About Maui Click On City For More Information. South Maui About Kihei Kihei is also a historical site. This is the town where Captain George Vancouver, and its associations to the British explorer first landed here in 1792. He introduced live cattle and root vegetables to the Hawaiians. Kihei is growing fast. Driving through South Kihei road you will find new housing projects, a lot of small size condominiums and new shopping centers. Kihei is blessed with marvelous beaches and less than 10 inches of annual rainfall. About Wailea Wailea is 1450 acres of relaxed and uncrowded beaches, fabulous shops of Wailea, restaurants, tennis and golf snuggled into Maui's greenery. All points are connected by a free shuttle every twenty minutes. There are 5 white sand crescent beaches warm with sparkling clear water. Tropical fish with names like "Humuhumunukumukuapa'a" make swimming, snorkeling and snoozing delightful year round. A tennis club, along with Hawaii's only grass courts, is set into the gentle hillside overlooking the island of Lanai, Kahoolawe and little Molokini. Golf is on 3 championship courses...lined with lava rock walls dating back to ancient Hawaii. Elevation: Sea level Climate: Tropical. Arid Transportation: Free shuttle bus throughout Wailea. 35 minutes to Airport. Distance to Major Cities: 1/2 hour. Medical Services: Hospital within 35 minutes. Clinic 15 minutes. Shopping: Stores throughout the area. About Makena South From Wailea, the Wailea Alanui Road Becomes Makena Alanui, and leads directly to Makena, a little over 2 miles distant. Makena quite typically, is less developed that either Wailea or Kihei, with kiawe trees lining its beaches, rather than resort developments, and than with roads, largely unmarked, leading off to the beaches. Makena does, however have one or two good hotels. Makena is also popular with its beaches. The Oneloa Beach is commonly known as the Makean Beach and also Big Beach-is perhaps one of the area's loveliest-an idyllic, white sand beach, a half mile long reached by way of Makena Alanui. Next to Big beach is Little beach. These beaches are separated by a tall lava rock. You have to be careful climbing jagged rocks.   West Maui About Lahaina Lahaina town is popular for it's history. During the early part of the 19th century, King Kamehameha ruled all the islands of Hawaii. Lahaina was known as the Royal Capital of Hawaii. In the early and mid 1800s, Lahaina became an important whaling port, overrun by violent whalers. It became the whaling capital of the world. Ships stopped over twice a year to refresh and recruit on their long voyages. A few years later, the missionaries arrived from England. Lahaina town became a center for missionary activity. The history of the whalers and missionaries can still be seen in this town. Front Street is the center of Lahaina. Most of the towns souvenir and t-shirt shops, art galleries, restaurants and hotels are here. The oldest and largest Banyan Tree in the State of Hawaii is planted here. It covers approximately an acre of land and its roots and branches are extending nearly 50 yards. The Banyan Tree was planted in 1873. Nearby the Banyan Tree is the Lahaina harbor and the Old Courthouse that was built in 1857. About Kaanapali Kaanapali is the second most popular beach in Hawaii. It has a 3-mile long white sand beach. It is also bordered by world class hotels and condominiums. Kaanapali has 2 world famous golf courses. One of them is the Kaanapali Golf Course where they hold the Kaanapali Classic Tournament annually. Kaanapali also has the Whalers Village shopping complex. A whaling museum that houses many artifacts from Hawaii's colorful whaling era are featured and a 40-foot whale skeleton is featured here. One of the popular spots is the Black Rock. This place is a sacred place according to the Hawaiians. Black Rock is know as Leana a Kauhane from the Hawaiians which means "soul's leap". They said that the dying would enter the world of spirits by leaping off the cliffs into the ocean below. The Black Rock area is also popular for snorkeling and swimming. About Kapalua From Kaanapali to Kapalua, you will see highrise resort development and low rise condominium complexes. There are two famous hotels in Kapalua. First is the famous Kapalua Bay Hotel that was built by Maui Land and Pineapple company in 1970. The second is the Ritz Carlton Hotel which was built in 1992. The ancient Hawaiian burial site is also located near the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Kapalua also has 3 beautiful golf courses, one of which, The Plantation Course, hosts the Mercedes Championships annually. After you pass Kapalua, you will reach Honolua Bay. If you drive straight on the rugged, winding, and steep road, you will reach Honokohau Bay in Wailuku. The drive is rugged but it is pretty. You will see breathtaking and unspoiled views every turn of the highway.   