The Hawaiian Islands need no introduction to a globe trotter. The name Hawaii came from the Polynesian navigator Hawaii’ iloa from Tahiti, who discovered the islands around 700 AD. However, it was not until Captain Cook visited it in 1778 that the world learned about the islands. Hawaii is the only state in the USA consisting of a series of islands and is also the newest of the 50 states. The island became US territory in 1900 and was proclaimed a state in 1959. The Hawaiian island chain is spread over nearly 2,500 kilometres and nearly covers the whole of the entire volcanic chain in the Pacific, in the Polynesian sub region of Oceania. Hawaii is the largest and is referred to as “The Big Island” to prevent confusion while referring to the state of Hawaii as a whole.
 Hawaii has been greatly influenced by American and Asian influences, and has a distinct native culture, considering location in the mid Pacific, close to many countries and cultures like those of the US, Japan and Australia. Hawaii’s natural beauty is attributed largely to its pristine waters, tropical climate and the marine life around the islands. It is a “top of the list” destination for tourists, especially surfers, as well as scientists, researchers and wildlife biologists who study the volcanoes and the oceans around the island.
Hawaii has recently been propelled into the limelight with the election of Barack Obama, who spent most of his growing up years here, as President of the USA.
Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii. Like the rest of Hawaii, Maui is subject to a diverse range of climatic and weather conditions because of its close proximity to the coastline; nearly half of Maui is situated within a radius of 8 kilometres from the seashore. The original inhabitants of Maui were the Polynesians from Tahiti between 300 & 750 A.D. who introduced a strict social order that determined all aspects of life thus forming the core of Hawaiian culture. By the late 1700s the modern settlers from Europe arrived including loggers, whalers, traders and missionaries. The missionaries exerted great influence in clothing the natives and teaching and educating them. The first school started by them in 1831 in Lahaina still exists today. The combination of literary and religious work altered the culture of Hawaii to a great extent, while preserving the native history and language.
Whaling was the major industry in Lahaina from the early to the mid 1800s when hundreds of ships arrived and berthed in the harbour. But by the end of the 19th century, whaling declined substantially because by then petroleum and oil had started to replace whale oil.
 Maui has rapidly expanded in recent years and development has come to island in leaps and bounds. Technological development in the shape of the Maui High Performance Computing Centre set up by the US Air Force as a Research Laboratory Centre provides support and infrastructure to the science, military and research communities. Another equally famous centre is the Maui Astronomical Laboratory which provides year-round study and observation of satellites, space crafts and other astronomical objects in a pollution free atmosphere.
However, Maui depends on agriculture and tourism which are the two main revenue earners.
Like the rest of Hawaii, tourism rakes in the big bucks. There is no dearth of tourist spots in Maui which is home to the Haleakala National Park, site of the dormant volcano Haleakala, and numerous mountains, beaches and waterfalls. Whale watching, snorkeling and other water sports are popular activities. Sunrise at Haleakala is a thrilling experience.
Shopping and dining are also attractive options for a visitor. Transportation around the island is provided by the Maui Public Bus Transit System. Maui has three airports with well connected services to mainland USA
Hotels are aplenty to cater to all budgets – from the luxurious to the homely, from beachfront cottages to camping tents in the mountains.
All one needs is a love for the water and a feeling for adventure and thrill. | 
