Maui County, Hawaii
Seal of Maui County, Hawaii Seal
Location in the state of Hawaii
Hawaii's location in the U.S.
Founded	1905
Seat	Wailuku
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	2,398.74 sq mi (6,213 km²) 1,159.20 sq mi (3,002 km²) 1,239.54 sq mi (3,210 km²), 51.67%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	154,834 111/sq mi (43/km²)
Congressional district	2nd
Time zone	Hawaii-Aleutian: UTC-10
Website	www.co.maui.hi.us

Maui County is a county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It consists of the islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Lānai, Molokai (except for a portion of Molokai that comprises Kalawao County), and Molokini. As of the 2010 Census the population was 154,834.^[1][2] The county seat is Wailuku.

The Kahului–Wailuku Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Maui County.

Government[link]

Maui County has a quasi-mayor-council form of municipal government. Unlike traditional municipal governments, the county government is established by the state legislature by statute and is not chartered. Executive authority is vested in the Mayor, elected by the voters on a non-partisan basis to a four-year term (with a limit of two consecutive full terms). Legislative authority is vested in the nine-member County Council. All seats in the County Council have residency requirements; however, all voters in Maui County may vote in elections for all nine seats regardless of residence. Members of the County Council are elected on a non-partisan basis to two-year terms (with a limit of five consecutive full terms).

In 1996, Maui County Council v. Thompson et al., 84 Haw. 105, was decided by the Hawai'i Supreme Court holding that the Maui County Charter had created a "strong council" / "weak mayor" form of governance and invalidating actions by former Mayor Linda Lingle hiring special outside counsel without County Council approval.

The current mayor of Maui County is Alan Arakawa since January 2, 2011. Arakawa had served a previous term as mayor from 2002 to 2006.

Maui County was the only county in the United States won by Dennis Kucinich during his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Party nomination to the presidency in 2004.^[3]

Geography[link]

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2,398.74 square miles (6,212.7 km²), of which 1,159.20 square miles (3,002.3 km²) (or 48.33%) is land and 1,239.54 square miles (3,210.4 km²) (or 51.67%) is water.^[4] The islands that comprise Maui County correspond to the remnants of the ancient landmass of Maui Nui.

Adjacent Counties[link]

• Hawaii County, Hawaii - southeast
• Kalawao County, Hawaiʻi - north
• Honolulu County, Hawaiʻi - northwest

	Honolulu County	Kalawao County
		Maui County, Hawaii    East
			Hawaii County

National protected areas[link]

• Haleakala National Park
• Kakahaia National Wildlife Refuge
• Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics[link]

As of the 2000 Census^[6], there were 128,094 people, 43,507 households, and 29,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 56,377 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 28.90% White, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 33.01% Asian, 10.72% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 22.24% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 43,507 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.41.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.20 males.

Localities[link]

Census-designated places[link]

Lanai[link]

• Lāna'i City

Maui[link]

Molokai[link]

Unincorporated towns[link]

Economy[link]

Top employers[link]

According to the County's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[7] the top employers in the county are:

Transportation[link]

Two airports provide scheduled air service to the island of Maui:

• Kahului Airport in central Maui
• Kapalua Airport in western Maui

Lanai Airport provides service for Lanai. Molokai Airport, also in Maui County, provides service for Molokai.

Sister cities[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Maui County currently has 21 sister cities, including:

• - Albi, France
• - Territory of American Samoa
• - Arequipa, Peru
• - Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
• - Embo, Scotland, United Kingdom
• - Funchal, Portugal
• - Hachijo Island, Japan
• - Hainan Province, People's Republic of China
• - Hirara, Okinawa, Japan
• - Madrid, Spain
• - Manila, Philippines
• - Pingtung County, Taiwan
• - Puerto Princesa, Philippines
• - Rapa Nui, Chile
• - Quezon City, Philippines
• - San Juan, Philippines
• - San Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
• - Santiago, Ilocos Sur (Philippines)
• - Zambales Province, Philippines
• - Zhongshan City, People's Republic of China
• - Lake Chapala, Guadalajara, Mexico

