Maalaea Ebisu Kotohira Shrine

Brian Nagami

You might not realize it, but Maalaea was once a local fishing village. This shrine to Ebisu is one of the few remnants of that era. Among a slew of other things, Ebisu is a Japanese Shinto god that oversees luck and fisherman. The community that once stood around this shrine gathers annually at the beginning of the year to extend that luck over all the people and ships leaving the harbor. While the shrine is kept safely behind a fence, you can still view the outside and read about it on the plaque on the sidewalk. Check it out, imagine how the area used to be when instead of stores and an aquarium, there were homes that overlooked the harbor, and enjoy a small piece of history that many locals don't even realize is here. To catch some shade, good food, and a drink , head over to one of the local eateries within walking distance. The Maalaea General Store is definitely a hidden gem, and Beach Bums BBQ is not too far in the opposite direction. Both are great!

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