Climate

Precipitation occurs in the winter months - from October to April. From May to September it is warm and dry, but hurricanes are possible. The warmest month is August, temperatures can reach +31°C.

Maui cuisine

Seafood takes center stage on the island of Maui. They are included in the national menu along with exotic fruits. One of the most famous and favorite dishes among guests of the island is “lomilomi” - pieces of chopped raw salmon with fresh tomatoes. Lovers of meat dishes should definitely try “pipikula” - spicy beef with all kinds of spices. The delicious breadfruit is served as a separate dish and baked whole in the oven; this dish is called “ulu”.

The restaurants offer both local and international cuisine.

What to visit

The island of Maui boasts its own unique natural landscapes.

In the city center you can see the famous banyan tree. It was planted in 1873 and is now the oldest on the island.

An important excursion destination is Haleakala National Park, named after the extinct Haleakala volcano. Its height is 3055 meters. This is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. Most of the park is untouched tropical forests; the volcano itself is home to many exotic shrubs and trees.

You should definitely visit the Lao Valley; once upon a time, great battles took place here, as a result of which the island lost its independence.

In any city on the island, tourists will find something to see: ancient buildings, squares, cultural monuments. Many take a tour of the local Tedeschi Winery. They make excellent pineapple wine here, which you can taste.

Those who are not indifferent to the underwater life of Maui and the nearby islands of the Hawaiian archipelago should visit the Ocean Center of the island. Here you can watch different types of fish swimming in a huge aquarium.

From November to May, the island hosts the famous Whale Festival. Many come here to see this magnificent spectacle.

How to get there

Most tourists fly to Maui from mainland airports or from other Hawaiian Islands to Kahului International Airport (OGG; http://hawaii.gov/ogg). From the airport bio-diesel Speedi Shuttle (Tel: 877-242-5777; www.speedishuttle.com) costs $35 to Kihei and $50 to Lahaina.

Maui Bus for Islanders (Tel: 808-871-4838; www.mauicounty.gov/bus) makes several daily routes ($1 tariff), stopping in the main cities but not visiting many tourist spots (for example, to Haleakala National Park). You can rent an eco-friendly vehicle or jeep from Bio-Beetle (Tel: 808-873-6121; www.bio-beetie.com).

Lahaina and Western Maya

If you prefer a huge hotel or resort, stay in the western part of Maui, where you will find beautiful beaches. For some history, entertainment and dining, spend some time in Lahaina, an architecturally well-preserved 19th-century town. was a whaling center.

The focal point of Lahaina is its bustling little harbor, home to the Pioneer Inn and Banyan Tree Sq, home to the largest Indian ficus tree in the United States. The main tourist attraction is the coastal street Front St, where there are a myriad of shops, galleries and restaurants. Within walking distance of the waterline are several small but cheerful museums, mission houses, prisons built for rowdy sailors, and a colorful meeting hall for "Chinese immigrants." The tourism center is in the old courthouse and you can pick up a walking map there.

To get to those world-famous beaches, head north and go straight. Between Kaanapali and Kapalua, it's one incredible beach after another. The three best are Kahekili Park Beach, Kapalua Beach and DT Fleming. All types of water sports are available and equipment rentals are available.

Maalaea

Maalaea Bay lies along the narrow span dividing the West Maui Mountains (West Maui Mountains) and Haleakala Volcano (Haleakala). Gusts of wind between the mountain ranges, which are especially strong at midday, create the best conditions for windsurfing on Maui. Maui Aquarium (www.mauioceancenter.com; 192 Ma"alaea Rd; adult/children 3-12 years old $26/19; 9.00-17.00, until 18.00 July and August), The largest tropical aquarium in the USA, a real feast for your eyes (but not for your stomach!). The Hawaiian marine exhibits are so close to you that it feels like you're in the water with them without scuba gear.

Kihei and South Maui

The sunny beaches that stretch for miles south of Kihei are traditionally considered less fashionable than West Maui. Tourists are drawn to this coastline because it is more accessible and the windsurfing, swimming, diving, kayaking and accommodation are amazing. South Pacific Kayaks Company (Tel: 808-875-4848; www.southpacifickayaks.com; kayak rentals for 1-2 people $40/60, tours $59-139) offers stand-up paddle boarding tours and teaches surfing and stand-up paddling.

The most upscale community on Maui, Wailea (Wailea) boasts million-dollar villas and extravagant resorts with prices to match, all because this coastal strip has tawny beaches that are close to perfection. South Wailea, Makena (Makena) offers some stunning wild beaches, especially the Grand Beach (Big Beach) and secluded Little Beach (Little Beach)- as well as the Ahihi-Kinau Nature Reserve ("Ahihi-Kina"u Natural Area Reserve) which are surrounded by a railway, historical ruins and hidden diving caves.

