Location: Hawaii
Tags: hawaiian island
/ hawaii
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/ crystal clear
/ oheo gulch
/ wailea
/ maui
/ kahoolawe
/ oahu
/ white sand
/ snorkeling
Maui
Maui
Hawaii
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727 square miles (1883 km²). Maui is part of the State of Hawai and is the largest island in Maui County; the other islands comprising the county being Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. The island had a resident population of 117,644 in 2000, ranked third within the state behind the islands of Oahu and Hawaii.
With white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Maui is ideal for sunbathing, snorkeling and
snoozing! But once you’ve gotten enough sun, Maui’s also a great place for shopping and sightseeing. The old whaling town of Lahaina is home to many quaint shops and eclectic art galleries. On the opposite side of the island, the long road to Hana will lead you to the waterfall fed pools at Oheo Gulch, a perfect place to stretch your legs and take in the view. After touring the island, you may need to unwind in Wailea with a pampering spa treatment. It’s no wonder visitors return here year after year.
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About the Island of Maui
Land of the sun
The demi-god Maui is a household name from Tonga to the Society Islands, to the Marquesas to Hawaii. Something of a trickster, Maui had a place in his heart for mortals and is celebrated throughout the Pacific for such feats as giving fire to humans (after stealing it from its supernatural guardians) and fishing the islands of the Pacific from out of their watery depths.
Geography
So great is his renown, in fact, that Maui is the only deity in Polynesia to currently have a major island named after him. ("Currently," because the Hawaiian island of Kaho'olawe was in earlier times named for the god Kanaloa). Formed by two giant shield volcanoes, when seen from above Maui even looks like the head and torso of a man. West Maui, the head, is the older portion of the island, and at one time the volcano that formed it was probably as large as Haleakala, the 10,023-foot-tall volcano whose flanks form the whole of East Maui's "body."
But time has done its part: Though it's estimated the volcano that formed Maui's head once had a crater some five miles across, eruptions, collapse and stream erosion so changed the landscape that Pu'u Kukui, the highest point in the West Maui mountains, now stands at 5,788 feet. The craggy landscape that replaced this once-massive volcano also helped give rise to Maui's nickname: "The Valley Isle."
Land of the sun
The demi-god Maui is a household name from Tonga to the Society Islands, to the Marquesas to Hawaii. Something of a trickster, Maui had a place in his heart for mortals and is celebrated throughout the Pacific for such feats as giving fire to humans (after stealing it from its supernatural guardians) and fishing the islands of the Pacific from out of their watery depths.
Geography
So great is his renown, in fact, that Maui is the only deity in Polynesia to currently have a major island named after him. ("Currently," because the Hawaiian island of Kaho'olawe was in earlier times named for the god Kanaloa). Formed by two giant shield volcanoes, when seen from above Maui even looks like the head and torso of a man. West Maui, the head, is the older portion of the island, and at one time the volcano that formed it was probably as large as Haleakala, the 10,023-foot-tall volcano whose flanks form the whole of East Maui's "body."
But time has done its part: Though it's estimated the volcano that formed Maui's head once had a crater some five miles across, eruptions, collapse and stream erosion so changed the landscape that Pu'u Kukui, the highest point in the West Maui mountains, now stands at 5,788 feet. The craggy landscape that replaced this once-massive volcano also helped give rise to Maui's nickname: "The Valley Isle."
Points of Interest
Over the millennia Maui's geography has changed even more drastically. Formed by six different volcanoes, the islands of Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe were once a single landmass known as Maui Nui ("Great Maui"). Rising sea levels eventually separated the islands, though they are still legally linked today — all are part of Maui County.
This varied landscape has led to an equally varied society: The central Maui town of Kahului/Wailuku is the island's business center; West Maui, with the sprawling beaches and upscale hotels of Ka'anapali and the historic whaling town of Lahaina, is one of Maui's major resort areas. South Maui is home to the island's other main resort district, Wailea; and while the tropical north shore of Maui does not offer hotels, visitors can choose from a collection of bed & breakfasts and rental homes.
