Maui, Hawaii
Maui is a study in contrasts.
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About Maui.....
To find out why people consider Maui the best place to visit in the state:
Walk the streets. Absorb the rich history. Appreciate the love-inspired restoration of the buildings and the elegance of days
gone by.
Meet the people of Maui. They are warm, gentle, friendly and cheerful.
Explore local cuisine. Taste the local favorites of a plate lunch while picnicking by the beach. Or dine elegantly by
candlelight while sampling the latest in Pacific Rim creations.
Go fishing. Drop a line in just about anywhere and it's remotely possible
you'll catch a world record.
Watch hula. Visit a local hula halau as they study and practice.
Explore Maui with JJ
and see Haleakala volcano or a rainforest waterfall. "The Crater" delights locals and visitors alike with spectacular light displays at sunrise melting into the wonderful array
of hues in the lava and cinder by mid-day. A moonlight hike into the
volcano finds few matches for a wilderness experience. Too, the cool drops of
water from a rainforest cascade touching your face misses any parallel.
The Island of Maui is second only to Hawaii in land area. Our population of
115,000 is about one-tenth that of the island of O`ahu, making it an excellent place to visit and share in exploring the natural element
of the varied wildernesses Maui offers.
When the first Polynesian voyagers arrived on Maui, their decision to settle here probably
was influenced by the island's mild climate, fertile volcanic soil, and rich coastal fisheries. Today, the weather remains a
major attraction for visitors. Two large shield volcanoes, which form the island's land mass, help determine the
island's climate. They are West Maui (Hale Mahina) and East Maui
(Haleakala). Haleakala (Puu Ula Ula) is the highest point on the
island at 10,023 feet above sea level. Both volcanoes lie dormant
awaiting future eruptions.
The green slopes of the windward side of the island are shrouded in mist when
moisture-laden clouds blow in from the sea. Here, sugar cane grows and cattle graze near old stone terraces where ancient
Hawaiians once grew their staple crop, taro. The abundant rain is responsible for the lush vegetation that makes this side of
Maui beautifully verdant.
The same mountains, which trap moisture on the windward side, block much of the rain and wind from reaching the leeward,
or western side of the island. Here, rain forests of the mountain slopes give way to rolling grasslands, patches of
scrub, and even desert.
Less wind and rain on the leeward side create conditions ideal for fishing, boating, kayaking and diving. The leeward coastal waters are clear and generally calmer. In small fishing villages such as Keone`o`io or Moana Kala, one
can still view ancient fishing grounds and ruins, much as they've appeared for centuries. Calm places where the ancients launched their canoes, we
put ocean-kayaks in today.
In foretelling weather
the ancient Hawaiians knew the seasons of the year by the movements of the sun. They called the six months from
November to April Ho'oilo, their winter. During this season, the sun drifts farther south along the horizon, and good
conditions are occasionally interrupted by windy, rainy, or cool weather. The six months from May to October were called
Kau, the fruitful, drier season. During Kau, the air is warm and skies are sunny with frequent, gentle tradewinds blowing off the
sea. No matter what the season, proper planning can ensure good weather somewhere on the island during a visit.
We still grow mostly sugar cane and pineapple yet the island sports an impressive cornucopia of other crops, including coffee, macadamia
nuts, bananas, papayas, guavas, mangoes, and tropical flowers including orchids, anthuriums, protea, bird-of-paradise, and
heliconia.
As it is throughout the state, Maui's population is a veritable melting pot of cultural, racial, and ethnic groups, whose
lifestyles and customs give evidence to the waves of immigration that mark various periods of Hawaii's history. Polynesians, Europeans, Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, and Puerto Ricans are among the peoples of
Maui. Visitors of every nationality feel comfortable here.
The legacy of immigrants of both yesterday and today can be seen in the contrasting images that dot the landscape: ancient
Hawaiian stone terraces stand alongside Christian churches, Japanese temples near modern luxury hotels.
Maui is a colorful, exciting blend of old and new, of traditional wooden outrigger canoes and modern windsurfers.
Ancient values inter-mix with current aims and high-tech
industries.It
is an island of rich human and natural diversity. An island that offers memories to treasure. An island to visit - and let your spirit wander.
Mauians
in growing numbers compete in sports such as running, windsurfing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, canoe paddling, volleyball,
and baseball. The weather cooperates year round. Hiking is possible on
almost any day of the year, with weather rarely cancelling the opportunity to Trek Maui.
And the sunsets.....ohhhhh....
sunsets are breathtaking spectacles..... a golden-red orb and shimmering waves of the Pacific mixing together in Mai-Tai like delight. Maui is unique to Hawaii and singular
for the planet. Please come for a visit and hike with me......JJ.
"He mama na wawae." Swift are the feet.....
JJ.....John Paul Jasinski P.O. BOX 271, Volcano HI 96785 PHONE 808.985.9030 Copyright 2003 John P. Jasinski
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