Located in the heart of Kaanapali, Whalers Village is a one-stop shop for some of the best dining, shopping, and free entertainment in the West Maui area. Home to more than 60 brand name stores and top-rated restaurants, it’s an excellent place to pick up souvenirs, entertain the kids, or enjoy a meal, with something to keep everyone in the family happy. The shops are open daily, 9:30 am - 10 pm and the complex offers free wifi. Read on for more information on what to do at Whalers Village, and why it’s one of our must-stop spots in Kaanapali, Maui.

 

 

Shopping

With so many shops, there is almost always a sale going on at Whalers Village. You can find current sale information ahead of time here. Luxury names share space with popular surf brands, and unique island style gift shops. Some of our favorites include Mahina Boutique for women’s fashion, Totally Hawaiian for a selection of gifts, and a special “Just Maui’d” section for newlyweds. Sand People, a surf shop originally founded on Kauai in 1986 offers fashion for people who are “happiest with their toes in the sand.'' You can find a full list of stores and a map on the Whalers Village website, linked above.

 

 

Dining

Satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a quick bite, or sit down to a delicious three-course meal - it’s your call at Whalers Village. Here’s a few of our choice spots to eat. If you want to get an authentic taste of local comfort food, head to Joey’s Kitchen which serves up delicious Hawaiian and Filipino plates. For sit-down dining and craft cocktails, Merriman’s MonkeyPod Kitchen is excellent. Health nuts, check out Choice Health Bar for acai bowls, juices, smoothies & vegan-friendly fare. If you’re looking to indulge, it can be hard to choose between Maui Shave Ice, Häagen-Dazs, or Ono Gelato. Ono Gelato does have a full espresso bar with locally sourced and roasted beans if you need a buzz. Visit the Honolulu Cookie Company for take-home sweets that are as beautifully packaged as they are tasty.

 

 

For Kids

If the kids need to let off some steam, head to the children’s play area, located in the lower level courtyard. There’s a climbing structure and a splash pad for keiki to play on. Many shops carry children’s fashion and accessories. Check out Blue Ginger Kids, Sand Kids, and the T-Shirt Factory, a local company founded on Maui in 1982. Maui Escape Rooms, which offers themed interactive puzzles is a fun activity for families with older kids, ages 7 and up. Parents can bring kids 6 and under along for free, but the activities may be too advanced for them to fully participate.

 

 

Special Events and Activities

Whalers Village offers a host of free family-friendly activities and entertainment every week. You can dive into Hawaiian culture through lei making, palm weaving, hula, and ukulele lessons. Catch a live music performance, hula show, or a movie on the lawn. For a full schedule of events and activities, click here. Below are a few of the highlights you won’t want to miss.

Movie Night

Enjoy a movie under the stars. Whalers Village has weekly showings of blockbuster family-friendly movies on the lawn. The movie starts 15 minutes after sunset and complimentary popcorn is provided. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs. You can view the scheduled showings for the next three months here.

 

Lei Making 

Making and giving Lei is a longstanding tradition in Hawaii, brought with early Polynesian voyagers that settled the islands. Leis were made from flowers, shells, seeds, and Ti leaf and were worn by Hawaiians to adorn themselves, signify status, or mark a special occasion. Today, Leis are given to visitors as an expression of Aloha, but also for birthdays, graduations, funerals, or just for fun. 

Take part in the tradition and learn to craft your own flower Lei to wear or give away. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am and 12 pm at the Whale Pavillion. First come, first served, with 15 people limited to a class. Flowers and lei making materials are provided.

 

Hula Show 

Hula is a staple of Hawaiian culture. No one can seem to agree when the art officially started, but it has been practiced for centuries on the Hawaiian islands as a way of storytelling through song and dance. Many Hawaiian myths and legends are woven through its history. Hula dancers often study for many years under a single Kumu, or teacher, in a Halau, or hula school, each with their distinct style and lineage. Great care and craftwork go into creating the lei and costumes of each dancer. An ancestor to Hula is Tahitian dance, which is often more rhythmic and fast-paced. Whalers Village offers a variety of Hula and Tahitian dance performances, accompanied by live musicians every Monday and Saturday night in the lower level courtyard from 7 - 8 pm.

 

 

Getting There and Parking

Whalers Village can be accessed via the complimentary Kaanapali Trolley and is walking distance from many of the popular resorts. It is right across the street from Kaanapali Beach, next to the Westin Resort and Spa. The shopping complex has a paid parking garage. Rates are $3 per half hour, or parking validation is available for 3 hours complimentary parking with a purchase from one of the shops.

 

 

Whalers Village is centrally located in Kaanapali, Maui close to many of our top-rated vacation rental properties. Contact us today for help finding your perfect place to stay in West Maui.