See also[link]

• Maui
• Kula
• Vic-Maui Yacht Race

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Maui County website

v t e  State of Hawaii Honolulu (capital) Topics Geography Government Delegations History Islands Music Language People Visitor Attractions Seal of Hawaii Society Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Politics Main Islands Hawaiʻi Kahoʻolawe Kauaʻi Lānaʻi Maui Molokaʻi Niʻihau Oʻahu Northwestern Islands French Frigate Shoals Gardner Kure Laysan Lisianski Maro Reef Necker Nihoa Pearl and Hermes Communities Hilo Honolulu Kahului Kaneohe Lihue Pearl City Waipahu Counties Hawaii Honolulu Kalawao Kauai Maui

v t e Municipalities and communities of Maui County, Hawaii, United States County seat: Wailuku CDPs Haiku-Pauwela Haliimaile Hana Kaanapali Kahului Kapalua Kaunakakai Kihei Kualapuu Lahaina Lanai City Maalaea Makawao Makena Maunaloa Napili-Honokowai Paia Pukalani Waihee-Waiehu Waikapu Wailea Wailuku Unincorporated communities Haiku Ho'olehua Keanae Keokea Kipahulu Napili Olinda Pu'unene Waihee Wailua

Coordinates: 20°53′N 156°39′W / 20.883°N 156.65°W / 20.883; -156.65

Location in the state of Hawaii.
Geography
Location	20°48′N 156°20′W / 20.8°N 156.333°W / 20.8; -156.333
Area	727.2 sq mi (1,883 km2)
Rank	2nd largest Hawaiian Island
Highest point	Haleakalā
Max elevation	10,023 ft. (3,055 m)[1]
Demographics
Population	144,444 (as of 2010)
Density	162/sq. mi. (62/km2)
Official Insignia
Flower	Lokelani
Color	ʻĀkala (pink)

The island of Maui ( /ˈmaʊ.iː/; Hawaiian: [ˈmɐuwi])^[2] is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km²) and is the 17th largest island in the United States.^[3] Maui is part of the State of Hawaiʻi and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and unpopulated Kahoʻolawe. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444, third-highest of the Hawaiian Islands, behind that of Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Kahului is the largest census-designated place (CDP) on the island with a population of 26,337 as sex2010 and is the commercial and financial hub of the island. ^[4] Wailuku is the seat of Maui County and is the third-largest CDP as of 2010. Other significant places include Kīhei (including Wailea and Makena in the Kihei Town CDP, which is the second-most-populated CDP in Maui); Lahaina (including Kāʻanapali and Kapalua in the Lahaina Town CDP); Makawao; Pāʻia; Kula; Haʻikū; and Hāna.

Name[link]

Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island's name in the legend of Hawaiʻiloa, the Polynesian navigator credited with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. According to that legend, Hawaiʻiloa named the island of Maui after his son, who in turn was named for the demigod Māui. The earlier name of Maui was ʻIhikapalaumaewa.^[5] The Island of Maui is also called the "Valley Isle" for the large isthmus between its northwestern and southeastern volcanoes and the numerous large valleys carved into both mountains.

Geology and topography[link]

Maui's diverse landscapes are the result of a unique combination of geology, topography, and climate. Each volcanic cone in the chain of the Hawaiian Islands is built of dark, iron-rich/quartz-poor rocks, which poured out of thousands of vents as highly fluid lava, over a period of millions of years. Several of the volcanoes were close enough to each other that lava flows on their flanks overlapped one another, merging into a single island. Maui is such a "volcanic doublet," formed from two shield volcanoes that overlapped one another to form an isthmus between them.^[6]

The older, western volcano has been eroded considerably and is cut by numerous drainages, forming the peaks of the West Maui Mountains (in Hawaiian, Mauna Kahalawai). Puʻu Kukui is the highest of the peaks at 5,788 feet (1,764 m). The larger, younger volcano to the east, Haleakalā, rises to more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, and measures 5 miles (8.0 km) from seafloor to summit, making it one of the world's highest mountains.

