Maui Museums

(Maui, Hawaii - HI, USA)

Maui has its fair share of museums, the majority of which focus on the island's history and culture. There are several actually devoted to Maui's past whaling era, including a floating museum (the Carthaginian II), which is housed in a 90-foot / 27-meter replica of a 19th-century ship that was lost at sea.

There are also a number of cultural attractions in Maui concerned with the island's agricultural heritage, such as the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum, while other themes include missionary intervention and justice on the island. The Baldwin Missionary Home is a particular highlight and is worth visiting for its recreation of colonial 19th-century missionary life.

Carthaginian II

Address: Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii HI, 96761, USA
Tel: +1 808 661 8527
This floating museum is housed in a 90-foot / 27-meter replica of the original Carthaginian, a 19th-century ship that was lost at sea. Maui's Carthaginian II contains exhibits on whaling and whales, not to mention audiovisual displays that tell the story of the whaling era.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:30, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discount for seniors

Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum

Address: 3957 Hansen Road, Puunene, Maui, Hawaii HI, 96732, USA
Tel: +1 808 871 8058
Housed at the historic residence of a plantation superintendent, this museum features displays of plantation life. The Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum is located next to Hawaii's largest working sugar factory and documents one of the most significant times in the island's history. This attraction contains many fascinating exhibits, including displays that explain the inner workings of a sugar mill.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 16:30, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discount for children, children under five free

Bailey House Museum

Address: 2375A Main Street, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii HI, 96793, USA
Tel: +1 808 244 3326
Situated in Wailuku and built on the site of the royal compound of Kahekili, Bailey House has an interesting history and once served as the Mission Station for the Wailuku Female Seminary for Girls. Later the house became the home of Edward Bailey and his family before becoming a museum that showcases Hawaiian artifacts and fascinating displays about Hawaiian and missionary history.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discount for seniors and children, children under six free

Baldwin Missionary Home

Address: Front and Dickenson Streets, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii HI, 96761, USA
Tel: +1 808 661 3262
This historic home was built in 1834 for the Reverend Dwight Baldwin, a medical missionary who had a significant impact on democracy and education in Hawaii. The home has been carefully restored and houses furniture, artifacts, antiques and photos from Hawaii's whaling era.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:30, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge

Lahaina Heritage Museum

Address: 648 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii HI, 96761, USA
Tel: +1 808 667 1959
Situated in Old Lahaina Courthouse, this museum aims to bring Lahaina's rich history to life with an array of interactive displays, exhibitions, demonstrations and artifacts. Exhibitions focus on the whaling era, Lahaina justice system and more.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00, seasonal variations apply
Admission: free

Whalers Village Museum

Address: 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii HI, 96761, USA
Tel: +1 808 661 4567
The Whalers Village Museum contains hundreds of artifacts, photo murals and displays that offer visitors a glimpse of what life was like in Lahaina's whaling days. In particular, look out for the large scale model of a whaling ship and the excellent collection of 19th-century scrimshaw (carved whalebone), as well as the various ornaments and utensils.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 22:00, seasonal variations apply
Admission: free