To reach Molokini (Molokini), an underwater volcanic crater will be the best place for snorkeling and diving in Maui. You can use one of the tours from Kihei-based Maui Dreams Dive Co. (Tel: 808-874-5332; www.mauidreamsdiveco.com; 2 dive tanks $129) or Blue Water Rafting (Tel: 808-879-7238; www.bluewaterrafting.com; adult/child scuba diving tours from $50/$39).

Kahului and Wailuku

The two largest population centers on Maui make the single area haphazardly developed. Kahului is home to windsurfing shops where staff give lessons on the perpetually windy Kanaha Beach (Kanaha Beach) close to the airport. On the outskirts of Wailulu is Iao Valley State Monument (lao Valley State Monument) (www.hawaiistateparks.org; "lao Valley Rd; car $5; 7.00-19.00), located on the top of the picturesque mountain Iao Needle (lao Needle), which rises 365 m from the foot.

Paia

A former sugar plantation town, Paia is the surfing and windsurfing capital of Maui. To watch the athletes, head to Honokipa Beach (Ho"okipa Beach).

Hana

The influence of the continental United States, so evident elsewhere on the island of Maui, is completely absent in Hana, where many native Hawaiians live and where they maintain an urban tranquil atmosphere and rural seclusion.

The road south from Hana is lined with organic farms and fruit plantations and is incredibly beautiful. Current Oxeo ("Ohe"o Stream) passes through the Oxeo Gorge ("Ohe"o Gulch), where there is a series of beautiful natural pools and waterfalls flowing into one another. The coastal section of Hale Akala National Park offers hiking trails through bamboo thickets and free primitive camping. (reservation not required), - don't forget water and insect repellent!

Scenic Drive: Road to Hana

One of the most scenic routes in Hawaii is the Hana Highway (Highway 360), which runs through jungle valleys overlooking the ocean. The road, located on a very steep slope, features 54 single-lane bridges, roadside waterfalls and breathtaking views. You need to refuel and buy snacks and drinks in Paiaia before departure.

Swimming gorges, breathtaking views and wonderful hiking trails are everywhere. Take a detour to see the ancient shore trails and black sand beaches of Wainapanapa State Park (Wai"anapanapa State Park), which offers a base campground ($18) or a hut ($90) ; to book an overnight stay (it's necessary), contact the State Parks Division (Division of State Parks) (Tel: 808-984-8109; www.hawaiistateparks.org).

Haleakala National Park

No trip to Maui would be complete without visiting this incredible National Park. (www.nps.gov/hale; 3-day car pass $10), where the almighty East Maui Volcano is located. From above, not far from the top of the volcano, there are beautiful views of the lunar-like surface and multi-colored smoldering cones. To get unforgettable (and relaxing) experience, it is better to arrive at dawn. This event will be, as Mark Twain would say, “the greatest spectacle” ever seen. Check weather conditions and sunrise times before your trip (Tel: 866-944-5025).

Don't limit your trip to roadside sights: with a good pair of hiking boots and warm, waterproof clothing, you can descend into Halemau'u Crater (Halemau"u) or along the sloped sandy trails (Sliding Sands Tfrails). Find a free campground (reservation not required) in Hosmer Grove (Hosmer Grove), near the entrance to the park. The most amazing option for overnight stay is wilderness huts (https://fhnp.org/wcr; per night $60-75) at the foot of the crater. Demand is high, so book online 90 days in advance.

Whale watching

Every winter, from late November to mid-May, approximately 10,000 leaping whales gather in the shallow waters along Maui's west coast. to reproduce, give birth and raise young. These truly amazing creatures can be easily spotted from the shore, especially when they perform their acrobatic feats. You can listen to them sing online at www.whalesong.net.

For a closer look, you can take a special cruise organized by the non-profit organization Pacific Whale Foundation (Pacific Whale Foundation) (Tel: 808-249-8811; www.pacificwhale.org; 2-hour cruise adult/children 7-12 years $49/17), which departs from Lahaina and Maalaea harbors. Another place to see these magnificent mammals is the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Headquarters (Tel: 808-879-2818; http://hawaiihumpback whale.noaa.gov; 726 S Kihei Rd; 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri.), which is located on the Kihei coast and offers educational programs and telescopes for whale watching further offshore.

Lying between Hawaii and Molokai, the island of Maui (1883 sq. km - the second largest in the archipelago) is the only Polynesian island that received its name in honor of a deity (usually such a technique is taboo, but here the case is special - the great sailor Hawailoa first named his son in honor of God, and then an island in honor of his son). Formed by two huge extinct volcanoes - Haleakala (literally "House of the Sun", 3055 m) in the east and Maui (1720 m) in the west, from above it resembles a giant figure eight, since the volcanic cones are connected by a vast valley (hence the second name of Maui - "Island valleys"). West Maui is quite deserted and full of barren lava fields, but the lush rainforests and swamps of the eastern slopes are the most beautiful area of ​​​​the island.