Looking into Haleakalā crater

The eastern flanks of both volcanoes are cut by deeply incised valleys and steep-sided ravines that run downslope to the rocky, windswept shoreline. The valley-like Isthmus of Maui that separates the two volcanic masses was formed by sandy erosional deposits.

Maui's last eruption (originating in Haleakalā's Southwest Rift Zone) occurred around 1790; two of the resulting lava flows are located (1) at Cape Kīnaʻu between ʻĀhihi Bay and La Perouse Bay on the southwest shore of East Maui, and (2) at Makaluapuna Point^[7] on Honokahua Bay on the northwest shore of West Maui. Although considered to be dormant by volcanologists, Haleakalā^[8] is certainly capable of further eruptions.

Maui is part of a much larger unit, Maui Nui, that includes the islands of Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi, and the now submerged Penguin Bank. During periods of reduced sea level, including as recently as 20,000 years ago, they are joined together as a single island due to the shallowness of the channels between them.

Climate[link]

Rainbow over the West Maui Mountains after rainfall in Kāʻanapali

The climate of the Hawaiian Islands is characterized by a two-season year, mild and uniform temperatures everywhere (except at high elevations), marked geographic differences in rainfall, high relative humidity, extensive cloud formations (except on the driest coasts and at high elevations), and dominant trade-wind flow (especially at elevations below a few thousand feet). Maui itself has a wide range of climatic conditions and weather patterns that are influenced by several different factors in the physical environment:

• Half of Maui is situated within 5 miles (8.0 km) of the island's coastline. This, and the extreme insularity of the Hawaiian Islands themselves account for the strong marine influence on Maui's climate.
• Gross weather patterns are typically determined by elevation and orientation towards the Trade winds (prevailing air flow comes from the northeast).
• Maui's rugged, irregular topography produces marked variations in conditions. Air swept inland on the Trade winds is shunted one way or another by the mountains, valleys, and vast open slopes. This complex three-dimensional flow of air results in striking variations in wind speed, cloud formation, and rainfall.

Maui displays a unique and diverse set of climatic conditions, each of which is specific to a loosely defined sub-region of the island. These sub-regions are defined by major physiographic features (such as mountains and valleys) and by location on the windward or leeward side of the island. These sub-regions (and their characteristic climates) are:

• Windward Lowlands – Below 2,000 feet (610 m) on north- to northeast-sides of an island. Roughly perpendicular to direction of prevailing trade winds. Moderately rainy; frequent trade wind-induced showers. Skies are often cloudy to partly cloudy. Air temperatures are more uniform (and mild) than those of other regions.

• Leeward Lowlands – Daytime temperatures are a little higher and nighttime temperatures are lower than in windward locations. Dry weather is prevalent, with the exception of sporadic showers that drift over the mountains to windward and during short-duration storms.

• Interior Lowlands – Intermediate conditions, often sharing characteristics of other lowland sub-regions. Occasionally experience intense local afternoon showers from well-developed clouds that formed due to local daytime heating.

• Leeward Side High-Altitude Mountain Slopes with High Rainfall – Extensive cloud cover and rainfall all year long. Mild temperatures are prevalent, but humidity is higher than any other sub-region.

• Leeward Side-Lower Mountain Slopes – Rainfall is higher than on the adjacent leeward lowlands, but much less than at similar altitudes on the windward side; however, maximum rainfall usually occurs leeward of the crests of lower mountains. Temperatures are higher than on the rainy slopes of the windward sides of mountains; cloud cover is almost as extensive.

• High Mountains – Above about 3,000 feet (910 m) on Haleakalā, rainfall decreases rapidly with elevation. Relative humidity may be ten percent or less. The lowest temperatures in the state are experienced in this region: air temperatures below freezing are common.

