Kāʻanapali is a real place, not a marketing term. The name means 'the divided hill.' Long before any resort stood there, it was a fishing village called Keka'a. Puʻu Keka'a, what's now called Black Rock by the Sheraton, is considered sacred ground in Hawaiian tradition. You'll still see the street name Keka'a today, right by the beach park.
The resort corridor built there since the 1960s sits within the Lahaina district. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas' own mailing address is Lahaina, HI 96761. Same zip code as Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, with its quieter beaches and wildlife, Breakwall, Lahaina Harbor Excursions, Banyan Tree and the small, family-owned shops a few minutes down the road quietly hoping for more foot traffic since reopening. Honokowai is also in there with Honua Kai nearby, Pau Bakery and Bad Ass Coffee (another beach park is there) as well as a great Food Truck Park by Times Grocery.
Shop the big names at Whalers Village if this brings you joy, even window shopping, but don't forget to validate your parking ticket ($50 if you forget). We love the Hula Pie at Hula Grill, the burgers at Cool Cat Cafe (which was lost on Front Street) and they validate with purchase. Ono Gelato is there too now. It's all one town. But keep in mind that it's still a mall, and stores like Louis Vuitton are there.There are many shops still on Front street even if they moved over a bit, and many of the most known restaurants never left, or were untouched by the fire (Star Noodle, Mala Oceanside, Aloha Mixed Plate, Old Lahaina Luau).
A brave newcomer with fantastic food? Front Street Fresh, owned by a local family and the first to show up as the refreshed part of Front Street reopens. If you are a breakfast burrito person, this is the place, with a side of extra salsa verde.
There is something important I want to say here that some may not like. A lot of the shops you "remember" fondly from your childhood or teen years, your honeymoon... didn't close because of the fire. "Showrooming" did that first — people browsing in person, snapping a photo on their phones then buying the same thing cheaper online or something similar on Amazon, a habit that was already closing doors on Front Street even before the pandemic. If you love something in one of these stores, that's the moment to buy it... and support the local business paying the rent in the store front.
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The mega resorts keep guests on site as much as possible: helicopter tours with resort pickup, private white tent sales on the lawn, meals charged to the room. Mid-range and budget travelers are the ones who actually walk around town, and are likely staying in our vacation rentals. Hotel menus alone in Hawaii can cost more than the room does. Lahaina's local businesses doing well means more for all.
Jesse Wald has great video footage and updates frequently.