Maui Attractions

The main historical attraction of the island is the streets of the old town Lahaina, once the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, and today famous for its Old Court (1859, now there is a gallery of works by local artists), Baldwin House (the oldest building in the city - 1834), Hing Temple (1912 , now the Chinese Community Museum), the old Paahao Prison (1852, today the Historical Museum) and the old Hale-Pai Printing House, which is still in operation.

The best places to relax are considered wild Kiheli coast, famous Kaeleku Maui Caves at the foot of the tropical Hana forests, a fashionable resort town Kaanapali with the Whaling Museum north of Lahaina; rocky lava black rock cape and excellent diving spots around it; long sandy coastline around Kihei(southwest coast of Maui); Maalaea Bay- a great place for all types of surfing; botanical gardens and the Church of the Holy Spirit (1897) in Kula; rest zone Spring-Polipoli and the Kula Forest Preserve on the western slope of Haleakala; shores Maipoina Oe Lau Beach And Kamaole Beach; lava tubes and forest fields Ahihi-Kinau Nature Reserve in the bay of the same name; as well as an artificial reef beach Keawakapu Beach with good conditions for snorkeling.

The crater is also noteworthy Haleakala- the largest inactive volcano in the world (12 km long and 4 km wide), whose surface more closely resembles a lunar landscape. There is a national park of the same name that protects the entire mountain from the crater to the Oheo reservoirs located at the foot of the lake. In addition to the amazing life forms and massive lava formations found throughout the park, you can see the so-called “Brocken spectrum” - a rare optical phenomenon that manifests itself in the projection of an observer’s shadow, enlarged and colored with all the colors of the rainbow, onto the clouds.

There are many beautiful places to visit Hana Highway, running along the northeast coast of Maui between Kahului and Hana. Built in 1927, the road makes more than 600 turns along its route and crosses 54 valleys on bridges, passing through such picturesque places that it is often considered an independent landmark of the island. Here you can see Jaipuaena waterfalls with a deep pond, a small village Keanae with a 19th century church built from lava and coral blocks, roadside Puaa Kaa Park with a small waterfall and also magnificent Kainalimu Bay with Hawaiian temple ruins and many amazing landscape shapes.

Haleakala National Park offers the best walking tours through the craters of ancient volcanoes and about 60 km of cycling and horse riding routes throughout the surrounding area. State Waianapanapa Park Famous for its impressive lava caves, black beach, and many picturesque sea arches and caves. IN Kealia Pond National Forest An ancient salt marsh remains, inhabited by a variety of rare birds, from the endangered Hawaiian stilt and coots to herons.

Most of the modern tourist infrastructure is concentrated around Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kihei, as well as around Haiku, Kula or Hana (here they are slightly lower in level, but do not suffer from an influx of tourists).

Activities on Maui

Surfing is good on the windward northern and eastern shores, and Ho'okipa Beach near Paia, along with Maalaea Pipeline and Honolua Bay, is considered the best place for this type of activity. Hokipa Beach is suitable for experienced windsurfers, while extreme sports enthusiasts will appreciate the shores near Paia and Kanaha.

The best place to dive is the underwater volcanic crater of nearby Molokini Island or the waters of Lanai Island, where the fish are almost tame and the water is clear. The underwater volcanic crater of Molokini Island is located halfway between Maui and Kahoolawe. Half of the crater ring collapsed many thousands of years ago, leaving a crescent-shaped lagoon, and the island itself rises just 49 meters above the ocean's surface. The islet boasts many excellent snorkeling spots, clear waters and an abundance of marine life inhabiting the generally shallow lagoon. However, the local ecocenosis is under powerful pressure from tourism, so the local reefs are largely damaged by the anchors of numerous boats and pleasure boats. Black Rock in Kaanapali and Kapalua Bay are good spots for snorkeling.

Humpback whales enter the waters around Maui between December and March, and their pods are easily visible from shore.

Beaches of Maui

The beaches of Maui are perfect for windsurfers.

Big Beach– the largest beach on the island. Length - 1100 feet, width - 65 feet. The beach, located within Makena State Park, feels secluded and wild compared to most Maui beaches. There is no developed infrastructure on the coast, so you need to take everything you need for your vacation with you. Big Beach is popular with boogie boarders, but beginners and inexperienced swimmers should not swim too far from shore due to strong undercurrents. Lifeguards work on the beach.

