Review: Kahale's Maui's Local Dive Bar

Tell us a little bit about this place.Kahale's is the perfect neighborhood dive bar: casual, cozy, and dimly lit, with chalkboard menus, grinning bartenders, cheap drafts, and nightly live bands. It's not trendy or cute by any means—there's no decor to speak of, besides NFL logos and music flyers plastered all over the walls—but its unpretentious, easygoing vibe has been drawing crowds for more than 20 years.

Cool. So who’s there?Strictly locals: casually dressed regulars drinking brews and chatting it up with the bartender, lots of solo drinkers, and the odd biker. The crowd skews north of 35—probably because there's nothing in here to Instagram.

What are we drinking?This is a dive bar: no-frills cold beer, cheap shots, and classic mixed drinks. You can order a solid Mai Tai, but you won't get any passion fruit foam or little umbrellas here.

Worth ordering something to eat, too?In addition to the popcorn you're given to snack on, there's a very small menu of American pub food like French fries and fried chicken wings.

How'd you find the staff?Friendly and laid-back. Even if you're not kama'aina (local), they'll make you feel like one.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?
If you're visiting Maui on, say, a three-day trip, chances are you'll want to stick to the pretty thatched-roof beach bars. But if you're staying for a week or longer, this is a a solid place to escape the overpriced umbrella drinks, mingle with actual locals, and get a true taste of island life.