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Maui
More about Maui
Set amid the Hawaiian archipelago, this lush island, formed from two volcanoes, was once the home of Hawaiian royalty.
Through the years, it also served as a base for Christian missionaries, a port of call for whaling vessels, and the site of Hawaii's most productive sugar cane and pineapple plantations.
Today, that eclectic heritage still exists, adding to the texture of cultures that is modern-day Maui.
Stunning resorts now occupy the island's west coast, along with Lahaina, a hip seaside town and long-ago Polynesian capital.
The eastern seaboard is occupied by the mountainous rainforest region of Hana and Haleakala National Park, home to some of the region's most spectacular natural beauty.
Gorgeous beaches accommodate any water sport imaginable, and the island's quaint towns invite exploration and discovery.
Steeped in history and simultaneously commercial and rugged, Maui is caressed by the sun and cradled by the sea a Pacific destination just this side of paradise.
Maui Factoids
Fact 1: The Maui Film Festival premieres works that aren't carried by commercial cinema houses and juxtaposes their viewings against traditional island storytelling methods, including hula.
The festival, the largest of its kind in the state, features tons of music, great food, and, as you might expect, that quintessential, laid-back island atmosphere.
Fact 2: According to local lore, the demigod Maui captured the sun while standing atop Haleakala Mountain in order to give his people more sunlight hours.
No visit to this island paradise would be complete without taking in the inspiring sunrise from Haleakala's Pu'u 'Ula'ula summit.
This is certainly a must if you want to share an unforgettable moment with that someone special just be sure you dress appropriately because dawn temperatures at Pu'u 'Ula'ula can get as low as 30°.
Fact 3: How hard could the spelling bee be? The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters: a, e, i, o, u, h, k, l, m, n, p, and w.
Of course, their okina ' is a true Hawaiian consonant, even though it looks like the English apostrophe.
For example, Hawaiian for "come and eat" is "mai 'ai" (pronounced: "my-ee i-ee").
Fact 4: Molokini Island, located just out from Wailea and Makena Beaches, is a haven for snorkelers and divers.
This semi-submerged crater and coral reef is home to a colorful cornucopia of marine life, including darting trumpet fish, manta rays, white reef sharks, and even an elusive whale shark or two.
Fact 5: Aside from being a favorite haunt of artists and lovebirds, Haleakala Mountain also attracts wide-eyed stargazers, who head to Science City on the northeast side of the mountain.
Fact 6: Pan-seared mahi mahi, tiger-eye ahi sushi, kalua suckling pig, pineapple compote, and ahi tuna tartare...The regional cuisine you'll sample on Maui ranks among the best in the world not to mention the most colorful.
Fact 7: Charles A.
Lindbergh is buried in the quiet cemetery beside Palapala Ho'omau Church in Kipahulu.
The simple grave of the aviator, made famous for his flight across the Atlantic, contains only his name, dates (1902-1974), and the first part of Psalm 139: "If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea..."
Fact 8: Haleakala Crater, which spreads out over 25 square miles, is larger than most "big" US cities.
The crater sits at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet, making it a spectacular sight from passing jet planes.
Haleakala's last recorded eruption took place in the late 18th century, but little geologic activity has been reported in the years since, leading many to deem the volcano dormant.
Fact 9: Located about seven miles southwest of Hana, Wailua and Kanahualui Falls offer picture-perfect images of the island's corporeal beauty: two narrow streams falling from a precipice into a cool blue reservoir ringed with exotic vegetation.
Could there be a better representation of paradise?
Fact 10: Lahaina's Maluuluolele Park, a public greenspace, was once the site of a beautiful royal estate.
However, the residence was razed in 1918, and the surrounding sacred pond was filled in soon after.
Today, city leaders are leading the charge toward reclaiming the area and preserving its history.
