Kihei's gentler surf also makes it a favorite swimming spot for families with small children. Start your trip to Kihei with a day at the beach. You won't have any trouble finding a spot along the 6-mile stretch of pristine sand and surf at Keawakapu, Kamaole Beach III, Charley Young, and Po'olenalena Beaches. There you can bask in the sun, take a walk or a jog, paddleboard, take a surfing lesson, or dive straight into the waves. You can also rent surfboards or kayaks. The beaches can become crowded just after lunch, so head out in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Enjoy a picnic in the shade of the palms at Kalama Beach Park. It's easy to spend a whole day here swimming or surfing in the cove or engaging in all kinds of sports. The park offers basketball, tennis and beach volleyball courts, baseball fields, a skate park, roller-skating rink, and playgrounds.
There's no shortage of great dining spots in Kihei either. For breakfast, head to Kihei Caffe to choose from the specials listed on the chalkboard, from chicken fried steak to French toast. Lunch calls for fresh seafood from the South Maui Fish Co. food cart, including fish tacos and their famous poke bowls. For dinner, head to Nalu's South Shore Grill for ahi tuna with a side of live music and delicious tropical cocktails. You can cool off anytime with a cup of shaved ice, a local specialty served up by Local Boys Shave Ice and Ululani's Shave Ice.
Whether you've been to Maui many times before or this will be your first time, a stay in Kihei will make you fall deeply in love with the Hawaiian lifestyle.
When is the best time to visit Kihei, HI?
Kihei, unlike much of Maui, is subject to an arid and hot climate due to its location outside the volcanic crater of Haleakala. The village remained largely unspoiled until the 1930s, with local fishers plying their trade while development took over Maui elsewhere, but once modern infrastructure (and water piped over the mountains) came to the area, the area's dry, hot climate and beautiful beaches became a boon for resorts and would-be vacationers.
So today, Kihei makes the perfect vacation spot year-round thanks to spring, fall, and winter temperatures in the low to mid-80s and summer temperatures in the low 90s. January is the rainiest month of the year, with five days of rain on average. From May to October, you'll seldom see even a single drop of rain.
Plan your trip at the end of the month so you don't miss the Kihei Fourth Friday Town Party. This free community event makes for a great night of family fun on the town with something for everyone, from the Keiki Kids' Zone to the arts, crafts, and food truck fare. Listen to live music and feel free to join the dance party under the stars.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Kihei, HI:
Kihei by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Kihei, HI. You can use these charts to determine the best months to stay in Kihei during the year.
What are the best hotels in Kihei, HI for luxury lovers?
4 Star Average Prices: £236.89
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort a Concept by Hyatt offers an incomparably luxurious stay right in the heart of Kihei. The sprawling resort offers everything you could desire in a luxury beachfront property, from five outdoor pools with pool cabanas and two poolside bars to a 24-hour fitness facility. The 4.5-star resort is also located just a few miles from Kamaole Beach Park and Makena State Park Beach.
Visit the full-service spa if you need some hands-on pampering, while the concierge and room service will take care of every other desire. If you're feeling hungry, you can visit four of the resort's on-site restaurants or grab a snack from the coffee shop and cafe. If you crave variety, schedule a limo or town car to take you into town for a night out.
Families looking for a luxury hotel should consider Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui. The hotel offers endless amenities to entertain everyone in the family, including a children's pool with slides, a golf course, a full-service spa, spa tubs, and numerous resort restaurants, a coffee shop and cafe, and several bars and lounges.
What are the best affordable hotels in Kihei, HI?
3 Star Average Prices: £128.27
Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront in Kihei is the place for budget travelers seeking a hotel that is as close as possible to the beach. Here, you'll be just 0.7 miles from Kamaole Beach Park. You'll save even more throughout your stay by prepping light bites and small meals using your in-room fridge and microwave, preparing coffee and tea using your own coffee maker, and by dining and drinking at the affordable hotel restaurant and bar.
Other hotel amenities will keep you entertained, such as the free cable programming, complimentary wireless internet access, and fitness center. Free housekeeping provided daily allows you to focus on having fun in Kihei instead of tidying up.
2 Star Average Prices: £118.69
What hotel discounts are available in Kihei, HI?
If you're looking for discounts at an upscale hotel, visit Kohei Kai Maui An Ascend Hotel Collection Member. AAA members, military and government service workers, and seniors will all find discounts on the hotel's various guestrooms and suites. The cozy rooms come outfitted with top-notch amenities, including pillowtop beds with premium bedding. Each room also comes with its own private furnished lanai (what the locals call a terrace or porch).
