Separated west, with its growing condominium and housing markets, and east, with Haleakala Mountain, Maui assumes its place as the second largest of the Hawaiian islands. Its unmatched beauty, cozy communities, and warm inviting surf have made it a world-renowned tourist destination for windsurfers and those looking to get away from it all. Recognized internationally for its focus on "smart-growth" real estate development, Maui continues to preserve the island's natural environment making it possible for lifestyles in the paradise of one's choice
West Maui supports the majority of the island's small, but ethnically, culturally, and spiritually diverse population. Business-friendly areas like Kîhei and Kahului surround harbors, the airport, and the island's famous resorts; yet still retain their "cruise" pace and stress-free ambiance. White, sandy beaches and breathtaking views are far from compromised due to Maui's real estate development with such places as Kaanapali enjoying nearly four miles of uninterrupted beach and Olowalu opening up to picture-perfect vistas of the nearby islands of Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the Big Island. Active artistic and nightlife scenes can be found in Lahaina on the far west end of the island making it the "happening place" on Maui. A public bus system connects each of the communities on the Westside, stopping its service at the foothills of Haleakala Mountain, the world's largest dormant volcano.
East Maui is a world of its own as Haleakala encompasses most of the land, supporting various climates from pastureland to green jungle to desert. Depending on altitude temperatures can range from subfreezing to subtropical. The only road around Haleakala introduces people to the diversity that is East Maui with its numerous waterfalls, pristine pools, world-class beaches, artists' villages, cowboy towns, and a few remaining family taro farms.
A steady population growth since the 1970s has rapidly made Maui the second most developed island in Hawaii creating both high-rise and low-rise communities complete with condominiums and single-family homes. Most of newest residents have come as tourists and decided to stay or retire on "the island of natural beauties". Even though tourism is the island's leading industry, agriculture holds its place as a major contributor to sustenance and economic needs. Potatoes, onions, and pineapples are all grown on Maui, but most agricultural land is devoted to sugarcane as fields stretch alongside West Maui roads; welcoming beaches and premier Maui condominiums line the other side.
