Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian islands, is known as the place to go for excitement. The island is fun, with something for everyone. It has secluded beaches, endless stretches of coast, hairpin turn highways, and funky towns with great boutique shopping. As I did with Oahu yesterday, I’ll touch on the history of Maui and what to do once you’re here!
Maui, Hawai’i
Maui was named for the son of Hawai’iloa, who in turn was named for the demigod of the same name. In Polynesian mythology, the demigod Maui was a trickster. His exploits were told of far and wide in the Polynesian world. He is credited with bringing fire to man. He was also the one who founded New Zealand, when he stowed away on his older brothers fishing boat. If you are familiar at all with Pacific Northwest mythology, Maui is very similar to Raven!
From a geological standpoint, the island formed from two shield volcanoes; the isthmus in between the two created a valley. Today, it is known as the Valley Isle.
Settlement on Maui
The first people in Maui were Tahitian and Marquesan travellers. When Kamehameha the Great set out to unify the islands, he set foot on Maui before returning to Hawai’i (to finish fighting). The first white man on Maui was a French explorer. Jean Francois de Galaup landed in 1786. His arrival heralded the start of the whalers, traders, and missionaries who came in droves. The missionaries are credited with both altering and preserving the native culture. While they certainly introduced newfangled things like printing presses, they also helped the islanders write down their history – which until this point was oral.
Whaling was another major industry in Maui in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, whales migrate past Maui on their way north each winter. The industry centres on Lahaina, where several tour operators run daily whale watching tours. However, it’s also possible to spot them from land at various times of the year. If you’re there in the winter, keep your eyes for the telltale blow.
What to do on Maui
The Go Hawaii website divides Maui into approximately five regions. The west coast is the most popular with tourists, as it has the old whaling town of Lahaina, the exciting Kanaapali Coast, and Kapalua. To the south, near Wailea, you’ll find the majority of the luxury resorts. The Fairmont, Four Seasons, Andaz, and Hotel Wailea are all situated here. While only some are Virtuoso properties, there is no shortage of luxe accommodation here!!
Before I went to Hawai’i, my neighbours told me I needed to visit Maui and drive the Road to Hana. I decided against that, although if I’d had more time you can bet I’d be there with bells on. The Road to Hana is quite likely one of the most exotic road trips in the US. It’s runs from the southern coast along to Hana, on the northwest coast of the island. Just looking at the photos gave me serious FOMO so it’s on my list for next time! It reminds me of the winding roads of New Zealand’s South Island west coast.
Activities on Maui
For adventure enthusiasts, and early morning risers, hiking Haleakala at sunrise is a bucket list item. (I personally prefer sunset, but I hear that the sun is just as pretty in the morning.) Seriously though, the images of the sun peeking through the clouds as it rises above the Hawaiian horizon are spectacular. Another adventure is exploring the crater of the volcano (see featured image).
Other adrenaline fuelled activities include zip lining, snorkelling, diving, and surfing. Traditional surfing isn’t the only kind found here, either… Maui is where to go for kitesurfing, windsurfing, or bodysurfing.
I heard a story – I do not know how true it is – about how the Hawaiian cowboys got their name. When the Spanish arrived (varying dates for this), they said “soy Espanol” – but the Hawaiians could not pronounce the “s” – so we get “panol” or “the Spanish.”
Another popular activity you can’t find on some of the other islands is meeting the paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys. There are plenty of tour operators that run horseback riding tours across the upcountry plains of Maui, should that interest you. The northern shore of Maui is much quieter than the western and southern coasts, and a great place to go for a relaxing day of hanging with the locals. And, like much of the island chain, there are incredible black sand beaches!
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