Behind a small hill, a little to the north, is located Little Beach- the most famous and one of the few nudist beaches in the Hawaiian Islands. The beach is especially popular with locals. There are no strong waves, wind or currents here; in general, this part of the coast is more suitable for a comfortable holiday than Big Beach. There are no lifeguards on Little Beach.

Beach Kaanapali is one of the most popular resorts on Maui, located in the northwest of the island. The length of the beach is 1 mile. The coast is surrounded by hotel complexes and resorts with swimming pools, shops, sports fields, play areas and golf courses. Tourists can enjoy surfing, parasailing, and sailing. The beach is especially crowded during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Picturesque beach Wailea- one of the most popular on Maui; It is quite crowded and noisy here from morning to evening. The length of the beach is 450 feet. The coast has a well-developed infrastructure; there are restaurants and bars, a volleyball court, a play area for children, with water slides and a trampoline. Rent sun loungers and umbrellas at Wailea.

Beach located in the southern part of the island of Maui Keawakapu– an ideal option for lovers of a relaxing holiday. The length of the beach is 1200 yards. Guest houses along the coast offer rooms with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Beach surrounded by palm trees Kapalua is located in a small bay in the northwest of Maui. Calm waters make the beach suitable for children to swim. There is parking near Kapalua. Around the coast there are condominiums, as well as townhouses, where rooms and apartments are rented out for tourists.

Beach Kahekili with fine sand, located south of Kapalua, is located on the territory of the Kaanapali resort. There are not many hotels here; The coast is quite secluded.

At the resort Kihei, in the southwest of the island, there are three beaches of the same name, Kamaole Beach Park, separated by rocky outcrops. All beaches are less than one mile long. There is a fairly busy road running along the beaches, but trees and palm trees planted along the road save you from noise and dust.

Beach Napili, shaped like a crescent, is considered one of the best on Maui due to its azure water and soft golden sand. On the beach there is a children's play area, inflatable slides, restaurants, as well as rental points for umbrellas and sun loungers.

There is a small beach in the north-west of the island D. T. Fleming. The length of the beach is 500 feet. There is no infrastructure here, but the place is quite popular among boogie boarders for its good waves. The afternoon on the coast is quite windy, so the best time for swimming and sunbathing is early in the morning. Lifeguards work on the beach.

Beach Poolenalena, located in southwest Maui, stretches 730 feet. The beach is divided into two sections; the southern part has excellent conditions for boogie boarding. Poolenalena is one of the best places on the island for snorkeling and scuba diving. Northern

The island of Maui is the second largest in the Hawaiian archipelago. The area of ​​the island is 1883 square meters. km. Maui is the capital of the county of the same name. As of 2010, the island had a population of 144,444. The island ranks third in terms of the number of inhabitants, behind the islands and. The largest city is with a population of 26,337 people (again according to the same census from 2010). Maui is a sister city to the Portuguese city of Funchal.

Island name

Hawaiian legends connect the name of the island with the navigator who discovered it. He named the island after his son, who in turn was named after the mythical demigod Maui. The second name of the island is “Valley of the Islands”. Why guess for yourself 😉

Geology and topography of the island

The island has a variety of landscapes that are formed due to amazing combinations of topography, climate and geological features. Each Hawaiian island is made of magma, iron and quartz that have been ejected by thousands of volcanic vents over millions of years. Several volcanoes were very close and the flow of erupted lava created the so-called “volcanic Doublet”, which became the island of Maui.

One of the peaks of the island is the Puʻu Kukui volcano - 1764 meters above sea level. And the entire eastern part of the island is made up of the Haleakala volcano, which goes under the water for 5 km and rises above it by 3 km. This may be the largest volcano on Earth. It makes up 75% of the island of Maui. The slopes of the volcanoes form valleys and ravines, and also create a very picturesque landscape under water.

The last eruption of Haleakala Volcano was in 1790. Although it is currently considered dormant, scientists believe that further eruptions are possible in the near future.

Climate

There are two seasons on Maui. The temperature at any time of the year is comfortable and warm, but the amount of rainfall differs: in winter - in early spring there is noticeably more rain.

In addition, Maui's climate is greatly influenced by the sea.

The island of Maui is divided into 3 subregions with different climatic situations (and the situation itself depends on geological features: valleys/mountains, windward or leeward side of the island, proximity to the sea):

1. Windward Lowlands – parts of the island in the north and northeast of the island below 610 meters. Basically perpendicular to the blowing winds. The climate here is moderately rainy, there are showers, and a trade wind blows. Temperature changes throughout the year are less significant.
2. Leeward Lowlands - Daytime temperatures in this part of Maui are higher and nighttime temperatures are lower than in the windward lowlands. The weather here is drier, but short-term storms occur.
3. Inland lowlands are generally similar in temperature to other lowlands. However, these parts of the island are characterized by intense showers in the evening. (This happens due to local heating of clouds during the daytime)
4. Windward slopes. Here the temperature is lower than in any lowland and the highest humidity on the entire island. Very frequent rains. Extensive cloud cover.
5. Leeward slopes. Warmer than on the windward slopes and rare rains.
6. Highlands - at an altitude of 1500 m and above, the amount of precipitation is greatly reduced. Humidity is around 10%, and sometimes lower. These same places have the lowest temperatures in Hawaii. It's hard to believe, but it can even be below zero here.

