History and Art

The Lahaina Banyan Tree is one of Maui`s most treasured possessions, and a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.

This famous tree is one of the largest banyan trees in the United States, and stretches its massive branches over a 200 ft. area. The tree was planted on April 24, 1873, in honor of the 50^th anniversary of the first American Protestant mission in Lahaina.

The Lahaina Banyan Tree provides a lovely, shady area from which to admire the tree`s massive branches, and many trunks that make up this single tree. During certain days of the week, you will find art and craft fairs, as well as Hawaiian musicians, under the tree.

The Banyan tree is located in historical Lahaina Town, on Front Street adjacent to the harbor.

When visiting Hawaii, be sure to reserve time out of your vacation to explore the rich history and culture of our island. There are endless opportunities to dive deep into the past, and learn about the events that helped shape the Hawaii we know today.

Historic Lahaina Town offers much more than just great restaurants and shops; there is a tremendous amount of history to be explored as well. Follow the Lahaina Historic Trail and visit such sights as the Baldwin Home Museum, the Old Prison, Courthouse, Maria Lanikila Church, the Seamen’s Cemetery and more.

Visit the Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s website to download their free walking map and start exploring!

The Lahaina Prison, Hale Pa`ahoa ("stuck in iron house"), was built in the 1850s and is still standing today. During the whaling era, Lahaina was a bustling town loaded with rowdy, drunken sailors. The Lahaina prison was built to house these miscreants for enough time for them to sober up.

The two story prison is composed of cells for both men and women; some rooms contained shackles for those who were difficult to handle. The prison is encircled by walls made of coral. There is a green courtyard in the center. The warden lived in the wooden gatehouse situated between the walls.

You can tour this prison from 10am to 4pm daily. It is free but donations are encouraged.

Originally built in 1859, the Lahaina Courthouse is a historic site once home to the customs office, the town jail, the post office and the courthouse. The building is made of materials that were rescued from King Kamehameha`s unfinished Lahaina palace, it having been destroyed by a storm a year earlier.

Today, the courthouse is home for the Lahaina Arts Society and Lahaina Visitor Center. Tours are free, and are held daily from 9am to 5pm. While there, you will also find some wonderful maps and information on Lahaina Town.

The Master`s Reading Room served as a retreat for ship captains and officers from 1833 until the end of the whaling era. The reading room provided ships` masters with reading materials to catch up on current events, and rooms in which they could gather together away from the "common folk."

The U.S. Seamen`s Hospital has a very interesting history. In 1844 the hospital served the sick and injured seamen who made Lahaina their home during the whaling era. During this period, the streets were filled with sailors, and the streets needed to be cleaned up to better the image of Lahaina. King Kamehameha was asked to turn this building into a home for the sick and to help give the sailors the much needed help they required.

The building was originally commissioned by King Kamehameha and was purposely built away from the Christian missionaries in town. The building first served as an Inn and a store, but also as a meeting place for King Kamehameha and his sister, Princess Nahi`ena`ena. During those days, it was not uncommon for high ranking Hawaiian chiefs to have relationships with their relatives.

The Pioneer Mill Co. was established in 1860, as the first sugar plantation in Lahaina. This sugar plantation served as the number one employer of Lahaina residents and to this day evokes fond memories for those who worked there. In 1928 Pioneer Mill Co. built a 225-foot smoke stack that was the tallest smoke stack in Hawaii. For years, this smoke stack served as a landmark for visitors and locals alike.

When the mill closed in 1999, the smoke stack was saved to forever preserve the history of the sugar plantation era.

The locomotives used to transport the sugarcane are also on display at this beautiful free outdoor exhibit.

Nothing says "Hawaii" more than the exotic sound of the ukulele. Lahaina Music is a wonderful store to visit, and to select your very own ukulele before returning home.

Lahaina Music offers free Ukulele lessons and the friendly owners, Vania and Jason, are incredibly knowledgeable in all things music! Stop by for some lessons. Or, they are more than happy to join you at the beach or your condo.

Lahaina Music also offers guitar and ukulele rentals, for those missing their instruments while on vacation.

There is no greater treasure to bring back from your Maui vacation, than the gift of music!

The Baldwin home was built in 1834 by Reverend Dwight Spaulding, and is the oldest standing house on Maui. Today, this two story house provides a way for visitors to come to understand what life was like for a colonial missionary in Hawaii.

Reverend Spaulding was also a Harvard trained doctor, and treated many patients in his home. This beautiful house was also used by Reverend Spaulding and his family to entertain ship captains, officers and visiting Hawaiian royalty.

Tours are available daily form 10 am to 4 pm. Candlelit tours are available on Fridays from 6 to 8:30.

Wednesday`s at Wailea (WOW)

Everyday Wednesday is Art Night at the Shops of Wailea, in the Wailea Resort. Explore the many art galleries of Wailea, get a chance to meet the artists and even enjoy some complimentary wine! While you are there, enjoy a fabulous meal at one of the many restaurants at the Shops of Wailea, or take a stroll on the beach path that makes its way along the shore line.

Every Friday is Art Night in historic Lahaina Town. Spend the evening walking along Front Street and taking your time viewing the many art galleries that line the streets. Each gallery hosts different artists who are there to "talk story" and demonstrate their skills. As an added bonus, each gallery serves complimentary cocktails and "pupus".

Cap your night off with a wonderful meal in one of Front Street`s oceanfront restaurants.

At The MACC you can find a large variety of shows, performances, exhibits and more. From top performing world-class musicians, to local plays and art exhibits, The MACC in continuously offering the public an unending lineup of exciting events. During your stay on Maui, be sure to check their website for their most current schedule.