View Hawaii on the mapMore of a place where islanders live than a resort, with a practical atmosphere and many supermarkets and shopping centers. The glamour of tourism lies in the resort areas on the west and south coasts, and Kahului is mostly a base for getting there.

Kahului

Kahului · United States · 20.89, -156.47

A port and airport town serving as the gateway to Maui and the island's commercial and logistics center. Cruise ships dock here, making it the starting point for island excursions to Haleakala and Hana.

Port highlights

A port town of about 29,000 (about 160,000 on the whole island of Maui)

Population

A warm tropical maritime climate year-round, with little seasonal variation. Strong northeast trade winds blow, and the island's north coast is known for its wind. Rain is heaviest from November to March, but showers often clear quickly.

Climate

English (Hawaiian is also an official language)

Language

US dollar (USD). Card payments can be used almost everywhere.

Currency

April to October (dry season with calm seas). January to March is a good opportunity if you are aiming to see whales.

Best time to visit

Local food

Poke bowls, plate lunch, malasadas, Maui pineapple, and Kona coffee

Sights

Haleakala National Park crater and sunriseHana Highway drive and waterfallsGreen peaks of Iao Valley State ParkMaui Ocean Center (aquarium)Whale watching (humpback whales in winter)

Monthly average high / low temperatures

28°

18°Jan

28°

18°Feb

28°

18°Mar

29°

19°Apr

30°

20°May

31°

21°Jun

32°

22°Jul

32°

22°Aug

32°

22°Sep

32°

21°Oct

30°

20°Nov

29°

19°Dec

Unit: °C · NOAA climate normals · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: KAHULUI AP · about 3.8 km from port · Last checked: Oct 4, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

Much more expensive than Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)240 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, everything is much more expensive.

$3.19

Water 592 ml

$4.95

Coffee

$15.53

Inexpensive meal

$7.75

Local beer

$7.49

Big Mac

Prices from nearby Honolulu (about 151 km away) · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 (partly estimated) · Sources: Shop and menu prices