Located south of Oahu, Maui fascinates with its diversity. It is divided into two regions connected by a flat plain in the middle. The former capital of the kingdom, Lahaina, is located on a beautiful beach and offers many historical sights.

Hawaii is a melting pot of diverse cultures, so don't be surprised if you come across the largest Buddha statue outside of Japan. You can explore a sacred place of the Polynesian natives in the Iao Valley. It was in this valley that King Kamehameha fought the decisive battle that led to the unification of the islands into one kingdom.

The larger, southeastern part is dominated by the volcano Haleakala. The name of the mountain, which is about 3,000 meters high, means "house of the rising sun," so it is not surprising that many visitors leave at 2 a.m. to admire the sunrise on the summit. The landscape of the crater (one of the largest in the world at 34 kilometers in circumference) resembles the lunar landscape so much that the astronauts of the Apollo program rehearsed their landing on the planet here.

Along the east side of the volcano my personal highlight of the island is waiting for you. The Road to Hana takes you past bamboo forests, waterfalls and black beaches to the village of the same name. It is rightly considered one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world. Let yourself be enchanted by Maui's beauty!

When you hear the name Maui, you immediately see dreamlike images of tropical palm beaches with surfers and surfers, or perhaps volcanoes, rainforests and Polynesian exoticism pass before your mind's eye. Maui is an absolute longing destination! The name of this second largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago goes back to the eponymous demigod in mythology, who distributed fire among the people.

Maui has about 145,000 inhabitants and is part of the US state of Hawaii. The archipelago is located in the Pacific Ocean, about a six-hour flight from California. The flight lands at Kahului Airport in northern Maui after a roughly 20-hour flight. Nonstop connections from Germany are not offered, so the route usually goes via Los Angeles or San Francisco. Both cities are of course also interesting destinations for a stopover. Due to its shape, the island is also called "The Valley Isle". The impression is created by two volcanoes, Puu Kukui (1764 m) in the west and Haleakala (3,055 m) in the east, which are connected by a flat land bridge. This green, fertile plain is 15 km wide and forms the narrowest part of the island.

Near the popular Kaanapali Beach is the former capital of Hawaii, the charming town of Lahaina, which was also the seat of King Kamehamea II (1797 to 1824). Many of the historic wooden houses and colonial buildings date from his reign and from the 19th century, when the town was considered the most important whaling port in the Pacific. The historic town center has been a protected monument since 1962 and invites you to stroll and contemplate. Those of you interested in island history should plan a walk on the Historic Trail, which takes visitors to Lahaina's 28 most important sites.

The Hana Highway leads over 103 km from the main town of Kahului to the 700 inhabitants village of Hana and rightly belongs to the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world. It leads through the dreamlike landscape of Maui with its indescribable natural beauty, past waterfalls and bamboo forests. However, the 54 bridges and 600 hairpin curves require some driving skills. If you are not a safe driver, it is better to join a guided tour with a chauffeur. In Hana itself, the botanical garden with its huge variety of Polynesian plants is worth a visit.

A must-see for nature lovers and amateur photographers is located just about 5 km outside of Wailuku in central Maui. This scenically unique park, which also has a high spiritual significance for the locals, is crossed by several hiking routes of varying lengths. The main attraction and most popular photo motif is the 365 m high Iao Needle, a rock formation in the shape of a giant needle. The viewing platform, which can be reached via steps, offers a magnificent all-round view of the magnificent nature of the surrounding area.

A visit to this national park, whose Hawaiian name means "House of the Sun", should be on every vacationer's itinerary. The partly rugged lunar landscape around the 1000 m deep crater of the volcano of the same name, is an absolutely impressive experience. Haleakala is known for offering one of the most spectacular sunrises in the world. So if you arrive in time at the visitor center at 2970 m in the morning, you will have the opportunity to observe a breathtaking play of clouds, light and colors. The various hikes through the park always offer fascinating views of the crater, rock gardens with cooled lava figures and waterfalls. You should note that breathing is difficult because of the high altitude and you should be physically fit for longer hiking tours.

Between the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai lies the shallow Auau Channel with relatively warm waters. Here, between November and March, countless humpback whales gather to mate and raise their offspring. Once you have seen these gentle giants, up to 16 meters long, in action, you will never forget this event for the rest of your life. Various such excursions can be booked in Lahaina and Kaanapali. Reputable operators make sure that the whale-watching boats do not approach the animals more than 90 meters. This is the law, because the locals attach great importance to the respectful treatment of the whales.

Most Maui vacationers are passionate about water sports. Those of you who like snorkeling or diving can do it here in an absolute top area. About 4 km off the southwest coast of Maui lies the half-sunken, crescent-shaped Molokini Crater. The visibility in the wonderfully clear water is up to 45 m in parts and allows unforgettable impressions when observing numerous shark species, dolphins, manta rays and other colorful exotics such as trumpet or Picasso triggerfish. Several operators organize tours to this special area.

Another fantastic spot for snorkeling is Maluaka Beach, known as Turtle Town, in the west of Maui, which is easily accessible by rental car. As the name suggests, among other things, the green sea turtle can be observed here above and below the water. Due to its protected location, the sea is mostly calm at this stretch of beach and perfect for beginners.

Wailea Beach on the south coast is ideal for swimming, especially during the summer months, when the sea is usually very calm. The shallowly sloping sandy beach is also well suited for families with children. However, due to a luxury resort located here, this section is often a bit busier.

An absolute dream beach, precisely because of its seclusion, is Hamoa Beach, south of the village of Hana on the east coast. With its green hills and tropical vegetation, it looks like something straight out of a vacation brochure. The mixture of light and dark sand earned it the nickname "Salt and Pepper Beach" - it is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the entire Pacific region.

Maui is a perfect destination for nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts and people looking for a bit of adventure. You have the choice between lively cities with a variety of entertainment or absolute tranquility in the midst of nature. Maui will always welcome you with a warm "Aloha"!