Free (or nearly free) things to do on Maui 5


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Maui has loads of activities to keep you busy, and although it can get quite expensive, there are still plenty to enjoy for free or nearly free. We had the opportunity to spend five months there recently and, being on a strict budget, we had to seek out affordable things to do. These are some of our favorites.

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monkey pod tree

Hui No’eau Visual Arts Centre – free

Located at 2841 Baldwin Ave. between Paia and Makawao, Hui No’eau Visual Arts Centre is one of the last remaining historic properties still open to the public. It was the home of Ethel and Harry Baldwin, founders of the Hui. They have eight exhibitions per year and also have a history room. The exhibit space is not very large, but the grounds are beautifully kept and are nice to walk around or even have a picnic. Don’t forget to check out the monkey pod trees at the very front of the property.

Free and nearly free on Maui

Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center

Paia Bay Beach – free

Want some alone time in paradise? Head over to Paia Bay Beach. The expansive, white sandy beach is rarely crowded, even on a hot sunny day. It’s the perfect place to relax and with Paia Town so close, you can easily grab some snacks and drinks before you head over.

Heading East on the Hana Hwy, Paia Bay Beach is just before Paia Town. Park on the side of the road or in a space just before the youth centre parking lot.

Free and nearly free on Maui

Paia Bay Beach

Kahanu Garden – $10 suggested donation

About 3 miles before Hana Town, Kahanu is an ethnobotanical garden where you can learn about the relationship between the people of Hawaii and the plants they use in their culture. It’s home to the largest Hawaiian temple, Pi’ilanihale Heiau, which was built in 1200 A.D. and is 450’ by 320’. And it’s also home to the Breadfruit Institute, where over 120 different varieties of ulu are grown.

Kahanu Garden

Kahanu Garden

Palapala Ho’omau Congregational Church

Better known as the place where Charles Lindbergh is buried, this is a great example of a traditional Hawaiian church and cemetery. Samuel Pryor, the aviation industrialist and friend of Lindbergh, is also buried here with his five pet gibbons (and his wife). In the back of the property is Kipahulu Point Park, a great place to hang out, check out the ocean views, and eat fruit bought at road side stands along the way.

Free and nearly free on Maui

Palapala Ho’omau

Free and nearly free on Maui

Kipahulu Point Park

Have you been to Maui? What are your favourite free or nearly free things to do?

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About Nat and Tim Harris

Together for close to a quarter of a century, A Cook Not Mad‘s Tim and Nat have indulged their passion for life and experience to the fullest, but they feel most alive when traveling, cooking and eating. An award winning chef, Tim has dedicated his life and career to cooking and the pursuit of honest food. As a professional photographer, Nat records their adventures with incredible pictures of everyday life and the extraordinary. They believe that everyone should get to know a culture by learning about the foods they eat and living like locals as much as they can.

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