The Top 7 Things To Do in Maui’s Kahana/Kāʻanapali/Kapalua Area

Let’s say you’ve just found the perfect new home on Maui’s west side (MLS# 404366). Maybe now you’re wondering where to go and what to do in your new neighborhood? If so, here are a few ideas for enjoying life in the Kahana/Kāʻanapali/Kapalua area.

West Maui Beaches

If there’s anything else West Maui is especially known for, it’s the wide variety of incredible golf courses. Thanks to their location on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, most are characterized by natural lava formations and elevation changes, and all have sweeping ocean and mountain views.

Take the Kapalua Plantation Course, for example: Golfweek has named it best golf course in Hawaiʻi for 15 consecutive years, and the PGA chooses it time and time again as the home of The Sentry event. This par 73, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, features a number of downhill tee shots and gorgeous panoramas from nearly every hole. Its wide fairways and expansive greens make it accessible to a wide range of golfers.

The Kapalua Bay Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, has hosted over 20 major professional tournaments. On this par 72, you’ll find gently undulating fairways and the renowned par-3 17th hole, which plays over the Pacific. It may be less challenging than the Plantation Course, but its views are just as incredible.

One of only two Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed courses in the Hawaiian Islands, the Royal Kāʻanapali offers rolling fairways and generous greens. This par 71 begins at sea level and continues along the shoreline before making its way into the West Maui Mountains. The views are consistently memorable on this 6,700-yard course.

The Kāʻanapali Kai course provides some challenging holes that require strategy, while still appealing to golfers of all experience levels. A 6,400-yard par 70 on former sugar plantation land, it was reimagined by Hawaiʻi golf course architect Robin Nelson. Its softly sloping greens are punctuated by canals, lava rock formations, and tropical plants.

West Maui Golf

If there’s anything else West Maui is especially known for, it’s the wide variety of incredible golf courses. Thanks to their location on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, most are characterized by natural lava formations and elevation changes, and all have sweeping ocean and mountain views.

Take the Kapalua Plantation Course, for example: Golfweek has named it best golf course in Hawaiʻi for 15 consecutive years, and the PGA chooses it time and time again as the home of The Sentry event. This par 73, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, features a number of downhill tee shots and gorgeous panoramas from nearly every hole. Its wide fairways and expansive greens make it accessible to a wide range of golfers.

The Kapalua Bay Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, has hosted over 20 major professional tournaments. On this par 72, you’ll find gently undulating fairways and the renowned par-3 17th hole, which plays over the Pacific. It may be less challenging than the Plantation Course, but its views are just as incredible.

One of only two Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed courses in the Hawaiian Islands, the Royal Kāʻanapali offers rolling fairways and generous greens. This par 71 begins at sea level and continues along the shoreline before making its way into the West Maui Mountains. The views are consistently memorable on this 6,700-yard course.

The Kāʻanapali Kai course provides some challenging holes that require strategy, while still appealing to golfers of all experience levels. A 6,400-yard par 70 on former sugar plantation land, it was reimagined by Hawaiʻi golf course architect Robin Nelson. Its softly sloping greens are punctuated by canals, lava rock formations, and tropical plants.

West Maui Restaurants

It’s always fun to check out Monkeypod Kitchen to see what award-winning chef Peter Merriman cooks up next. Monkeypod features seasonal menus focused on supporting local farming, ranching, and fishing. They have a daily happy hour from 3:30 to 5, as well as live music – and in case you hadn’t heard, they also craft the best mai tais in the Aloha State!

Looking for authentic Italian food, including homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, using locally sourced ingredients? Look no further than Taverna. In this open-air restaurant with gorgeous mountain views, you can enjoy lunch and dinner, hand-crafted cocktails and locally brewed beers, and of course a selection of Italian wines.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with panoramic Pacific Ocean views, Duke’s Beach House serves fresh fish dishes, steak, and tropical cocktails. There’s also live music daily at this familiar local spot, which was named for Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii’s most famous waterman. Don’t forget to end your meal at Duke’s with their famous Hula Pie!

Whalers Village

Truly the town center of Kāʻanapali, Whalers Village also has a wide variety of great restaurants to choose from, including everything from fast food to fine dining. Leilani’s on the Beach and Hula Grill, for example, both offer fresh fish and island-inspired cocktails in an oceanfront setting, and both have live music daily.

The stores at Whalers Village range from lululemon to Louis Vuitton, and from surf shops to art galleries. Whalers also features complimentary movies in the ‘Ohana Courtyard on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, as well as complimentary “Community Sweat” fitness classes on Saturday mornings. Hula classes, ʻukulele lessons, and even coconut frond weaving lessons are provided throughout the week.

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Stretching approximately 2 miles from D.T. Fleming Beach to Kapalua Bay, the Kapalua Coastal Trail provides a hiking/walking opportunity with gorgeous coastline views, along with opportunities to explore tide pools, watch whales (in winter), and maybe even try a little cliff jumping. The path ranges from dirt/sand to pavement, and from lava rock to wooden walkways. Along the way, stop for a drink at the Hana Hou Bar by the oceanfront pool at the Montage Kapalua Bay.

Ziplining and Horseback Riding

You can experience your adventures with a partner on the all-dual ziplines at Kapalua Ziplines. The six-line and four-line tours both provide panoramic views, as well as a trek across the 360-foot suspension bridge, the largest in Hawaiʻi. And both involve an ATV ride through rainforest!

Last but not least, at Ironwood Ranch in Napili, you can enjoy scenic private horseback riding and group tours for two to four riders. Ironwood also has pony rides for kids as young as four, e-bike adventures, and guided nature walks that include information about the natural surroundings and the history of the area, much of which was once pineapple plantation land.

With everything from beaches and golf, to restaurants and shopping, to hiking, ziplining, and horseback riding – it’s no wonder people say the west side is the best side! Contact me today to find out more about real estate in west Maui.

Leslie Mackenzie Smith, REALTOR(S), RS-42147