Waianapanapa

Rainfall – Showers are very common; yet while some of these are very heavy, the vast majority are light and brief – a sudden sprinkle of rain and it's over. Even the heaviest rain showers are seldom accompanied by thunder and lightning. Throughout the lowlands, in summer an overwhelming dominance of trade winds produces a drier season. At one extreme, the annual rainfall averages 17 inches (430 mm) to 20 inches (510 mm) or less in leeward coastal areas, such as the shoreline from Maalaea Bay to Kaupo, and near the summit of Haleakalā. At the other extreme, the annual average rainfall exceeds 300 inches (7,600 mm) along the lower windward slopes of Haleakalā, particularly along the Hāna Highway. If the islands of the State of Hawaii did not exist, the average annual rainfall on the same patch of water would be about 25 inches (640 mm). Instead, the actual average is about 70 inches (1,800 mm). Thus, the islands extract from the air that passes over them about 45 inches (1,100 mm) of rainfall that otherwise would not fall. The mountainous topography of Maui and the other islands is responsible for this added water bonus.

Kahikinui coastline

Daily Variations in Rainfall – In the lowlands, throughout the year, rainfall is most likely to occur during the night or morning hours, and is least likely to occur mid-afternoon. The most pronounced daily variations in rainfall occur during the summer because most summer rainfall consists of trade winds showers that most often occur at night. Winter rainfall in the lowlands is the result of storm activity, which is as likely to occur in the daytime as at night. Rainfall variability is far greater during the winter, when occasional storms contribute appreciably to rainfall totals. With such wide swings in rainfall, it is inevitable that there are occasional droughts, sometimes causing economic losses. The real drought years are the ones where the winter rains fail, with too few significant rainstorms. Droughts hit hardest in the normally dry areas that depend on winter storms for their rainfall and receive little rain from the trade wind showers. The winter of 2011-2012 has had extreme drought on the leeward sides of Moloka'i, Maui, and Island of Hawaii.

Natural history[link]

Maui is a leading whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands due to Humpback whales wintering in the sheltered ʻAuʻau Channel between the islands of Maui county. The whales migrate approximately 3,500 miles (5,600 km) from Alaskan waters each autumn and spend the winter months mating and birthing in the warm waters off Maui, with most leaving by the end of April. The whales are typically sighted in pods: small groups of several adults, or groups of a mother, her calf, and a few suitors. Humpbacks are an endangered species protected by U.S. federal and Hawaiʻi state law. There are estimated to be about 18,000 humpbacks in the North Pacific.^{[citation needed]} Although Maui's Humpback face many dangers, due to pollution, high speed commercial vessels, and military sonar testing, their numbers have increased rapidly in recent years, estimated at 7% growth per year.^[9]

Maui is home to a large rainforest on the northeastern flanks of Haleakalā, which serves as the drainage basin for the rest of the island. The extremely difficult terrain has prevented exploitation of much of the forest.

Agricultural and coastal industrial land use has had an adverse effect on much of Maui's coastal regions. Many of Maui's extraordinary coral reefs have been damaged by pollution, runoff, and tourism, although finding sea turtles, dolphins, and Hawai'i's celebrated tropical fish, is still common. Leeward Maui used to boast a vibrant dry 'cloud forest' as well but this was destroyed by human activities over the last three hundred years.

History[link]

ʻĪao Valley

Polynesians, from Tahiti and the Marquesas, were the original peoples to populate Maui. The Tahitians introduced the kapu system, a strict social order that affected all aspects of life and became the core of Hawaiian culture. Modern Hawaiian history began in the mid-18th century. King Kamehameha I, king of Hawaii's "Big Island," invaded Maui in 1790 and fought the inconclusive Battle of Kepaniwai, but returned to Hawaii to battle a rival, finally subduing Maui a few years later.

