Moana Glass is Maui’s premier furnace glassblowing studio, led by master artist Ryan Staub. After honing his craft in 11 countries over three decades, Ryan now channels the colors and motion of the Pacific into luminous, one-of-a-...
Moana Glass delivers an incredibly hands-on glassblowing experience that consistently ranks as a vacation highlight for visitors. The instructors—particularly Louie, Paul, Jesse, Tyler, and Adam—earn enthusiastic praise for their patience, teaching skills, and ability to make complete beginners feel comfortable working with 2000-degree molten glass. Groups of all sizes have success here, and you'll walk away with a beautiful, high-quality piece you actually helped create, whether it's a fish, bowl, ornament, or wave sculpture. The facility offers tours explaining the process, plenty of customization options including iridescent finishes, and a relaxed atmosphere with fans keeping things comfortable despite the heat. The experience feels genuinely interactive rather than just watching someone else work. Multiple reviewers mention being surprised by how much of the process they actually did themselves, with instructors jumping in only when needed. The pieces require controlled cooling in a kiln before you can take them home, and shipping is available. One couple noted occasional pushiness from gallery staff and inconsistent price labeling in the retail area, though they still plan to return. Beyond the classes, the facility also creates custom lighting fixtures and memorial pieces that incorporate cremation ashes into glass sculptures.
I did a private glass-making lesson at Moana Glass with Tyler and it was absolutely incredible. The finished pieces turned out so beautiful and high-quality, and I love that they’re items I’ll actually use every day. There were so many options to choose from in terms of style, shape, and color, including iridescent finishes, so you can really customize something that fits your personality! The instructor (Tyler) was amazing... super knowledgeable, patient, and great at explaining the process. They gave us a tour of the facility, shared a lot about how everything works, and made the experience feel very safe and hands-on the entire time. It was equal parts fun, educational, and creative. Overall, it was such a memorable experience and one of the highlights of my time in Maui. I’d highly recommend Moana Glass to anyone visiting the island. It’s truly special to create something so beautiful yourself.
Morgan Russo
January 5, 2026
I did a private glass-making lesson at Moana Glass with Tyler and it was absolutely incredible. The finished pieces turned out so beautiful and high-quality, and I love that they’re items I’ll actually use every day. There were so many options to choose from in terms of style, shape, and color, including iridescent finishes, so you can really customize something that fits your personality! The instructor (Tyler) was amazing... super knowledgeable, patient, and great at explaining the process. They gave us a tour of the facility, shared a lot about how everything works, and made the experience feel very safe and hands-on the entire time. It was equal parts fun, educational, and creative. Overall, it was such a memorable experience and one of the highlights of my time in Maui. I’d highly recommend Moana Glass to anyone visiting the island. It’s truly special to create something so beautiful yourself.
Morgan Russo
January 5, 2026