• I'm from Maui, and there are spots I recommend for visitors and things I suggest they avoid.
• Some of the best things for tourists to do in Hawaii is visit Haleakala National Park or Twin Falls.
• Proceed with caution if you plan to drive the Road to Hana or go to Makena State Park.

As a born and raised Hawaii resident, navigating the beauty of Maui has been both a privilege and a joy.

While serving as a tour guide for loved ones who've visited, I've crafted a list of must-see attractions and identified spots that don't live up to the hype or, in some cases, may even pose risks.

So, consider this list a local perspective on the best ways to appreciate Maui's wonders — and which places or activities might be worth skipping.

Experience an authentic luau in Lahaina

A luau provides a glimpse into Polynesian culture through traditional cuisine, music, dance, and insightful education on history and cultural practices.

The award-winning Old Lahaina Luau has always been a personal favorite. Although the property sustained fire damage, it has since reopened and continues to welcome guests with its renowned spirit of aloha.

Let the luau staff and performers — many of whom are longtime Lahaina residents — transport the audience back in time to ancient Hawaii with the Pacific Ocean as a serene backdrop.

The evening includes a captivating performance paired with a multicourse meal with dishes like locally sourced ʻulu (breadfruit) hummus, kalua pork cooked in an imu (traditional Hawaiian underground oven), and fresh-caught fish.

Explore rare landscapes and vegetation at Haleakala National Park

One of my favorite activities while growing up on Maui was spontaneously driving up to Haleakala National Park (home to the island's dormant volcano) to watch the sunrise.

The park is a great spot for a sunset or a daytime hike, whether you want to try a short walk to a viewpoint or a full-day hike into the crater.

Drink in the sunset and cocktails at Ocean Organic Vodka

Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala is an 80-acre organic farm and distillery that produces Ocean Organic Vodka and other liquor, including my personal favorite, Kula Rum.

Guests can take a guided tour of the farm and distillery that's followed by a tasting.

Alternatively, head straight to the al fresco Cafe at The Point to enjoy dishes like poke nachos, teriyaki chicken sandwich, and an array of cocktails. With its panoramic views of the Maui landscape, this is the perfect place to catch a sunset.

Connect with the local community at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center is a venue for education and entertainment, including performances of Hawaiian music and dance as well as cultural programs and gallery exhibitions.

Some standout events include the annual Slack Key Guitar Festival, with live music, and the Maui Brewers Festival, with beer and food tastings.

Plus, there are shows by renowned musicians, comedians, and much more all year round.

Have family-friendly fun at the Twin Falls

This leisurely hike through Wailele Farm includes various waterfalls and fresh-water pools that are fun for all ages to swim in.

The path to the upper falls is only about a mile roundtrip and is an ideal place to immerse yourself in some of Hawaii's natural wonders.

The family-owned-and-operated farm also grows more than 350 species of tropical plants. Try a taste of fresh produce like mangoes, lilikoi (passion fruit), coconuts, and more — all of which are available for purchase at the on-property Wailele Farm Stand.

Be sure to check trail conditions before heading out, as there can be closures due to flooding.

On the other hand, don't play in the waves at Makena State Park

Makena State Park, also known as Big Beach, is a popular spot for experienced surfers, but I don't recommend coming here if you want to float around or go for a swim.

The shorebreak can be dangerous, and the powerful waves frequently create hazardous conditions. Although there are sometimes lifeguards on duty, even experienced swimmers can struggle to keep up in the waters here.

The waves may look fun to play in, but the risk simply isn't worth the potential reward.

Be discerning about driving on the Road to Hana

Hana is my favorite place on Earth, but the road to get there is treacherous, with dozens of one-lane bridges and hundreds of curves, many of which are on the edge of a cliff.

This journey is not recommended for novice drivers or those who are prone to getting carsick. Parking is also an issue, as the narrow roads don't provide much room to pull over.

Instead of driving yourself, consider booking an official tour with a professional guide if you want to visit the Road to Hana.

It's better to view the Nakalele Blowhole from a distance

The Nakalele Blowhole is a natural wonder that's caused by ocean waves shooting through an underwater lava tube to create a geyser-like spout.

It's certainly a sight to behold, but witnessing it up close requires hiking across rocky terrain. This can be dangerous if you have children or other curious souls who could venture too close and slip on the rocks or (worst case scenario) get sucked in.

Instead, consider just enjoying the sprays of water from a distance.

A hike on Waihee Ridge Trail can be great, but only in the right conditions

The Waihee Ridge Trail is stunning but fickle. The trail typically has one of two extremes: It's either hot and sunny with minimal shade or covered in slippery mud on a steep slope with no views from the top due to thick clouds.