The hotel also offers wedding services, so it makes for a great destination wedding location. Be sure to book accommodations early at the Kohea Kai Maui as the property only boasts 26 individual guestrooms.
Where are the best value hotels in Kihei, HI?
Tidy, cheerful, and well-maintained, Aston at the Maui Banyan offers excellent value and a beachfront location near Wailea Beach and Kamaole Beach Park. Though this property's rates are affordable, you'll find no sacrifice of amenities. Rooms come equipped with private lanais, fridges, cable programming, free internet service, and video game consoles. The property also offers an outdoor pool, spa tub, and an outdoor tennis court. You can grill out at the barbecue station beneath the palms and dine at the picnic area.
Visit Best Western Pioneer Inn if you're looking for an affordable hotel that still offers plenty of historic charm. The oceanfront property lies outside of Kihei in Lahaina, close to Banyan Tree Park and Front Street, and the historic property is also listed as a National Historic Landmark. Some rooms feature balcony access with rocking chairs. This hotel offers a beautiful interior courtyard, complete with lush greenery, idyllic seating, and an outdoor pool.
Where are the best places to explore nature in Kihei, HI?
The unmistakable landmark that dominates the island of Maui and the Kihei community is the giant Haleakala Crater shield volcano, which rises 10,023 feet above sea level and spans 33,265 acres. Above and beyond the dormant volcano's extreme natural beauty, the park can boast a couple of other notable superlatives. It is home to more endangered species than any other national park. If you were to hike to its summit, you'd travel through six different climate zones.
Hawaiian legend holds that the demigod Maui captured the sun in this exact spot, agreeing to release it only after it promised to linger to light the world for a longer period. Perhaps that is why the sunset over Haleakala, or over the beaches of Kihei, is one of the most spectacular sites you'll see in your lifetime. Keep your eyes on the horizon and you might also spy the spout of a giant humpback whale breaching the surface.
You're more likely to see it on the waters from the deck of a fishing charter boat or whale-watching excursion at Maalaea Bay. For a peek at the local humpback whales' life beneath the waves, visit the immersive new Humpbacks of Hawaii Exhibit and Sphere at The Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea. Visitors feel like they are swimming alongside the whales deep in the sea thanks to the center's cutting edge 4K, 3D, and surround sound technology.
After all that virtual exploration, you can strike out on your own undersea expedition with a snorkeling excursion to Molokini, which is often ranked as one of the world's top snorkeling spots. The crystal-clear waters reveal reefs teeming with vivid tropical fish, slithering eels, vibrant corals, sea turtles, and hypnotizing anemones.
Birding enthusiasts also love to encounter the diverse and rare avian species that are native to Kihei at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, one of the few remaining natural Hawaiian wetlands. The name “Kealia” means “salt-encrusted place,” because the pond water evaporates significantly in the summer season, leaving behind a salty residue. You can observe the unique landscape and look out for endangered stilts and coots in their natural habitat while enjoying an easy stroll along the park's boardwalks.
Whether you're a beach bum, a big-time nature lover, or a foodie, you'll find that Kihei ticks every box on your list. Book your next trip to Hawaii and stay in the up-and-coming Maui community of Kihei. You won't regret it!
FAQs about hotels in Kihei
Verified reviews of the city: Kihei, HI
Below are reviews of the city of Kihei, HI from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Great Restaurants With Happy Hours!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great restaurants and they all have a happy hour!
Lance E., from 30-Apr-2024
"Close to Great Golf Course"
Score
5.0 / 5
Good location. Proximity to great golf.
Casey M., from 14-Apr-2023
"Beautiful Area"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful area!
Robin K., from 06-Apr-2023
"Nice Beaches!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Kihei is an awesome location. It is close to everything. Nice beaches and awesome sunset! Also has a collection of local restaurants and stores!
Mary I., from 29-Aug-2022
"BEAUTIFUL BEACHES!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The beautiful beaches, walking and access to stores, restaurants. Loved Mauai!!
Annie Q., from 13-Jul-2022
"Good Area"
Score
5.0 / 5
Not too crowded. Not far from other parts of the island.
Tania F., from 27-Jun-2022
"Good beach access!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Good pool, easy access to beach, access to grocery stores and restaurants. Free parking.
Vivian L., from 18-Apr-2022
"Beautiful"
Score
5.0 / 5
Beautiful
Mike W., from 23-Oct-2019
The average traveler rating of the city of Kihei, HI shown above is
4.6 out of 5 based on 8 reviews