Maui celebrity interviews offer a glimpse of what draws familiar faces to the island: ocean time, beautiful sunsets, and a chance to slow down. Here are some of the conversations and encounters we remember most.
I’ve lived in Los Angeles for half of my life and on Maui for the other. I’ve often felt I’ve seen far more celebrities on Maui than I ever did in LA. These Maui celebrity interviews offer a better glimpse of that connection than a list of rumored homes.
Why Do Celebrities Come to Hawaiʻi?
In our conversations, the appeal often came back to time outside, the ocean and a break from a busy working life. The interviews below describe what that meant to individual guests. They’re personal impressions, rather than a promise that every visitor will have the same experience.
Maui Celebrity Interviews
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd spoke with us at the Maui Film Festival. He put it nicely by saying:
“My impressions thus far of Maui are perfect because Maui is incredible! I have several amazing Hawaii stories. Things that have happened to me here. I was swimming and a whale breached in front of me and hit the water. I was scuba diving and I was on the surface.
The whale went under the boat as we were going out. It was just me and another guy, the dive master. It was incredible! That was one of the most incredible, spiritual moments I’ve had out here. I’ve had many because it’s such a magical place.”
Celebrity Connections Beyond the Interviews
Oprah Winfrey’s connection to Maui extends beyond vacation time. After the 2023 wildfires, she and Dwayne Johnson launched the People’s Fund of Maui. The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s account describes the direct financial assistance it provided to people in Lahaina and Kula.
Maui’s property market also attracts attention. If you’re interested in learning about the island’s neighborhoods and real estate, this guide covers Maui homes.
Adam Driver
Actor Adam Driver shared, “Maui: It’s beautiful. it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. The sunsets look fake, they’re so picturesque.”
We also remember encounters with Mike Myers, Alice Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Horace Grant, Paris Hilton and Cameron Diaz visiting Hawaiʻi. We particularly remembered Horace Grant as generous, polite and a pleasure to be around. The friendliness of an encounter often stays with us longer than the surprise of recognizing someone.
Golf is another part of the island’s appeal. If that’s part of your own vacation, see this resource on Maui golf courses.
Olivia Wilde
In her interview, Olivia Wilde recounted:
“I love Maui! We’ve been coming for years. I love hanging out at the beach. I love Kihei, I love Hana of course, I love Paia. We always make it into Paia and try to see a show at Charley’. I mean, I’ve been walking barefoot into Mana foods for like fifteen years. Haha! Just getting provisions, going swimming at the beaches there, going hiking.
I’m a Tourist, so I love Mana’s Fish House. But it truly is the greatest experience. For my kids, they love it! They keep asking me ‘when are we going to Mama’s?’ It’s just the most amazing place! I feel like we actually have a real community here. When I walk into Hawaiian Moons, they’re like ‘hey what’s up!’ as though I was there last week. It’s been 2 years, but I appreciate that.
And I just love the experience of waking up here and remembering that this actually always exists. I always think about that when I’m in my crazy life in New York and everything feels hectic. I think, WOW. Simultaneously Maui exists and that incredible expanse of ocean. And I can’t wait to get on my paddleboard. I will never stop talking about how much I love Maui!”
We also remember seeing Britney Spears with her family at Tommy Bahama’s Maui restaurant. A relaxed family meal is part of what visitors come here to enjoy.
Amber Heard
Amber Heard shared her love of Maui by saying, “It’s a beautiful place. I love Maui. I love all of Hawaii. I couldn’t be happier to be here! What a treat. This is my first time, and I’m really happy to be here. I love Maui.”
For your own Maui trip planning, this guide to Hāna and the road there is a useful place to start.
Keep Maui and the Other Islands Straight
Hawaiʻi’s celebrity connections also extend to Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi. Each island has its own places and stories. Part of planning a great trip is choosing the island that suits your interests, whether that means quiet beaches, hiking, food, or city life.
Josh Radnor
Josh Radnor described his affection for Maui: “I’d spent about 2 a week on Maui about 2 years ago and really fell in love with it. And it’s so nice to come back here and confirm my suspicions about what a special places it is… I realize this week one of the reasons I love Maui, is that no one takes Maui for granted, no matter how long they’ve lived here.”
What Stays With Us About Maui
These Maui celebrity interviews capture how the island felt to the people we spoke with at the time. The beach days, sunsets and sense of community are what stayed with them. They also remind us how much a little unhurried time can mean.
Enjoy the island and give people space when you visit. A public festival appearance is a different setting from someone’s family meal or quiet day at the beach.
We’re a small group of full-time Maui residents that LOVE exploring and writing about what we think is the best place on Earth: The Island of Maui, Hawaii! Expect many more articles, reviews, photos and videos of Maui and all of the Hawaiian Islands. ALOHA!
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