Bicycle
Cyclists on Maui face a number of challenges: narrow roads, an abundance of hills and mountains, and the same persistent winds that so delight windsurfers. Maui’s stunning scenery certainly will entice hard-core cyclists, but casual riders hoping to use a bike as a primary source of transportation around the island may well find such conditions daunting.
Getting around by bicycle within a small area can be a reasonable option for the average rider, however. For example, the tourist enclave of Kihei is largely level and now has cycle lanes on its two main drags, S Kihei Rd and the Piʻilani Hwy. Elsewhere, bike lanes are still sparse.
It’s easy to rent a bike in most tourist areas of Maui. Rental rates range from $15 to $60 per day, depending on the style and quality of the bike.
Bringing your own bike to Hawaii costs upwards of $100 on flights from the mainland. The bicycle can usually be checked at the airline counter, the same as any baggage, but you’ll need to prepare the bike by doing some disassembly. Check with the airlines for details.
In general, bicycles are required to follow the same state laws and rules of the road as cars. State law requires all cyclists under the age of 16 to wear helmets.
Bus
Maui Bus offers an extensive public bus system between the main towns, but not to out-of-the-way places, such as Haleakalā National Park or Hana. Buses come with front-load bike racks.
The main routes run every hour daily, roughly 7 AM to 8 PM. Kahului is a hub.
The handiest routes for visitors:
Haiku Islander (Kahului–Haʻiku)
Kaʻanapali Islander (Lahaina–Kaʻanapali)
Kihei Islander (Kahului–Wailea)
Kihei Villager (Maʻalaea–Kihei)
Lahaina Islander (Kahului–Lahaina)
Napili Islander (Kaʻanapali–Napili)
Wailuku Loop (Kahului–Wailuku)
The Upcountry Islander and Haiku Islander routes stop at Kahului Airport.
Costs Fares are $2 per ride, regardless of distance. There are no transfers; you have to pay the fare each time you board a bus. A day pass costs only $4.
Carry-on All buses allow you to carry on only what fits under your seat or on your lap, so forget the surfboard.
Resort Shuttle Many of the Kaʻanapali resorts operate shuttles for guests that serve the resort areas and Lahaina.
Car & Motorcycle
All the major car rental firms have offices at Kahului Airport. Most of these rental companies also have branches in Kaʻanapali and will pick you up at the nearby Kapalua Airport. For a green option, consider Bio-Beetle in Kahului. Also check out Kihei Rent A Car.
Be sure to check for any road restrictions on your vehicle rental contract. Some car rental agencies, for instance, may prohibit driving on the Kahekili Hwy between Honokohau and Waiheʻe and in the Kaupo district of the Piʻilani Hwy.
Average driving times and distances from Kahului are as follows. Allow more time during weekday morning and afternoon rush hours, and any time the surf is up on the North Shore.
Taxi
Taxis operate in the main towns and tourist areas. Uber and Lyft are also available.
Air
Mokulele Airlines offers three daily flights from Kahului to tiny Hana Airport, cutting a two-hour drive to a 20-minute flight.
