Traveling With Pets
-- special Maui/State of Hawaii regulations that you will need to understand and follow.
Stopover In Oahu
-- a list of activities for those of you whose Maui vacation includes a stopover in Oahu.
Practical Information
Alcohol and Drugs
Illegal Blood Alcohol Level in Maui and in Hawaii is 0.08%. The legal drinking age is 21. Also, it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages on the beaches. If you do purchase a drink from a beachfront restaurant or hotel you will have to drink it on their property. You will find on all of the Maui wedding websites that they serve sparkling apple cider on the beach.
ATM Machines Located throughout Maui at various locations, including shopping centers, hotels and banks.
Beach Safety Always remember to treat the ocean with respect know the surf conditions before you go to the beach. Check out
Maui surf conditions.
Follow all posted signs and warning flags. If the surf is unsafe (i.e., high surf), some beaches (such as Kaanapali Beach) will have a red flag posted warning people not to go swimming because of dangerous waves and currents.
Dress in Maui When visiting restaurants, the unofficial dress code is fairly relaxed (shorts are generally just fine), but you will want to avoid wearing cut-offs, bathing suits, and ratty tank-tops.
Holidays in Maui, Hawaii
January 1 - New Year's Day
Third Monday in January - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Third Monday in February - Presidents' Day
April - Palm Sunday
April - Good Friday
April - Easter Sunday
Last Monday of May - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
First Monday in September - Labor Day
Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
October 31 Halloween Day
November 11 - Veterans' Day
November 25 - Thanksgiving Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
Maui Public Libraries Hawaii State Public libraries are located in Wailuku, Kahului, Makawao, Kihei, Hana and Lahaina.
Minimum Age to Rent Vehicles Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 25 years old to rent a vehicle. However, some rental agencies will rent vehicles to 21-24 year olds for an additional daily charge (approximately $10).
Money Matters State sales tax in Maui as of April 2006 is 4.2%. Hotel owners are also allowed to add on an additional 7.25% (i.e., hotel occupancy tax), bringing the total tax paid at hotels to about 11.45%.
Phone Services in Maui The Area Code for Maui and the state of Hawaii is (808). If you want to dial the other Hawaii islands, first dial 1-808 then the rest of the number. Note that these phone calls are billed as long distance calls.For Information dial 1-411For emergencies dial 911 for fire, police, et cetera. If a pay phone is available, you do not need to use coins to dial 911.
Post Offices United States Post Offices are located in the following cities: Haiku, Hana, Kahului, Kihei, Kula, Lahaina, Makawao, Paia, Pukalani, Pu`unene and Wailuku.
Smoking Smoking is prohibited by law inside restaurants and public buildings. Most hotels offer smoke-free rooms. However, most bed-and-breakfasts do not allow smoking inside. Car rental companies offer smoke-free vehicles.
Time Maui (and Hawaii) is always on Hawaii Standard Time and does not participate in Daylight Savings. Compared to the West Coast (US), Maui is 2 hours earlier than Pacific Standard Time, or 3 hours earlier than Pacific Daylight Savings Time. And compared to the East Coast (US), Maui is 5 hours earlier than Eastern Standard Time, or 6 hour earlier than Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Compared to Japan who does not participate in Daylight Savings, Maui is 5 hours later. However, remember that Maui is always a day ahead of Japan because of the International Date Line. For example, when it is Monday in Maui (regardless of the time of day), it is always Tuesday in Japan.
Tourist Information in Maui Maui Visitors Bureau (Maui, Molokai, Lanai) is located at 1727 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, HI 96793. They can be reached toll-free at 800-525-6284, or locally at 808-244-3530.
Valuables Its always a good idea to keep your valuables locked up in your hotel room, preferably in a safe (if available) rather than taking them with you to the beach. There are no vendors on the beach, so if you plan to eat before or after a beach visit, only take the minimum amount of money necessary. It is also a good idea to keep valuables out of your rental vehicle they are best left behind in your hotel room/safe. If you must leave a valuable in your rental vehicle, cover it up so it is not in plain view or place it inside your trunk.
Weather For weather conditions in many Maui locations, see our
Maui Weather page.
Some of you who have read to this point might be wondering why there is a beautiful picture of a breaching whale off the coast of Maui that you clicked on to get to this Maui Travel Facts page, but there's nothing about whales here.... Don't dispair, just visit our
Ongoing Maui Events
page and you will find several Maui events relating to whales.
