Kaanapali Travel Guide: 33 Answers to Maui Questions

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.

Sure, AI can answer your individual questions about Kaanapali travel. But the computers haven’t stayed in Kaanapali resorts, jumped from Black Rock, or felt the sand of Kaanapali Beach.

Thanks for trusting me, a human and Maui lover, with your Kaanapali questions. I won’t let you down.

I wrote this Kaanapali Guide as a series of frequently asked questions. Overall, they will answer the following: Should you stay in Kaanapali? If that’s a yes, what can you do and eat? 

As Lahaina is rebuilding, the residents of West Maui are welcoming visitors to Kaanapali. The fires did not touch Kaanapali. The Lahaina Bypass highway, built before the fires, will take you around Lahaina and drop you off in Kaanapali. Thank you for supporting West Maui by visiting. 

Kaanapali is now the hub for West Maui’s visitors. You will find lively restaurants and happy hours (pau hana), the famous Ka’anapali Beach, and a launching point to explore more things to do in Kapalua and Napili. 

After reading this Kaanapali Guide, we’ll end the debate for you on whether to stay in Wailea or Kaanapali.

Kāʻanapali is spelled with a kahakō [ō] and an ‘okina (‘). A kahakō designates a long vowel sound (aahh), and an ‘okina represents a glottal stop. Think of it as a pause between consonants, like uh-oh. I am omitting the kahakō and ‘okina in Kāʻanapali to ease reading.

Ka’anapali Guide Video: Full Tour

I think this Kaanapali Guide is excellent, but if you prefer to see and hear about the Maui resort area, then watch our video below!

We answer many of these Kaanapali questions while also showing you around. Read and watch, then Kaanapali will feel like your home away from home.

Overview of Kaanapali, Maui

Here are some common questions and information to help you familiarize yourself with Kaanapali Resorts. Use the table of contents to find your specific question(s). This Kaanapali Guide is made to be easy to navigate!

1. Why is Kaanapali Beach so popular?

Kaanapali Beach is so popular due to its long, golden sand beach and the resorts that line it. It is a packaged deal. Travel writers often overlook the beach because visitors are already staying there. The beach is no secret, but the charms of Kaanapali are taken for granted.

I feel that Kaanapali is an underrated Maui beach. 

Our family was living on Maui during the COVID lockdowns. With no visitors on the beach, it was empty from the Hyatt Regency to Black Rock. We fell in love with the way the shorebreak creates little dunes, the breadth of the beach, the views of Lanai and Molokai, and the snorkeling just offshore.

While visitors have returned in full force to Kaanapali, the large beach never feels busy. You won’t find a sea of umbrellas like you would on Waikiki Beach. Bring your umbrella or sun tent, and enjoy a day at Kaanapali Beach.

We share details on visiting Kaanapali Beach here. Even if this Kaanapali Guide doesn’t convince you to stay here, a visit to the beach is still worth it.

2. Where is Ka’anapali located?

Kaanapali is located in West Maui. The area spans the coast from Hanakao’o Park on the south side (near the Hyatt Regency Maui) to Honokowai on the north end. Honokowai is where the Times Super Market shopping center, Honoapiilani Food Truck Park (one of our favorite Maui food truck parks) and Honua Kai Resort & Spa. 

Makau (mountain side) of the highway, the area of Kaanapali goes about half a mile or more up the West Maui Mountains. The resort area stretches along the coast, maukai (ocean side) of the highway.

• Click for Google Map directions to Kaanapali Resorts
• Click for Google Map directions to the North Kaanapali Resorts area

The full Kaanapali beach area is about three miles long, with two stretches of gold sand beach. Keka’a Point (where Sheraton Maui is located) interrupts the stretch of beach.

The main Kaanapali Resort area is on Kaanapali Beach on the south side of Kaanapali. Most people stay here as it has the most resorts, vacation rentals, and timeshares. Hotels are connected by a boardwalk along the beach and a resort road off the highway. Large Ka’anapali Resort signs will greet you from the highway soon after you leave Lahaina Town.

North Kaanapali is located above Black Rock (Keka’a Point) and features a series of unconnected or poorly connected hotels. Make a left from the traffic lights that line Honoapiilani Highway as you travel up the coast. The roads will take you into the resort areas of Kaanapali. The hotels are more spread out in North Kaanapali. You will find the Royal Lahaina, The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Honua Kai, Hilton Vacation Club, and Aston Kaanapali Shores, to name a few.

