| Maui | |||||||||
| Nickname: | The Valley Isle | ||||||||
| Location: | 20.8°N -174°W | ||||||||
| Area Sqmi: | 727.2 | ||||||||
| Highest Mount: | Haleakalā | ||||||||
| Elevation Ft: | 10,023 | ||||||||
| Demonym: | Mauian | ||||||||
| Population: | 164,221 | ||||||||
| Population As Of: | 2021 | ||||||||
| Density Sqmi: | 162 | ||||||||
| Country Largest City: | Kahului | ||||||||
| Country: |  United States | ||||||||
| Country Admin Divisions: |
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| Rank: | 2nd largest Hawaiian island | ||||||||
Maui (; Hawaiian: in Hawaiian pronounced as /ˈmɐwwi/)[1] is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of Maui County's five islands, along with Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, and Molokini.
In 2020, Maui had a population of 168,307, the third-highest of the Hawaiian Islands, behind Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Kahului is the largest census-designated place (CDP) on the island, with a 2020 population of 28,219. It is Mauis commercial and financial hub.[2] Wailuku is the county seat and was the third-largest CDP . Other significant populated areas include Kīhei (including Wailea and Makena in the Kihei Town CDP), Lāhainā (including Kāʻanapali and Kapalua in the Lāhainā Town CDP), and Upcountry Maui (including Makawao, Pukalani, Kula, and Ulupalakua), although Lāhainā was mostly destroyed by fire in 2023.
Once part of Maui Nui, Maui is dominated by two volcanic features: Haleakalā in the southeast, and the West Maui Mountains in the northwest. The two are connected by an isthmus about six miles wide that gives the island its nickname, the Valley Isle.[3]
Maui has a significant tourism industry, with nearly three million visitors in 2022.[4] A 2023 report based on 2017 data concluded that nearly 40% of Maui County's economy was tourism-related.[5] Popular tourist destinations include the resorts in the Kāʻanapali, Kapalua, and Kihei/Wailea/Makena areas; Hāna and the Hana Highway; Iao Valley; Haleakalā National Park; and its many beaches.
Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island's name in the legend of Hawaiʻiloa, the navigator credited with discovering the Hawaiian Islands. According to that tradition, Hawaiʻiloa named the island after his son, who in turn was named for the demigod Māui. Maui's previous name was ʻIhikapalaumaewa. Maui Island is also called the "Valley Isle" for the large isthmus connecting its northwestern and southeastern volcanic masses.
The islands' volcanic cones are formed from basalt, a dark, iron-rich/silica-poor rock, which poured out of thousands of vents as fluid lava over millions of years. Some of its volcanoes were close enough to each other that lava flows on their flanks overlapped, merging into a single island. Maui is one such "volcanic doublet," formed from two shield volcanoes that overlapped to form Maui's isthmus.[6]
The older, western volcano has eroded considerably, forming the peaks of the West Maui Mountains (in Hawaiian, Mauna Kahalawai). Puʻu Kukui is the highest, at . The larger, younger volcano to the east, Haleakalā, rises to above sea level, and measures from seafloor to summit. The eastern flanks of both volcanoes are cut by deeply incised valleys and steep-sided ravines that run downslope to the rocky, windswept shoreline. The isthmus was formed by sandy erosional deposits.
Maui's last eruption (originating in Haleakalā's Southwest Rift Zone) likely occurred between 1480 and 1600;[7] the resulting lava flows are located at Cape Kīnaʻu between ʻĀhihi Bay and La Perouse Bay. Haleakalā is dormant, but not extinct.[8]
Maui is part of a much larger unit, Maui Nui, that includes the islands of Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi, and the now submerged Penguin Bank. During periods of reduced sea level, including as recently as 200,000 years ago,[9] the channels between them become exposed and join the island into a single landmass.
See main article: Climate of Hawaii. The climate is characterized by a two-season year, tropical and uniform temperatures at any given elevation, geographic differences in rainfall, high relative humidity, extensive cloud formations (except on the leeward coasts and at the highest elevations), and dominant trade wind flow (especially at lower elevations).
Maui has a range of climatic conditions and weather patterns:
Maui displays diverse climatic conditions, each of which is specific to a sub-region. These sub-regions are defined by major physiographic features (such as mountains and valleys) and by location on the windward or leeward side.
Maui's daytime temperatures average between and year round, while evening temperatures are about cooler in the more humid windward areas, about cooler in the drier leeward areas, and cooler still in higher elevations.
