Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum

Due to high labor costs and the worldwide market, Hawaii’s days as a major sugar player were thought to be over, but the development of “designer sugars” has revived the industry. You can relive the glory days at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum (3957 Hansen Rd., at Pu‘unene Ave., 808/871-8058, ). Five dollars gets you into the museum (which is the century-old house of the former superintendent of the state’s largest sugar factory) to learn how sugar is grown and how the founders acquired land from the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Maui Friends of the Library Used Book Store

Located in the old townsite of Pu'unene near the sugar mill and better known as "the 10 cent book store", you will find thousands of interesting books and even collectibles. Directions.

Kahului Swap Meet

(On Saturday mornings only)--for 50 cents, discover fruit, fresh Kula veggies, jewelry, hand-painted shirts and dresses, fresh taro, fruit breads, tropical flowers and lots of junk at bargain prices. At Maui Community College Saturdays, 7 AM - Noon.
Continue on to Wailuku ...

Bailey House Museum

(2375-A Main Street, 244-3326, on the left side past Kahekili Highway)—interesting Hawaiian artifacts and exhibits in an old home of a missionary family. Gift shop. Open 10-4 Monday-Saturday. Adult: $7, Senior: $5, Child 7-12: $2.
Then follow Kaahumanu Road (Highway 32) and turn onto 'Iao Valley Road (Highway 320)…

'Iao Valley State Park

A state park in a wonderfully green valley with long, thin waterfalls at the end of 'Iao Valley Road above Wailuku. Nice paved nature trails. Linger and enjoy! Best visited early in the day before the clouds roll in.
Return toward Wailuku and stop at…

Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens

Garden and architectural displays from five cultures that contributed to modern Maui: Chinese, Japanese, New England, Portuguese, and Native Hawaiian. Free. Open 7 to 7. A wonderful picnic destination.

Hawaii Nature Center

(875 ‘Iao Valley Rd., 808-244-6500). An admission fee ($6 adults, $4 children) lets you delve into their interactive science museum, which explains how Hawaii’s plants, animals, and birds made it to the islands. You can book Rainforest Walks at 11:30 am or 1:30 pm Monday thrrough Friday ($29.95 aduls, $19.95 children) which includes a museum visit.

Tropical Gardens of Maui

Beautiful four-acre gardens with a wide variety of flowers, koi ponds, streams, taro patches and trees from various tropical climates. Nominal $3 admission charge (200 ‘Iao Valley Rd., 808-244-3085. Open 9-5 Monday-Saturday). On the left side of the road, as you drive out of Iao Valley…

Antique Shops and Local Restaurants in Wailuku

Turn left on Market Street and park in the public lot just north of Market Street. Walk around town and visit the several funky antique shops. Brown and Kobayashi is a must visit for a nice selection of oriental antiques.

The historic ‘Iao Theater (circa 1928)

In the old section of Wailuku, the theatre hosts fun theater events for enthusiastic local crowds, like splashy Broadway-style revues and musicals. Best of all are the non-Broadway prices: Tickets for most shows start at only $18 (68 N. Market St., Wailuku, 808-242-6969,.
Then go back up the hill and turn left on Kahekili Highway. Stop at...

Maui Tropical Plantation

A Maui products store with horticultural displays and cultural exhibits. The Waikapu Grille, with its beautiful mountain view, is a good place for lunch.
Continue on to…

Maui Ocean Center

The three-acre aquarium and cultural experience takes about two hours to tour the exhibits on Maui’s sea life. Includes live fish, sharks, turtles, rays, and others. The Seascape Restaurant is a pleasant spot for lunch and dinner. Guides refer to the sea creatures by their Hawaiian names. ($24.00 admission price (children 3-12: $17; seniors 65 and over: $21.00; 270-7000). Nearby is the...

Maui Golf and Sports Park

Miniature golf and bumper boats. (808-270-7000).

Restaurant Ideas:

Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course just west of Kahului
Kahili Restaurant at the Kahili Golf Course Clubhouse, (2500 Honoapiiliani Highway west of Wailuku)
Waikapu Grille at the Maui Tropical Plantation
Ruby's Diner at Queen Kaahumanu Center
Stillwell’s Bakery (1740 Kaahumanu Ave between Kahului and Wailuku near the bridge)
Seascape Restaurant at the Maui Ocean Center.
A Saigon Café (1792 Main Street, Wailuku)
Cafe O'Lei Wailuku (62 N. Market Street, Wailuku)
Pa‘ina Food Court at Maui Community College
Leis Family Class Act Restaurant at Maui Community College (Wednesdays and Fridays only by reservation 984-3280)

Directions to Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library is located in the old townsite of Pu'unene near the sugar mill. Where Mokulele Highway turns into Pu'unene, turn toward the sugar mill on Hansen Road. Turn right on South Pu'unene Avenue and drive past the HC&S sugar mill toward Haleakala. Note the historic buildings along this stretch of the road. Drive to the stop sign and turn left on East Camp 5 Road. Note the tiny "Books" arrow. You will pass an old deserted church on the left and the old Pu'unene School that is now being used by social agencies. Turn right into the driveway at another tiny "Books" arrow. Wind your way back behind the school to the old plantation building beneath huge trees housing the store. Walk past the roosters and browse to your heart's content through over 180,000 books.