Ahhhh controversy, hello old friend ; )

I’ve written a LOT about things I love to do on Maui (seriously, there is no end). But controversy always brings the eyeballs, and a lot of the things on this list are things you need to know about!

Some of these things are things you just flat out shouldn’t do, and some are things that probably aren’t worth the money for 90% of visitors.

I’ll also do a round up of things that you may want to skip if you just don’t have the budget (and what I would recommend doing instead).

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Mousin’ Around possible.

9 Things to Skip on Maui

Okay, let’s get started!

1.Avoid “Sensitive Spots” on the Road to Hana Like the Venus Pools & Red Sand Beach

If you’re done any research at all, you know that driving the Road to Hana along East Maui’s coastline is one of Maui’s absolute best adventures.

But in recent years, a surge in the numbers of visitors mixed with infrastructure that’s not equipped to handle it has made for a sensitive situation with locals.

Basically, there’s one road from the remote town of Hana that connects to the main part of Maui and while it’s a spectacular drive that’s become a pilgrimage of sorts for visitors, it’s also the road that locals use for going to work, school, running errands, etc.

So a steady stream of vehicles driving too slow, stopping in the middle of the road to take pictures, parking illegally, etc is a growing nuisance to locals. While they’ve already started to crack down on illegal parking, other interesting developments to help manage tourism in this area are starting to take shape.

In March 2024, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau announced a partnership with three community based programs to help manage tourism in Hana as part of the East Maui Tourism Management Pilot Program.

Exactly what this will entail in the future remains to be seen (it seems like they’re still largely in the data collection phase right now), but for now, the East Maui Ready (EMR) group has issued an advisory that visitors avoid Waiʻoka (Venus Pools) and Kaihalulu (Red Sand Beach) near Hana.

These are two popular stops on the Road to Hana that have been controversial among locals for a while now. Partially because they’re beloved local spots (with almost no parking and no maintained access) that have become overrun with tourists and partially because they both see high emergency response rates (dangers from flash flooding and steep and crumbling trail conditions).

I’ll admit that in the past, hiking to the Red Sand Beach has been one of my favorite things to do along the Road to Hana. It’s spectacular. Here’s the deal…I’m a pretty average hiker. I don’t do extreme hikes, but I’m also not a baby. Every time I’ve hiked this, it’s turned out okay. But I’ve also always spent most of the time thinking about how it could easily go wrong.

The trail is high off the ground (with plenty of sharp rocks at the bottom), covered in slippery pine needles, and a large part of it along a narrow rocky ledge that’s prone to rock slides when it rains. The ocean is also particularly rough once you get to the beach so needless to say it’s a spot where emergency responders are often called.

In the past, I’ve taken the approach of “I’m going to tell you exactly what this is like so you’re prepared” and you can decide for yourself if you want to do it or not, but I think it’s time to move on.

Besides it being fairly dangerous (the trail isn’t remotely “maintained” and the owners of the land don’t try to block people from accessing it but deny all accountability if you do trespass), for ME the deciding factor is that the people who live here are asking you not to.

And it’s not because they’re trying to hide something from you that they want for themselves. There are serious dangers associated with these places (especially because they’re not maintained or monitored in any way) and when visitors need to be rescued, it diverts resources away from the small, isolated community.

Anyways, there are PLENTY of AMAZING places to see along the Road to Hana so this really shouldn’t be that big of a deal anyways. (And I’m working on updating other content on my blog where I’ve recommended these spots!)

So instead of stopping at these spots, make time to visit:

Waianapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach): The facilities and trails here are so well maintained and organized and this is probably the most dramatic beach you’ll find anywhere in Hawaii.

Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park: Hiking the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls is easily one of the best hikes in Hawaii and it’s perfectly maintained by the National Park System.

2.Maui Ocean Center

I don’t have anything against Maui Ocean Center…when I lived on Maui we actually had an annual pass to take my niece, but I think that’s the target audience.

While it’s a great diversion if you have little kids, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a “must do” and the price is pretty steep ($50/adult and $40/child) for what is a solid little aquarium (but likely on par with the aquarium you’ll find near where you live).

Wildlife is so plentiful on Maui that if you go out snorkeling you’re likely to see turtles and an abundance of tropical fish. I’d put that money towards a snorkeling excursion or take a trip up to the north shore to see the turtles resting on the beach at Ho’okipa or Kua (Tavares) Bay.

3.Snooping around Lahaina

I feel like this should go without saying, but the destruction of the Lahaina wildfires is not a place to looky lou. It’s been an absolutely devastating event not just for those who lost their homes and loved ones, but for everyone on the island and it’s super insensitive to try to go “sight see” the damage.

There are a handful of businesses that are starting to reopen on the outskirts of Front Street though like the Old Lahaina Luau, Cannery Mall, Aloha Mix Plate, etc and they really need your support.

Something that I’ve seen posted about on social media (and on signs in these establishments)…these businesses and workers need and want your support, but don’t initiate conversations asking them about their experiences in the wildfires. It’s painful for many to talk about and while well meaning, I’m sure it gets exhausting being asked about by every person you encounter each day.

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4.Guided Tours to Haleakala for Sunrise

I’m normally all in favor of a good guided tour, but this is one that I don’t really recommend. When it all works out, I’m sure it is FABULOUS. But here’s something that some people don’t think about…sunrise is a natural phenomenon. Yes, you’re guaranteed that the sun will rise each morning. But you’re not guaranteed to be able to see it from the summit of Haleakala.

I’ve been to the summit for sunrise three times: One time it was incredible. Textbook experience. Everything I hoped for. One time it was COMPLETELY rained/clouded out (we couldn’t see 20 feet in front of us). And one time it was shaping up to be perfect and at the last minute clouds came in and blocked the sunrise completely (although we were able to see colors on the other side of the island).

