Whether you’re trying to catch a glimpse of the sunset or attempting to explore the local culture of Maui, Lahaina is the place to be. The town is located right alongside the oceanfront and has easy access to historic Hawaiian sites (including the infamous Banyan tree), Front Street shopping, and great fresh seafood. It’s one of the few places where you can actually be standing on the beach with the sand between your toes and turn around to see colossal mountains behind you. Lahiana has something to offer each family member, and aside from being formally known as Lele, which the locals joke about referring to the “relentless sun,” it's not a bad place to spend the evening (or better yet, your year).

Note from a transplanter who lived here:
*I lived there for two different periods of my late twenties and early thirties. I love the vibe of the island. I love the water and the varied microclimates on the island. The locals are nice if you ever get to make a true connection with them.*

The Ocean Vibe

The Best Thing About Lahaina?

You can probably guess that living in a popular seaside town in Hawaii isn’t cheap - and you’re right. Most of the locals complain about the rising prices and the expensive cost of purchasing daily necessities. However, if you’re choosing to relocate to Hawaii, Lahaina is a cheaper option compared to other oceanfront neighborhoods. It can also feel kind of touristy at times, with lots of visors and Nikon cameras attached to tacky floral shirts of those passing by. This should be expected of Hawaii though. You are choosing to live in one of the most popular and talked about vacation spots in the country.

Here's a really smart note from a local about the often unforeseen costs of living here:
*The worst thing as many people have said is cost. It is extremely expensive here. There is another “cost” that I see very often as well. Many people are transplants and living on Maui you are very far from family and former friends. People often leave to take care of aging parents, to be closer to kids and grandkids or because they simply miss the folks they love back on the mainland. Being far from loved ones is another cost to consider when considering living on any of the Hawaiian islands.*

It Ain't Cheap

The Worst Thing About Lahaina?

In an old, historic remodeled house. Most streets are quiet, with either old couples or small families living and commuting to work on foot. There aren’t a ton of ranges in style, as most houses have just been touched up from their original farmhouse or Victorian style structure. Happening neighborhoods include Olowalu, Launiupoko, Napili, and Crater Village. Almost all of these are within walking distance from Front Street dining and shopping. The houses are cute, quaint, and simple. There isn’t a lot of space for expansion, but who needs a backyard when you have the ocean practically at your doorstep.

If you're curious what everyone does on the island when they aren't in the ocean check out the calendar of events:
https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/maui/events


Lifestyle of Lahaina

C’mon, it’s Maui for god sake. There’s not a lot of disgruntled homeowners living and working  on a beautiful island. With great seafood, exquisite scenery (beach AND Mountain views) and a friendly local culture, Lahaina is a great spot to relax, kick your feet up, and start sipping that Mai Tai. If you’re searching for a (mostly) affordable Hawaiian escape, Lahaina is the right choice.  


It's Maui for God's Sake

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**The Best Thing About Lahaina?** 

Whether you’re trying to catch a glimpse of the sunset or attempting to explore the local culture of Maui, Lahaina is the place to be. The town is located right alongside the oceanfront and has easy access to historic Hawaiian sites (including the infamous Banyan tree), Front Street shopping, and great fresh seafood. It’s one of the few places where you can actually be standing on the beach with the sand between your toes and turn around to see colossal mountains behind you. Lahiana has something to offer each family member, and aside from being formally known as Lele, which the locals joke about referring to the “relentless sun,” it's not a bad place to spend the evening (or better yet, your year). 


**The Worst Thing About Lahaina?** 

You can probably guess that living in a popular seaside town in Hawaii isn’t cheap - and you’re right. Most of the locals complain about the rising prices and the expensive cost of purchasing daily necessities.  However, if you’re choosing to relocate to Hawaii, Lahaina is a cheaper option compared to other oceanfront neighborhoods. It can also feel kind of touristy at times, with lots of visors and Nikon cameras attached to tacky floral shirts of those passing by. This should be expected of Hawaii though. You are choosing to live in one of the most popular and talked about vacation spots in the country. 

**How You Living?** 

In an old, historic remodeled house. Most streets are quiet, with either old couples or small families living and commuting to work on foot. There aren’t a ton of ranges in style, as most houses have just been touched up from their original farmhouse or Victorian style structure. Happening neighborhoods include Olowalu, Launiupoko, Napili, and Crater Village. Almost all of these are within walking distance from Front Street dining and shopping. The houses are cute, quaint, and simple. There isn’t a lot of space for expansion, but who needs a backyard when you have the ocean practically at your doorstep.