Use our Maui Travel Guide to familiarize yourself with what the rest of the island has to offer. Better yet, skip the research phase altogether by grabbing our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary. It has everything you need to know for your trip, fully planned days, as well as quick resources to cut your vacation planning down to a fraction of the time and energy!

3. What is the best part of Kaanapali Beach?

Our favorite area is the beach south of Black Rock. This stretch has the best beach, most shops and restaurants, and we enjoy walking the boardwalk here.

The North Kaanapali section is best for a more secluded stay. While the resorts and condos get busy here too, the resorts sit on more acreage, so there is more room to run and spread out. The beach is also less crowded up here.

4. How do you get to Ka’anapali?

The Kaanapali Guide is all about helping you navigate Maui. Click the routes below for Google Map routes to/from Kaanapali Beach.

From Kahului Airport (OGG) in north-central Maui, you will travel south through the Central Valley of Maui. The valley is an isthmus between Haleakala Volcano and the West Maui Mountains.  

Driving times from popular Maui locations to Kaanapali Resorts (distances in miles):

• Kahului Airport to Kaanapali: 45 minutes (27 miles)
• Kihei to Kaanapali: 46 minutes (26 miles)
• Wailea to Kaanapali: 52 minutes (31 miles)
• Kaanapali to the start of the Road to Hana (Paia): 52 minutes (32 miles)
• Kaanapali to Kapalua: 15 minutes (7 miles) 

At the time of writing this Kaanapali Guide, there are no hotels that offer a shuttle from Kahului Airport to Kaanapali. Resort shuttles are rare in Hawaii as most folks get a rental car. 

See our list of discounted Hawaii rental cars to get you price shopping. You can also get around Maui without a car with Erica’s tips.

5. Is there an airport near Ka’anapali? 

Yes! The Kapalua-West Maui Airport is located 7 minutes north of Kaanapali Resorts. Click here for directions to Kapalua Airport. The airport has been in service since 1987.

Kapalua Airport is a small regional airport that serves West Maui with flights to Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and other Hawaiian airports and islands. Mokulele Airlines is the airport’s main operator and specializes in island hopping. See our Island Hopping in Hawaii for details. 

National air carriers do not serve the airport. 

From 1965 to 1986, Kaanapali had its own airport located around Kahekili Beach Park (Airport Beach). 

Jordan’s Hot Take on Kaanapali Resorts: The resorts, time shares, and short-term rentals make for a great place to stay on Maui. While Kaanapali has many three- and four-star resorts, it also offers value accommodations. Hence, Kaanapali and Kihei are good options for well-priced lodging; lodging will be your most significant cost for a Maui vacation. 

With so many things to do in Kaanapali, the walkability of the resort area, and the local and larger restaurant options, Kaanapali is an excellent place to stay. Our ideal 10-day trip to Maui consists of spending half the time in Wailea and the other half in Kaanapali. 

6. What is Kaanapali Resort? 

Kaanapali is a planned resort community of 1,161 full-time residents (2020 census), covering a land area of 4.9 square miles. 

The original development spanned a one-mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach. Amfac, Inc. built the initial resorts in the 1960s. This was part of the County of Maui’s plan to diversify away from farming (sugar and pineapple plantations) and into tourism. One could argue that they were too successful with this plan.

Many more hotels and condos have been built since then as Kaanapali Resorts brought visitors to Maui. The Kaanapali shoreline has three- and four-star resorts, condos, timeshares, restaurants, and shops.

7. What was here before the resorts?

The word “kāʻanapali” means “the divided hill.”

Kaanapali was originally home to an ancient Hawaiian village. The current site of the Royal Lahaina Resort was a thriving fishing village called Keka’a.

8. What hapened to Kaanapali Beach?

Kaanapali Beach has been in the news for erosion over the past few years. The news articles are a bit confusing as they make it sound like the entire mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach is gone.

The area suffering from the worst effects of erosion is the southern part of the beach, specifically, the beach in front of the Hyatt Regency Maui. About two hundred yards of beach have been impacted by erosion.

The beach is still there! It is the slimmest area of sand along Kaanapali Beach. You can still walk the beach in front of the Hyatt Regency but during high tide, there is little space to play and relax on the beach. 

Large swells from winter storms are causing beach erosion. A Kona low storm encroached on the beach boardwalk around 2022, causing it to close for a few weeks. Climate change, rising sea levels, and manmade structures are also being blamed for the erosion. 

