From history to arts and culture, Maui has so much more to offer than beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. Depending on your personal interests, try one of these great museums on Maui, Hawaii and learn something new during your stay!
Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center – Makawao
From top to bottom, this upcountry community arts center is a true gem. Housed in the historic 100-year-old Kaluanui Estate, Hui Noʻeau is a place for artists of all skill levels to come together, practice new forms, and display their creations. Check their calendar before you come, especially if you want to try a class; they also offer a wide range of special events, such as fashion shows, elegant galas, exhibition tours, art auctions, and hands-on workshops. The Gallery store is an excellent place to buy locally made art for souvenirs!
Hale Hōʻikeʻike – Wailuku
Home of the Maui Historical Society, Hale Hōʻikeʻike (formerly Bailey House Museum) is a showcase for the history of the island of Maui. The building dates from 1842, and was originally a missionary school for girls. Exhibits exhibits in this museum in Maui include traditional implements of daily use in ancient times, as well as items which belonged to Hawaiian royalty. They also have a halau waʻa, or canoe house, that houses a redwood surfboard which belonged to Duke Kahanamoku. It’s a great place to get a thorough grounding in Maui’s history.
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum – Puʻunene
Anyone interested in Hawaiʻi’s sugar plantation history should definitely make a stop at this museum in Maui, Hawaii. Right next door was the last sugar mill to close in Hawaiʻi, just recently. Indoor exhibits include artifacts of daily plantation life, photographs and information about workers who came to Maui as plantation labor. Outdoor exhibits include real sugarcane machinery (like vintage tractors), as well as a traditional Portuguese bread oven.
Baldwin Home Museum – Lahaina
In case you’re wondering why you see the name “Baldwin” so much on Maui, it’s because the Baldwins were original missionaries who came here in the early days. Their well-preserved home is a testament to the daily life struggles faced by New Englanders who worked hard to adapt to their new culture and climate. Experience a bit of what life was like for them as you tour their home; even see the tools of Dr. Baldwin’s medical trade in the mid-1800s!
Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse – Lahaina
The Chinese were an important early immigrant group to Hawaiʻi. Chinese immigrants tried hard to maintain their own culture and traditions, and the Wo Hing Society clubhouse, built in 1912, is a stunning example of their architecture. Upstairs was a temple, while downstairs was the social and meeting hall. The cookhouse in back of this museum in Maui, once the center of community life, is today a theatre showing old Thomas Edison films of life in the islands.
