Kihei, Maui

Kihei lies in the rain shadow of Haleakala and receives less than 13 inches of precipitation annually. Very dry and hot, the area was originally called Kama'ole which means barren in Hawaiian. Today, the undeveloped land above Kihei is used for cattle ranching and is covered in imported African grasses and keawe (mesquite).

One of the most consistently sunny places in Maui, many resorts have grown up in conjunction with modern irrigation systems that have allowed for the creation of golf courses, green lawns, and beautiful landscaping. With such beautiful weather, Kihei is a great place to spend time on Maui. Read about Kihei Activities.

Kihei Attractions

Kalama Park

Kalama Park is located at 1910 South Kihei Road. Home to "the cove" surf spot, beach volleyball courts, a roller-skating rink, a skatepark, basketball and tennis courts, two baseball fields, picnic pavilions, and a playground designed for younger kids, Kalama Park always has something going on.

Every evening people gather for pick-up games of volleyball, basketball, and soccer. The roller-skating rink is a favorite among local kids and offers inexpensive skate rentals and free public skating Wednesday night from six to eight PM , and Saturday nights from six to nine PM (at the time of this publication). There are bathrooms, changing rooms, and outdoor showers, and across the street are plenty of good shopping and dining locales.

Kukui Mall Movie Theater

Kukui Mall Movie Theater, located at 1819 South Kihei Road, is home to four small theaters. Films are updated regularly.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Located at 726 South Kihei Road, the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is a great place to learn more about the giant marine mammals who call Maui home every winter. A division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the sanctuary has an educational center with exhibits and scientists on staff to answer questions. The building is also located near several native Hawaiian fish ponds, important cultural sites for the Hawaiian people. Call (800) 831-4888 for more information or visit http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/.

Beaches for kids:

Kama'ole I, or Kam One for short, has lifeguards, outdoor showers, and rest rooms close at hand. The beach is fairly long with a gentle slope, and the water is usually calm. An ABC store across the street is a great place to run to if you forgot a towel, sunscreen, or need to grab a snack for the little ones. Parking can be a bit difficult if you arrive after 9 a.m., but there is an overflow dirt lot across the street.

Kihei Condos

Looking to rent or buy in Kihei? Good idea. Prices are at an all time low right now, and Kihei (especially south Kihei) is in high-demand. Our favorite condominium complex is Keonekai Villages in south Maui. It's right in front of Kamaole Beach Park III.

History of Kihei

Due to the desert conditions of the area, Kihei was not an easy place for native Hawaiians to settle. The lack of water made agriculture nearly impossible, and the local population never grew to the size found on many other wetter parts of Maui. The native people who were able to make a home in Kihei did so by relying heavily on fishing, the evidence of which can be seen in the old fish ponds in North Kihei. According to Hawaiian history, residents of Kihei traded their fish for agricultural products with people from other parts of the island.

The lack of water allowed the native people of Kihei to remain relatively closed off from the influence of the American missionaries who arrived on Maui in the late 1800's. Through the 1930's Hawaiians lived much as they always had, fishing and doing their best to live off the dry land. It wasn't until 1950 that the government began trying to market and sell beach lots in the Kihei area, and even then there were very few buyers.

In the 1960s water was piped down to Kihei from Central and West Maui and real estate finally took off. Through the 1970's and 1980's condos, hotels, and resorts sprang up continually and completely changed the face of Kihei. The growth during this time period is largely responsible for the Kihei you see today.