There Are 6 Must-See Historic Landmarks In The Charming Town Of Lahaina, Hawaii
By Megan McDonald|Published May 25, 2022
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
The Hawaiian Islands are filled with a fascinating history. If you love learning about the past, you need to head straight to the historic landmarks in Lahaina, Maui. This incredible area is filled with tons of amazing places to visit, restaurants to eat at, and knowledge to learn. Grab your family and head on over to Lahaina Historic District!
Lahaina, Maui, is right on the coast of the island and absolutely beautiful.
This charming small town is very walkable, and filled with tons of interesting history. In fact, there are so many great buildings and places to visit that they’ve even created a walking tour for you to enjoy! We chose our favorite six spots for you to check out the next time you’re in the area visiting.
Waiola Church, formerly known as Waine'e Church, was built between 1828 and 1832. It’s been rebuilt a number of times throughout the years, most notably after 1858, when a windstorm threw the roof over 100 feet from the church. The back yard of the church houses a row of the oldest palm trees in Lahaina.
Lahaina’s Banyan Tree is a sight to behold. This sprawling tree covers an entire acre of land. It was planted in April of 1873 and has been the sight of many celebrations and festivals over the centuries. It’s a wonderful place to relax, or catch one of the many arts and crafts fairs you’ll find happening under its branches.
Hale Aloha, or "House of Love," was built in 1858. It was built as a tribute to God as appreciation for sparing the small town from the devastating outbreak of smallpox that claimed that lives of 5,000- 6,000 on Oahu. The Hale Aloha was rebuilt in 1974 into the beautiful building you see today.
In the late 1800s, this is where you were sent if you were drunk and disorderly, deserting a ship, or even caught working on a Sunday. This old prison was your stereotypical one equipped with balls and chains and leg shackles. The grounds are more civilized now, and are frequently rented for private parties and weddings.
Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than this lighthouse? The Old Lahaina Lighthouse is the oldest Pacific Lighthouse, guiding vessels for almost two centuries in the Lahaina harbor. Not only did this lighthouse, which was lit on November 4, 1840, guide ships to safety, it also had an observatory platform where oracles went to read celestial bodies in the night sky.
This historic inn was built in 1901 and is still in service to this day. Lahaina's first hotel, it the only hotel in all of West Maui for a number of years, and has seen its share of interesting characters. Step in and check it out when you come across it during your travels.
These historic landmarks in Lahaina are a wonderful thing to see the next time you’re in this small historic district in Maui. Have you visited this area? Which is your favorite one to see in person? Let us know in the comments below!
