Maui

Maui, island, Maui County, central Hawaii, between Molokai and Hawaii islands, known as the Valley Isle. The second largest island of the state, it is divided into two oval peninsulas, East Maui and West Maui. East Maui rises in the mountain of Haleakala, a dormant volcano, to a height of 3,055 m (10,023 ft). The mountain terminates in a summit depression nearly 32 km (nearly 20 mi) in circumference and more than 924 m (more than 3,028 ft) deep. West Maui rises to an elevation of 1,764 m (5,788 ft) at Pu’u Kukui and has many sharp peaks and ridges and extensive sloping plains on the northern and southern sides. Tourism, sugar and pineapple production, and cattle ranching are important to the economy. The major communities are Wailuku and Kahului. Area, 1,884 sq km (727 sq mi); population (2000) 117,644.