**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

C’mon, it’s Maui for god sake. There’s not a lot of disgruntled homeowners living and working  on a beautiful island. With great seafood, exquisite scenery (beach AND Mountain views) and a friendly local culture, Lahaina is a great spot to relax, kick your feet up, and start sipping that Mai Tai. If you’re searching for a (mostly) affordable Hawaiian escape, Lahaina is the right choice.  


Lahaina is dominated by families living in historic cottages or farmhouses. There are also extremely wealthy tourists / second home / primary home mainland exiles who have built massive estates in the hills or beaches of Kaanapali and Lahaina proper.  There are condos and apartments throughout the area but for the most part this is family time in small or large homes. 


Families

Lahaina

**Does living in Maui get boring?**

I lived there for two different periods of my late twenties and early thirties. I love the vibe of the island. I love the water and the varied microclimates on the island. The locals are nice if you ever get to make a true connection with them. However, I am a redhead and I got tired of putting on thick sunblock everyday. That being said, it is where I hope to retire in a small condo near the beach. Hopefully with a partner that makes me laugh and likes to hold hands while watching the sunset.

**People that left Maui after living there**

I left 5 days ago, after living there for four and a half years. I miss it already, and I miss the friends I made even more. It's a truly wonderful place, but there's a million reasons we ended up leaving. We wanted to purchase a home of our own, but to do so would have taken several more years of saving and by then who knows what the market would be like. A 1 bedroom 1 bath house on our street in Kula was going for $650,000. That was just insane, and it was a dump. 1/4 acre lot with water, $375,000. Both of us had great jobs (which in itself I didn't want to leave) but it still wasn't enough to accomplish everything we wanted. We missed the city, and it was a bummer having to drive 30 minutes to hope that one of the big box stores in town had what I wanted.

Would I do it all over again, knowing where I'd end up now? Hell yeah. Maui was awesome, and when Southwest starts selling tickets...I'll be buying my next two trips back. I don't regret not trying harder to stay.

**People that left Maui after living there**

I can write a book about the complexities that make up my decision to leave. I may do so.

I am grateful for the “windfall” that my home has brought me and my ohana. In a perfect world I would stay. I have family and a lifetime of friends I am leaving behind. It’s not easy. However I have a child about to start school. Schools on Maui suck. The teachers are over worked and underpaid. The melting pot that makes Maui so awesome also makes the schools difficult for a number of reasons. I am quarter Hawaiian. Which means my daughter has Hawaiian blood. However she looks like my Irish wife. Watching her get called “fucking haole” by Japanese, Filipino and Micronesian immigrants guts me. We are local. She is Hawaiian. It’s not fair to her. What am I going to do, scrap with these kids parents? Also all the newcomers want to change the island. The airport area looks like SoCal. Kihei is a wasteland of transplants, druggies, tourists and locals just trying to hang on. I haven’t gone Lahaina or Hana in years because of traffic. It makes me so sad.

I understand progress. And people migrate to beautiful areas. I get it. But Hawaii is special. And what makes it special is dying. Maybe I am part of the problem by leaving. I will spread aloha in my new home. I will tell the stories of what Maui used to be. There is no going back so might as well move on. It’s so complicated. Unless you are local and have roots I don’t think you can fully understand.


**What is the best thing about living on Maui? And the worst?**

The best thing, the outdoor lifestyle opportunities. Whether you swim, bike, run, surf, golf, windsurf, kiteboard, SUP, hike, snorkel, fish, play tennis or just like being outside, Maui is amazing. It is spectacularly beautiful and you can you participate in these activities just about 365 days of the year. There are many other amazing things including the people, the laid back atmosphere etc.

The worst thing as many people have said is cost. It is extremely expensive here. There is another “cost” that I see very often as well. Many people are transplants and living on Maui you are very far from family and former friends. People often leave to take care of aging parents, to be closer to kids and grandkids or because they simply miss the folks they love back on the mainland. Being far from loved ones is another cost to consider when considering living on any of the Hawaiian islands.

Lahaina, Hawaii

Cruel Sun

Looklyloo Score: 80

Lahaina

Families