Kihei is located on the South West side of Maui appoximately 25 minutes from the airport. It is a town that is filled with many shops and stores. It is also an area where you can get a good feel as to how the locals may live.
There are also some great beaches to be explored. The Kamaole Beaches are great for a variety of activities and are generally very safe.
The best thing about Kihei, however, is the incredible accommodation prices. Kihei has some of the very best values on all of Maui.