You'll need to be checking in about 90 minutes before your flight. You could take a bus to the Queen Kaahumanu shopping center in Kahului. It's just a mall, but would get you out of the airport for a couple of hours. Will your luggage be checked through to home so you can travel unencumbered?

5 hours isn't that much. You probably could hitch a cab to front st. and grab a bite. That'll be about a 1.5 hours worth of traveling alone (to and from). Wailea is closer so go there if you want more time. I wouldn't go to the beach since there isn't really anywhere you'll have to shower up and change clothes.

The mall that Shi mentioned is close, but I couldn't possible waste more than an hour there.

I would be nervous about going to the other side of the island. I like the Queen K mall idea. You can also grab a meal there. If you have lots of time left, you can go to Hookipa beach to watch the wind surfers. Iao Valley is also close. You may need to rent a car to do all this but I would stay on the east side so you don't miss your flight due to an accident or just slow traffic.

Didn't catch your time frame (day or night). If you have a car, you could grab a cheap...HA! HA! HA!..lunch at Mama's and chill. I have gone over to Ho'okipa and spent a while watching the surfers. Maybe a quick trip to explore Pa'ia town.

Mama's Fish House, or Paia. Not sure about Taxi's but you could rent a car for a few hours and it would be worth it. Even renting a car and walking the beaches in Kehei would be better then sitting in an airport. Don't get me wrong, there are worse places then the Kahului airport! It's strange that you'd have a 5 hour lay over in Maui!!!

Renting a car is a pain and cuts your time even more. Aside from my last trip, it usually takes about an hour to leave the rental car place. From landing to leaving the rental car lot could be even longer depending on if you get lucky catching the shuttle and if its a slow day at the car rental.

Plus, you'll have to go back early to drop the car off and catch the shuttle back. Also, the secuirty line in Kahului usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

To be safe, don't go anywhere 20-30 minutes away for the airport

Front Street, Lahaina, is a long trip from OGG. I wouldn't try it.

Ka`ahumanu Center mall does have some interesting shops. I believe there's a Maui Hands and a Serendipity there, as well as a fabric shop with nice island and Japanese fabrics. Decent food court, as well.

Take a cab/bus. Renting a car would take up way too much time.

The taxi to the mall idea sounds ideal. You can come and go when you please and get some good walking in before the long flight.

Here's what to do: I assume you don't have a car. Take any of the free rental car shuttle buses as if you were picking up a car. From there walk away from the airport locale (on Kaa Street) and after two or three long blocks you will be at Kanaha Beach Park. Providing the wind is up you'll see the world's best windsurfers and kiteboarders doin' their thing. This is a pretty park. Good swimming and a nice beach walk is to the right as you face the water. I found this gem in our favorite guidebook for this island, Maui Trailblazer. Few tourists find their way here and it's a wonderful place to still linger in the beauty of Maui before takeoff.