On November 26, 1778, explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to see Maui. Cook never set foot on the island because he was unable to find a suitable landing. The first European to visit Maui was the French admiral Jean-François de La Pérouse, who landed on the shores of what is now known as La Perouse Bay on May 29, 1786. More Europeans followed: traders, whalers, loggers (e.g., of sandalwood) and missionaries. The latter began to arrive from New England in 1823, settling in Lahaina, which at that time was the capital. They clothed the natives, banned them from dancing hula, and greatly altered the culture. The missionaries taught reading and writing, created the 12-letter Hawaiian alphabet, started a printing press in Lahaina, and began writing the islands' history, which until then was transmitted orally^[10] Ironically, the missionaries both altered and preserved the native culture. The religious work altered the culture while the literacy efforts preserved native history and language. Missionaries started the first school in Lahaina, which still exists today: Lahainaluna Mission School, which opened in 1831.

Japanese laborers on Maui harvesting sugar cane in 1885.

At the height of the whaling era (1843–1860), Lahaina was a major whaling center with anchorage in Lāhainā Roads; in one season over 400 ships visited Lahaina with 100 berthed at one time. Ships tended to stay for weeks rather than days, which explains the drinking and prostitution in the town at that time, against which the missionaries vainly battled. Whaling declined steeply at the end of the 19th century as petroleum replaced whale oil.

Kamehameha's descendants reigned until 1872. They were followed by rulers from another ancient family of chiefs, including Queen Liliuokalani who ruled in 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown. One year later, the Republic of Hawaii was founded. The island was annexed by the United States in 1898 and made a territory in 1900. Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959.

In 1937, Vibora Luviminda trades union conducted the last labor strike of an ethnic nature in the Hawaiian Islands against four Maui sugarcane plantations, demanding higher wages and the dismissal of five foremen. Manuel Fagel and nine other strike leaders were arrested, and charged with kidnapping a worker. Fagel spent four months in jail while the strike continued. Eventually, Vibora Luviminda made its point and the workers won a 15% increase in wages after 85 days on strike, but there was no written contract signed.

Maui was centrally involved in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a staging center, training base, and for rest and relaxation. At the peak in 1943-44, more than 100,000 soldiers were there. The main base of the 4th Marine Division was in Haiku. Beaches (e.g., in Kīhei) were used to practice landings and train in marine demolition and sabotage.

Modern development[link]

Kahakuloa Head

The island experienced rapid population growth through 2007, when Kīhei was one of the most rapidly growing towns in the United States (see chart, below). The island attracted many retirees and many others came to provide services to them and to the rapidly increasing number of tourists. Population growth produced its usual strains, including traffic congestion, housing affordability, and access to water.

Most recent years have brought droughts and the ʻĪao aquifer is being drawn from rates above 18 million U.S. gallons (68,000 m³) per day, possibly more than the aquifer can sustain. Recent estimates indicate that the total potential supply of potable water on Maui is around 476 million U.S. gallons (1,800,000 m³) per day, many times greater than any foreseeable demand.

Sugar cane cultivation once used over 80% of the island's water supply (The Water Development Plan of Maui, 1992 – Present?). One pound of refined sugar requires one ton of water to produce^{[citation needed]}. Water for sugar cultivation comes mostly from the streams of East Maui, routed though a network of tunnels and ditches hand dug by Chinese labor in the 19th century. In 2006, the town of Paia successfully petitioned the County against mixing in treated water from wells known to be contaminated with both EDB and DBCP from former pineapple cultivation in the area (Environment Hawaii, 1996). Agricultural companies have been released from all future liability for these chemicals (County of Maui, 1999). In 2009, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and others successfully argued in court that sugar companies should reduce the amount of water they take from four streams.^[11]

In 1974 Emil Tedeschi of the winegrower family of Calistoga, Napa Valley established the first and only Hawaiian commercial winery, the Tedeschi Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch.

In the 2000s (decade), controversies over whether to continue rapid real-estate development, so-called "vacation rentals" in which homeowners rent their homes to visitors, and the Super Ferry preoccupied local residents. In 2009, the county approved a 1,000 unit development in South Maui in the teeth of the financial crisis. Vacation rentals are now strictly limited, with greater enforcement than previously. The Super Ferry, which offered transport between Maui and Oahu is now defunct, ended by a court decision that required environmental studies from which Governor Linda Lingle had exempted the operator.