Precipitation

Showers are common on Maui. Most showers are short and light. When the sun shines, it starts pouring like buckets, but it quickly passes (although there are exceptions). Thunder and lightning are extremely rare. Rainfall over most of the island ranges from 430mm to 510mm in different parts of the island. On windward slopes the amount of precipitation can reach 7600 mm. In the highlands, the average annual precipitation is 404 mm. Such a variety of precipitation and a fairly large amount of it is due to the mountainous terrain of the island.

Precipitation occurs most often at night or early in the morning and least often during the day. In winter there is more precipitation due to storm activity. Storms also occur in winter. Unpredictable Maui may also experience a brief drought. This happened, for example, in 2011 and 2012 on Maui and. The average daily temperature on the island at any time of the year is 25-30 degrees.

Nature and Whales

Maui is a very popular destination for humpback whale watching. They swim here from Alaska, covering 5,600 km, to spend the winter months and to mate and give birth. Most of the whales are here until the end of April. Whales tend to move in small groups of a few adults and a few young (whales, baby whales, you name it). These areas are thought to be unsuitable for humpback whales due to polluted waters and fast-moving commercial vessels. Nevertheless, more and more of them come here every year. By the way, humpback whales are endangered. There are no more than 10,000 of them left in the Pacific Ocean.

The northeastern slopes of Haleakalā are home to a tropical forest that serves as a catchment area for the rest of the island. Due to the nature of the area, it is not possible to somehow use the forest or engage in logging.

The development of Maui in terms of tourism is harmful to the environment. So many coral reefs have been damaged due to pollution. Dolphins and sea turtles were also killed. The famous tropical fish from these areas are still found, but they are fewer in number.

On the leeward side of Maui there was a so-called “cloud forest” that was destroyed by man.

Story

The first settlers on the island were sailors from Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. The Tahitians introduced Kapu, a system of social order that became the core of Hawaiian culture. The modern history of Maui began at the end of the 18th century, when King Kamehameha I attempted to invade the island to capture it. The attempt was unsuccessful, but the inhabitants of the island of Maui voluntarily moved to his kingdom to avoid further bloodshed.

The first European to see the island was Captain James Cook, who did not land because... I couldn't find a suitable bay. The first visitor to the island was the French admiral Comte de La Perouse, who landed on May 29, 1786. Following him, traders began to visit the island, and from 1823, English missionaries. The missionaries taught the natives to wear clothes and banned the national dance Hula. They also taught Hawaiians to read and write, created the Hawaiian alphabet and began to record legends transmitted orally. On the one hand, missionaries greatly changed the culture, on the other hand, they preserved it. It is thanks to the efforts of missionaries that the Hawaiian language is still preserved. They also built the first school in 1831.

At the height of the whaling era, Maui was a major whaling center. Sailors stopped in Maui for many weeks and because of this, prostitution and alcohol began to flourish in the cities.

At the end of the 19th century, the monarchy was overthrown on Maui twice, a republican system was established, and after that the United States annexed the islands in its favor.

In 1939, Maui workers went on an 85-day strike demanding higher wages, which they eventually received.

During the Second World War, there was a training base here that housed more than 100,000 military personnel at peak periods.

Current state

Maui experienced large population growth in the second half of the 20th century. The island attracted retirees who moved here for permanent residence, as well as tourists.

High population growth caused a shortage of local drinking water and it began to be imported to Maui.

Also, sugar cane is still grown on the island and pineapple plantations are thriving. Since 1974, a winery has been operating on the island.

Economy

Maui has two main activities: agriculture and tourism. Unlike neighboring islands, the share of agriculture on Maui is growing rapidly.

The island produces coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, tropical flowers, sugar, pineapples - this is just a part of all Hawaiian exports. The agricultural crops that are grown here belong to the premium class.

The largest sugar cane company, which owns 150 sq. km of plantations, promised to curtail its activities at the beginning of 2017.

In November 2014, the Maui elections passed a moratorium on the use of GMOs in agriculture.

Maui also has two supercomputers. One is operated by the US Air Force, the other belongs to the University of Hawaii. In addition, Maui has a high-tech observatory for astronomical research. A number of features of the island made it very suitable for this type of activity.

Maui's unemployment rate is below 5%.

