What to do for 1 day in Maui?

We are spending 8 days on Molokai in January, but have planned a one day trip to Maui. We are flying into Kahului. Any suggestions of the best way to spend our day in Maui would be greatly appreciated!

What to do for 1 day in Maui?

Depends on what time you arrive and depart; your interests; age; stamina; energy level?

If you are relaxing on Molokai for that long, you may be OK with non-beach activities and hitting a high traffic, crowded, tourist area may be a shock to your system - skip south or west Maui.

For more variety, you may want to check out more land based options like hike in central Maui, 20 minutes from airport, through Kahului to Wailuku and into the ';Iao Valley. You may want to shop / eat in Paia on north shore [5 mins down Hana Hwy from airport], or upslope to Makawao or Kula in upcountry. Nice, reasonably priced restaurants; great shopping; very laid back energy.

You will need a rent car for the day as there is nothing with easy walking distance in Kahului and taxis are expensive.

For me - I would head out to %26#39;Iao Valley unless clouds there looked too ominous; then I might choose to go to Baldwin Beach in Paia; then shop / sightsee in the town. If timing was right, eat lunch at Moana or Jacques. Then head up Baldwin Avenue to town of Makawao - check it out. Maybe get a spontaneously available massage appointment; or watch Hot Island glass artists make their wares. Or eat lunch at one of the great, affordable places in cowboy town.

Then head further upslope to Kula area - definitely check out the views from Harold Rice Park over the west Maui mountains and the isthmus; maybe grab a snack and dessert at Kula Lodge. Or Grandma%26#39;s Coffee.

Depending on departure time, I would check the clouds again; if a clear afternoon, I would head up to the national park and the summit of Haleakala. The road to national park is right there near Kula.

In the afternoon, esp. if the weather is clear, you get amazing vistas of the whole island and even over to Big Island. In the later afternoon, nearing sunset / dusk, you can look down into summit. If there are clouds below you and the sun is just right behind you ... you may be blessed with a rare treat - you can sometimes see your shadows superimposed on the clouds and completely surrounded by a circular rainbow. Mine was purple; I fell to me knees and burst out laughing/crying, one of my best Maui moments. Takes 1.5-2 hours to go up and back, plus hanging out exploring time. $10 per car entrance fee to national park.

Whatever you choose -- Maui is the best, with so much variety. Enjoy!!!

What to do for 1 day in Maui?

Thank you for the ideas. For anyone else that may have suggestions we arrive in Maui at 7:20am and leave at 5:30pm. We are in our late 30%26#39;s and are adventurous and like to try new things. We like to hike but just moderate difficulty.

We drove up Halekala and liked it. There are tours that will pick you up at where you are staying, if you don%26#39;t want to rent a car. We did that with the Hana trip, and would recommend that.