Maalaea at a Glance
Maalaea is a small fishing village located in central Maui,
in the southern part of the isthmus between the mountain
ranges of Haaleakala and west Maui. The town’s Maalaea Harbor
accommodates inter-island shipping vessels, whale-watching
cruises and boat charters. Snorkeling and diving excursions to the tiny offshore island of Molokini depart from here.
The harbor is also famous for the visiting humpback
whales in winter and for the renowned fastest rideable wave,
the tubular-perfect Maalaea Pipeline wave. The wave is produced
when a southerly swell hits Maui.
A proposal to blast a
new harbor entrance to improve the harbor’s safety during
stormy weather threatens to destroy the Maalaea surfbreak
as well as Maalaea’s marine habitat. The proposal has been
lobbied against by locals, surfers and environmentalists.
Located near the harbor is the famed Maui Ocean Center, where
different marine species can be viewed up close. Along the
harbor are condominiums, restaurants, specialty and dive
shops.
Nearby is the 691-acre Kelia Pond Bird Sanctuary, which is home
to many native species of birds including the Hawaiian stilt
and coot and hawskbill turtles. Maalaea Bay is also a humpback whale sanctuary.
Based on a 2000 census survey, 454 people resided
in the 7.7- square mile (20 square kilometer) town surrounded by fields of sugar
cane. The population was dominantly Caucasians (85.90%).
Asians are approximately 6.61% of the population, and Latinos account for
4.41%. Native Hawaiians make up only 1.54% of the population.
Maalaea’s zip code is 96753.
Maalaea in Bullet Points
- Small fishing town on Maui's south coast
- Snorkeling/dive tour boats to nearby Molokini depart from here
- Maui Ocean Center located here
Maalaea Location
Maui's south shore
Maalaea Map (top)
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Maalaea Weather (top)
Now
76°F
Windchill:
76°F
Partly Cloudy
|
Location: Kihei, HI, US
Wind: 20 mph E
Humidity: 58%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.22 in rising
Sunrise: 6:37 am
Sunset: 6:34 pm
|
Thu
Hi: 80°F
Low: 65°F
Mostly Sunny
|
Fri
Hi: 81°F
Low: 64°F
Sunny
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Maalaea Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Maalaea Reviews and Comments
(top)
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