While the State of Hawaii includes eight islands, the Hawaiian Islands are actually an archipelago that contains many atolls and islets, quite a few of which are uninhabited. Within the state, there are several islands that draw tourists from around the world. Maui, which is the second largest island in area, receives more than two million visitors each year. Here are some fun facts about this special island, nicknamed the Valley Isle.
While Hawaii was granted statehood only back in 1959, people have inhabited these islands for more than 1,000 years. The first to live in Maui were said to come primarily from Polynesia and it was many centuries before Europeans encountered this beautiful isle. There are still several structures on Maui that were built in the 1830s or 1840s, including the oldest continuously operated high school in the western United States. Lahainaluna High School has been educating students since 1834, and one of its historic buildings has been transformed into a museum.
Maui is an excellent destination for nature lovers, especially those who love the creatures of the sea. Whale watching seasons runs from November through May and the primary attraction is the magnificent Humpback whale, which flocks to this island primarily because the water is a near-constant and warm temperature ideal for baby Humpbacks and there are few predators. A whale watching cruise might be one of the highlights of your visit to Maui.
Maui has a few things that you can find nowhere else on earth, including a special species of plant that is only found in small area of the island. The largest dormant volcano in the world is also found in Maui and it is the centerpiece of Haleakala National Park. There are tons of hiking trails in the park, and a favorite activity is climbing to the summit of Haleakala and watching as the sun rises. From this point, you can sometimes see six different islands.
The average temperature around sea level in Maui is about 75 degrees. However, at the summit of Haleakala, the temperature once dropped to a statewide record low of 11 degrees. In fact, it actually snows occasionally on Haleakala, and while this might be a rare event, it is often much cooler up there so if you are planning a visit to the summit, bring a jacket.
Obviously the Hawaiian Islands boast some of the world's best scenery and this state is a hotspot for couples celebrating anniversaries, as well as honeymooners. In fact, about 20,000 couples come to Hawaii annually to exchange their wedding vows. If you would like to one of these 20,000, consider contacting a Maui wedding planner and creating your own perfect island nuptials. LoveMauiWeddings.com, for instance, has been handling all the details for Maui weddings, Maui vow renewals and Maui elopements since 1992. They can help with all the details, leaving you to simply enjoy the romance.
While Hawaii was granted statehood only back in 1959, people have inhabited these islands for more than 1,000 years. The first to live in Maui were said to come primarily from Polynesia and it was many centuries before Europeans encountered this beautiful isle. There are still several structures on Maui that were built in the 1830s or 1840s, including the oldest continuously operated high school in the western United States. Lahainaluna High School has been educating students since 1834, and one of its historic buildings has been transformed into a museum.
Maui is an excellent destination for nature lovers, especially those who love the creatures of the sea. Whale watching seasons runs from November through May and the primary attraction is the magnificent Humpback whale, which flocks to this island primarily because the water is a near-constant and warm temperature ideal for baby Humpbacks and there are few predators. A whale watching cruise might be one of the highlights of your visit to Maui.
Maui has a few things that you can find nowhere else on earth, including a special species of plant that is only found in small area of the island. The largest dormant volcano in the world is also found in Maui and it is the centerpiece of Haleakala National Park. There are tons of hiking trails in the park, and a favorite activity is climbing to the summit of Haleakala and watching as the sun rises. From this point, you can sometimes see six different islands.
The average temperature around sea level in Maui is about 75 degrees. However, at the summit of Haleakala, the temperature once dropped to a statewide record low of 11 degrees. In fact, it actually snows occasionally on Haleakala, and while this might be a rare event, it is often much cooler up there so if you are planning a visit to the summit, bring a jacket.
Obviously the Hawaiian Islands boast some of the world's best scenery and this state is a hotspot for couples celebrating anniversaries, as well as honeymooners. In fact, about 20,000 couples come to Hawaii annually to exchange their wedding vows. If you would like to one of these 20,000, consider contacting a Maui wedding planner and creating your own perfect island nuptials. LoveMauiWeddings.com, for instance, has been handling all the details for Maui weddings, Maui vow renewals and Maui elopements since 1992. They can help with all the details, leaving you to simply enjoy the romance.
About the Author:
Ella Hemmings enjoys reading wedding blogs. For additional info about the best cheap Maui wedding packages or to know more about Maui wedding packages all inclusive, please check out the LoveMauiWeddings.com site today.
