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Maui 2026 🌺
may 23 – 27 · trip planning
May 23 – 27, 2026
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Weather 82–87°F, dry south/west
Water ~78°F, calm leeward side
Sunrise ~5:47 AM
Sunset ~7:10 PM
Whales Season over (Apr)
Crowds High — holiday weekend
⚠ Memorial Day (May 25) = busiest beach day of the early summer. Book restaurants, snorkel tours, and permits well in advance. Road to Hana is best saved for Tue–Wed (May 26–27) when traffic is lightest.
events · may 23 – 27
23
Sat
Maui Saturday Market — Upcountry
Upcountry Farmers Market in Pukalani, 7–11 AM. Local produce, flowers, food vendors. Great way to start the trip. Close to Haleakala.
upcountryfarmersmarket.com →
23
Sat
Slack Key Guitar & Hula — Various Venues
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar series runs most Saturdays at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. Authentic Hawaiian music, no cover charge with resort guest or nominal fee.
slackkey.com →
24
Sun
Haleakala Sunrise
Leave Kihei by ~2:30 AM. Summit by 4:30 AM. Sunrise ~5:47 AM. Reservation required — check recreation.gov. Sunday may still have availability if booked immediately.
recreation.gov →
25
Mon
Memorial Day — Expect Crowds
Beaches packed, especially Kaanapali, Kihei, Makena. Great day for a snorkel boat tour (offshore, fewer crowds) or Maui Ocean Center. Avoid Road to Hana.
mauioceancenter.com →
25
Mon
Molokini Snorkel Tour
Morning tours depart Maalaea at 6–7 AM. Back by noon. Best visibility of the day. Most tours are ~3 hrs on the water. Book in advance — holiday weekend fills fast.
prideofmaui.com →
26
Tue
Road to Hana (Best Day)
Tuesday after Memorial Day = lightest traffic of the whole trip. Full day: leave by 7 AM. Twin Falls, Waianapanapa, Pipiwai Trail (permit required), Oheo Gulch pools.
Pipiwai permit →
27
Wed
Maui Arts & Cultural Center — Check Schedule
MACC often has Wednesday evening performances — music, hula, theater. In Kahului. Good final evening option. Check current schedule closer to the date.
mauiarts.org →
23–27
All
Maui Food & Dining Events
Late May often sees pop-up dinners, food truck rallies, and local cooking events. Check Maui Time Weekly and the Maui Visitors Bureau for confirmed 2026 dates.
visitmaui.com/events →
map
things to do
Haleakala Sunrise reserve →
scenic Upcountry · easy
Summit at 10,023 ft. Leave Kihei ~2:30 AM. Bring real layers — it's 35–45°F. Permit required, books out weeks ahead.
Pipiwai Trail reserve →
hike Hana (Kipahulu) · moderate
4 mi round trip through bamboo forest to 400-ft Waimoku Falls. Permit required. Pair with Road to Hana day.
Road to Hana Waianapanapa →
scenic East Maui · easy
Full-day drive. 64 mi, 620 curves. Stops: Twin Falls, Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach (permit), Oheo Gulch. Best on Tue/Wed.
Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach reserve →
scenic Hana · easy
Timed entry required. Black lava shoreline, sea caves. Usually paired with Road to Hana drive.
Snorkeling — Molokini Crater book tour →
water Maalaea Harbor (boat) · easy
Half-submerged volcanic crater, crystal visibility. Tours depart 6–7 AM. Book well ahead — Memorial Day weekend fills fast.
Snorkeling — Honolua Bay free
water West Maui · easy
Marine preserve. Short walk down to the bay. One of Maui's best shore snorkels. Calm in late May — ideal conditions.
Snorkeling — Turtle Town book tour →
water Makena (boat or shore) · easy
Dense population of green sea turtles resting on lava ledges. Accessible from Makena Landing or via boat tour.
Kapalua Coastal Trail free
hike West Maui · easy
1.75 mi along sea cliffs past three beaches. Great sunset walk. Access from Kapalua Bay or DT Fleming Beach Park.
Makena Big Beach free
water South Maui · easy
Maui's largest beach. Powerful shorebreak — check conditions. Little Beach (clothing-optional) around the lava point.
Iao Valley State Park reserve →
scenic Central Maui · easy
The Iao Needle — 1,200-ft basalt spire in lush canyon. Timed entry required. 30–45 min visit.
Hookipa Beach free
scenic North Shore · spectator
World-class windsurfing / kitesurfing. Green sea turtles rest on the east end most afternoons.
Maui Ocean Center tickets →
culture Maalaea · easy
Best aquarium in Hawaii. Walk-through shark tunnel, Hawaiian reef tanks. Good for Memorial Day when beaches are slammed.
Surfing Lesson
water Kihei · moderate
Beginner breaks at Cove Park, Kihei. 2-hr lesson with gear included. Calm south swells typical in late May.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
water Kihei / Wailea · easy
Flat leeward water in late May — perfect for SUP. Often paddle alongside sea turtles. Rent from local outfitters.
Paia Town & North Shore
food North Shore · easy
Funky surf town. Paia Fish Market for casual fish tacos. Mama's Fish House nearby (reserve months ahead). Good half-day stop.
wildlife to look for
🐢
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle
Hookipa, Turtle Town, Makena
Year-round · common in May
🐬
Spinner Dolphin
Open water, boat tours
Year-round · view from boat, not swim-to
🐠
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
Molokini, Honolua Bay
State fish · any reef snorkel
🐙
Day Octopus (He'e)
Shallow rocky reefs
Look in crevices · active by day
🦅
Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
Haleakala summit area
State bird · walks near hikers
🦜
Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Haleakala above 6,500 ft
Apapane, I'iwi · stay high
🦈
Whitetip Reef Shark
Molokini crater floor
Resting on bottom · not aggressive
🐡
Reef Fish
Any snorkel site
Parrotfish, moorish idol, needlefish
logistics
getting around
Transportation
  • Rental car essential — book now if you haven't
  • Fly into OGG (Kahului Airport)
  • Haleakala: 1.5 hrs from Kihei to summit
  • Road to Hana: 2.5 hrs one way, full day
  • No reliable rideshare outside Kihei/Lahaina
where to stay
Areas of Maui
  • Kihei — dry, sunny, affordable, best base
  • Wailea — luxury, beautiful beaches, pricey
  • Paia — north shore, artsy, close to Hana
  • Kaanapali — west coast; note Lahaina fire damage
  • Upcountry — cooler, best for Haleakala access
safety
Things to Know
  • Reef-safe sunscreen only — oxybenzone banned
  • Never turn your back on waves (Big Beach esp.)
  • Flash floods on Road to Hana — don't cross streams
  • Haleakala altitude — take it slow, bring real layers
  • Portuguese man-o-war — check beach flags
packing
What to Bring
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+)
  • Rash guard for snorkeling
  • Layers for Haleakala (35–45°F)
  • Light rain jacket (Road to Hana)
  • Water shoes for lava entry points
  • Dry bag for boat tours
food
Where to Eat
  • Mama's Fish House — reserve months ahead
  • Paia Fish Market — casual, great fish tacos
  • Tin Roof (Sheldon Simeon) — Kahului
  • Coconut Glen's — mile 27, Road to Hana
  • Foodland / Whole Foods in Kahului for groceries
permits summary
Book These Now
notes
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