Maui Sightseeing Series – Hale Hōʻikeʻike at The Bailey House

Photo Provided by The Maui Historical Society : MauiMuseum.org

Some Maui vacationers haven’t heard that Iao Valley State Park and Kepaniwai Park have both been closed until repairs can be made after our last tropical storm, but there is a wonderful historic site nearby that is open and welcoming to all comers. Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House is one of the most important historical places on the island, and we do provide custom tours to this location.

So why visit Bailey House? There, you’ll find the oldest history museum on Maui, and it also features the largest collection of Hawaiian antiquities on Maui. If you enjoy the mysteries of bygone eras when the world was a very different kind of place, this is where you’ll want to visit. The museum features artifacts and history from the Hawaiian monarchy, the Plantation Era, and the missionary presence and influence over the years.

One of the most fascinating features about the museum is the building in which it is housed. When you come to visit, you’ll be stepping into the oldest European-style building that still stands on the island. It’s the most authentic snapshot of the time in which it was built, and once you’re there, you might find it easy to envision what life must have been like for its inhabitants.

Hale Hōʻikeʻike also features Ethnobotanical Gardens that boast rare indigenous, endemic and endangered Hawaiian species that most visitors only see once in their lifetime. To many, the uniqueness of the species found here is readily apparent, and adds another layer of richness to the educational experience that this visit will provide. The collection also includes species introduced by the Polynesians and western travelers that arrived later.

If you’re interested in a visit, they are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and you can find more details at www.mauimuseum.org. We are happy to arrange a Maui custom tour to this location, along with many others around the island. We’ll continue to share tour ideas with you in the future, so keep checking back for inspiration each Friday when we release our weekly blog. If you need our assistance, you’ll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!