The Island of Maui can be geographically divided into several regions as the map goes:
• West Maui: With its abundant sunshine and plentiful water, West Maui was once a major Hawaiian population center and the favorite playground of royalty. The people grew sweet potato, taro, paper mulberry, ti, gourds, banana and coconut, and gathered lumber, firewood and cordage from the mountains. Today, West Maui includes the resort areas of Kapalua and Ka'anapali; visitor communities of Napili (NAH-pee-lee), Kahana (kah-HAH-nah) and Honokowai (hoh-noh-KOH-why); and historic Lahaina town ( Hawaii's Capital in the Past).
• South Maui: South Maui is known for its coastal areas, with mile-after-mile of sandy white beaches, fringing reef and low-level wetlands. Sheltered on the leeward side of Mount Haleakala, this area is sunnier and drier than the rest of the island. South Maui was especially suitable for aquaculture, and remnants of ancient Hawaiian fishponds can still be seen today. Today, South Maui includes the coastal communities of Ma'alaea (MAH-ah-LAI-ah) and Kihei (KEE-hey), and resort communities Wailea (why-LEH-ah) and Makena (MAH-keh-nah).
• Central Maui: The sunny isthmus between Maui’s two volcanoes includes residential communities, sugar and pineapple plantations, county and state government offices, and various visitor attractions including `Iao Valley ( A Must See), the Maui Tropical Plantation, golf courses, museums, parks, nature center, shopping centers, an arts & cultural center, and special events.
• Upcountry: “Upcountry Maui” refers to the towns, ranches, vineyards, farmlands, and visitor attractions on the upper slopes of Haleakala, including the Haleakala National Park. Charming and rural, Upcountry Maui is the heart of the island’s agricultural industry as well as a thriving artists’ community and local shopping hot spot s well as the Winery.
• East Maui: This area of Maui ranges from Kahului Airport ( Which you arrive from) out to the community of Hana on the northeastern tip of the island, and is renown for great surfing, quaint towns, and lush rural scenery. Known as the windward side, it is largely undeveloped and much of the narrow road to Hana winds along the island’s beautiful northern coastline with Multiple waterfalls.
Hawaiian Language
The Hawaiian language has only 13 letters. Vowels are generally pronounced as follows as the saying goes:
A = ah, as in "saw", E = ay, as in "say", I = ee, as in "see", O = oh, as in "so", and U = oo, as in "soon"
Here are some Phrases and words you are probably going come across during your stay at our "Hideaway" on the Islands:
'aina Land ali'i Royalty
aloha Love, Welcome, Goodbye hana hou Encore
heiau Ancient Hawaiian Temple holoholo TO Walk, Ride, Sail
hula Traditional Hawaiian Dance Kama'aina Native Born Hawaiian or Longtime Resident
kane Man Keiki Child
kokua Help, Cooperation lanai Balcony, Porch
lei Garland of Flowers, Nuts or Shells lu'au Traditional Hawaiian Feast
mahalo Thank You makai Toward the Ocean
mauka Toward the Mountains 'ohana Family
'ono Delicious paniolo Hawaiian Cowboy
pau Finished or Done or Complete poke Marinated pieces of Raw Fish
pupu Appetizer wahine Woman
wikiwiki Quick
And there you go your introductory lesson into the language of the Hawaiians. Come test yourself at our "Hideaway"