Economy[link]

Fleming Beach

The two major industries on Maui are agriculture and tourism. However, government research groups and high technology companies have discovered that Maui has a business environment favorable for growth in those sectors. Agriculture value-added enterprises are growing rapidly.

Coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, tropical flowers, sugar and fresh pineapple are just some of Hawaii's premium exports and are a great example of its diversified agriculture. Maui Land & Pineapple Company^[12] and Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company^[13] (HC&S, a subsidiary of Alexander and Baldwin Company) dominate agricultural activity. HC&S produces sugarcane on about 37,000 acres (150 km²) of the Maui central valley, the largest sugarcane operation remaining in Hawaii.

A controversial feature of Maui sugarcane production is the harvesting method of controlled cane field fires for nine months of the year. Burns reduce the crop to bare canes just before harvesting. The fires produce smoke that towers above the Maui central valley most early mornings, and ash (locally referred to as "Maui snow") that is carried downwind (often towards north Kīhei). In November 2009 Maui Land & Pineapple Company announced it was ceasing pineapple growing operations on Maui effective January 1, 2010.

The Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC)^[14] in Kihei is a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Center which is managed by the University of Hawaii. It provides more than 10,000,000 hours of computing time per year to the research, science, and military communities.

Another promoter of high technology on Maui is the Maui Research and Technology Center,^[15] also located in Kihei. The MRTC^[16] is a program of the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC),^[17] an agency of the State of Hawaii, whose focus is to facilitate the growth of Hawaii's commercial high technology sector.^[18]

Maui is also an important center for advanced astronomical research. The Haleakala Observatory^[19] was Hawaii's first astronomical research and development facility at the Maui Space Surveillance Site (MSSS) electro-optical facility. "At the 10,023 feet summit of the long dormant volcano Haleakala, operational satellite tracking facilities are co-located with a research and development facility providing superb data acquisition and communication support. The high elevation, dry climate, and freedom from light pollution offer virtually year-round observation of satellites, missiles, man-made orbital debris, and astronomical objects."^[20]

The unemployment rate reached a low of 1.7% in December 2006, rising to 9% in March 2009.^[21]

Sports[link]

Windsurfing[link]

Maui is a well known destination for windsurfing. Windsurfing has evolved on Maui since the early 1980s when it was recognised as an ideal location to test equipment and publicise the sport.

Rugby[link]

The Maui Rugby club has teams in Rugby sevens, rugby league and rugby union.

Tourism[link]

The big tourist spots in Maui include the Hāna Highway, Haleakalā National Park, and Lahaina.

The Hāna Highway runs along the east coast of Maui, curving around many mountains and passing by black sand beaches and waterfalls. Haleakalā National Park is home to Haleakalā, a dormant volcano. Lahaina is one of the main attractions on the island with an entire street of shops and restaurants which lead to a wharf where many set out for a sunset cruise or whale watching journey. Snorkeling can be done at almost any beach along the Maui coast. Surfing and windsurfing are also popular on Maui.

The main tourist areas are West Maui (Kāʻanapali, Lahaina, Nāpili-Honokōwai, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua) and South Maui (Kīhei, Wailea-Mākena). The main port of call for cruise ships is located in Kahului. A smaller port can be found in Maʻalaea Harbor located between Lahaina and Kihei.

Maui County welcomed 2,207,826 tourists in 2004 rising to 2,639,929 in 2007 with total tourist expenditures north of US$3.5 billion for the Island of Maui alone. While the island of Oʻahu is most popular with Japanese tourists, the Island of Maui appeals to visitors mostly from the U.S. mainland and Canada: in 2005, there were 2,003,492 domestic arrivals on the island, compared to 260,184 international arrivals.

While winning many travel industry awards as Best Island In The World^[22] in recent years concerns have been raised by locals and environmentalists about the overdevelopment of Maui. A number of activist groups, including Save Makena^[23] have gone as far as taking the government to court to protect the rights of local citizens.^[24]

Throughout 2008 Maui suffered a major loss in tourism compounded by the spring bankruptcies of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines. The pullout in May of the second of three Norwegian Cruise Line ships also hurt. Pacific Business News reported a $166 million loss in revenue for Maui tourism businesses.