Central Maui About Kahului and Wailuku The island's commercial and civic center, as well as the greatest concentration of Maui residents, are located in the adjoining cities of Kahului and Wailuku. With no clear dividing place, these two municipalities seem at first glance to be "twin towns". Kahului, with its bustling harbor and busy shopping complexes, offers little to the sightseer. The piers along the waterfront, lined with container-cargo ships and weekly cruise ships, are the embarkation point for Maui's sugar and pineapple crops. Wailuku, Maui's administrative center, is older and more interesting than Kahului in terms of history. Wailuku sits astride the foothills of the West Maui Mountains. A mix of woodframe plantation houses and suburban homes.   Upcountry Maui About Makawao Makawao is proud of itself; it's not like a cowboy (Paniolo) town, it is a cowboy town. Depending on the translation that you consult, it means "Eye of the Dawn" or "Forest Beginning". Both are appropriate. In the 1970's Makawao began to revive. Makawao had plenty to be proud of and a good history to fall back on. Makawao is the last real paniolo town on Maui and, with Kamuela on the Big Island, is one of the last two in the entire state. At the Oskie Rice Arena, everyone, old-timers and newcomers alike, agrees that Makawao must be preserved, and they work together. They know that tourism is a financial lifeline, but shudder at the thought of Makawao becoming an Upcountry Lahaina.   North Maui About Paia Paia is an old town built around the sugar mill located close by. In the 30's it was a very busy town with hospitals, schools and movie theaters for it's large population of plantation workers. Nowadays, it is a curious mixture of surfers, windsurfers, new age hippies and trendy boutiques and coffee shops. A good place to have some breakfast or buy a picnic lunch before heading out to Hana.   East Maui About Hana Hana is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The natural beauty of the Hana experience will take you back in time and give you an idea of what the rest of Maui was like 30 years ago. Unspoiled, Serene and Mystical: Hana is truly Maui's "Last Hawaiian Place." The charm of Hana is the fact that little has changed over the last 20 years. Untouched by the major developments of the other side of the island, the Hana community has managed to perpetuate the small town atmosphere, Hawaiian culture and most of all, its natural scenic beauty. Ohe`o Gulch: Ohe`o is approximately eleven miles from Hana town and the road is quite rough. There is a campground, hiking trails, and adequate facilities. This is a National Park and sometimes called Seven Pools. Waianapanapa State Park: This park includes some nice hiking trails, a cave filled with fresh water and an interesting legend, and rental cabins. Food Service: In Hana there is a coffee shop, a dining room at the Hotel Hana Maui, and a hamburger stand at Hana Bay. There are also two grocery stores. Sugar Cane: The first plantation growing sugar cane opened at Hana in 1855, and by 1900 there were five plantations, three mills a miles of sugar cane fields between the Hana Airport and Kipahulu. In 1921 the plantations were consolidated into one company, Kaeleku Plantation, and that company was converted to a cattle ranch in 1946. Hotel Hana Maui was built shortly after that. At the present time, the Hana people are employed by Hana Ranch, Hotel Hana Maui, various rental units, many county jobs, three commercial nurseries, gardening and housecleaning etc. Rainfall: The average rainfall is approximately seventy inches a year. Hana Road: The Hana highway was completed in 1927. Before that there was a horse trail only. There were a number of small wharves along the Hana Coast for taking out sugar cane. Freighters called at the old dock at Hana Bay every other week, starting in the 1870`s. Swimming: The best ocean swimming is right at Hana Bay. Snorkeling is interesting beyond the pier. There is a trail to the lighthouse, passing the birthplace of Kaahumanu, who was Kamehameha the First's favorite queen. Population: In ancient times about seventy five thousand Hawaiians lived along this wet stretch of coastline. During the plantation days there were around five or six thousand people. At the present time there are about seven hundred people right in Hana. There are still many Hawaiians and part hawaiians living here. TAN BRAUNS - R(S) Office: 808-270-2900 Cell: 808-264-6013 Fax: 808-442-0986 Email: Tan@TanMaui.com 1819 S. 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