Things to do on Maui
Known for lush valleys and picture-perfect beaches, Maui has something for everyone. Your adventure starts at the OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort, home to a team of cultural practitioners that are dedicated to offering authentic, cultural experiences through a range of complimentary family-friendly daily cultural activities.
Complimentary cultural activities
Hawaiian dance
More than a dance, hula tells the story of Hawaii's ancestral knowledge and history. Learn basic hula movements as well as Hawaiian language, history and stories shared through hula.
Saturday - Thursday: 11:30 am
Hawaiian language
Learn the language of Hawaii. Letters, words, short phrases and the history of the Hawaiian language will be shared through lessons, stories, place names, proverbs and more.
Monday - Wednesday, Saturday: 3:30 pm
Hawaiian music and song
Discover the development and history of Hawaiian music and songs by learning a few chords on the ukulele and Hawaiian words in a song.
Thursday - Sunday: 9:45 am
Make your own lei
More than just a decorative piece, learn about the significance of a lei, the difference lei making styles and traditional lei-making materials. Then use your new-found knowledge to make your very own lei to give to your special someone.
Daily: 2:00 pm
Ocean safety
Learn the importance of the nearshore environment and how to detect and avoid potential ocean hazards.
Daily: 1:00 pm
Garden tour
Learn about Hawaiian culture, spirituality and medicinal practices during a tour of our gardens. Discover the history and importance of our native plants.
Sunday and Tuesday: 8:30 am
Hawaiian weaving
Listen and observe a weaving practitioner use Hawaiian fibers. Then try your hand at creating your own keepsake.
Sunday and Thursday: 3:30 pm
Aloha Friday singing
The best day of the week - Aloha Friday! Join our hosts for our weekly performance to celebrate Hawaiian music, singing and dance.
Friday: 11:30 am
Bamboo stamp making
Learn how Hawaiian bark cloth and dyes are made and the plants they are made from. Experience "bamboo stamps" to create your own unique piece of kapa.
Monday, Thursday, Saturday: 8:30 am
Ocean navigation
Learn about the various elements of nature utilized in traditional Hawaiian navigational techniques.
Monday - Wednesday: 9:45 am
Hawaiian music instruments
Take this opportunity to see the different traditional Hawaiian instruments and learn how they are made and used in Hawaiian dance.
Wednesday & Friday: 8:30 am
Hawaiian storytelling
Listen to stories of Hawaii that convey Hawaiian life lessons, values, language and traditions.
Tuesday and Friday: 4:00 pm
Cultural activities calendar
| Time | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 am | Maka‘ika‘i Garden tour |
Kāpala Bamboo stamp making |
Maka‘ika‘i Garden tour |
Mea Ho‘okani Hawaiian music instruments |
Kāpala Bamboo stamp making |
Mea Ho‘okani Hawaiian music instruments |
Kāpala Bamboo stamp making |
| 9:45 am | Mele Hawaiian music and song |
Pānānā Ocean navigation |
Pānānā Ocean navigation |
Pānānā Ocean navigation |
Mele Hawaiian music and song |
Mele Hawaiian music and song |
Mele Hawaiian music and song |
| 11:30 am | Hula Hawaiian dance |
Hula Hawaiian dance |
Hula Hawaiian dance |
Hula Hawaiian dance |
Hula Hawaiian dance |
Aloha Friday Singing |
Hula Hawaiian dance |
| 1:15 pm | Lei Kukui Restringing | Lei Kukui Restringing | Lei Kukui Restringing | Lei Kukui Restringing | Lei Kukui Restringing | Lei Kukui Restringing | Lei Kukui Restringing |
| 2:00 pm | Lei Make your own lei |
Lei Make your own lei |
Lei Make your own lei |
Lei Make your own lei |
Lei Make your own lei |
Lei Make your own lei |
Lei Make your own lei |
| 3:30 pm | Ma‘awe Hawaiian weaving |
‘Ōlelo Hawaiian language | Mo‘olelo Hawaiian storytelling |
‘Ōlelo Hawaiian language | Ma‘awe Hawaiian weaving |
Mo‘olelo Hawaiian storytelling |
‘Ōlelo Hawaiian language |
Classes are subject to rescheduling, change, or cancellation.
