15 FACTS ABOUT MAUI
Do you think you know Maui? Think again! Beyond the lavish resorts, Maui is home to unique natural wonders, a melting pot culture, and unique local customs. Here are 15 things you might not have known about Maui.
The islands of Kaho'olawe, Moloka'i, and Lana'i are all a part of Maui County.
Maui County is the only county in Hawaii that is composed of multiple islands. Kahoolawe was once used by the navy for target practice and remains uninhabited. Lana'i and Moloka'i, however, are home to small, tight-knit populations. Many Moloka'i and Lana'i residents come to Maui often to take care of business and shop at the only Costco in the county. Lanai is the most accessible island for visitors and is home to a booming population of spinner dolphins and vibrant coral reefs. For those interested in visiting Lana'i, Hawaii Ocean Project offers a fantastic snorkel cruise that explores the island's coast. This makes for a great day trip.
2. The islands in Maui County were once all connected. This massive island was called Maui Nui.
1.2 million years ago, the island of Molokini, Kaho'olawe, Moloka'i, Lana'i, and Maui were all connected. This 5,600 square mile island was 40% larger than the Big Island is today. This colossal landmass was called Maui Nui. As the volcanos that made up the island slowly eroded and the ice ages came to an end, the sea began to fill the island's low-lying areas. The islands finally became separated 200,000 years ago.
3. Molokini was once an active volcano.
Molokini's last eruption was about 230,000 years ago. As eruptions ceased, Molokini slowly eroded into the sea. Today the crater is home to one of the most unique and vibrant reefs in the world. Molokini is a sanctuary for over 250 types of fish and has become a mecca for snorkelers. A visit to Molokini aboard Kai Kanani is one of the best ways to experience the crater. Kai Kanani offers a sunrise snorkel tour and is one of the first boats to reach the crater in the morning.
4. You can fly to Hana instead of driving the winding road.
The road to Hana winds through dense rainforest valleys dotted with waterfalls and fruit stands. The road to Hana is often said to be more about the journey than the destination, and with 600 curves and 59 bridges, it's a full-day journey. However, if you're not keen on spending all day in the car or you're simply pressed for time, some flights operate to Hana's small airport. An ultra unique way to see East Maui is via a discovery flight with Fly Maui. Discovery flights include taking off the plane at Kahului Airport, then heading east for a touch and go at Hana Airport. Along the way, you'll see all of the road's best sights, and honestly, you'll be getting a significantly better view than those driving.
5. Maui is home to many different microclimates.
Dense rainforests, alpine deserts, sheer mountains ranges: Maui is home to many different microclimates. A microclimate is a climate in a small area, specifically when it varies from the climate in the surrounding regions. On a short drive, you might pass through both rainforest and desert. This is the reason for the saying, "if you don't like the weather on Maui, just drive five minutes."
6. Lahaina was once the capital of Hawaii.
**UPDATE: As of August 9, 2023. We are devastated to hear of the damage caused by the brush fires in many areas across the island including Lahaina. Many historic landmarks, homes, schools, churches, and businesses were destroyed.
Long before Hawaii was a state and Honolulu was deemed the capital city, Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1820, King Kamehameha II declared Lahaina the capital of the kingdom. Lahaina held the title until 1845 when the capital was moved to Honolulu. Could you imagine if Lahaina looked like Honolulu today?!
7. Maui's "mother reef" is home to corals that are over 1,500 years old.
On Maui's west side, the Olowalu area is home to Maui's "mother reef." The Olowalu reef spans over 1,000 acres, and some of the coral heads here are over 1,500 years old. Trilogy is one of the most esteemed tour companies on the island to visit this reef, and they provide all the fixings for an epic day on the water, including reef-safe sunscreen!
8. Humpback whales can only be spotted in the winter months when they migrate from Alaska to give birth.
Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii every winter to escape the icy waters of Alaska and give birth in a warm sanctuary. If you are visiting in the wintertime, Redline Rafting hosts whale watches that depart from Kihei Boat Ramp. While whales are federally protected and must not be approached within 1,000 feet, they can be curious creatures. And for some reason, they seem especially interested in Redline's signature red raft. Sometimes an inquisitive whale will come right up to the boat to say hello.
9. No one wears shoes in their house in Hawaii.
In Hawaii, wearing shoes into someone's house is a big no-no. In fact, it's actually considered rude. So if you're invited to a local's house, leave your shoes at the door. You'll likely see a big pile of slippahs on the doorstep anyway.
10. Maui is home to some rainiest peaks in the world.
Both East Maui and West Maui give Mount Waialeale on Kauai, the rainiest peak in the world, a run for its money. Pu'u Kukui in the West Maui Mountains sees an average of 365 inches of rain per year. "Big Bog '' on the edge of Haleakala National Park sees over 400 inches of rain annually. Rainstorms are usually isolated to one part of the island, but since Maui is located in the tropics, it is not uncommon for the whole island to be rained out sometimes. If you do get caught on a rainy day, Island Art Party is a great indoor activity. Island Art Party is 50% painting class, 50% cocktail party, and 100% fun.
11. Haleakala once stood thousands of feet higher than today and is the largest dormant volcano in Hawaii.
Haleakala is one of the largest volcanoes in the world, yet it used to stand much taller, at 12,000 feet. Hundreds of thousands of years of erosion wore down Haleakala's elevation to where it stands today at 10,023 feet. For those interested in learning more about the fascinating geological and cultural history of Haleakala, Haleakala Eco Tours is second to none. Their summit tour provides insight into the enchanting cultural practices that once took place here, as well as Haleakala's compelling geological changes.
12. A standard Hawaiian greeting is a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Handshakes aren't much of a thing in Hawaii. Instead, the standard greeting when meeting someone new is a hug, and a kiss on the cheek is usually added when meeting mutual friends or family members.
13. Pidgin is an official language in the State of Hawaii.
Hawaii is the only US State with two languages, and Pidgin is one of them. Pidgin originated in Hawaii's plantation era when immigrants from Asian/Pacific countries moved to Hawaii to work in the sugar industry. Pidgin was born in the mid-1850s from a blend of English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and it continued to evolve with the arrival of Filipinos and Koreans in the 1900s. As a result, there are 600,000 native speakers and 400,000 who speak Pidgin as a second language.
14. Surfing was invented in Polynesia and popularized by Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku.
Hawaii is known as the birthplace of surfing, and the father of surfing was a prominent native Hawaiian himself. Surfing was once reserved for royalty, but today it is one of the most popular pastimes on the island. This means there is no shortage of surf schools either. Learning to surf is part of the quintessential Hawaii vacation.
15. It snows on Maui sometimes!
Despite the warm year-round climate, it is known to snow occasionally on Maui. Usually, the snow is confined to the upper regions of Haleakala, but a strong winter storm in 2019 caused snow to fall in Poli Poli State Park and reached as low as 6,000 feet! It was the first time snow had ever been recorded in a Hawaii State Park, and it was the lowest snowfall on record in Hawaii.
Interested in learning more about Hawaii? Browse episodes of the Aloha 360 podcast. The Aloha 360 is run by two South Maui residents eager to share travel tips, fun facts, and love for the island they call home.
