Kaanapali is the mega-resort area situated oceanside between Lahaina and Kapalua where the grand hotels of the Hyatt, Marriott and Royal Lahaina are located. Featuring an assortment of pools, golf, tennis, restaurants and waterfront activities, the resort also is home to the Whaler's Village Shopping area, a unique outdoor mall immediately adjacent to Ka'anapali Beach. Here, shoppers find quintessential Hawaiian goods in the Honolua Surf Shop, the ABC store, McIrney's, Blue Ginger, interesting Pacific Rim import shops, and exclusive designer shops of Chanel, Versace, and Gucci. The tone is decidedly low-key regardless of which shops suit your style or pocketbook.
A popular kiosk offer "pearls in an oyster" and South Sea jewelry. The food court gives visitors plenty of options with a choice of McDonald's, Pizza Paradaiso, and Ganzo Kawara Soba restaurant. A mist-cooled coffee kiosk at Kimo Bean Coffee Company keeps you on your feet for the long hours of beaching, playing, shopping and relaxing that are inevitable when visiting Kaanapali.
Fridays are Aloha Hula Show night in the plaza. Special events such as Sand Castle sculpture competitions, cooking demonstrations, the Maui Onion Festival, Maui Tacos 5K Run, Fourth of July Celebration, Maui Marathon, Keiki Hula Competition are all hosted at the Whaler's Village during the year.
The Whaler's Museum is a free interactive exhibit detailing the history of the great age of Whaling and is a must-see for history buffs and whale lovers. The free self-guided audio tour is available in English, Japanese, Spanish, and German. On display are hundreds of artifacts and exhibits which inform visitors of the unique lifestyle of the whaling men of old. For the keikis, there are often special free activities such as palm frond weaving, lei making or sand print designing at the "creation station."
Just a few steps away at the broad ocean beach, swimming, sailing, surfing, water-skiing, parasailing and snorkeling, are some of the optional ways to spend your leisure hours. If snorkeling is your choice, you'll find the most popular snorkeling spot on the island at Black Rock, a volcanic cinder cone directly in front of the Sheraton Maui hotel.
Some of Maui's most beloved dining establishments are also located at Kaanapali. Hula Grill's "eat in your swimsuit barefooted" grill with tables and chairs situated right into the sand. Leilani's on the Beach is another festival of great dining with seafood and prime meat highlighting the menu.
The Rusty Harpoon restaurant and tavern serves a terrific breakfast, lunch and dinner menu of local and classic favorites from eggs benedict to burgers, Hawaiian fish to barbeque ribs.
As you can see, it's easy to pass the day leisurely and satisfyingly indulging in Kaanapali's many shops, events and services. But the gorgeous and lively beach, as always, is the main star of this attraction!