The County of Maui and those with a vested interest in Kaanapali are working to reduce erosion impacts and enlarge the beach. Offshore dredging is an ongoing solution to bring native sand to the beach. New plants and netting are installed on shore to reduce erosion from the swells.

Are there luaus in Kaanapali? There sure are, but they aren’t our favorites…
– Myths of Maui at the Royal Lahaina: General admission or VIP admission
– Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort
– Wailele Luau at the Westin Kaanapali: Ohana seating or premium seating
– Drums of the Pacific Luau at the Hyatt Vacation Club: Standard seating or premium seating
– You can find our favorite luaus in this article: Best Maui Luauas: Our Reviews

Your Guide to Kaanapali Weather

Charts await you as I share what you can expect for the weather in Kaanapali. While this Kaanapali Guide will answer most of your questions, I can’t predict the weather. We enjoy visiting Hawaii for the tropical air and the ability to dodge the rain. 

Kaanapali Resorts are located on the leeward side of Maui, so you can expect sunny days and little rain, even during the winter months. That is why Amfac built the resorts here.

You can expect more rain as you move just a few minutes north toward Napili and Kapalua. North Kaanapali, just a couple of miles up the road, receives more rain than the central area of Kaanapali Beach. Kapalua is 10 minutes up the road, and it receives double the rainfall of Kaanapali.

Welcome to the microclimates of a Pacific island!

Jordan’s Pro Tip on Weather: Don’t stress about a forecast of all-day rain during your vacation. Check the specific weather forecast for Kaanapali or Lahaina for the most accurate results. Even if rain is predicted, you may just have a short morning shower. All-day rains happen in the winter during large storms. A large storm forecast will be more accurate. If it is raining in Kaanapali, you can take a road trip to explore these things to do in Upcountry.

9. What is the temperature like in Ka’anapali? 

The temperature in Kaanapali is in the high 70s in the summer and in the high 70s in the winter. Yes, I said that right. The average for the year is 77.9°F, according to NOAA.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Kaanapali has a semi-arid, tropical type of climate, with warm winters and hot summer.

10. Does it rain a lot in Ka’anapali? 

No, it doesn’t rain a lot in Kaanapali as it is in the rain shadow of the West Maui Mountains. The average rainy days is 5 in the summer and 7-10 in the winter. Summer gets less than 1” per month, and winter gets 2 – 3” per month (Source: Wikipedia Kaanpali)

If it does rain during your Kaanapali vacation, see our Things to Do When it Rains on Maui for ideas!

11. Want to see the weather at Kaanapali Beach right now?

Lots of folks keep this beach cam up on their screen while in the office, and I don’t blame them. 

If you want to see what Kaanapali Beach looks like right now, check the 24/7 Live Kaanapali Beach cam. 

I love staring at that beach and reading the comments from Hawaii lovers like us.

Where to Stay in Kaanapali

This Kaanapali Guide is extensive, but I can’t share all the hotels, timeshares, and vacation rentals in Kaanapali. I’m guessing there are close to a dozen major hotels, a dozen timeshare complexes, and a few dozen condo complexes. 

Maui has half of the Hawaiian islands’ vacation rental inventory (source: Hawaii Tourism Authority), and most of them are in Kaanapali and Kihei. If you’re debating a stay in Kihei, see our Kaanapali vs Kihei: Where to Stay on Maui.

I will share our favorite places to stay in the Kaanapali Guide’s answers, but please look at our resources below for more recommendations.

• Our Where to Stay Directory has all of our favorite hotels and vacation rentals.
• Where to Stay on Maui for a Range of Budgets
• Maui Resorts for Families: Erica’s Favorites
• Best Maui Beach Hotels
• Where to Stay in Hawaii is an excellent resource if you plan to island-hop.

12. What are our favorite hotels in Kaanapali?

Thanks for asking! When researching a trip to Hawaii, getting lots of opinions is a wise idea. Everyone has their favorite place to stay. For us, a perfect resort is a good price for what you get, a great location, a fun pool, good restaurants, and a convenient launching pad for activities. 

We have many criteria. Here are our favorites in Kaanapali. We do not disdain the other hotels, but they are not our favorites. We have been fortunate to have stayed in or toured every major hotel in Kaanapali. 

We have done our homework for this Kaanapali Guide from the Royal Lahaina to the Sheraton Maui to all the Marriott properties along the three-mile coast.

