Molokini
Island Nickname: The Valley Isle
Island Color: Pink
Island Flora: Lokelani (small pink cottage rose)
Average temperatures range from the low to high 70s. The chilly slopes of Haleakalā Crater have a temperature range of 40-50° F.
Population: Resident population (2005): 139,995
By age (2005): Under 18 (23.9%); 18-64 (64.6); 65 and over (11.5)
By ethnic groups (2005): Caucasian (34.1%); Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian (24.6); Filipino (15.1); Japanese (8.1)
Main cities and towns (2000): Kahului (20,146); Kihei (16,749); Lahaina (9,118); Lana‘i City (3,164); Kaunakakai (2,726)
Tourism
Maui Island (727.2 sq. miles) is the economic center and seat of county government and is Hawai‘i's second most popular tourist destination.
Visitor arrivals (2005): 2,294,698
Popular visitor attractions are the historic whaling town of Lahaina, the Maui Ocean Center, the slopes and vistas of Haleakala Crater, the winding road to Hana and the beaches of the Ka‘anapali coast.
Please visit the Maui Visitors Bureau for more information.
Agriculture:
Crops grown on the islands of Maui County are fruits (including pineapple), sugarcane and vegetables. Coffee is grown on the islands of Maui and Moloka‘i.
Cut flowers and orchids are grown on Maui and Moloka‘i. Proteas are a specialty of Maui Island.
Aquaculture (2004): 11 operations.
Health:
Licenses (2005): 289 doctors, 85 dentists, 1000 nurses and 89 pharmacists.
Education:
Maui Community College offers a two-year associate degree and is part of the University of Hawai‘i system. The Moloka‘i Education Center is part of Maui Community College.
Financial Institutions (2005):
Eight banks with 28 branches and 4 savings and loans with 11 locations.
Print and Broadcast Media:
The principal newspaper is the Maui News. In 2006, there were 4 AM and 8 FM radio stations and 6 commercial TV stations. In 2005, there were 2 cable TV stations with 51,626 subscribers.
Science & Technology:
There are four astronomical observatories on Haleakala. The Maui Research and Technology Park is home to the Maui High Performance Computing Center which also supports the Pacific Disaster Center Project.
Fun Facts About Maui:
1. Lahaina, Maui was the original capitol, before Honolulu, because of the popularity of its whaling community
2. Maui Island (727.2 sq. miles) is the economic center and seat of county government. Maui County includes Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe.
3. The island is home to many famous attractions including Haleakala Crater, the old whaling town of Lahaina, the road to Hana, and Kaanapali Beach.
4. Haleakala Crater (Ha-lay-ah-ja-lah), is the world's largest dormant volcano.
Molokini
The islet of Molokini is located 2 ½ miles from the Maui coast and shaped like a crescent moon. Once an active volcano, Molokini’s crater has since become a tranquil environment where fragile sea life is protected against the strong ocean currents and waves. Manta rays and humpback whales frequently swim within range and may occasionally enter the bay.
The opposite side of the mouth of the bay is much deeper and is home to moray eels, spiny lobsters, sharks and other big-water animals.
Fun Facts About Molokini
* Molokini is an extinct volcano, which last erupted 230,000 years ago.
* Molokini rises about 500 feet (150 m) from the undersea side of Haleakala to a summit only 162 feet (49 m) above sea level.
* The crater is 1,770 (540 m) feet in diameter.
* State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District.
* Molokini is one of the top ten dive sites in the world.
* Do not walk on the island, going ashore is prohibited.
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