INTRODUCTION
MAUI TODAY
The island of Maui, also known as “The Valley Isle,” contains a unique social, economic, and geographic profile. The island’s extraordinary natural beauty has marked it globally as a top vacation destination, as well as a highly desirable place to live. In 2010, Maui’s resident population was 144,444. Approximately 2 million visitors vacation on Maui each year, equating to an estimated 46,000 visitors a day.
The island is situated within a volcanic archipelago made up of eight major islands and 124 minor uninhabited islands that stretch in a curved chain for approximately 3,800 miles from the central to the northern Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Archipelago stands as earth’s most isolated islands, being some 2,400 miles from the nearest continental land mass (North America) and the islands of Polynesia in the South Pacific.
Map I-1 provides an orientation to the island’s sense of place through a general display of Maui’s topography and towns, in addition to its natural, community, and recreational resources. Collectively, the island is paradise; regionally, it is distinct and unique.
West Maui is a string of coastal communities and mountainous areas. The stretch of coast between Lahaina and Nāpili is dominated by the resort industry due, in part, to its abundant ocean access points that provide numerous recreational opportunities. The northeast portion, stretching from Waihe‘e to Honolua Bay, offers a dramatically different setting with its vast open spaces and cliffs, vivid ocean views, and beautiful valleys and streams.
Encompassing the towns of Wailuku and Kahului, the area known as Central Maui has the majority of the island’s urban development. The County government civic center, the island’s primary airport and sole deep-water harbor, the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, the island’s primary business district, and vast acres of sugarcane fields all make up the Central Maui area.
Moving eastward, toward Haleakalā, are Upcountry Maui and East Maui. The Upcountry small towns of Makawao, Hāli‘imaile, Pukalani, and Kula are characterized by agriculture, ranching, and open space. Makawao, home of the paniolo, has a long tradition of cattle ranching and rodeo. East Maui represents a vast geographic area that is comprised of many small communities, lush natural areas, waterfalls, rugged coastline, small-scale diversified agriculture, and a wealth of Hawaiian history and culture. East Maui remains remote, and is generally accessed by the famous Hāna Highway.
The coastline that stretches from Mā‘alaea to Mākena is known as South Maui. Development along this area generally has occurred in a linear pattern between the shoreline and Pi‘ilani Highway, forming a continuous urban corridor that attracts a large tourism industry. Coastal amenities are abundant with numerous leeward sandy beaches for snorkeling and leisure.