1. The Westin Maui Resort and Spa: freshly renovated, a great kids pool and a secluded adult pool. Marriott reward points might help you get a free night! It is on the best part of Kaanapali Beach, and it is next to Whalers Village. It is the most expensive of these three, but it is also the most modern and well-maintained.

2. The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa: good location on the north end of the southern part of the strip. On black rock beach, great pool with a lazy river. It would be nice if it got a remodel.

3. The Hyatt Regency is our least favorite of the major brand hotels in Kaanapali. That is because it gets busy at the pool (folks save chairs early in the morning), it is dated, and the beach is eroding out front. BUT! Hyatt points are great to use in Hawaii. See our free Hawaii with Points download on how to get a free night in Hawaii with reward points. Additionally, kids will love the Hyatt for its pool and the seven penguins.

When booking your Kaanapali hotel, be prepared for resort and parking fees. Resort fees are typically $40 to $65 a night, and parking fees are around $50 a night. The only way to park without a hotel parking fee is not to have a car.

This Kaanapali Guide has so many of our videos! Our Where to Stay in Maui video has a whole section on Kaanapali. Check it out below.

13. Does Kaanapali have value hotels?

You bet they do, and here are our favorite value hotels in Kaanapali

1. Kaanapali Beach Resort by Outrigger: The KBR has a great location on Kaanapali Beach, and it’s the most Hawaiian hotel on Maui. Their cultural activities and hula shows are wonderful! They have the Maui Brew Co restaurant onsite with a good happy hour. The pool is small, but the kids enjoy it.  Their rooms were remodeled over COVID, but there is still an old tower that can be booked at a steep discount. The gardens around the resort are also nice, and their parking fee is reasonable.

2. The Royal Lahaina is a classic in Kaanapali. Located just north of Black Rock, it is secluded on a great stretch of beach. The hotel is a simple tower with a pool and lovely gardens. This is an excellent option for a no-frills place to stay while you explore Maui and have some great beach days.

14. Are there vacation rentals in Kaanapali?

We search for short-term (< 30-day) vacation rentals on Vrbo in Kaanapali. There are numerous vacation rental complexes along Kaanapali Beach, the golf courses, and up on the hill overlooking Kaanapali.

Our main advice when picking a vacation rental is to check the reviews and the pictures. Vacation rentals on Maui vary widely from extremely dated to newly remodeled. 

Here are our recommended vacation rental complexes in Kaanapali.

• The Whaler is a great location and all rooms have balconies with an ocean view.
• The Kaanapali Alii Resort has a good pool and BBQ area near the beach.
• Honua Kai Resort and Spa is the place to stay for large families as you can get multi-bedroom condos, Duke’s is on site, and it has an excellent pool
• The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas and Westin Nanea Ocean Villas are in North Kaanapali. Our friends have a Marriott timeshare, so we’ve gotten to visit these places. They are modern, have large rooms, nice pools, and are a great location in North Kaanapali.

See our Where to Stay Directory for more hotels and vacation rentals on Maui!

15. Are you going to sell me a timeshare?

I’m absolutely not going to sell you a timeshare for Kaanapali. But lots of people will when you’re on a Maui vacation.

We haven’t sat in a timeshare presentation, so we don’t have personal experience with the process. Timeshares are in Kaanapali. Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and other timeshare companies operate large complexes in Kaanapali.  Some snorkel companies and tours may offer discounted tickets for a 90-minute presentation. It sounds like a good deal, but the presentations have a 30% success rate, so be careful.

Your Kaanapali Guide for Things to Do

No Kaanapali Guide would be complete without our favorite things to do. West Maui has many options, so we’ll keep this brief. For a full list, check out Things to Do in Kaanapali.

Kaanapali Guide Things to Do Video

Here is another video for you on Kaanapali. We share a day out from Kaanapali Resorts as we go to Napili Bay for breakfast, hike in Kapalua, and back to Kaanapali to showcase things to do around the resorts, including two tours. 

16. Can you swim at Kaanapali Beach?

Kaanapali Beach is an excellent beach for swimming all year round. The beach gently slopes into the channel so the kids can play in the shorebreak. You can float on an inflatable, swim along the shore, or just float in the Pacific.

Check ocean conditions before you go in as it is not a lifeguarded beach. The shorebreak can get strong at times. Stay close to shore as the current gets stronger as you get into the channel. 

