Essentials
- City
- Maui, Hawaii, United States
- Population
- 165,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps (Spectrum/Hawaiian Telcom fiber)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Banking via Bank of Hawaii or First Hawaiian Bank.
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable (Board of Water Supply standards)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Prepaid plans approx. $40-60/month.
- Banking for Expats
- Standard US banks; Wise and Revolut are widely used and accepted.
- Accommodation
- High demand. Options include Airbnb, VRBO, or local long-term classifieds like Maui Craigslist.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted almost everywhere except some fruit stands.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO. Average $250-$500 per night for legal units.
- Budget Accommodation
- The Tiki Lounge Hostel (Wailuku) or Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel; approx. $60-$90/night for dorms.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Wailea (Luxury/Resorts) or Lahaina/Kaanapali (Beaches and Dining).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kihei (more walkable, central) or Paia (surf vibe, North Shore connectivity).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Maui Research & Technology Center (Kihei); Membership approx. $250/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Akamai Coffee Co. (Wailea/Kihei locations) or Wailuku Coffee Company.
- Networking Events
- Maui Techies Meetup or Maui Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours events.
- Social Events for Expats
- Maui Digital Nomads Facebook Group or community events at Paia Bay Coffee.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft (active in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Boss Frog's (Kihei) or West Maui Cycles (Lahaina). Approx. $35-50/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Makena Beach (Big Beach) or Kamaole Beach Parks I, II, and III.
- Top Regional Airline
- Mokulele Airlines (inter-island prop planes).
- Top International Airline
- Hawaiian Airlines, United, American, and Delta.
- Highway Access
- Hana Highway (Route 36) and Piilani Highway (Route 31).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Maui Bus Central Terminal at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center (Kahului).
- Public Transport Passes
- Maui Bus: $2 per ride or $45 for a monthly pass.
- Regional Travel
- Flights: Kahului (OGG) to Honolulu (HNL) approx. $50-$90 roundtrip via Southwest or Hawaiian.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Maui Memorial Medical Center (Wailuku).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Maui Yoga Loft (Kihei) or Wisdom Flow Yoga (Makawao).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Gym Maui (Kihei) or 24 Hour Fitness (Kahului). Approx. $20/day pass.
- Laundry Services
- Whalers Village Laundry or local laundromats like 24 Hour Laundromat (Kahului).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash and UberEats service the main corridors of Kihei and Kahului.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poke (from Foodland or Tamura's) or Loco Moco.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Moku Roots (Lahaina) or Choice Health Bar (Paia/Lahaina).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (Kihei/Lahaina) or Tasaka Guri Guri (Kahului).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Costco (Kahului) or Maui Swap Meet (Saturdays in Kahului).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Prime shipping takes 3-7 days to Maui).
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart (Safeway and Costco delivery).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Front Street (Lahaina - rebuilding) and The Triangle (South Kihei).
- Local Brewery
- Maui Brewing Co. (Kihei HQ). Large taproom and tours available.
- Wine Bars
- Maui Wine (Kula) - famous for pineapple wine.
- Street Food Stalls
- South Maui Gardens Food Trucks (Kihei) - diverse options from Thai to Tacos.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mama's Fish House (Paia - world-renowned) or Star Noodle (Lahaina).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Haleakala National Park (Summit) and Iao Valley Pavilion.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) in Kahului.
- Historical Sites
- Lahaina Historic District and Wo Hing Museum.
- Religious Sites
- Holy Ghost Catholic Church (Kula) and Ka'ahumanu Church (Wailuku).
- Annual Events
- Maui Film Festival (June) and Kapalua Wine & Food Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Wailuku Town (Historic Main Street).
- Theater Venues
- Iao Theater (Wailuku).
- Local Markets
- Upcountry Farmers Market (Pukalani) - Saturdays 7 AM - 11 AM.
- Music Scene
- Fleetwood’s on Front St (Lahaina) and Charley’s (Paia).
- Street Art
- Small Scale Murals in Wailuku Arts District.
- Cooking Classes
- Maui Culinary Academy at UH Maui College.
- Art Galleries
- Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center (Makawao).
- Historic Buildings
- Baldwin Home Museum (Lahaina).
- Local Heritage
- Native Hawaiian culture: Aloha Spirit and Hula heritage.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Road to Hana (Waterfalls and Tropical Rainforests).
- National Parks Nearby
- Haleakala National Park ($30 per vehicle entrance).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lahaina Pali Trail or Kapalua Coastal Trail.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Hole in the Mountain (Ho’okipa Lookout) or Haleakala Summit.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Technically restricted; authorized permits required at state parks like Baldwin Beach.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx, UPS, and USPS offices in Kahului and Kihei.
- Tech Repair Services
- MacNet (Kahului) for Apple products.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Lahaina Civic Center (Public recreational area).
- Language Classes
- Hawaiian Language classes at University of Hawaii Maui College.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kihei Public Library or Kahului Public Library.
- Community Centers
- Kihei Community Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- Few dedicated lounges; usually resort-based or private.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal in the State of Hawaii).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $14,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² Studio in Kihei = $560,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $11,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² Studio in Wailuku = $440,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $13,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $810,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $10,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $630,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $12,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,000,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $760,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + approx. 4.4% to 6.4% Hawaii State tax.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; up to 30% for non-residents (subject to treaties).
- Tax System
- US worldwide income basis for residents/citizens.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% Federal + 11% Hawaii State (highest in the US).
- VAT
- No VAT; 4% General Excise Tax (GET) applies to almost all transactions.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict US Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) rules.
- Property Tax
- Owner-occupied: approx. 0.2% of assessed value. Non-resident: higher.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Conveyance tax ranges from 0.1% to 1.25% depending on price.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No special nomad tax; high cost of living and tax burden compared to other states.