What's More ...
• The second largest of the populated Hawaiian Islands, Maui also boasts the second-largest population in the state, behind O'ahu (120,785 in 1998).
• Haleakala, whose name translates as "house of the sun," is the largest dormant volcano in the world. Not yet extinct, it is expected to erupt sometime in the next 200 years (it last erupted in 1790).
• The underwater valleys that once connected Maui, Molokai Lanai and Kaho'olawe are shallower than the surrounding ocean, providing shelter for an abundance of marine life — including the humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiian waters during winter months to give birth to their calves.
• Temperatures on Maui range from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, although the slopes of Haleakala Crater often see lows of 40 degrees. The lowest recorded temperature on Haleakala was 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Maui's official flower is the loke lani (pink cottage rose)
• Maui's official color is pink
Over the millennia Maui's geography has changed even more drastically. Formed by six different volcanoes, the islands of Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe were once a single landmass known as Maui Nui ("Great Maui"). Rising sea levels eventually separated the islands, though they are still legally linked today — all are part of Maui County.
This varied landscape has led to an equally varied society: The central Maui town of Kahului/Wailuku is the island's business center; West Maui, with the sprawling beaches and upscale hotels of Ka'anapali and the historic whaling town of Lahaina, is one of Maui's major resort areas. South Maui is home to the island's other main resort district, Wailea; and while the tropical north shore of Maui does not offer hotels, visitors can choose from a collection of bed & breakfasts and rental homes.
What's More ...
• The second largest of the populated Hawaiian Islands, Maui also boasts the second-largest population in the state, behind O'ahu (120,785 in 1998).
• Haleakala, whose name translates as "house of the sun," is the largest dormant volcano in the world. Not yet extinct, it is expected to erupt sometime in the next 200 years (it last erupted in 1790).
• The underwater valleys that once connected Maui, Molokai Lanai and Kaho'olawe are shallower than the surrounding ocean, providing shelter for an abundance of marine life — including the humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiian waters during winter months to give birth to their calves.
• Temperatures on Maui range from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, although the slopes of Haleakala Crater often see lows of 40 degrees. The lowest recorded temperature on Haleakala was 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Maui's official flower is the loke lani (pink cottage rose)
• Maui's official color is pink
BIOLOGY Maui has a wide variety of plant and animal life. Many species are rare and endangered including the Nene Goose (the official state bird) and the Humpback Whale (the official state marine mammal). Vegetation zones include: coastal, dryland forest, mixed open forest, rain forest, subalpine and alpine.
CLIMATE Maui's average temperature range and annual rainfall varies by locale:
Major contributions to the State of Hawaii's economy include:
With the demise of its sugar and pineapple industries in the 1990's, Hawaii is working to diversify its economy with a focus on industries such as science and technology, health and wellness tourism, diversified agriculture, ocean research and development, and film and television production. A Study currently being conducted by the State is looking at the extent to which the benefits from tourism can be maintained, while sustaining the quality of our social, economic and environmental assets.
EDUCATION Maui County:
GEOGRAPHY Maui County includes the islands of Maui (the Valley Isle, 727.3 square miles with 120 miles of coastline), Molokai (the Friendly Isle, 260 square miles), Lanai (the Most Enticing Isle, formerly known as the Pineapple Isle, 140.6 square miles) and Kahoolawe (the uninhabited Forbidden Isle, 44.6 square miles, formerly used as a bombing practice range by the U.S. Navy and Air Force, it is now being restored and revegetated).
Maui is:
GOVERNMENT On Maui, as throughout the State, there are no separate municipal governments. The County of Maui is responsible for local government on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The uninhabited island of Kahoolawe is managed by the state's Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. The County has a mayor elected for up to two four-year terms and a nine member council with two-year terms. Maui's county seat is located in Wailuku.
