| At 728 square miles, Maui is the second largest island | | | | effect missionary taboos on "womanising" and public |
| in the Hawaiian chain, and is actually formed from | | | | drunkenness, keeping them at constant odds with |
| two separate volcanic eruptions. The first volcano | | | | the sailors. |
| became the West Maui Mountains and has been | | | | Today, Lahaiana Harbor plays host to a number of |
| extinct for over a million years. The other, Haleakala, | | | | cruise ships, yachts, sailboats and even a passenger |
| is considered by experts to be dormant. Lava flows | | | | submarine. The old buildings are occupied by |
| and natural erosion on the land eventually formed an | | | | oceanfront shops and restaurants and the rich history |
| isthmus, or bridge, connecting the two land masses | | | | is kept alive with guided and self-guided walking |
| that is now Central Maui, hence the nickname "Valley | | | | tours, photographs and a surprising number of historic |
| Isle". | | | | homes, churches, museums, original courthouse and |
| Maui was originally settled by Polynesian voyagers | | | | prison. Lahaina is also the home of the Maui Myth & |
| traveling from Tahiti and the Marquesas, who braved | | | | Magic theatre and their original production "Ulalena". |
| the seas in outrigger canoes with only the stars and | | | | Nature & Eco-Tourism |
| the birds for navigation. These new settlers became | | | | The natural beauty of Maui's rainforest areas, volcanic |
| farmers and fishermen and built new lives, including | | | | craters and waterfalls have more recently made the |
| places of worship (Heiau), fishponds and even used | | | | island a popular destination for the eco-tourist. The |
| aqueduct irrigation systems to water their taro farms | | | | Eastern shores of Hana and the slopes of Haleakala |
| (Lo'i). While we are uncertain exactly when these first | | | | offer challenging hiking, cascading waterfalls & pools |
| brave souls touched ground, archaeological evidence | | | | and a host of native and non-native flora and fauna |
| has been dated at A.D. 700 and earlier. | | | | while the lava flows of South and West shores offer |
| In 1778, Captain James Cook set sail from the | | | | stark landscapes and panoramic views that are |
| waters of Tahiti on a fateful journey that led to the | | | | stunning settings for hiking, kayaking and horseback |
| "discovery" of the small group of islands Cook would | | | | riding. |
| later name the Sandwich Islands. Almost overnight, | | | | A number of ranches, hiking companies and local |
| the lives of the natives were transformed as | | | | guide services make the dream of really exploring the |
| subsequent explorers brought with them diseases the | | | | island an easy reality for almost every skill level. |
| islanders had never been exposed to, wreaking | | | | There are also a number of well-written guidebooks |
| havoc on the local population. These new arrivals also | | | | that can assist the budget traveler or those who |
| brought something else the islanders had not yet | | | | prefer to "go it alone". |
| been exposed to, cannons and guns. While there had | | | | Beaches & Leisure |
| previously been battle between the islands, this | | | | Second only to Oahu as a visitor destination, Maui has |
| created a very new way to fight, indeed. In 1790, | | | | had the distinction of being voted "Best Island in the |
| King Kamehameha began using these new weapons | | | | World" the readers of both Condé Nast |
| and would eventually become the first leader to unite | | | | Traveller and Travel and Leisure magazines for 10 |
| all of the islands under one rule. | | | | years in a row. Surrounded by over 120 miles of |
| Lahaina, Whalers & Missionaries | | | | coastline, warm Pacific waters and some of the most |
| Kamehameha's one-time Capitol of Hawaii, the historic | | | | sought after beaches in the world, this is a water |
| port of Lahaina has quite a colorful past! In the early | | | | enthusiasts' dream come true. |
| 1800's, as the first whaling ships found their way to | | | | Visitors to the island are able to enjoy a wide array |
| Maui's shores, sailors found an idyllic paradise, exotic | | | | of leisure activities, including snorkeling from the |
| women, intoxicating spirits and tropical breezes. | | | | beach, boating tours from Lahaina, Maalaea and Kihei |
| Lahaina would eventually replace Honolulu Harbor as | | | | harbors, jet skiing, para-sailing and seasonal Humpback |
| the favorite resting place for the whalers, playing | | | | Whale watching. The monster waves of Jaws and |
| host to more than 500 visiting whaling ships annually. | | | | perfect conditions at Hookipa Beach have made |
| The sailor's free-spirited life-style was soon to be | | | | Maui's North Shore a Mecca for surfers and |
| challenged with the arrival of the first Missionaries in | | | | windsurfers the world over, creating an awesome |
| 1823. These new visitors to the island brought about | | | | spectacle for those who prefer to stay on the beach |
| great change in social morays and were able to | | | | and watch. |