An exception to the normal pattern is the occasional winter Kona storm that brings rainfall to the South and West areas accompanied by high southwesterly winds (opposite of the prevailing trade wind direction).
Maui has examples of all microclimates, each typical to specific locations.
These microclimates help to define the major regions: Central Maui; leeward South Maui and West Maui; windward North Shore and East Maui; and Upcountry.[10]
Showers are common; while some of these are heavy, the majority are light and brief. Thunder and lightning are rare, even during intense storms. Throughout the lowlands, summer trade winds produce a drier season. Annual rainfall averages in leeward coastal areas, such as the shoreline from Maalaea Bay to Kaupo. At the other extreme, the average exceeds along the lower windward slopes of Haleakalā, particularly along Hāna Highway. Big Bog, a spot on the edge of Haleakalā National Park overlooking Hana at about elevation had an estimated mean annual rainfall of over the 30-year period of 1978 to 2007.[15] If the islands of Hawaii did not exist, the average annual rainfall on the same patch of water would be about . Instead, the mountainous topography induces an average of about .In the lowlands, rainfall is most likely to occur during night or morning hours, and least likely in mid-afternoon. The most pronounced daily variations in rainfall occur during the summer because summer rainfall generally consists of night-time trade wind showers. Winter rainfall in the lowlands is the result of storm activity, which is as likely to occur in the daytime as at night. Rainfall variability is far greater during the winter when occasional storms contribute appreciably to rainfall totals. Such wide swings in rainfall produce occasional droughts, sometimes causing economic losses. These occur when winter rains fail to produce sufficient significant rain, impacting normally dry areas outside the trade winds that depend on them the most. The winter of 2011–2012 produced extreme drought on the leeward sides Maui, and some other islands.
Maui is home to a large rainforest on the northeastern flanks of Haleakalā, which serves as the drainage basin for that side.
Maui is home to many coral reefs. However, many have been damaged by pollution, run-off, and tourism, although sea turtles, dolphins, and Hawaii's celebrated tropical fish remain abundant. Leeward Maui once boasted a dry cloud forest, but this was destroyed by human activities over the last three hundred years.[16]
See main article: Endemism in the Hawaiian Islands. Maui is the leading whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands for the humpback whales who winter in Maui County's sheltered ʻAuʻau Channel. These mammals migrate approximately from Alaskan waters each autumn and spend November-April mating and birthing in the warm waters. They are typically sighted in pods: small groups of several adults, or groups of a mother, her calf, and a few suitors. Humpbacks are an endangered species protected by U.S. federal and Hawaiʻi state law. An estimated 21,000-26,000 humpbacks live in North Pacific waters.[17] Although they face many dangers, due to pollution, commercial vessels, and military sonar testing, their numbers have increased rapidly in recent years, estimated at 7% growth per year.[18] Birdlife lacks the concentration of endemic species found in some other Hawaiian islands. As recently as 200,000 years ago Maui was part of Maui Nui, thus reducing the odds that birds or other species would be endemic to any single one of these. Although Molokaʻi had several endemic bird species, in modern times Maui Nui's other islands host little endemic birdlife. During and after the Maui Nui period, Maui hosted a species of moa-nalo (also found on Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe), a species of harrier (the wood harrier, shared with Molokaʻi), an undescribed sea eagle (Maui only), and three species of ground-dwelling flightless ibis (Apteribis sp.), plus other species. Today, Maui's most notable surviving endemic birds are probably the 'Akohekohe (Palmeria dolei) and the Maui parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys), also known as Kiwikiu, both of which are critically endangered and only found in an alpine forest on the windward slopes of Haleakalā.
Conservation efforts have examined how to mitigate female parrotbill mortality since that is s a key driving factor driving population decline. The parrotbill lacks resistance to mosquito-born diseases, particularly avian malaria, so only forests above 1500 meters of elevation provide refuge. The habitat was undergoing restoration in east Maui as of 2018.[19] As Maui's human population grew, previously undeveloped areas that provided a refuge decreased in size. More than 250 species of local flora are federally listed as endangered or threatened.[20] Birds found on other islands as well as Maui include the I'iwi (Drepanis coccinea], 'Apapane (Himatione sanguinea), Hawai'i 'Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens), as Maui 'Alauahio (Paroreomyza montana) well as the Nene (Branta sandvicensis, Hawaii's state bird), Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai), Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni).