HEALTH Practices (2004) Maui County (includes Molokai & Lanai): 284 Doctors, 76 Dentists, 994 Nurses and 87 Pharmacists.
OFFICIAL COLORS AND FLOWERS
CLIMATE Maui's average temperature range and annual rainfall varies by locale:
- Hana 71.3 - 76.8(°F) - aver. 69 inches
- Haleakala 42.6 - 50.0(°F) - aver. 44 inches
- Kihei 70.9 - 78.4(°F) - aver. 13 inches
- Lahaina 71.5 - 78.0(°F) - aver. 15 inches
- Kahului Airport Average Temperature:
- Jan. - Feb. 71.5(°F)
- Aug. - Sept . 79.2(°F)
CULTURAL HISTORY Maui is a multi-cultural society with major immigration from:
- Polynesia - 700 A.D.
- United States - 1820
- China - 1852
- Japan - 1868
- Portugal - 1878
- Puerto Rico - 1900
- Korea - 1903
- Philippines - 1906
- 2005 Visitor Arrivals to the State totaled 7.4 million (a record)
- 2005 Gross State Product was $54 billion
Major contributions to the State of Hawaii's economy include:
- Visitor Expenditures: $11.8 billion (2005) - an all-time high*
- Federal Defense Spending: $4.8 billion (2003)
- Construction (Private Building Permits): $3.5 billion (2005)
With the demise of its sugar and pineapple industries in the 1990's, Hawaii is working to diversify its economy with a focus on industries such as science and technology, health and wellness tourism, diversified agriculture, ocean research and development, and film and television production. A Study currently being conducted by the State is looking at the extent to which the benefits from tourism can be maintained, while sustaining the quality of our social, economic and environmental assets.
EDUCATION Maui County:
- K-12 students in public schools (2004): 20,839(excluding Special & Charter Schools)
- Number of Public schools (2005): 32
- Number of Private schools (2005): 17
GEOGRAPHY Maui County includes the islands of Maui (the Valley Isle, 727.3 square miles with 120 miles of coastline), Molokai (the Friendly Isle, 260 square miles), Lanai (the Most Enticing Isle, formerly known as the Pineapple Isle, 140.6 square miles) and Kahoolawe (the uninhabited Forbidden Isle, 44.6 square miles, formerly used as a bombing practice range by the U.S. Navy and Air Force, it is now being restored and revegetated).
Maui is:
- located in Polynesia
- near the center of the Pacific Ocean
- just below the Tropic of Cancer
- one of the most remote spots on Earth
- 2,300 miles west of California
- the second largest of the 8 main Hawaiian islands
GOVERNMENT On Maui, as throughout the State, there are no separate municipal governments. The County of Maui is responsible for local government on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The uninhabited island of Kahoolawe is managed by the state's Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. The County has a mayor elected for up to two four-year terms and a nine member council with two-year terms. Maui's county seat is located in Wailuku.
HEALTH Practices (2004) Maui County (includes Molokai & Lanai): 284 Doctors, 76 Dentists, 994 Nurses and 87 Pharmacists.
OFFICIAL COLORS AND FLOWERS
| Island Maui Molokai Lanai Kahoolawe |
Color Pink Green Orange Gray |
Flower Lokelani Kukui Kaunaoa Hinahina |
POPULATION Maui County had a resident population of 138,347 in 2004.
In 2003, Maui County's ethnic groups roughly broke down as follows:
Unmixed (except Hawaiian): 82,275 (61.35%)
Caucasian - 45,936 (34.26%)
Japanese - 13,817 (10.30%)
Filipino - 20,686 (15.43%)
Chinese - 489 (0.36%)
Black - No data (sample size too small)
Korean - 639 (0.48%)
Samoan/Tongan - 515 (0.38%)
Mixed (except Hawaiian) - 21,482 (16.02%)
Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian - 30,341 (22.63%)
TOURISM Maui County had approximately 2.4 million visitors in 2005.
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