The great thing about Maui is that a drive anywhere doubles as a sight-seeing tour. There’s always a valley to get swept up in, or an angle of the ocean to capture. The drive to Lahaina down the winding Honoapiilani Highway fulfills everything you could possibly want out of a private Maui tour: a beautiful drive down the coast, sweeping scenic views of the Pacific, an intimate venture along the gorgeous West Maui Mountains, and a journey into the roots of the island’s culture. There are a great many surprises in store for you in Lahaina and Akina Tours knows exactly where to find them.
The drive to Lahaina is a longer commute than most places on the island. Book a Taste of Maui tour with us and you’ll find that it’s a blessing in disguise. The trip takes you down the long and winding road of the Pali highway. You’ll notice a trail on the steep cliffs above – formerly the King’s Highway and a footprint of the Hawaiian monarchy under King Kamehameha III.
Off the Pali highway lies Olowalu where there is no such thing as meekly passing through. The Olowalu Plantation House is a picturesque photo op you cannot miss, and across the street is Leoda’s Pie Shop. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, the fruit stands and vendors adjacent to the shops are plenty satisfying and indulging. This is all before you even get to Lahaina!
Our fleet of vans are catered specifically for these scenic drives. We encourage you to go sight-seeing in style with our specialty luxury limousine coach, which comes fully stocked with food, comfort, and beverages of your choice. No matter which vehicle you book, they come equipped with our knowledgeable tour guides eager to reveal Lahaina’s delicacies for your pleasure.
Front Street in Lahaina is a tourist hotspot for a reason. Aside from the updated shops and restaurants, the street’s layout has retained the hustle and bustle of its days as the whaling capital of the world. It was also dubbed as the King’s Road where only royalty were permitted to walk. Our luxury liner could certainly replicate the experience. Front Street is quite the busy street and you’ll be grateful for having booked a private tour with us and ridding yourself of the stress of finding decent parking on Front Street (take it from us). Don’t hesitate to ask for local grind recommendations. Aloha Mixed Plate, Teddy’s, Lahaina Grill, we could go on…
Further down the highway sits the renowned Kaanapali Beach, a wide stretch of luxury hotels all meeting in the middle at Whaler’s Village. An entire day could be spent perusing in and out of hotels and the many shops and restaurants in between. The pools may be for guests, but the beach is for everyone. Jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, there are plenty of activities to fill a corporate retreat or a family getaway.
Don’t stop there. At the end of Honoapiilani Highway lies Kapalua, a wide-open natural paradise and sanctuary. We’ll take you to some of the finest restaurants Maui has to offer, followed by a stopover at DT Flemings or the spectacular Honolua Bay for one last view of the sunset to cap off the tour. If you truly want to venture off the beaten path, the backroads of the Kahekili Highway are a keen option and exactly the kind of route our fleet of vans are made for. It’s twice as long as the way into Lahaina, but the large swaths of uninhabited terrain make it a quiet beauty waiting to be explored.
Lahaina is a big place and Akina Tours can make it a seamless fun-filled experience. Book a custom tour with us and we’ll provide a taste of what’s waiting for you on Maui.
