Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 1
The Kai Course might not be as heralded as the Royal Course at Kaanapali Resort, but local golfers love playing there.
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Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 2
The first couple of holes, including the 370-yard second, ease golfers in on the Kaanapali Kai Course.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 7
The par-4 seventh hole on the Kaanapali Kai Course is beautiful.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 9
A sea of blue sits behind the green of the par-4 ninth at the Kaanapali Kai Course on Maui.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 11
Maui's Kaanapali Kai Course is shorter and more affordable than Royal Ka'anapali and the courses in Kapalua.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 16
The 402-yard par-4 16th is one of the tougher holes on the Kai Course at Kaanapali Resort on Maui.
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Kaanapali Resort - Kai golf course - hole 18
The 18th hole on the Kaanapali Kai Course finishes in front of the Paradise Grill.
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Kaanapali Resort - golf shop
Kaanapali Resort has a well stocked golf shop, especially for women.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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Pretty in pictures: The player-friendly Kai golf course at Kaanapali Resort on Maui
LAHAINA, Hawaii -- The Kai Course might be the easier of the two golf courses at the Kaanapali Resort, but it's by no means the less popular.
Because of its playability and views, this Jack Snyder design that opened in 1962 is popular among families and higher handicappers, but provides plenty of challenge for the better players as well.
At 6,388 yards, it might seem short. But because it's a par 70 and some of the holes play uphill, into the wind or both, there are plenty of difficult holes on the course, especially from the tips. In fact, there are two par 3s that play more than 220 yards from the back tees.
The golf course is also replete with great views, both of the West Maui Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.