• Hawaii is the most geographically isolated population center on earth. The Hawaiian Islands are 2,000 miles from the Marshall Islands; 2,390 miles from California; 2,500 miles from Tahiti; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.
• Hawaii is home to the longest continuously erupting volcano in recorded history: Kilauea Caldera on the Big Island of Hawaii has been producing a lava flow since January 1983. More >>
• 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu's Capitol District featured electricity before even the White House in Washington, D.C. More about the Palace >>
• Hawaii has no snakes in the wild.
• Hawaii is home to the tallest mountain on the planet: Mauna Kea on the Big Island — measured from the seafloor — tops out at 33,476 feet. From sea level it measures 13,796 feet high. More >>
• Hawaii has two official languages English and Hawaiian. More >>
• Hawaiian monarch King David Kalakaua (reign 1874 to 1891), was the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe and the first foreign head of state to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
With one of the fastest growing populations in the state, the island of Maui also offers an astounding array of accommodation — including youth hostels, bed & breakfasts, villas and vacation rental homes, world-class resorts and thousands of reasonably priced condominium units.
Many of the island's condos are concentrated along the six-mile, south Maui beach stretch of Kihei and along the shores of West Maui's Honokowai, Kahana and Napili areas, with plantation-style condos in Honokowai and Napili tending to be less expensive. Kihei also hosts a few hotels, while several upscale resorts and renovated condo properties sit just down the road in Wailea.
Many of the island's larger hotels are concentrated in Kaanapali, the resort area on Maui's western shore. This bustling beach resort area is approximately four miles from the historic whaling town of Lahaina, which is today a busy seaside community of shops, restaurants and galleries. Also the seat of nightlife in West Maui, Lahaina offers several condominiums and a few historic inn/bed & breakfasts.
Kahana Beach, located between the resort haven of Kaanapali and the condo enclave of Napili, is quiet, with nice beaches, amazing surf in the winter months and some vacation rental homes. A few miles farther up the road is the luxurious Kapalua Resort, with a private beach and surrounded by lush golf courses.
As one moves farther away from Maui's south and west shores, lodging choices become few. The business centers of Wailuku and Kahului offer several hotels on the waterfront. But a short drive Upcountry leads to the pastoral towns of Makawao and Kula, offering a charming selection of rental homes and a bed & breakfast or two.
On the eastern side of the island accessed by the thrilling and beautiful Hana Highway is the famed town of Hana, a quiet area with several appropriately laid-back hotels, the renovated and historic Hotel Hana-Maui, and a smattering of vacation rentals.
Hotel brands on Maui include Outrigger, Castle, Prince, ResortQuest, Starwood, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carton, Fairmont and Renaissance. Maui offers one 5-star resort, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa, and no all-inclusive resorts. Timeshare / vacation ownership opportunities are also available.
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