Even my friend who's an avid hiker wasn't inclined to hit the Waihee Ridge Trail when they visited.

It's really only worth going on this hike if you go early in the morning on a day with great weather. Otherwise, your trek may be a lot more taxing than it might be worth in the end.

Leave jumping off Black Rock to professional cliff divers

At the north end of Kaanapali Beach stands Black Rock, which is a popular cliff-jumping spot about a dozen feet (or more in some places) above the water.

It's frequented by locals as well as hotel employees who light torches along the rocks before diving into the water at sunset most evenings.

However, cliff diving can be extremely dangerous, especially when done without proper precautions, supervision, or prep.

Even if you don't get seriously hurt, it's still painful if you hit the water wrong, and you're sure to hear commiserating cries from onlookers — something I know from personal experience.

There are also strong currents around Black Rock, so please carefully consider entering the water.

• I was born and raised in Hawaii and have seen tourists spend money on things that aren't worth it.
• Some sunscreens and cheap beach toys can be harmful to the local environment.
• Skip the fake leis and imported souvenirs and support locally-owned businesses instead.

As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, I've seen tourists spend money on things that just aren't worth it.

From fake leis to matching outfits, these are the 8 things I always tell visitors not to waste their hard-earned money on.

Support locally-owned businesses instead of visiting chain restaurants.

Two popular mainland chain restaurants, Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's, opened on Maui a few years ago.

But to me, it seems like a waste to fly all the way out to Hawaii just to eat the same things you might have access to at home. Instead, I recommend supporting local businesses and taking the opportunity to enjoy authentic Pacific island fare.

 

Avoid purchasing sunscreens that can damage the environment.

In 2021, the state legislature passed a law banning the sale of sunscreens made with the reef-damaging chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. However, these products can still be found in some shops in Hawaii. 

Spending money on products that are harmful to the islands' natural ecosystems can negatively affect the environment and locals. The long-term effects oxybenzone and octinoxate can have aren't worth the price, even if sunscreens made with these chemicals are a bit cheaper.

I strongly recommend helping to protect the land you're visiting and only using reef-safe sunscreen, especially if it comes in a reusable or recyclable bottle.

Skip the fake lei and opt for real flowers instead.

Fake leis and other floral accessories can be fun souvenirs, but in my opinion, plastic lacks the aloha spirit. While in Hawaii, wear an authentic lei handmade by a local artist, or find a real flower to wear in your hair at no cost at all.

If you absolutely must bring a lei home, consider purchasing one made of genuine kukui nuts, which come from trees that grow in Hawaii. Just be wary of synthetic iterations.

Pass on the imported, mass-produced trinkets.

At souvenir shops, there are tons of trinkets that solely serve as cheap replicas of the real thing. For example, the Tiki is an iconic cultural and spiritual symbol that represents Polynesian deities, but tourists can purchase a cheap iteration from the convenience store.

These trinkets are usually imported to the islands and made of synthetic materials instead of hand-carved wood, which takes away from the totem's mana, or power.

Though it may be more expensive, it's worth purchasing the work from a local artist who has spent years honing their craft.

Matching outfits have the potential to be cute but often look tacky.

One way to stand out as a tourist is to wear a matching outfit with your partner or family.

Although I think matching outfits have the potential to make for a cute photo op, it's important to consider whether these pieces will actually be worn again back home. I don't recommend wasting money on something you'll wear once and throw away once the vacation is over.

You may also inadvertently end up matching with more people than just your family, since so many tourist shops sell clothing in the same styles and prints.

Tourist traps are almost never worth the entry fee.

Each island has attractions that draw huge crowds but, in my opinion, don't add much value to a vacation. I've even regretted visiting a few popular attractions because I thought they were overcrowded, underwhelming, and expensive to get into.

If the gift shop takes up the majority of the venue, you've probably been sucked into a tourist trap that will try to siphon your money without providing much value in return.

Don't buy beach toys that will end up being thrown away.

Convenience stores on the islands sell a variety of water toys like inflatable tubes, snorkels, and boogie boards. However, I've noticed that visitors don't typically bring these products home with them, so they end up in landfills or on our beaches.

Instead of buying these items from a convenience store, rent them from a kiosk at a beach-front hotel or a local business.

Tropical cocktails at the resorts are convenient but overpriced.

The cocktails at the hotel bars are notoriously overpriced. "Upgraded" beverages served in a coconut or pineapple are photo-worthy, but I think paying nearly $40 for one drink is outrageous.

That said, part of the drink's value lies in the experience itself, especially if you're enjoying it poolside.