The backside of Black Rock is the most dangerous place to swim in Kaanapali. This is a popular snorkel spot, but strong currents and the lack of visibility from shore have resulted in numerous snorkeling fatalities here in the past few years.

Showers can be found along the beach and at the hotels.

17. Is Kaanapali Beach crowded?

We do not find Kaanapali Beach crowded, and I don’t think you will either. The beach is too long and too wide to get crowded. You won’t have a problem finding a place for your towel. Plus, most of the visitors will be enjoying the resort pool.

Our favorite thing to do at Kaanapali Beach is to walk the beach at sunrise or sunset. Enjoy the serenity and the view. You also can’t go wrong with a sunset cruise from Kaanapali Beach, and there are plenty of them!

18. Are there beaches in Kaanapali? 

Whether you’ve read every word or jumped here from the table of contents, I bet you have a hunch and it would be correct. But this wouldn’t be a very good Kaanapali Guide if we didn’t dig into the details of the three main Kaanapali beaches. Let’s start in the north, where most people don’t start.

Click the links for more details on the beaches. 

• Kahekili (Airport Beach) is a favorite amongst locals. The beach park has great snorkeling, showers, toilets, and a park area. It is on the North Kaanapali boardwalk, and has a good size parking lot.

• Black Rock Beach is the beach in front of Black Rock and the Sheraton Kaanapali. You may find turtles swimming close to shore here. The beach is connected to Kaanapali Beach, but Black Rock gets its own designation. 
• Kaanapali Beach is the main beach that sweeps from Black Rock down to the Hyatt Regency on the south side. Our two favorite activities on this beach are swimming and walking it.

Black Rock is the famous spot for cliff jumping in Kaanapali. Climb up from the water to the top of the thirty-foot edge. You will find locals and visitors up there with you. That doesn’t mean you have to jump. Jumping is inherently dangerous, and it gets crowded, so be careful.

This video is our Kaanapali Guide from when the area reopened after COVID. The video opens with sunset cliff jumping from Black Rock.

19. Best place for shopping? 

The largest shopping center in West Maui is Whalers Village. You will find local shops and large brands like Louis Vuitton and Quicksilver. The center has multiple levels and areas so there’s a lot to explore. Whalers Village is centrally located. You will find numerous Kaanapali restaurants here and it is the meeting point for a few Kaanapali boat tours, like our favorite, well-priced sunset dinner cruise.

You will find stores within the resorts. Every resort has a few shops, mainly boutique Hawaii-beach clothing stores, surf shops, and gift stores. Local vendors will be in the lobby area selling artisanal goods. These are a great place for unique souvenirs. 

In the greater Kaanapali area, you will find shopping at strip malls along the highway. The Fairways in Kaanapali is one such shopping center with restaurants and our favorite, local snorkel store: The Snorkel Store. We visit The Snorkel Store in our Things to Do in West Maui video below.

20. Can you see whales from Kaanapali Beach?

Kaanapali is one of our preferred shoreline viewing locations for whales on Maui! We’ve seen whales from all the Kaanapali beaches. Gaze at the horizon from December till mid-April for the chance to see humpback whales breeching and pec slapping. They get close to shore, making for an unexpected thrill. 

You can watch from shore, but we prefer to go out whale watching with a local guide and their marine naturalist. Maui is the best Hawaiian island for whale watching, and Kaanapali has tours that leave from Kaanapali Beach. Our favorite tour from Kaanapali Beach is this whale watching tour with Sea Maui. We share all our favorite Maui whale watching tours (plus discounts) here.

21. Where do you recommend going snorkeling in Kaanapali?

The snorkeling is good along Kaanapali Beach, but there are some special snorkeling spots, like at Black Rock or Airport Beach, which are well known for marine life.

See our favorite Maui Snorkeling Spots for details on snorkeling at Kaanapali. 

You can rent snorkel gear from beach kiosks all along Kaanapali’s boardwalk. Since you’ll pay for the convenience, these will be pricier than a local snorkel store. 

In the Kaanapali area, you will find Snorkel Bob’s, Boss Frogs, and The Snorkel Store. These stores offer snorkel and beach supply rentals. 

We enjoy snorkeling from shore in Kaanapali and Maui, in general. Watch our Hawaii Snorkeling Guide video below for tips on snorkeling safety and other Hawaii-specific snorkeling advice. The video was filmed at Airport Beach in Kaanapali! It is also my favorite thumbnail.