Sport

Diving

Diving is one of the most popular outdoor activities on Maui. There are more than 30 beaches and bays suitable for this, as well as a volcanic bottom that makes diving more exciting.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing began to develop on the island in the early 80s. In that part of the island where there are no waves there are very good conditions for this sport.

Surfing

Surfing is the most popular sport. The most convenient for surfing is the northern part of the island. The following beaches are suitable for it: Slaughterhouse Beach, Honolua Bay, Pe'ahi (Jaws), and Fleming Beach.

Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing

The modern sport also thrives on Maui. Both beginners and advanced kiters gather here on the beach known as Kite Beach.

Tourism and recreation on Maui

The Hana Highway is one of the most popular tourist areas. It runs along the east coast of Maui, passing black sand beaches and waterfalls. It is part of Haleakala National Park. Almost any beach in this part is excellent for diving, surfing and windsurfing. Whale migrations are also observed from here.

Another important tourist area is West Maui and South Maui. There are many small ports and several picturesque harbors here. In South Maui. In the eastern part, the city of Kahului has the largest cruise port.

The number is increasing every year. In 2007, Maui received 2.7 million tourists, mostly from the United States. In total, they spent about $3.5 billion here.

Maui has been repeatedly recognized as the best tourist island in the world. However, recently a trend has emerged: environmentalists and a group of local residents are against the expansion of the tourist flow due to the great harm to the environment.

2008 hit Maui hard, as well as other countries. Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines went bankrupt, and one of the Swedish cruise ships stopped visiting Maui. Because of this, Maui was missing out on approximately $166 million in revenue.

Top 10 Maui Places

1. Project Ocean

   Project Ocean is a marine educational program for children and families (and kids at heart) who want to learn about the marine environment. It is based on the principle “knowledge is power”. It is based on three-part training, field research and interpretation.

2. Halikala National Park: Waimoku Falls Trail

   A truly fantastic walk! The Pipiwai Walking Trail is located in the spectacular Halikala State Park in Oheo Gorge. This four-mile scenic hike leads the valley to a 400-foot waterfall with many great spots along the way. It is well marked and has sidewalks and steps to make this moderate route easier. You'll ascend 700-800 feet in an elevator to reach Waimoku Falls at the end of this wonderful valley.

3. Haleakala National Park: Haleakala Crater

   The ancient Hawaiians called the main mountain Haleakala (“House of the Sun”). This volcano formed 75% of the island's land, the remaining 25% was formed by the western mountains of Maui. The drive to see the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Crater takes a long time and must be done early in the morning.

   It can be very cold at the top (about 10,000 feet above sea level) compared to the rest of the island, so dress accordingly. If you get there before sunrise, make sure your camera is ready - the sunrise is stunning, but very short.

4. Hana Highway

   The Hana Highway is a 68-mile (109-kilometer) stretch of State Routes 36 and 360 that connects Kahului and the town of Hana in eastern Maui. Although Hana is only about 52 miles (84 km) from Kahului, the drive there takes about 2.5 hours without stopping, as the route is very windy and narrow and passes over 59 bridges, of which 46 are only one lane wide. There are about 620 curves along the 360 ​​east from Kahului to Hana, virtually all of which pass through lush rainforest.

5. Pools Oheo

   More commonly known as the "Seven Sacred Pools", it is a series of beautiful waterfalls and tranquil lakes that flow through the Oheo Gorge and empty into the nearby ocean. The Pipiwai streams that feed these waterfalls and numerous pools begin 2 miles inland from here.

6. Kaanapali Beach

   With three miles of white sand and crystal clear water, it's no wonder Ka'anapali Beach was once named America's Best Beach. Kaanapali was Hawaii's first planned resort and became the model for resorts around the world.
   One of the most famous attractions of Kaanapali Beach is the daily diving ceremony from the beach's northern cliffs, known as Puu Kekaa or Black Cliffs. Held every evening at sunset, diving from the Black Mountain, along the illuminated torches, repeats the feat of the revered King Kahekili on Maui. This commemorative ceremony is another reason why Kaanapali Beach is considered one of the most significant beaches on Maui.

7. Napili Beach

   With its crescent-shaped beach, azure blue waters and soft powdery sand, Napili Bay is one of Maui's most charming beaches. A destination for good swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing, this beach has a lot to offer. While you're at Napili Beach, don't forget to stop by Maui Brewing Company!

8. Wainapanapa State Park

   At the end of the Hana Highway is the wonderful Wainapanapa State Park. This remote, wild, volcanic coastline with low cliffs offers privacy and respite from the bustle of the city. Some of the highlights: lodging, camping, picnics, shoreline fishing, family hikes along the ancient Hawaiian trail that leads to Hana.
   This is also an excellent opportunity to look at seabird colonies and Anchiala lakes. Other features include the Hala native forest, a legendary cave, Heiau (religious temple), natural rock arch, sea stacks, hollows and a small black sand beach.