However, if you just want to get a mai tai before dinner or have a night out at a bar, it's more cost-effective to seek off-property options.

This story was originally published on October 9, 2022, and most recently updated on March 28, 2025.

• I'm an American girl from Hawaii who fell in love with a British boy while studying in London.
• We started a long-distance relationship, and then I moved to England so we could be together.
• Six months later, I left feeling I'd over-romanticized the idea of moving abroad for love.

I've always been obsessed with love stories.

Growing up, I devoured every Disney princess movie and romantic comedy I could find, longing for my own happy ending. I fell in love quickly and often, hoping each time that it would finally be with my forever person.

When I decided to spend my last semester of college studying abroad in London, I romanticized the experience in a different way. I was excited to explore the city's rich history, travel across Europe, and make new friends.

I had no intention of entering a romantic relationship — but the moment I stopped looking for love, it found me.

The start of our romance felt like magic

My arrival in London was a whirlwind of navigating culture shock, city life, fresh faces, and an unfamiliar campus.

Barely two weeks in, I went out to a bar with a group of women from my study-abroad program and met the man I would fall in love with.

We had an instant connection on the dance floor, which led to spending the rest of the night together. We started talking daily and had our first date a week later.

Weekly outings turned into overnights, then entire weekends. He invited me to meet his family in his hometown, where we expressed our love for the first time.

We took our first of many international trips together and visited Milan, where we ate gelato, drank fine wine, and danced by the canal. During this time, I solo traveled frequently while he stayed in London awaiting my return.

When my study-abroad program ended, I moved my belongings into his flat and spent a month traveling around Europe — a graduation present from my parents — until it was time to fly home to Maui.

I soon realized moving abroad for love wasn't the fairy-tale I'd been dreaming of

I never expected to leave London in a long-distance relationship, but our connection had enchanted me.

We set a date for him to visit me in Hawaii and found a rhythm of exchanging messages and video calls despite the 11-hour time difference.

A few weeks into this routine, he asked me to return to England on a six-month tourist visa so we could be together. I accepted, ecstatic about going back to the country where we fell in love.

But this time, my destination wasn't London. Instead, I moved to Hastings, a seaside town where the last interesting thing to happen there was probably the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

I explored the entire place in two days, and boredom quickly set in.

Since I was on a tourist visa, I couldn't work. I was a recent college graduate with no savings, so I didn't have money for outings or even a pint at the local pub. I felt isolated and relied on my partner for housing and social interaction.

Most days, I stayed in the flat watching Netflix and playing video games until he got home. My main recreation became grocery-store runs, walks in the park, and occasional trips out of town.

I tried starting various creative projects but was left feeling unfulfilled. Making dinner each night became my only sense of purpose.

Each day blurred into the next, and I sunk deeper into a depression that I didn't recognize until it had already swallowed me whole.

In retrospect, it hit me: I was an unemployed, stay-at-home girlfriend — and I didn't like that version of myself.

As I struggled, so did our relationship. We fought more frequently, slipping into a cycle that followed us across continents, one that eventually led to our breakup.

Now, I know love alone isn't enough to build a full life

My return to England marked a major shift: Instead of arriving with an open mind, I carried expectations for both my time living abroad and the relationship I was chasing.

However, the magic from my first visit had faded, and the reality was far from what I had envisioned.

I realized love alone couldn't help me create the life I wanted with another person — I also needed to feel whole on my own.

My experience in Hastings showed me that a healthy relationship requires stability, compatibility, and open communication, but it must be between individuals who both have a strong sense of self and independence.

I hadn't anticipated how much losing the structure of school, work, and social connections would impact my mental health.

If I had the chance to do things differently, I'd prioritize finding remote work, building friendships, and taking better care of myself.

Our love story didn't end how I'd hoped, but it was still real, beautiful, and worth remembering — and I learned invaluable lessons I will never forget.

Despite the challenges, I'd do it all over again.

• I was born and raised in Hawaii. Living here full-time has its pros and cons.
• The islands are filled with adventure and beauty, but the cost of living in Hawaii is high.
• I really feel blessed to live here, but traffic and overtourism are also frustrating issues. 

After growing up in Hawaii and moving to the contiguous US for college, the first thing most people asked me was: "Why would you ever leave Maui?"

My honest answer is that it was always my goal to get off "the rock," the nickname that my friends and I used to call the island. Now that I've returned as an adult, I have a new perspective.

Even though it's not flawless, I feel extremely lucky to call Hawaii home — but I also have a better understanding of why it's not always the picturesque paradise that many imagine.

Here are the six best and six worst things about living in Hawaii.

I can almost always find sunshine on the island, even if it's raining on one side.

