Kids can participate in a variety of activities in Kahului including surfing.
Kahului is one of the largest communities in Maui, Hawaii. Kahului is mainly known as a commercial center for Maui with several retail stores and restaurants surrounding Kahului International Airport. While Kahului is not a popular tourist destination for many visitors, there are a number of activities to engage the interest of children.
Amusements
What child doesn't love fun and games? Kids interested in winning prizes, and playing video games and other games of skill and chance will find it all at the Fun Factory. There are two locations in Kahului--one at the Maui Mall and the other at Ka'ahumanu Center. The Maui Raceway Park is the place to be for kids interested in go-cart racing. Located near the Maui Ocean Center, the Maui Golf and Sports Park has mini golf, bumper boats and trampolines. Maui Golf is even available for birthday parties.
Surf Lessons
Much of the surfing action in Kahului happens on beaches of the North Shore and Central Maui, and kids can get in on the action by taking surf lessons. Kanaha Kai Maui sells and rents surfing equipment and offers surfing, wind surfing and kite surfing lessons through Action Sports School and Maui Sports Unlimited. Surfing lessons for children are offered mainly through surfing camps and clinics at Maui Sports Unlimited. This school accepts children ages 8 to 13. Another surf school operating in the area is the Nancy Emerson School of Surfing. Children ages 4 to 8 are encouraged to attend surfing clinics. All instructors have at least 20 years of experience, have completed the ocean awareness certification course and are trained and certified in first aid and CPR.
Fish and Wildlife
Children love animals. In Kahului there are a number of opportunities for children to explore area wildlife and aquariums.The East Maui Animal Rescue, also known as the "Boo Boo Zoo," provides a sanctuary for injured and abandoned animals. At this petting zoo, kids can see and interact with many types of animals including horses, goats, deer and owls. At the Kahana Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, children can enjoy viewing native birds and fish. This 143-acre park surrounding Kahana Pond also has dirt hiking trails. Other children may prefer a look at Maui's sea life at the Maui Ocean Center. Exhibits include hammerhead sharks, pufferfish, morey eels, and octopus, among many others.
Museums
Kahului does not have a reputation as a major cultural center, but there are a few cultural destinations that should engage the interest of children. The Maui Arts and Cultural Center hosts field trips for students throughout the year as part of an arts education program benefiting students and teachers. The arts education program includes special performances and exhibits geared toward children such as the annual student art show. Somewhat offbeat, but no less popular, is the Paper Airplane Museum. This museum features more than 2,000 exhibits, with everything from tiny paper airplanes and gliders, to larger metal models. Children interested in Maui's history can learn a lot about the old sugar plantations at the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum. Exhibits include a replica of a plantation work camp, sugar mill displays and historical documents and videos.
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