The Central Valley lies between Maui’s mountainous east and west sides. Here, the majority of Maui residents live in the neighboring towns of Wailuku, the county seat, and Kahului. Visitors arrive at the airport in Kahului, then typically rent a car and make a beeline straight to coastal resorts away from this area.

That’s understandable, since both Wailuku and Kahului cater mostly to locals. But, for that very reason, you shouldn’t ignore these valley towns, even if they do lack the allure of the resorts. They’re a good place to hang out with island folks and save a few bucks. Think about it—the restaurants in this area rely on the business of people who live on Maui year-round, so their prices are often easier on the pocketbook. At Restaurant Matsu in Kahului, for example, tasty Japanese dishes cost less than $10, and that’s value pricing in the middle of the Pacific.

You’ll also find more retail bargains. The island’s two largest malls, Queen Kaahumanu Center and Maui Mall, are in Kahului, where there’s even a K-Mart for true penny-pinchers. In Wailuku, several funky antique stores and gift shops draw shoppers to Main and Market streets, though the prices are a mixed bag and not always a steal.