Hawaii residents get to enjoy tropical weather virtually year-round. 

Even on a rainy day, you can almost always drive to another part of the island and find a sunny spot. Or you can allow the storm to pass, which it usually does, and wait for a stunning rainbow to appear.

The islands' natural beauty is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else.

My hometown, Lāhainā, is filled with natural wonders like most parts of Hawaii. 

The islands offer endless opportunities to connect with Mother Earth, whether you're looking to lounge on the beach, hike a breathtaking trail, swim at the base of a waterfall, watch the sunset, or smell the tropical flowers (plumerias are my favorite).

Having easy access to so many natural attractions is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hawaii is a paradise for foodies, with an abundance of tropical fruits and fresh seafood.

With local Hawaii comfort foods like Spam musubis, poke bowls, loco mocos, and chicken-katsu plates, there's no shortage of delicious dishes here.

Grocery stores and farmers markets in Hawaii are usually stocked with fresh tropical fruit, and restaurants here showcase some of the world's best Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine that features line-caught fish and other seafood.

The islands have adventurous activities that appeal to all types of people.

Hawaii has a variety of beaches and hiking trails for people of all skill levels, which makes it easy to curate an experience that matches your desired pace. 

Residents also enjoy some popular tourist attractions like whale-watching excursions, parasailing experiences, and zip-line tours.

As a local, it's a bonus if I know the people who work at the companies that host these activities — and sometimes, I get a discount for being a a Hawaii resident. 

Each island has a strong sense of community, and there are a lot of networking opportunities.

Because I grew up on Maui, I was woven into the fabric of the island's tight-knit community from a young age.

If people don't know me personally, they likely know my family. I often feel an instant bond with other people who were born and raised here.

And with so many people coming to visit the islands, I never know who I might meet. There are always opportunities to make new connections and expand my network.

In general, life on the islands feels slow-paced and relaxed.

The island lifestyle feels much more slow-paced and relaxed, especially compared to the chaotic energy that frequently comes with dwelling in a city.

Locals don't usually rush around, and they seem relatively carefree, which makes for peaceful and restorative environments on the islands.

So, it probably comes as no surprise that I think Hawaii is one of the best places for a staycation.

On the other hand, the cost of living is incredibly high here.

Prices tend to be higher in popular tourist destinations, and that is certainly true in Hawaii, where so many things are imported from the contiguous US.

As a resident, I'm used to paying significantly more for everyday things like milk, gas, and housing than a lot of visitors who are accustomed to paying less at home.

For example, a gallon of milk is often over $8 — and a studio-apartment rental can easily cost over $3,000 a month here. 

The traffic on the islands can completely derail your plans for the day.

The traffic on Honolulu often feels comparable to the traffic in Los Angeles, even though the latter city's population is significantly larger.

This is partially because some areas of the islands have access only to one road, such as Honoapi'ilani Highway, also known as Hawaii Route 30, which connects West Maui with the rest of the island. 

If the road closes because of an accident or a brush fire, you can even get stuck on the wrong side of the island overnight.

Overtourism has ruined some places and experiences for everyone.

Although Hawaii relies on tourism, the many visitors can make living here more difficult. 

Beaches that used to be secrets are now overrun with tourists, and many restaurants have unbearably long lines, making it difficult for locals to visit some of their favorite spots.

On top of that, disrespectful visitors make residents even more disdainful. Though not all tourists misbehave, the ones who do can have a detrimental domino effect on the local community.

The islands can feel small, which can make dating a challenge.

Dating is difficult anywhere, but especially on an island where you consistently see the same people. It doesn't help that many of the additions to the dating pool are transients who are only looking for a casual fling.

Even when you're lucky enough to find a potential match, it comes with risk. If your relationship doesn't work out, it's almost inevitable that you'll eventually run into them on small islands. You may even be connected to the next person they date, too.

It can feel challenging to watch the commercialization of sacred land that was stolen from the Hawaiian people.

Although my lineage is not indigenous to this land, these islands are my home, and I find the commercialization of Hawaiian culture to be heartbreaking. 

For example, Lāhainā, my hometown, used to be the epicenter of the Hawaiian kingdom. Now, it's a major tourist destination filled with shops and restaurants to accommodate visitors.

The sense of isolation that often comes with living on the islands can feel overwhelming.

Being separated from the rest of the world may initially sound liberating, but it can quickly turn into island fever, a phenomenon associated with psychological stress that comes from feeling trapped.

When some people realize that they're on an island in the middle of the ocean, they may begin to long for the freedom of long road trips, changing seasons, and other luxuries that come with living in the contiguous US.

This story was originally published on January 1, 2023, and most recently updated on January 23, 2025.