Name: Hakuna Matata
Address: 545 A Front Street Lahaina,Front Street, Lahaina, Lahaina, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States of America
Rating: 9

Air conditioning

Smoking areas

Express check-in/check-out

Garden

Private check-in/check-out

Fire Extinguisher

Outdoor furniture

General

Non-smoking rooms

Carbon Monoxide Detector

Smoke Detector

Rooms

Laundry

Services and amenities

Common kitchen

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet access

Internet

Bike rental

Barbecue grill(s)

Recreation

Parking

Parking nearby

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Location

At the hotel

Lahaina Pali Trail

Kapalua Airport

Kahului Airport

Lanai Airport

Molokai Airport

Hakuna Matata

Lahaina

I feel like I should start with the positives.  This was by far the most affordable place to stay in Lahaina when we booked our trip. And the location was fabulous!  So close to a lovely beach for snorkel and surfing and walking distance to all of the action on Front street. The people staying at this hostel were absolute gems! We all got along well and enjoyed several communal meals in the fully equipped kitchen and genuinely enjoyed our time with really cool and respectful guests. Also, I did find the bed very soft, and comfy.   As for some of the challenges we faced.  I would not describe the place as pristine, or extremely well maintained. It was liveable, but ant infestations (I get it, it’s tropical. But there was no attempt to reduce them) hair in the drains after the cleaner was there, mould on the floor and walls in high humidity area etc.  just a general lack of attention to detail were hard to miss.    Communication with management broke down in many areas. There was no information provided to us on policies, or house rules. We, as well as other guests we spoke to had to text the management with multiple questions regularly. Ie about towels, bbq use (it’s broken and there was no propane) and to please come replenish the toilet paper!  During our stay, management would show up and inform us of a new and seemingly made up rule that we were never aware of before.  (Dishes have to be washed by 10 pm, even if we were still using them).  Over all our experience was comfortable, but there is lots of room for improvement. 

Only OK

I slept on the top of a comfortable bunk bed in a dormitory for four females, named Plumeria.
The rooms have names and keypad locks. 
The entrance door also has a keypad lock and a video camera.
Every day, I was out the door at 5:00 am to explore Maui by driving to hiking trailheads, eating at the Saturday Upcountry Farmers Market or at Food trucks.
I generally returned to Hakuna Matata around 5:00 pm to pack my hiking cloths for the following day, rested until I slept.

Comfortable Female Dormitory

Hakuna Matata was such a wonderful experience. I’ve traveled all over the world and stayed in many hostels. Hakuna Matata was exceptionally clean and more importantly the people working there were so kind and helpful! The hostel felt warm and welcoming and I became close friends with several of the other travelers staying there.

The room was spacious and had air conditioning. The hostel had all of the equipment one could ever need for the beach as well as surf boards, paddle boards and bicycles. The shower was immaculate and spacious.

If I ever return to Maui, I will most definitely book my stay at Hakuna Matata. I highly recommend it for those traveling on a budget, solo travelers and those looking to meet new and interesting friends!!

Wonderful Experience, impressively run with kind and helpful staff!

Hakuna Matata quickly felt like a second home to me. The house has a vibe that is very welcoming and the people were incredible. You can’t beat the location either!! We used the bikes and boards every day. I booked this place with doing very little research and it exceeded every expectation I had. I’m coming back to stay here every time for sure. I hardly ever write a review on anything but just had to share how great the experience was

Best hostel I’ve ever stayed in

Literally the best hosteI on Maui. Highly recommend! I have my morning coffee on the beach everyday with West Maui mountains behind me. Beautiful spot & great hosts. Free amenities and location are always helpful too! 
I have felt like home here for five weeks. I would not hesitate to come back here and stay in the dorms as a female traveler or rent the private room for two.

Forever my favorite place to stay on Maui!

Just plan not worth the money.  We stayed in a private room.  No closet, dresser, wardrobe, nor coat rack.  A desk but no chair.  A few nails where maybe pictures used to hang where you can hook a damp swim suit to dry.  NO hot water at all in the bathroom sink.  And some times no hot water in the shower.  The mattress on the bed my buddy slept in was so broken down that if you sat on the bed, it tried to toss you on the floor.  And about 200 or 300 ants.  It is weird when the ants crawl over your hair brush.  But it is creepy when the ants explore your tooth brush!   Kitchen down the hall is hot and dark and stuffy.  Couch out back might have had fleas or bed bugs!  Something bit us.  I have stayed in other places on the very same street in Lahaina.  They are the same price, and the other places are much cleaner and even have furniture!

not worth the money

Stayed for 3 days (2 nights) in a dorm room, place was clean, sheets and towel were provided.  Staff was friendly, I loved the extras available at the hostel like snorkel gear, surfboards, beach chairs, bikes ... all free of charge!  The other hostelers were great too, mostly solo travelers, so it was easy to make friends if you wanted a beer buddy in the evening or a companion for a kayak adventure. 
Location is amazing too, right next to a beach and maybe 1 block before the touristy area really starts.  You don't have much choice here with hostels but it doesn't matter, this one's great.

Great Hostel!

This was my first time here at Hakuna Matata it was a clean, friendly environment. The host were kind and the place was very quiet, they offered a simple breakfast and coffee. I slept in a room with 3 other women who were great! The beach is right behind and there's lots of everything all around to do. I will definitely recommend and will revisit.

Marvelous 

My past two experiences staying here were positive, so returning for a 3rd stay was an easy decision. I booked a total of 5 nights, May 15-20, 2020.

My first two nights were booked and cash paid for in a private room. The room was clean, spacious and comfortable.

Upon checking with staff for my room the next 3 nights, it was discovered a mistake was made and I did not have a bed to sleep in. They would work on getting me a new room. Originally I booked the Surf Room for the last 3 nights.

I was taken into the back yard where a van was parked and told they would park the van next to the room (I was originally told would be my room "Surf Dorm") and I would sleep on the inflated mattress in the van but my luggage could remain in the hostel.

I was speechless.

I returned to my private room as I was packing my belongings to move to the Surf Dorm....but realizing the only option given to me was a vehicle on the side of the house.

In a state of panic I called various hotels - mind you this HIGH peak season for Maui and rooms were ranging $450-1,200 a night.  Having stayed at Lahaina Inn previously I called asking for a room for 3 nights. They were sold out but the kind woman recognizing my panic and need for a room (not a van), put me on hold and found the Lahaina Shores Beach Resort. I booked 3 nights immediately.  My $58.00 a night in Surf Room turned into $1,050 at the Resort......

Better SAFE, comfortable and respected vs.... sleeping in a van.

Preparations and communication could have been better upon my arrival. Knowing the Surf room is no longer an option for rental, I should have been informed. I was not.

Unfortunately, I will never stay here again. No apology was offered.

Buyer beware. Safe travels and check and recheck your reservation here, it seems things can change overnight.

Hakuna Matata Maui | sleep in a van on the side of the house?

My partner and I stayed at the Hakuna Matata hostel for 3 nights in December. The hostel is located in the quieter area of Lahaina and is very close to the beach. The hostel has a lovely, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The managers of the hostel are very kind and accommodating. Our room was spacious and well appointed, however the beds were quite uncomfortable. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it for anyone looking for a smaller and quieter hostel environment. 

Hakuna Matata

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