All three of those times, there were people at the summit on guided tours. Only one of those groups got the experience that they hoped for. All three paid for it.

If companies know in advance that the sunrise will be a total wash, they’ll cancel tours and refund your money. But a lot of the time the weather blows in once you’re already up there. If you’ve been loaded up in a van and driven to the top of Haleakala and gotten the full tour and breakfast snacks, you can’t really expect them to refund you because the weather didn’t cooperate.

All this to say…$150/person is a lot to pay for a chance to see sunrise.

I think it’s very doable to do sunrise (or sunset) at Haleakala on your own (and soooooo much cheaper), but you should definitely read this post first.

5.Not Renting a Car & Staying at the Resort

Hawaii is not Mexico or the Caribbean where you check into an all inclusive resort and don’t leave the property for the week. Now don’t get me wrong…Hawaii has some of the best resorts in the world and I could definitely spend plenty of time at them without ever leaving.

But Hawaii (and Maui in particular) is a place to be explored. You’ve GOT to get out and see the island beyond the resort (and the resort bubble).

And you’re going to need a rental car to do that. Relying on Uber/Lyft to get around isn’t feasible (Maui is a BIG island) and a lot of what you’ll want to do on Maui is adventuring/exploring where you’ll have a destination in mind but make a lot of stops along the way.

If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

If money is tight, skip these (and here’s what to do instead)…

For the record, these aren’t things that I suggest that you skip, BUT if the budget is tight, these are cuts you can make.

6. Skip Mama’s Fish House and…have a picnic on the beach

Mama’s Fish House is undeniably the best restaurant in Hawaii for the whole experience and while I think it’s “worth it” (read my whole post about that here) it’s hard to get out of here for less than $150/person (and that’s with minimal drinking). Instead of going to a restaurant that isn’t nearly as good (setting, food, and level of service) and saving 20-30% (that’s still a LOT of money), flip the script and have a picnic on the beach instead.

Kihei has plenty of food trucks where you can grab food to go and take it to the nearest beach (I love the fish tacos from Horhito’s across from the Cove), but my favorite thing to do is grab take out from Island Gourmet Market in Wailea and take it to Ulua Beach for sunset.

7. Skip the luau and go to…South Maui Gardens

Luaus are big $$$ these days, and I would usually always opt for a fancy dinner instead. BUT if you want to see the big show, head to South Maui Gardens on Wednesday night (and sometimes Sundays) for their BYOE(verything) luau show. Set up your beach chairs or a blanket and have a picnic (or buy dinner from one of their food trucks) while you watch the show.

You can usually find tickets for about $75/person with a discount code which is SOOOOO much cheaper than doing a full blown luau and honestly…the food will probably be better ; )

Find more details here.

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

8. Skip the fancy resort and…do Resortpass

Prices for Maui’s best resorts have been sky high since COVID (and honestly even before), and while I usually recommend splitting your stay and staying at an affordable condo for the first part of your trip and splurging on a fancy beach resort for the last couple of nights, sometimes that’s not even doable.

Have you heard of Resortpass? Some hotels and resorts that aren’t at capacity sell daypasses to their pools and amenities for a fee that is WAY less than the price of a room.

One time when I was staying at a budget hotel on the Big Island, I ended up with a free unplanned day so we booked a cabana at the Fairmont Orchid through Resortpass and it was SUCH a great way to spend the day.

Availability changes seasonally and different resorts have different prices and offerings, but you can check out Maui resorts here.

It’s a great way to spend a full day living “resort life” on Maui without paying “resort prices.”

9. Skip the snorkel boat and…snorkel from the shore

My favorite Maui snorkel tour is pretty $$$ (worth it, but $$$) but the good news is you do NOT have to go out on an organized tour to do some great snorkeling.

If you’re staying at a resort, most of them include complimentary snorkeling equipment to snorkel at the beach in front of the hotel (most hotels in Wailea and Kaanapali have decent snorkeling off the beach).

If you’re really into snorkeling, do a weekly rental from a place like Boss Frog and you can snorkel to your heart’s content. Snorkel popular spots around the island like Black Rock at Ka’anapali, Napali, Kapalua, Olowalu, Honolua Bay, and Ulua Beach.

And just a bit of personal advice…I’m an excellent swimmer but in recent years I’ve started always wearing a flotation belt when I’m out in water over my head. It’s something to think about.

And there you have it! Hopefully now you have a better idea of something you want to do (and avoid) on your next trip to Maui ; )

Want to read more posts about Maui? I’ve got plenty!

Things You Can ONLY Do on Maui // 9 Things to SKIP on Maui // 4 Day Maui Itinerary // My Favorite Road to Hana Itinerary // Things to Do Upcountry // Tips for Sunrise at Haleakala National Park // Snorkeling Molokini Crater // Whale Watching

My Favorite Hotels on Maui // Where to Find Condos on Maui // Wailea vs Kaanapali // Every Resort in Wailea Ranked // Four Seasons Maui Review // Andaz Maui Review // Fairmont Kea Lani Review // Wailea Beach Resort Review // Four Seasons vs Andaz Maui // Andaz Maui vs Wailea Beach Resort

Best Restaurants in Wailea // Best Breakfast in Wailea & Kihei // Mama’s Fish House // Best Luaus in Wailea

My Favorite Things to Do in South Maui // Best Beaches in Wailea & Kihei // Road to Hana Tips // Driving the Backside of the Road to Hana // Where to See Turtles on Maui

Maui vs Kauai // Everything You Need to Know BEFORE you go to Maui