Have a Whale of a Time in Lahaina
October 19th, 2007 by Rocco
Nestling at the foot of the mountains on the north western coast of Maui, Lahaina is a fascinating lace to explore the culture of the Hawaiian islands in a largely unspoilt setting. A former whaling village, it now looks out over hundreds of miles of ocean designated as a whale sanctuary, and humpback whales are so comfortable here that they come right up to shore – you can watch them from your Maui Vacation Condo. Whale watching trips are available, with local fishing boats taking time out to carry you along the coast, but there’s also plenty to do onshore.
After the whaling industry collapsed, Lahaina suffered an economic collapse, but this once thriving village has regained its former spirit through catering to the tourist industry. It has become a center for the arts famed throughout Hawaii, and there are lots of galleries and museums to explore. You can pick up examples of local arts and crafts in the many small shops, or explore the weekend markets, which also feature fine examples of local cuisine. There are lots of good restaurants and bars to relax in, many with splendid oceanfront views. The village has a lively, inviting atmosphere quite distinct from the laid back approach of most other Hawaiian towns, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for sitting back and watching the world go by.
Thanks to its intriguing historic legacy, Lahaina has lots of interesting buildings, ruins and monuments to discover, and there re regular historic tours available to help you find them. Maui vacation condos here include conversions in historic buildings, making it easy to soak up the atmosphere of this delightful community. Every Friday, the local people celebrate with parties at which visitors are welcome. There’s gift giving and copious food and drink. In Lahaina, you’ll really feel part of things – so make this your choice for your next Hawaiian vacation.