22. Are there snorkeling tours from Kaanapali?

Heading out on a catamaran or a power raft is a Maui adventure. We always recommend getting out on the water, and a local tour does that for you. Hop on a snorkel tour from Kaanapali Beach to snorkel at one or two spots along the West Maui shoreline.

We share ALL the Kaanapali snorkeling tours here. Find the right boat and duration for your group.

23. How much will my handicap improve on Maui? 

A reduction of 4 is guaranteed when you golf at Kaanapali. 

Kaanapali Resorts is home to two championship golf courses: The Royal Kaanapali and the Kaanapali Kai.

10 minutes north of Kaanapali are more golf courses in Kapalua. In Kapalua, you’ll find the famous PGA series course, The Plantation. 

24. Where can I entertain my kids in Kaanapali?

That is a great question and one we ask ourselves on every trip. Here is our list of preferred kid activities around Kaanapali. Whalers Village has a few things to entertain the children, so we like to stay at a resort nearby.

• Playground at Whalers Village is a classic. They have a splash pad in front of the play structure too. It is a simple play structure but combined with shave ice, it entertains the kids for over an hour.
• Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center is a marine education center with arts and crafts and interactive exhibits for kids. It is located on the top floor of Whalers Village. Our kids enjoy visiting here on every trip.
• Escape Rooms in Whalers Village. Choose from themed escapes:
  • Ka Puka Bunker – difficulty 3/5
  • Tesla’s Secret Inheritance – difficulty 3/5
  • Prison Break – difficulty 4/5
  • Pirate Ship – difficulty 4/5
• Shave Ice, Gelato, and ice cream in Whalers Village
• Pool and beach time at your resort
• Snorkeling at Black Rock but please stick to the front of Black Rock and know ocean conditions before you head into the water.
• See the seven penguins at the Hyatt Regency. You don’t have to be a guest to see the penguins in the lobby.
• Erica enjoyed the dual ziplines at Maui’s Best Zipline Course.
• See our Maui Tours for Maui farm tours, snorkeling, ziplining, and other activities for the family.

25. What is our favorite thing to do in Kaanapali?

My favorite thing to do in Kaanapali is snorkeling and jumping from Black Rock. I always spot one or two turtles close to shore, in front of the Black Rock cliff. Even without going around the Keka’a Point, I enjoy the snorkeling just offshore. 

When you’re swimming with sea turtles, you must stay 10 feet away. Please don’t swim over the top of them, crowd them, or touch the turtles. They are federally protected. See the NOAA rules for swimming near sea turtles. 

Erica’s favorite thing to do in Kaanapali is walk Kaanapali Beach and the Kaanapali Boardwalk. She enjoys her morning and evening walks at home and when on vacation in Hawaii. Maui doesn’t have a lot of safe walking areas so Kaanapali is a her favorite place to enjoy a long walk.

Where to Eat in Kaanapali

We are nearing the end of the Kaanapali Guide, but we can’t forget our restaurant recommendations. For more of our favorite places to eat on Maui, see our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary.

26. Where do you recommend for a romantic restaurant? 

Anniversary, engagement, or honeymoon, here are two recommendations for a romantic dinner in Kaanapali. Both are Merriman restaurants, a local chef (technically, he is from the Big Island). 

• ‘Ulu Kitchen is beachfront at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa. ‘Ulu Kitchen offers a surf and turf menu with a wonderful sunset view. It does have a lively, yet refined, atmosphere. Sit indoors or outdoors on their patio. ‘Ulu Kitchen serves the same lilikoi foam mai tai as their sister restaurant, Monkeypod.
• Merriman’s Kapalua is north of Kaanapali in Kapalua. This is one of Merriman’s flagship restaurants. It is located on a point, over Kapalua Bay. The food is top-notch, the sunset views are worth it, and the service is excellent.

27. Where do you recommend a fun and lively dinner?

I have two ideas for you again. The first, is Maui Brewing Company at the Kaanapali Beach Resort. Happy hour is daily from 3 PM to 5 PM. Live music starts daily at 6 PM to 8 PM. You can walk down the boardwalk for some pupus, pau hana, local beer, and great food. They are beachfront so enjoy!

The second recommendation is Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. Their Kaanapali location is the only one that does not take reservations. You may have to wait as this is a popular spot. Located in Whalers Village, near Kaanapali Beach and Hula Grill, their happy hour has well-priced flatbreads and other heavy appetizers. Monkeypod is famous for their lilikoi foam mai tai! Happy hour is daily at 3:30 PM to 5 PM.  