In 2024, Haleakala National Park began to employ the incompatible insect technique to reduce the park's mosquito population.[21]
Maui is also home to the Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaii's only native terrestrial mammal. Marine mammals notably include spinner, bottlenose, and spotted dolphins.[22]
See main article: History of Maui. Polynesians from Tahiti were Maui's original inhabitants. They introduced the kapu system, a strict social order that affected all aspects of life and became the core of Hawaiian culture. Modern Hawaiian history began in the mid-18th century. Kamehameha I, king Hawaiʻi island, invaded Maui in 1790 and fought the inconclusive Battle of Kepaniwai. He returned to Hawaiʻi to battle a rival, subduing Maui a few years later.
On November 26, 1778, explorer James Cook became the first European to see Maui. Cook never set foot on the island, because he was unable to find a suitable landing. The first European to come ashore was French admiral Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, who landed on the shores of what became La Perouse Bay on May 29, 1786. More Europeans followed: traders, whalers, loggers (e.g., of sandalwood) and missionaries. The latter began to arrive from New England in 1823, settling in Lahaina, at that time Hawaii's capitol. They clothed the natives, banned hula, and greatly altered the culture. The missionaries taught reading and writing, devised the Hawaiian alphabet, operated a printing press in Lahaina, and began recording the islands' history, which had been transmitted only orally.[23] The missionaries both altered and preserved the native culture. The religious work altered the culture while the literacy efforts preserved history and language. Missionaries started the first school in Lahaina, Lahainaluna Mission School, which opened in 1831 and still exists.
At the height of the whaling era (1843–1860), Lahaina was a major center. In one season over 400 ships visited with up to 100 anchored at one time in Lāhainā Roads. Ships tended to stay for weeks rather than days, fostering extended drinking and the rise of prostitution, against which the missionaries battled. Whaling declined steeply at the end of the 19th century as petroleum replaced whale oil.
Along with the rest of Hawaii, Maui was part of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the Republic of Hawaii, Hawaiian territory, and the state of Hawaii.
In 1937, Vibora Luviminda trade union conducted the final ethnic strike action in the Hawaiian Islands against four Maui sugarcane plantations, demanding higher wages and the dismissal of five foremen. Manuel Fagel and nine other strike leaders were arrested, and charged with kidnapping a worker. Fagel spent four months in jail while the strike continued. Eventually, Vibora Luviminda made its point and the workers won a 15% increase in wages after 85 days on strike, but no written contract was signed.
Maui was involved in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a staging center, training base, and rest and relaxation site. At the peak in 1943–1944, more than 100,000 soldiers were based there. The main base of the 4th Marine Division was in Haiku. Beaches were used to practice landings and train in marine demolition and sabotage.
The island experienced rapid population growth through 2007. At the time, Kīhei was one of the most rapidly growing towns in the United States. The island attracted many retirees, with accompanying service providers. Population growth produced strains, including traffic, housing cost/availability, and access to water.
In the 2000s, controversies raged over whether to allow continued real-estate development. Vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods became a flashpoint - many were unpermitted, and were later closed after enforcement escalated. The Hawaii Superferry briefly offered interisland service, before it was banned for not having completed an EIS.[24]
In 2016, Maui residents convinced officials to switch to organic pesticides for highway applications after they learned that label requirements for glyphosate formulations had not been followed.[25]
The new millenium brought droughts, increasing pressure on the ʻĪao aquifer, with withdrawals rising above 18 million U.S. gallons (68,000 m3) per day. Recent estimates indicate that Maui has a potential supply of potable water around 476 million U.S. gallons (1,800,000 m3) per day, virtually all of which drains into the ocean.
Water for agriculture comes mostly from East Maui streams, routed through a network of tunnels and ditches dug by Chinese laborers in the 19th century.
In 2006, Paia petitioned the county to avoid mixing in treated water from wells known to be contaminated with 1,2-dibromoethane and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane from former pineapple cultivation.[26] Agriculture companies were released from liability for these chemicals.[27] In 2009, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and others successfully argued in court that sugar companies should reduce the amount of water they take from four streams.[28]
Tourism is Maui's major industry. Other large sectors include development, retail, business services, health care, and government. Maui has a growing presence in agriculture and information technology.
Unemployment tends to be well below the US average, e.g., 1.7% in December 2006, rising to only 9% in March 2009[29] before falling to 2.1% in January, 2018.[30] The 2023 fires upended that norm, raising unemployment above the Hawaii and US figures.
