’s Market for farm-fresh produce, honey, and gifts every Wednesday and Saturday
πΒ Moku Roots for homemade vegan grindz
π The Ultimate Maui Food Truck Guide as you don’t get more local than Maui’s food truck scene
π Sale Pepe for your local Italian pizzeria in Lahaina
Check out our video where we feature some of our favorite, local restaurants. We were loving the take-out after the shelter-in-place ended!
Where to Shop on Maui:
Retail shops were closed for months and many did not open until after October 15th when the pre-travel testing program started. These local shops survived and are eager to find the perfect gift or souvenir for your Hawaii vacation.
π The Maui Ring for a unique piece of Hawaii inspired jewelry
π Mele Ukulele for that ukulele you must have from Hawaii
π Maui Cookie Lab
π The Snorkel Store, Boss Frog’s, Auntie Snorkel (Kihei), and Snorkel Bob’s are all local and offer everything from snorkel rental to whale watching
π Hale Zen for Maui inspired swimwear and clothing
π Sailbags Maui are bags made from up-cycled kiteboarding sails, so cool!
π Maui ‘Oma Coffee Roasting Company Β
π Alpha Maui – watches, hats, and clothing that is worth checking out and setting the trends
Locally Owned and Operated Tours and Activities
This is where the fun is on Maui. Check out these Maui owned tours and activities during your stay. We are so happy to see them operating again.
Plus, check out these certified sustainable Hawai’i tour operators. Traveling responsibly ensures the islands will always be as special as you remember.
π Ku’ia Estates Chocolate Tasting and Cacao Farm Tour experience for Maui grown and made chocolate on their deck overlooking Lahaina. (Check out our video!)
π GungHo Sailing for a private sailing charter out of Lahaina Harbor (we also have a video on this one)
π Have a Maui Alpaca Paniolo Picnic on Haleakala because what else are you going to do?
π Cruise the waves on an E-Foil with guided instructionΒ
π Moana Glass for glass blowing lessons for kids to adults, bring home something you made
π Visit a working, organic tea farm set in Upcountry – Maui Tea Farm
π Check out this family farm and learn how to cook with coconuts – Coconut Information
π No trip to Upcountry is complete with visiting the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm
π Kayak Olowalu with snorkeling to explore the pristine reefs of Olowalu (see our video for details)
Safe Travel Tips
Feel safe while you are traveling in Hawaii by following these tips:
π Face masks are mandatory when in public. Walking the street or in shops, where your mask. Police are handing out tickets.
π Stay six feet away from others to keep them safe
π Watch our video on completing the pre-travel testing program so you can avoid quarantine upon arrivelΒ
π Locals are nervous about visitors returning to the island. Wear your mask in public, don’t try to find secret spots on private property, and shop local to show your support.
π Is Driving in Maui Dangerous? Tips to drive safely
Maui Car Rental Agencies
They will pick you up at the airport and seamlessly get you into a rental car. Check out the prices at these places before you book with a national car rental agency.
π All Save Car Rental Maui in Kihei
π Aloha Rent a Car in Kahului
π Ohana Rent a Car in Kihei
π Β Monaloha Rent a Car just outside of Kahului
