Choosing Maui for your Hawaii Vacation

The second largest island in Hawaii, Maui is 727.2 square miles in area. The neighboring islands of Lanai, Kaho'olawe and Moloka'i, together with Maui are known as Maui Nui. The population is 117,644, making it the third most populous island in the state of Hawaii after Oahu and the Big Island.

Haleakala is the highest point on Maui, standing at 10,023 feet. Measured from the sea floor, the mountain stands at five miles high. The geography includes one dead and one presumably dormant volcano and a valley inbetween. Haleakala is the younger mountain, and so the erosive processes in the West Maui Mountains are much more pronounced. The many environments on Maui are attributed to a unique combination of topography, geology and climate. You will find grassy uplands, dry savanah, lush jungle, and many other fascinating landscapes.

Trade winds blow in from the north of the island toward the south. A kona wind refers to the reverse of this condition. The trades are much more predominent, and the north shore is generally much wetter than the south. In most cases, rainfall is very brief, sometimes lasting only a few moments.

Maui is a leading whale-watching center in Hawaii as migrating humpbacks spend the winter in the 'Au'au Channel between the islands of Maui county. The whales are an endangered species and are protected by the U.S. Federal and Hawaii state law.

We will discuss more interesting information about Maui in later blogs, so be sure to check in for them. If you have decided that Maui is the right vacation location for you, have a look at our vacation rental accommodations at the Whaler in Kaanapali. You may also want to check out our Maui vacation rental specials. Call (800) 676-4112 if you have any questions that are not answered on our website. We hope to see you soon. Mahalo for reading this week!