Sunrise at Haleakala

Transportation[link]

Three airports provide scheduled air service to Maui:

• Hana Airport in eastern Maui
• Kahului Airport in central Maui
• Kapalua Airport in western Maui

The Maui Public Bus Transit System is a county-funded program that provides transportation around the island with fares costing $1 per boarding.^[25]

See also[link]

• National Register of Historic Places listings for Maui

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Kyselka, Will; Ray E. Lanterman (1980). Maui: How it Came to Be. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-0530-5. 

External links[link]

Find more about Maui on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions and translations from Wiktionary
	Images and media from Commons
	Learning resources from Wikiversity
	News stories from Wikinews
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Textbooks from Wikibooks

• Official site of Maui County
• Maui at the Open Directory Project

v t e  State of Hawaii Honolulu (capital) Topics Geography Government Delegations History Islands Music Language People Visitor Attractions Seal of Hawaii Society Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Politics Main Islands Hawaiʻi Kahoʻolawe Kauaʻi Lānaʻi Maui Molokaʻi Niʻihau Oʻahu Northwestern Islands French Frigate Shoals Gardner Kure Laysan Lisianski Maro Reef Necker Nihoa Pearl and Hermes Communities Hilo Honolulu Kahului Kaneohe Lihue Pearl City Waipahu Counties Hawaii Honolulu Kalawao Kauai Maui

v t e Municipalities and communities of Maui County, Hawaii, United States County seat: Wailuku CDPs Haiku-Pauwela Haliimaile Hana Kaanapali Kahului Kapalua Kaunakakai Kihei Kualapuu Lahaina Lanai City Maalaea Makawao Makena Maunaloa Napili-Honokowai Paia Pukalani Waihee-Waiehu Waikapu Wailea Wailuku Unincorporated communities Haiku Ho'olehua Keanae Keokea Kipahulu Napili Olinda Pu'unene Waihee Wailua

Coordinates: 20°48′N 156°20′W / 20.8°N 156.333°W / 20.8; -156.333

Coordinates: 21°18′41″N 157°47′47″W / 21.31139°N 157.79639°W / 21.31139; -157.79639

State of Hawaii Mokuʻāina o Hawaiʻi
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The Aloha State
Motto(s): Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono ("The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness") Anthem: Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī ("Hawaii’s Own True Sons")
Official language(s)	English, Hawaiian
Demonym	Hawaiian (see notes)[1]
Capital (and largest city)	Honolulu
Area	Ranked 43rd in the U.S.
- Total	10,931 sq mi (28,311 km2)
- Width	n/a miles (n/a km)
- Length	1,522 miles (2,450 km)
- % water	41.2
- Latitude	18° 55′ N to 28° 27′ N
- Longitude	154° 48′ W to 178° 22′ W
Population	Ranked 40th in the U.S.
- Total	1,374,810 (2011 est)[2]
- Density	214/sq mi  (82.6/km2) Ranked 13th in the U.S.
- Median household income	$63,746 (5th)
Elevation
- Highest point	Mauna Kea[3][4][5][6] 13,796 ft (4205.0 m)
- Mean	3,030 ft  (920 m)
- Lowest point	Pacific Ocean[4] sea level
Before statehood	Territory of Hawaii
Admission to Union	August 21, 1959 (50th)
Governor	Neil Abercrombie
Lieutenant Governor	Brian Schatz
Legislature	State Legislature
- Upper house	Senate
- Lower house	House of Representatives
U.S. Senators	Daniel Inouye (D) Daniel Akaka (D)
U.S. House delegation	1: Colleen Hanabusa (D) 2: Mazie Hirono (D) (list)
Time zone	Hawaii: UTC−10 (no DST)
Abbreviations	HI US-HI
Website	www.hawaii.gov