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Hawaii's kings once surfed, raced outrigger canoes, and held traditional luaus on the Ka'anapali shores, back when this section of Maui was the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom in the 1800s.
Nowadays, you can retrace their footsteps in the many historic sites that dot the stretch of coastline between Lahaina and Kapalua. In the former whaling village of Lahaina, explore the historic harbor along Front Street, which is now the town's buzzing commercial center. Learn about the region's whaling history at the Whalers Village Museum, which contains one of the largest collections of scrimshaw, an art form that involves engraving on whale teeth or bones.
Outside of town, the Sugar Cane Train from Lahaina to Ka'anapali is a glimpse into the island's sugarcane plantation days. And after taking in all that history, relax at the Old Lahaina Luau, an authentic Hawaiian dinner cooked over an in-ground fire pit, complete with a truly unforgettable hula show.
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Going strong since 2009, the Maui Steel Guitar Festival takes place every April at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel as a way to honor Hawaiian music and the instruments that give it such a unique sound. The three-day event offers free steel guitar workshops and demonstrations, performances by local steel guitar legends, and a rare opportunity for those who attend to jam with the pros.
Part of a 30-mile race in which a canoe crew paddles from island to island, the Wa'a Kiakahi Hawaiian Canoe Sailing Festival honors the traditional way Hawaiians used to travel, by using the stars and waves to navigate. The festival begins with a welcoming ceremony as the crews come ashore in Ka'anapali and ends two days later when they continue their journey to Molokai. Ride in a canoe with one of the participants during the festival to hear more about the history of Hawaiian canoes and the epic voyages the Polynesians once made.
Originally a tribute to the Kukini messengers who sprinted from village to village to deliver messages between the island's ancient kings, the Maui Marathon takes place in Ka'anapali and Lahaina every September. If you're not participating, take part in the festivities and cheer on the runners as they take on the Warrior Challenge or one of the 5K or 10K runs.
Every year from late January through March, the Maui Whale Festival celebrates the island's whaling history — and whale-preserving future. Free daily activities include whale-watching hikes along the Lahaina Pali Trail and discussions with experts from the Pacific Whale Foundation. You can also participate in the Great Whale Count, an annual island-wide event where everyone pitches in to help scientists keep track of area populations.