Lahaina Historic District, Historic district in Lahaina, Maui County, US

Lahaina Historic District is a historic district on the western coast of Maui, running along the old town between Puuona Point and Makila Point. The area covers dozens of old buildings, maritime landmarks, and places of worship from different eras, all grouped within walking distance of each other.

Lahaina was a residence of Maui's kings before European contact, and Kamehameha I landed here in 1795 to begin his conquest of Maui. Kamehameha II established a residence in 1819, the year the first whaling ships arrived. Kamehameha III made Lahaina his capital in 1825, preferring it to Honolulu; between 1840 and 1855 its deep-water anchorage made it the favored whaling port over Oahu. The town declined in the 1860s as whaling waned.

Lahaina was a royal residence of Maui's kings before European contact, and Kamehameha II established a residence here in 1819, the same year the first whaling ships arrived. The name Lahaina means 'cruel sun' in Hawaiian, referring to the dry, sun-exposed coast. Waiola Church and the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission Temple, both damaged in the August 2023 wildfires, show the layering of missionary and Buddhist traditions in the town.

The district is compact enough to explore on foot, with most of the key spots marked along the main streets. Arriving early in the morning is a good idea, as the western Maui sun can get very strong by midday.

A banyan tree planted in 1873 still stands in the heart of the district, its aerial roots covering nearly an acre (about 0.4 hectares) of ground. It is one of the largest banyan trees in the United States and serves as a natural meeting point for locals and visitors alike.