28. Where do you recommend for a cheap place to eat?

E komo mai (welcome) to Maui, where cheap food is hard to find! For an $18 plate lunch, head to the food trucks in North Kaanapali. We share details in our Maui Food Truck Parks article.

Whalers Village has some food trucks and a food court with some well-priced local grindz.

29. Where should I go to stock our vacation rental?

You will find a few groceries in the Kaanapali and Lahaina area. In Lahaina, you can visit Island Grocery Depot, Safeway, and Foodland Farms. The Safeway is in the Lahaina Cannery Mall, and the Foodland Farms is across the highway at the Lahaina Gateway Center.

The main grocery store in Kaanapali is Times Supermarket, which is located in North Kaanapali, in Honokowai.

We enjoy the poke and shopping at the Napili Market in Napili. It is the pricest option, but we find it charming.

How many Kaanapali Guides get that far into the weeds on your trip to Maui? Thank you for reading this far into the Ultimate Guide on Kaanapali.

Final Answers in Our Kaanapali Guide

Welcome to the home stretch in the Kaanapali Guide. Here are some final questions to round off your trip planning to the Kaanpali Resorts.

30. Is there transport around Kaanapali?

A complimentary Kaanapali Trolley serves the Kaanapali Resort Area and the Kaanapali Golf Club. The cute trolley car is a reliable staple around the resorts. The pickups span the area from the Hyatt Regency all the way north to The Royal Lahaina and the Fairway Shops.

The trolley picks up every 30 minutes from stops at resorts, Whalers Village, and other locations. It runs from 10 AM to 10 PM.

Those who need special assistance should call ahead to make them aware. You can reach them at 808-667-0648.

See the Kaanapali Trolley website for a list of stops and the schedule. 

The Maui Bus, Maui’s public transport service, also picks up at locations around Kaanapali. Whalers Village is the main stop for the bus.

31. Where to park in Kaanapali?

The most reliable place to park when you’re visiting Kaanapali is Whalers Village Shopping Center. The large, multi-story parking garage is rarely full and it is in central Kaanapali. 

The parking fee at Whalers Village is $4 per hour or 2 hours free with validation. The price for validation is around $30 from the shops. Some Kaanapali tours offer validation, like our favorite Kaanapali sunset cocktail cruise. 

Free parking can be found at public beach access parking lots along the main roads in Kaanapali. There are four lots along the the Kaanapali Parkway. These have about 15 to 20 spots and they fill up quickly. If you find an open spot here, consider yourself lucky!

Resorts are the main areas for visitor parking. Resorts charge parking fees of $25 to $50+ per night. Check the fine print at checkout when you’re booking your Kaanapali hotel!

32. Are there rental car offices in Kaanapali? 

Whether you’re on a beach vacation or a vacation of exploring Maui, both are great from Kaanapali. One way to minimize your resort parking fee is to rent a car only when you want to explore the islands. Perhaps you want to have a beach vacation and hang around Kaanapali for four days, then rent a car for three days to explore. That is a great idea!

National rental car companies have satellite offices in Kaanapali. Avis and Budget have their own building in North Kaanapali, you can see it from the highway. 

You can also find car rental offices at some of the resorts, like the Sheraton Maui and the Hyatt Regency. Filter by location at Discount Hawaii Car Rental to price compare. You can expect to pay a premium when renting from these offices compared to renting from Kahului Airport.

33. What is better: Wailea vs Kaanapali?

You may be weighing the decision on choosing to stay in Kaanapali or Wailea. We go into the pros and cons of the Maui resort areas in this article: Wailea vs Kaanapali.

One could say the decision is all about price. Wailea resorts are far more expensive than Kaanapali resorts. But the decision isn’t all about price.

Kaanapali is more lively, has more hotel options, and more restaurant options. Plus, we like staying in West Maui. Kaanapali gets the job done for a great family vacation or a fun honeymoon.

Now that you feel like an expert on Kaanapali after reading this Kaanapali Guide, finish your Maui travel training with our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary. Launch out from Maui on excursion days across the island.

You won’t regret this purchase. Learn more below.

Have a fantastic trip to Kaanapali! I’m glad you found us here at The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We have fun visiting and writing about Hawaii. Who else wants to write over 6,000 words on a Kaanapali guide?

Don’t lose this guide! Pin it to your Hawaii travel board and follow us for more!