Maui, Hawaii Itinerary Jan 2026

 Maui, Hawaii Itinerary Jan 2026



ITINERARY: FOR HI-RESOLUTION ITINERARY CLICK HERE: Maui Jan 2026 Itinerary

✈️ Flights

Arrival:
We flew into Maui Island Kahului Airport (OGG) via Southwest Airlines. 

  • Easy outdoor airport & baggage claim 
  • 📍 Note: Pick up travel guides from Baggage Claim area. Pamphlets include free coupons for activities 

Departure:
We flew to Kauai Island Lihue Airport (LIH) after our stay in Maui 

Tip: 📍 Place an AirTag or tracker in your luggage and carryon!

🚐 Getting Around

  • For maximum flexibility, we rented a car through Costco Travel.
  •  Airport shuttle required to reach rental car facility
  • Rental car lines can be long (up to 1 hour)
    • 📍TIP: If renting with Budget or other companies offering VIP / Fast Break, sign up in advance • A compact car was sufficient for the island

  • Driving Tips:

    • Bring a cell phone holder and phone charger for the car 

    • Strict speed limits — we saw several police pulling over tourists for going over speed limits

    • Do not drive backroads in Maui. See map below.

Map showing areas to avoid driving in Maui 

🏨 Where We Stayed

Hotel Notes:
Both hotels met our needs, but the Westin Maui Resort was exceptional. Highly recommend!

☀️ Weather in January 

January was hot but tolerable during the day and cooler at night. Needed light sweater at night. 

💰 Money & Payments

  • 📍 Cash Tips: Some local restaurants are cash only
  • Credit Cards: Accepted almost everywhere 

🎒 What to Pack


  • Drivers License & have digital copy on your phone (just in case) 
  • Medication: Motrin/Tylenol, anti-diarrhea pills, gas-x, tums etc. 
    • If get car sick, bring non-drowsy Dramamine (high dose of ginger) for the long, windy car rides especially for Road to Hana 
  • Clothing: In Janruary, weather was 75+ degrees during day and 65 degrees at night. 
    • Highly recommend linen/cotton clothing 
    • Bring insect repellent, mineral sunscreen, hat 
    • Light jacket/shawl for cold nights 
    • Rain/wind jacket 
    • Swimsuits & cover up 
    • Sunrise on Haleakala - make sure to pack warm clothing including winter gear (Beanie, scarf, thick hand gloves, blanket from hotel, thick jackets etc). Highly recommend 3-4 layers on upper body and lower body.
  • Bring ziplocks bags, hand sanitizer, plastic bags, napkins for car, and/or soft top cooler
  • Shoes:
    • Hiking boots if going to Sunrise on Haleakala and Pipwai Trail

💡 Useful Tips

  • Download Google Maps Offline of Maui before your trip in case you lose cell service. We did lose cell service randomly on the island. AT&T worked better than Verizon in most areas. 

  • Check google reviews for any place you visit for most up-to-date information

  • Several restaurants are closed Mondays

🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan Food

Hawaii is surprisingly easy for vegetarians! Places we enjoyed include: 

Ahouni Foods

Hana Farms Roadside Farms

 Grandmas Coffeehouse

 Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop

Aloha Eats

🌍 Our Top Highlights 

💡 Tip: We bought & downloaded Guide Along (GPS-based narrated driving tour) before our trip for historical and sightseeing commentary.

✅ Road to Hana 

  • Pipiwai Trail $$ - Hike past Banyan Tree, Bamboo Forest and waterfall
  • Ke‘anae Peninsula Overlook
✅Haleakala NP Sunrise $$ - It gets really cold. If unable to get reservations, be at the gate at 7am and you'll get really beautiful views too! 
✅ Nakalele Blowhole $$ - Rough hike to blowhole, but absolutely worth it! 

✅ʻĪao Valley State Monument $$

✅Lavender Farm  $$

✅South Maui Gardens - Nursery with several eating places, animals and plants


Location: Maui, Hawaii, USA

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