Did you know? Rain is a pretty rare event in South Maui!
Kihei and Wailea sit in the rain shadow of Haleakala. Most of Maui’s rain falls on the lush, green North and East sides of the island, including the rainforest along the Road to Hana. Meanwhile, Kihei and Wailea (where our vacation rentals are located) get only about 8–11 inches of rain a year.
So, needless to say, we get a little excited when it rains! Kids run outside to play in the puddles, while adults sip coffee on the lanai and watch the rain. Some even break out their “winter clothes” (long pants and sweaters) and declare it cold.
Cold? It’s all relative. We’re talking low 80s!
We realize you weren’t planning on a rainy day for your Maui trip, so what to do?
Go for a drive.
Maui is an island with many micro-climates. While the Iao Valley is the second-wettest place in the State (386 inches of rain a year), the sunny South side of Maui, where our condos are located, averages between 8–11 inches a year. Most days, if you don't like the weather, just take a drive – you're bound to find sunshine somewhere.
Sometimes a system comes in that covers the whole island. What to do then?
Go shopping
- Shops at Wailea – a nice covered shopping area with a variety of shops, everything from ABC Store to Louis Vuitton and Gucci. My favorite – Lappert's ice cream.
- Maui Tropical Plantation – this place is pretty neat. Check out their shops, zipline and the very cool Mill House bar (with a train engine inside), coffee house and restaurant.
- Maui Harbor Shops
- Lahaina/Kaanapali shops
Go to the movies at
- Kihei Movie Theaters
- Maui Mall in Kahului.
Go for lunch – usually cheaper than dinner
Check out a museum
Check out ‘fishes’ at the Maui Ocean Center
Burn some energy at
Go for a walk – it’s just warm rain, pick up an umbrella at the convenience store.
Nurse your sunburn – catch up on your shows or read a book!
- Check the condo for books
- Explore one of the Friends of Maui Library bookstores (one in Kihei)
What NOT to do when it’s raining?
Please stay out of the ocean, particularly if the water looks brown and murky. Flood runoff can contain contaminants, and murky water can attract sharks as they forage for food.
Please watch out for flash floods. It can rain much heavier upcountry, sending flood water down to where you are. Do not drive to Hana or upcountry during flooding or heavy rain.