9. Lahaina Banyan Tree Park

   The breathtaking banyan tree is located in the heart of Lahaina on Front Street. Brought from the beautiful country of India, it was planted in April 1873 and then measured only 8 feet (2.5 m) in height. Today it reaches over 60 feet (18 m) in height and appears like a small forest with a few tree trunks.

   An interesting fact about banyan trees is that they only grow sideways. Their roots grow down from the tree trunk until they reach the ground to form a new trunk. The banyan tree in Lahaina now has 12 main trunks in addition to its huge main structure. The tree covers an area of ​​200 feet (61 m) and shades two-thirds of an acre. Even though it looks like at least a dozen trees in the park, it is actually just one tree. The banyan tree in Lahaina is one of the largest in the world.

10. Iao Valley State Park

    This lush valley in west Maui is home to an ancient volcano that helped form 25% of Maui's landmass. Without a doubt, the most noticeable structure in the park is the rather phallic Iao Needle. It is said to be the result of thousands of years of water pressure eroding volcanic rock and juts out from the surface of the valley, rising more than 2,000 feet in height. height

    The Iao Valley was once the site of important battles, and also serves as a sacred site because royal nobles are buried here. For this reason, people are not allowed to pass through the valley. Visitors must follow established paved paths, which are accompanied by information boards introducing you to the history and significance of the site.

Transport

There are three airports on Maui

Hana Airport - in the western part of Maui

Kahului Airport – in central Maui

Kapalua Airport – on the east side of Maui

There are also buses on Maui. The fare is $2 per trip.

Healthcare

There are two hospitals on the island. One in the central part of the island, 4 km. from Kahului Airport. The second emergency room is located in the city of Kula and operates around the clock. There is also a clinic in the city of Hana, which does not have the status of a hospital and provides a limited number of medical services.

Aloha and welcome to the island of Maui, where the islanders' sense of pride is expressed in the island's unofficial slogan: "Maui no ka oi," which means "Maui is the best." Maui, a "magical island" and "valley island" with stunning scenery where quiet towns rub shoulders with upscale resorts, has something special to offer for everyone. An unforgettable vacation is guaranteed here!

You can spend time on the shores of the largest harbour, in the bustling port of Lahaina, formerly a whaling center and now a city with attractive art galleries, exotic restaurants and unique shops that rarely close early.

Whether your desire is for a secluded getaway in nature or city nightlife, Maui has it all. Lovers of water and hills will enjoy a wide variety of opportunities - a variety of hiking routes and attractions, as well as recreation on the water.

The island's 1,882 km2 area is enough to spark the imagination of any adventurer. Maui combines sophistication with beauty in a way unique to other islands. The West Coast is home to world-class resorts for anyone looking to pamper themselves. Maui is also home to a dozen golf schools founded by legendary players such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. By contrast, you can drive along the east coast of Maui and feel like you've traveled back in time. Here is the secluded town of Hana with picturesque landscapes, waterfalls and attractions.

Geography and climate

Maui is the second largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago with a population of 120,000 people. The tropical climate on the island is quite comfortable with an average annual temperature of approximately 23.8-29.4 C at sea level. Trade winds carry rain clouds towards the northern end of the island, leaving the southern part drier.

Maui is sometimes called the "Valley Island" because of the huge area of ​​lush vegetation that connects the island's two volcanoes - Puu Kukui to the west and Haleakala, or "house of the Sun", to the east. Maui offers a variety of landscapes: inland lowlands, steep mountain slopes, gentler slopes and high mountain peaks.

At an altitude of more than 914 m, you can notice that the air has become drier and the temperature has dropped significantly. Due to intermittent terrain, weather data such as cloud level, precipitation, temperature and wind speed can vary significantly even over short distances. For example, in Haleakala National Park alone you can find 7 different climate zones.

Haleakala Crater

Haleakala Crater, the peak of the eastern volcano, is located at an impressive height of 3,055 m above sea level. This peak is famous for its amazing sunset views, which may seem nothing less than a miracle to some. If you're visiting the island, set aside at least one day to explore the largest dormant volcano in the world.

Kaanapali

A 4.8 km stretch of beach on Maui's west coast is called Ka'anapali, a historically and culturally significant site. Here you can visit Black Mountain (Puu Kekaa), a sacred place in Hawaiian mythology - according to legend, here the souls of the dead pass from the world of people to the world of spirits. In the southern part of Kaanapali is the picturesque village of Whalers Village with an open-air market and a dozen different shops and restaurants. Enjoy an unforgettable ride on the Sugar Cain Train from Ka'anapali to Lahaina and back.

