Maui.... Magical Maui!

Over eons of time, out of depths of the belly of the Pacific Ocean there arose a group of islands like no other...
James Michener gives a beautiful rendition of the process of emergence of this archipelligo in his famous book "Hawai'i". (You can even download it to your Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6 ... an easy way to bring your favorite books with you!)
Protected by her sister islands, the second youngest of this family is MAUI!

One can only imagine, and I suppose very inadequately, what these islands were like before the human footprint. But even now, behind and beyond the hustle and bustle of modern life, with even a slight willingness, one can still feel the Spirit that brought them into existence.

Mother Maui, as she has been lovingly called, is made up of the expression of two separate volcanoes. (See map above)
Her heart is the famous Haleakala Crater or House of the Sun in all its wide, expansive glory. Out of that terrestrial heart-beat, spilled her bosom.... now known as South Maui, and her spinal North Shore. Her cinched waist is East Maui.
The West Maui Mountains, originally called Mount Kahalawai, and housing Hale Mahina (House of the Moon - the smaller, wetter volcanic crater), created her head and facial profile, joined by the flow from Mt. Haleakala to neck of Central Valley.

West and South Maui are now home to the big resorts and hotels, and our winter visitors the humpback whales love these waters to birth and care for their newborn. Over the years, with their protection ensured, they can now easily be seen frolicking in the North Shore waters as well.

Cool North-East trade-winds, laden with life-giving moisture bless the lush North Shore. Adventurers and artists were drawn to this area, and the latest arrival of sub-divisions are now scattered among alternative lifestyles.

Upcountry is deliciously cool, offering the most breathtaking vistas of the North Shore, Central Valley, West Maui, and tri-island views of Lanai, Kaho'olawe, and the tiny Molokini.

It's a long, winding, magnificent journey that culminates on the East Side... a nature-lover's paradise! Rainforest quickly gives way to desert as you round the bend and head back westward through the starkly opposing beauty of wide open spaces and lava fields.

Her variety is remarkable... she truly is an island like no other!

As far as scientific data goes:
- The Hawai'ian islands are among the most remote places on earth as far as distance from any other land mass.
- Kauai is host to the rainiest spot on our planet.
- From the bottom of the ocean trench that lies between Maui and the Big Island of Hawai'i to the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island, is the tallest mountain in the world.
- The ocean cliffs on the northern side of Moloka'i are the steepest that have been measured anywhere.
- In a mere 727 sq. miles, Maui is host to 11 of the 13 climate zones of the world.... from desert to alpine to rainforest.... the weather can change dramatically in a mile or a minute!

Unique, beautiful, and beloved.... that's Maui!