The Ka`anapali area is the most densely crowded, due, perhaps to its high-rise development. We stayed at the Sheraton Maui at Kaanapali the end of July-beginning of August 2005. If you compare their beaches to the New Jersey shore, they are desolate.

The most crowded part of Maui is undeniably the West Maui corridor, specifically the area spanning from Lahaina to Ka’anapali. Historically, Lahaina was the primary hub for shopping, dining, and nightlife, while Ka’anapali remains the island’s first master-planned resort area, featuring a dense concentration of high-rise hotels, luxury condos, and the popular Whalers Village shopping center. This region attracts a high volume of tourists due to its world-class beaches like Ka’anapali Beach and its proximity to boat excursions and snorkeling hotspots. Another major center of congestion is the South Maui region, particularly Kihei and Wailea. Kihei is known for its high density of vacation rentals and "condo-rows," leading to significant traffic on South Kihei Road. During peak seasons, the narrow Honoapi’ilani Highway, which connects Central Maui to the West Side, becomes a major bottleneck. Travelers looking to escape the crowds typically head to the "Upcountry" regions or the remote, windward shores of the Hana Highway, where the pace is significantly slower and the development is much less concentrated.