Maui Information
Aloha and Welcome to MAUI!
WHY VISIT MAUI?
Maui HI - The Valley Isle
This Pacific Hawaiian Island of Maui is the second biggest of all the islands that are the Islands of Hawaii and Maui covers an area of just over 7oo square miles.
Maui island contains the 3rd largest population of all the Hawaiian islands. The more populated islands in order are nearby Oahu and neighboring Hawaii (the Big Island!). The largest town of the island is Kahului town, where you will find all the largest stores and shopping malls. Kahului is situated close to Wailuku, which is an old town and the seat of Maui County. Wailuku is located just up the hillside overlooking Kahului, which is also located right next to Maui’s main airport on the North Shore.
As most of you should know the island of Maui is an important part of the state of Hawaii and of course it is also the largest of the islands that make up Maui County, which also includes three more local islands, which can be seen from the shores of Maui, and these are Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, which is currently uninhabited.
From reading and studying old Hawaiian culture and historical records we know that Maui’s name originated from a famous Polynesian adventurer and navigator, who was the first to discover the Hawaiian Islands chain many years ago. The island of Maui was named after his own son, who had already been given the name after a local half-god called Maui. From previous Hawaiian legends it seems that the Maui demigod had caused all of the Hawaiian Islands to be raised right out of the Pacific Ocean.
Maui also has the name of the Valley Isle due to the large wide and flat plain that lies in central Maui between the two ancient volcanoes either side of it, one each in the western and east parts of this small island. These old volcanic peaks in the west are the West Maui Mountains and over in the east of the island there is thee dormant volcano of Haleakala (not quite extinct yet!).
Maui is an extremely popular vacation destination and for good reason. It has some of the most amazing beaches and blue oceans scene in the world and some the country’s top golf courses fringed with palm tress and awesome ocean views. And in the winter it is the destination of choice for many Americans and Canadians, who want to escape the icy grip of winter in their home locations.
The island excels as ocean activity center and is world renowned for surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and now stand-up paddle boarding. The ocean swells in the winter from far off storms bring huge waves to Maui’s shores, which aer great for these extreme activities and visitor entertainment too.
And of course their are many more, family oriented activities, such as Whale Watching trips, snorkeling and riding bikes down a volcano to keep everyone busy on a vacation however long it might be.
Links to Local Maui Information Websites
Maui Weather Today by “Top Hawaiian Weather Reporter” Glen James
Maui Surf Reports by “Daily Surf Predictions” Erik Olson
Maui North Shore Wind & Surf “live” Web Cams by Ray Masters
Some Local Contacts For Visitors:
Official Tourism Sites: www.visitmaui.com and www.gohawaii.com 808-244-3530
Haleakala National Park: www.nps.gov/hale 808-572-4400
Hana Lava Tube: www.mauicave.com 808-248-7308
Old Lahaina Luau: www.oldlahainaluau.com 800-248-5828
Feast at Lele: www.feastatlele.com 866-244-5353
Maui Snorkel Tours: www.mauisnorkeltours.com 808-268-9840
Atlantis Submarine: www.atlantisadventures.com 808-667-1790
Enjoy MAUI !