Road to Hana

Drive along the stunning 88km road to truly appreciate the island's varied landscapes, across bridges and along bamboo groves, up hillsides, past fruit trees and fabulous native flowers. The city of Hana is a good reward for such a long journey. Spend the rest of your time lounging on one of Hana's beaches, go to the Hana Cultural Center or visit Rachno Hana - or you can choose any other entertainment that the city has to offer.

Molokini Island

Molokini Island is located near Maui and is shaped like a crescent moon. By its origin, it is an underwater volcano that has been inactive for several decades. The island is well known to lovers of underwater recreation because of the bright and colorful inhabitants of the underwater world, the status of the island as a national reserve and whales.

Ocean Center Maui

The Maui Ocean Center is a great place for those interested in the underwater life of Maui and other islands of the Hawaiian archipelago. Here you can see more than a thousand ea (fish species) in a huge aquarium with a capacity of about 3 million liters! Children are simply delighted to watch their favorite animals: turtles, stingrays and starfish.

Whale watching

Not many people know that the waters around Hawaii are home to thousands of humpback whales between December and April. These huge mammals migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warmer waters of this region of the Pacific Ocean to breed. The whales prefer the secluded space of the Auau Channel between the islands of Maui and Lanai. Kaanapali Park is the most popular place to observe these amazing 40-ton creatures.

Why is Maui a unique place?

The island of Maui is ideal for those who seek maximum variety in their vacation, who love the opportunities of a huge city, but value privacy and enjoy exploring the unique and diverse nature. For example, you can enjoy a massage in the morning at one of Maui's beautiful resorts, head to the mountains for an unforgettable hike in the afternoon, and end the day with delicious Hawaiian cuisine.

The island of Maui is for romantics, tourists and adventurers - anyone who wants to experience the advantages of the big and small islands: Maui combines the vibrancy and tranquility of both. For many, Maui may be “just right.”

The island of Maui seemed to me like a cross between the capital Oahu and the wild Big Island, there are expensive resorts with good hotels and restaurants, there is something to see and where to travel. The first part of the story about the Hawaiian island of Maui will be very calm - here we are in no hurry, swimming and enjoying the sunsets.

1. I won’t write the usual introductory organizational part; after all, Hawaii is the USA with a completely understandable infrastructure. I would like to note just a few points.

We were on a direct flight from Los Angeles. We rented a car for the entire duration of our vacation at the airport. During the trip, the first car (Jeep Compass) broke down, we were able to drive it to the airport, where it was replaced with another (Hyundai Tuscon).

Maui is an island small enough that you don't have to move from place to place, but explore the surrounding area from one base. At the same time, the Maui island is quite large, so it is unlikely that you will be able to explore the sights of the western part of the island or the road to Hana in one go; you will have to return several days. I will write posts about Maui by region, not by day; trips on specific days can be combined in any way.

We chose the Wailea region as our base. We didn't stay at a hotel, but at the Wailea Ekahi Village apartments. House keys must be collected at a separate office. We got lost a little, but managed to pick up the keys before the office closed. Exterior view of the house:

2. There are enough parking spaces near the house. Our apartment is on the second floor:

3. The fenced area of ​​the complex extends all the way to the water. Our house was not at all on the first line, but the walk to the water was not very long at all, along pleasant fresh green lawns. On the first day we forgot the key to the gate and had to go around. View from the balcony:

4. Every evening the sunset turned into a show that was impossible to miss:

5. There are several swimming pools on the territory, one of which is located right on the shore. There were instructions posted at the pool on how to protect yourself from a shark attack (in 2015 there was a fatal shark attack on a woman in Maui).

6. The size of the apartment impressed me, I wanted to stay and live here. We had at our disposal a bedroom, a huge living room with high ceilings, a kitchen and a balcony.

7. Bedroom:

8. Balcony:

9. The village is located right on the shore, near the beach. The sunbeds were conveniently located by the pool in a fenced area, but because of this you had to swim with the key to the gate.

10. From the hotel you can walk both to the left and to the right.

12. The best snorkeling suddenly appeared right under our noses. I finally tested my new underwater point-and-shoot camera in real conditions:

13. Turtles hang out right near the shore:

16. There are many good restaurants around. We went to have breakfast at Ka"Ana Kitchen several times, had dinner at Kō Restaurant, I recommend it. One evening we walked along the Wailea Beach Path along the shore, passing by large hotels Marriott, Four Seasons and others.

17. View from Four Seasons:

18. Warning and prohibition sign on the trail. The confrontation between local residents and tourists, restrictions on access to all sorts of interesting places is a big (sore) topic in Maui, which I will definitely talk about. This sign, containing a bunch of warnings and disclaimers, is the most innocent we have come across.

To be continued...