Island of Maui
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Island of Maui Nicknames Valley Isle; the Magic Isle Wailuku (translates to "water of Capital City destruction") Population 144,444 Square Miles 727.3 Kapalua, Kā‘anapali, Lahaina, Kīhei, Resort Areas Mākena, Wailea Visitors Bureau www.visitmaui.com Flower/Plant lokelani (also roselani) Mountain Haleakalā (House of the sun) Ali'i Pi‘ilani Color ‘ākala (pink) “‘O Maui o nā Hono o Pi‘ilani; Maui nō ka ‘oi” Maui of the Hono bays of Chief Pi‘ilani, Maui is the best MAUI Maui is an island rich with culture and history. The seaport town of Lahaina served as the capital and center of government for the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1820 until 1845. Maui was also an international whaling center in the 19th century where, at one point, 400 whaling ships visited the island during a single season. On November 26, 1778, explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to see Maui. Cook never set foot on the island, however, because he was unable to find a suitable landing. Kamehameha I invaded Maui in 1790 and fought the Battle of Kepaniwai. It wasn’t until a few years later that he finally subdued Maui. Hāna Ranch, Maui Sites of Interest Kā‘anapali Beach The Kā‘anapali area was once a retreat for the high chiefs of Maui. Along this coast is a cliff called Keka‘a, also known as Black Rock. This sacred site is believed to be a place where souls jump off into the spirit world. ‘Īao Valley State Park The Battle of Kepaniwai was a significant battle in Kamehameha’s unification efforts, upon which his forces defeated Maui’s army, led by the Chief Kahekili. One result of the battle was the newly bestowed name of the valley’s river, named after the battle. Kepaniwai, which means, “water dam,” refers to the many slain warriors who fell into the river and temporarily damned the waters. This sacred valley is also the burial place of Maui’s highest‐ranking chiefs. Hāna A visit to remote Hāna in East Maui is like stepping back in time. Hāna is the location of the largest heiau in Hawai‘i. This traditional temple is called Pi‘ilanihale in honor of Maui’s Chief Pi‘ilani. Pi‘ilani united the people of Maui in the 16th century and his name symbolizes the island until today. Hāna is also the birthplace of Ka‘ahumanu, Kamehameha I’s favorite wife, who was also a very influential stateswoman. Below is a mele (song) written for MauI. NĀ WAI KAULANA Famous Waters A SONG FOR ‘Ike ana i ka nani o Maui Seeing the beauty of Maui MAUI I Ke Pani Wai O ‘Īao The Closed Off Waters of ‘Īao Ke kokolo a ka uahi o Kula The way the smoke of Kula drifts This song was composed on Me he uhiwai ala no ka uka Is like misty fog in the uplands May 9, 1948 for the Maui Float featured in the Kamehameha Day Parade on the island of HUI CHORUS O‘ahu. Ka‘apuni ‘oe a puni ‘o Maui You travel through the island of Maui E ‘ike i nā wai ‘ehā To see the four Wai‐places This was Alice Nāmakelua's 3rd ‘O Waikapū, ‘o Wailuku, ‘o Waiehu Which are Waikapū, Wailuku, Waiehu composition, which praises the Kaulana nā wai ‘ehā Their four waters are famous four famous streams of West He ‘īnikiniki mālie Gently pinching is Maui and other well‐known ‘O Waihe‘e i ka makani Kili‘o‘opu Waihe‘e with its Kili‘o‘opu wind features of the island. ‘O nā wai kaulana ia a‘o ku‘u ‘āina These are the famous Wai‐places ‘O nā wai kaulana ia a‘o ku‘u ‘āina of my land ‘Īao Valley was the sacred burial ground of the ali‘i (chiefs). A luna a‘o Haleakalā Reaching the top of Mount Haleakalā Haleakalā is the volcano and ‘Ike ‘ia ka nani kamaha‘o An amazing and beautiful sight is seen highest point on Maui. ‘Alawa aku ‘oe i ka nani There you look down at the beauty Ka nani o ke kukuna o ka lā The gorgeous rays of the sun Kili‘o‘opu is the name of a Waihe‘e wind. Eia iho ho‘i ia nani The next sight to see is the beauty ‘O ka nani o ka pua li‘ulā Of the flower known as a mirage The four famous streams are: He pua māka‘ika‘i mau ‘ia This is a flower that draws visitors Waikapū, Wailuku, Waiehu, and E ka nui me ka lehulehu In larger and larger numbers Waihe‘e. Kaulana nā pua like ‘ole Many different flowers are famous ‘A‘ohe nō a‘e like aku None match however Me ka nani o ka pua roselani The beauty of Maui’s roselani flower ‘O ka wehi a‘o ku‘u ‘āina The lei of my island Words & Music by Alice Nāmakelua .