Maui

Maui mouˈē [key], island (1990 est. pop. 82,500), 728 sq mi (1,886 sq km), second largest island in the state of Hawaii, separated from the island of Hawaii by the Alenuihaha Channel and from Molokai by the Pailolo Channel. Maui is made up of two mountain masses, which constitute the east and west peninsulas, connected by an isthmus. The highest point on the island is the Haleakala volcano (10,023 ft/3,055 m) in Haleakala National Park. In the west, Puu Kukui rises to 5,788 ft (1,764 m). The island's chief industry is tourism; agriculture also is important. The principal ports are Kahului and Lahaina. Wailuku (1990 pop. 10,688) is the largest town and the county seat of Maui co. (1990 pop. 100,374), which includes the islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, and Molokai.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. Physical Geography