Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii - the old capital, famous for whaling

Lahaina Town is on the western shore and was the old whaling capital of The Pacific and is now a whale watch centre. The Pacific Whale Foundation has its worldwide headquarters in Kihei a few miles from Lahaina.

During the months of November to May the humpback whales return to the islands and visitors can go whale watching from the harbour at Lahaina, a wonderful experience to see these giant creatures at rest and play, in fact when swimming in the ocean you can sometimes hear their haunting song.

Visitors wander through Lahaina's streets with its fascinating array of shops, art galleries, ocean side restaurants, bars, and historic sites.

Enjoy the shade of the giant Indian Banyan tree, which covers over 2/3rds of an acre; have a cool drink or a meal at the 100 year old harbour side, Pioneer Inn; examine the old jail ruins, Hale-Paahao, "stuck-in-irons-house", where in times past many a British sailor cooled his heels.