Aqualani Beach & Ocean Recreation
Lounge in style with your own semi-private cabana.
Discover the underwater world of Puu Kekaa with a snorkel tour.
Explore the ocean from above with a SUP lesson.
OUTRIGGER Activities & Experiences
This must-do Maui road trip covers 50 miles of twists and turns with scenic views around every corner. Discover bamboo forest, rainbow eucalyptus trees, waterfalls, and a black sand beach. Make it a day-long driving adventure on your own or take a guided tour so you can relax and enjoy the view.
Sunrise and sunset are the most popular times to view the panoramic vistas at Maui’s dormant volcanic crater. Haleakalā National Park is open year-round to visitors. Guided tours are available, and reservations are required for all sunrise visitors.
Get an unobstructed view of Maui from above and explore the lush valleys and cascading waterfalls. Choose from a variety of tours, all departing from the heliport at Kahului.
Immerse yourself in the Hawaiian culture at one of Maui's luau shows. Dine on traditional dishes such as kalua pork and poi, and enjoy the music, dancing and storytelling of Hawaiian and Polynesian history and culture.
Take a drive upcountry and see a different side of Maui. This 13.5 acre farm grows over 20 varieties of lavender, some which bloom year round. Explore the gardens at your leisure, or sign up for a guided walking tour. Visit the gift shop for unique items to take home with you.
Places of interest on Maui
The sun-drenched shoreline of Kā‘anapali was long ago home to a flourishing ancient Hawaiian community. Its famous landmark, Pu‘u Keka‘a (known as Black Rock) was a sacred place where the natives believed the souls of the deceased would leap off to go from the physical world into the spiritual realm. As the plantation era came and sugar cane operations overtook the island, these villages gradually disappeared. Today, this resort area has expanded into a world-class destination with luxury oceanfront resorts, championship golf courses, shopping, and dining. For families, honeymooners, empty nesters, or sun-seekers, the golden stretch of beach remains the main attraction for snorkeling, paddle boarding, sunset sails, whale watching (in season) or simply relaxing for the day.
Prepare yourself for mile after twisting, turning mile of natural beauty and stunning views. It’s not really about Hana as a destination - it’s about the journey getting there. Choose your stops along the route and take time to hike and explore or just pause and enjoy the scenery. Bamboo forests, rainbow eucalyptus trees, and numerous exotic plants and flowers provide color and diversity along the way. Waterfalls are abundant, some visible from the highway, some require a short hike. If time permits, continue past Hana to the Pools of ‘Ohe‘o (Seven Sacred Pools). These serene, tiered pools are fed by waterfalls and you can take a refreshing dip after the long drive (weather and conditions permitting).
View sunrise at the summit of this dormant volcanic crater for an awe-inspiring moment in time. The barren, but colorful landscape and panoramas transport you to another world. Relish the absolute silence, especially if you venture down into the crater on one of the park’s hiking trails. The slopes leading up to the summit are home to rare, native Hawaiian species of birds and plants including the unique Silversword plant. At night the vast, velvet sky reveals stars, planets, and moons for an unsurpassed stargazing experience. For ancient Hawaiians, the summit was a site for religious rituals and ceremonies. Sacred places were established within the crater which are used for cultural rites and celebrations yet today.
Approximate travel times
| Kahului Airport | Lahaina | Kapalua | Kihei | Wailea | Haleakala | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort | 50 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 50 minutes | 55 minutes | 2 hours |
Complimentary Kaanapali Trolley
Make the most of your time on Maui on board the Kāʻanapali Trolley, complimentary for our guests to use to explore Whalers Village, Kāʻanapali Golf Course and Fairway Shops. Pick-up and returns are scheduled throughout times the day.
Annual cultural events
Kauluhiwaolele Maui Fiber Arts Conference recognizes the multiple ways we utilize Hawaiian plant material. Leaves, bark, sedges and roots are just some of the fibers used to weave, twill, twine and knot into precious creations.
Postponed until further notice
Hula O Nā Keiki, a children’s hula competition, is held at OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort. Though the event has grown over the years from a single-day affair to an entire weekend of Hawaiian arts and music, the objective has remained the same: to educate our children in the ways of our ancestors while celebrating the songs of Maui.
November 9-11, 2023
Discover Maui