Maui's primary agriculture products are corn and other seeds, fruits, cattle, wine, and vegetables.[31] Specific products include coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, flowers and fresh pineapple. In 1974, Emil Tedeschi of the Napa Valley winegrower family of Calistoga, California, established the first Hawaiian commercial winery, the Tedeschi Winery (later Maui Wine) at Ulupalakua Ranch, initially focused on pineapple wine.[32]
Historically, Maui's primary products were sugar and pineapple. Maui Land & Pineapple Company[33] and Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company[34] (HC&S, a subsidiary of Alexander and Baldwin Company) dominated agricultural activity. In 2016, sugar production ended.[35] Haliimaile Pineapple Co. grows pineapple on former Maui Land & Pineapple Co. land.[36]
In November 2014, a Maui County referendum enacted a moratorium on genetically engineered crops.[37] Shortly thereafter Monsanto and other agribusinesses obtained a court injunction suspending the moratorium.
In 2018, Canadian pension fund Public Sector Pension Investment Board purchased A&B's Maui farmlands (41,000 acres) and contracted with Mahi Pono, a subsidiary of Trinitas Partners to return these fallow lands to agriculture. Mahi Pono also has a controlling interest in Maui Cattle Company.[38] [39]
Most technology organizations that are located on the island occupy the Maui Research & Technology Park[40] which is located in Kihei. This includes the Maui Research and Technology Center and the Pacific Disaster Center. It is a program of the High Technology Development Corporation,[41] an agency of the State of Hawaii, whose focus is to facilitate the growth of Hawaii's commercial high-technology sector.[42]
Maui is an important center for advanced astronomical research. The Haleakalā Observatory[43] was Hawaii's first astronomical research and development facility, operating at the Maui Space Surveillance Site (MSSS) electro-optical facility. "At the 10,023-foot summit of the long-dormant volcano Haleakalā, operational satellite tracking facilities are co-located with a research and development facility providing data acquisition and communication support. The high elevation, dry climate, and freedom from light pollution offer virtually year-round observation of satellites, missiles, man-made orbital debris, and astronomical objects."
Snorkeling and diving are popular activities on Maui, with over 30 beaches and bays and at Molokini. Maui's trade winds tend to come from the northeast, making the most popular places to snorkel on the sheltered south and west shores. Maui's ocean water is especially clear due in part to its isolation in the Central Pacific.
Maui is a well-known destination for windsurfing. Kanaha Beach Park is a very well-known windsurfing spot and may have stand-up paddle boarders or surfers if there are waves and no wind. Windsurfing has evolved on Maui since the early 1980s when it was recognized as an ideal location to test equipment and publicize the sport.
Surfing is one of Hawaii's most popular sports. Ho'okipa Beach Park is one of Maui's most famous surfing and windsurfing spot. Other frequently surfed areas include Slaughterhouse Beach, Honolua Bay, Pe'ahi (Jaws), and Fleming Beach. The north side absorbs the most swell during the winter season and the south and west in the summertime. Due to island blocking, summer south swells tend to be weak and rare. Stand-up paddling is popular across Maui.
Kitesurfing is popular, particularly at Kanaha Beach Park.
Wing foiling is the newest way to ride the wind, and is particularly practiced at Kahului Harbor.
See also: Tourism in Hawaii. The main tourist attractions are Hāna and Haleakalā National Park. Hāna Highway runs along the east coast, crossing many streams and passing black sand beaches and waterfalls. Haleakalā National Park is home to Haleakalā, a dormant volcano. Another attraction is the Maui Ocean Center aquarium in Ma'alaea.[44]
However, visitors spend most of their time at and around the resorts in West Maui (Kāʻanapali, Nāpili-Honokōwai, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua) and South Maui (Kīhei, Wailea-Mākena). Cruise ships dock at Kahului Harbor. Smaller ports at Lahaina Harbor (temporarily closed) and Maʻalaea Harbor (located between Lahaina and Kihei). The town of Lahaina was a popular attraction until the 2023 fires, but is closed indefinitely.[45]
While winning travel industry awards as Best Island In The World[46] in recent years some locals and environmentalists criticized what the saw as overdevelopment. Activist groups such as Save Makena[47] have taken the government to court to protect local citizens' rights.[48]
The Maui Bus is a county-funded program that provides transportation around the island for nominal fares.[49]
Three airports provide air service to Maui:
Malama I Ke Ola Health Center and Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) are the only acute care hospital in Maui County. Kula Hospital is a critical access hospital located on the southern half in the rural town of Kula. Kula Hospital is an MMMC affiliate. Although not technically a hospital or emergency room, Hana Health Clinic (or Hana Medical Center), works in cooperation with American Medical Response and MMMC to stabilize and transport patients with emergent medical conditions. These facilities operate 24/7.[50] [51] [52]
Maui is twinned with:
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Arequipa, Perú