الجمعة، 6 ديسمبر 2013

Interesting Facts About Maui, Hawaii

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 3:27 ص
By Ella Hemmings


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.

Hawaii may have only been a state for a little more than 50 years, but it has a rich and interesting history. The first people to inhabit Maui probably were Polynesians and the first boats may have arrived on its shores about 1,500 years ago. While structures from that period no longer exist on the island, there are several buildings that date back to the 1830s including Lahainaluna High School, which has been open for more than 175 years, longer than any other high school west of the Rockies.

For those who love whales, Maui is a fantastic spot for whale watching. Every year, from about November to May, humpback whales flock to Maui to breed. In fact, about 3,000 Humpback whales come to these waters every year, which is a pretty impressive amount especially since there are only about 8,000 of these whales left on the planet. There are several different whale watching cruises available departing from different spots on Maui. Some even provide a combination of whale watching and snorkeling.

Maui's Haleakala National Park is home to the biggest dormant volcano on earth. This is also the highest spot on the island and for those who want to view a truly amazing sunrise; you can't beat the summit at Haleakala. In addition, if the weather is very clear, you can actually see six other islands from this spot, including Oahu, which is about 85 miles away. It is also interesting to note that 90 percent of the flora in the national park can only be found in Hawaii.

Generally, the temperature on the shore in Maui doesn't get much higher than 80 degrees, and usually the average temperature hangs out right around a balmy 75 degrees. However, if you head up to the summit at Haleakala, the temperature can drop fairly sharply and the lowest recorded temperature in Hawaii occurred here, registering just 11 degrees. Every once in awhile, it snows on Haleakala, so don't head up the mountain without bringing a jacket or sweater.

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.




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