Guide to Landmarks in Maui

When you visit Maui, you can explore the landmarks. Visitors can visit important landmarks in Maui such as Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, Dragons Teeth, Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley Needle, Kahakuloa Head and Kihei Boat Landing.

Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary is a breeding site for wild Hawaiian birds that are endangered. Some of the Hawaiian birds that you can see at the wildlife sanctuary include stilt, coot, sphinx moth and etc. The wildlife reserve covers an area of 143 acres. During the winter, the Canadian geese will stop by at this reserve. During the early 18^th century, the pond was built to rear fishes. King Kapiiohookalani is the person responsible for building the bond. The Hawaiian government converted it into a bird refuge in 1951. It was used as a landmark since 1971.  The wildlife sanctuary is situated nearby to the Kahului Airport.

Haleakala Crater is an active volcano that last erupted in 1790. The land around the crater is quite barren. The summit of the crater is about ten thousand feet above the sea level. The measurement of the depth of the crater is 3,000 feet deep. The tallest cinder cone can be seen at the crater. The cinder cone, Pu’ u o Maui is about 500 feet tall. Tourists can access Haleakala via several methods including foot, bicycle, horses, and vehicles. If you are not familiar with the trail to Haleakala, you should follow the guided tour. National Park Service provides most of the guided tours. Several private activity companies also offer guided tour. The best time to visit the Haleakala Crater is early in the morning or in the evening.

Kahakuloa Head is a hill located at the eastern side of Kahakuloa. The hill is over 600 feet in height. King Kahekili is said to spend time at the site during the 18^th century. According to the legend, King Kahekili will hike about 200 feet to jump down into the water. If you want to go hiking, you can follow the trail situated near the Kahakulooa Head. The trail is situated in the middle of Kahakuloa Head and Pu’u Kahulianapa. If you keep on following the trail, you will be able to reach the top of Pu’u Kahuli’anapa.

Kehei Boat Landing is a harbor in central Maui. The harbor is used to launch small boat to Molikini. It is equipped with many facilities including showers, boat ramps, boat docks, and etc.

Dragon’s Teeth is formed from the lava flows on Maui. If you observe the lava, you will find that it is not the same as other lava covered area. The lava has a finer grain. The area looks very much like the dragon’s teeth so it is thus named. The wind blow causes the sharp points on the lava because the wind is blowing the lava upward. The color of the lava is not dark like others. Instead, the lava is white in color. The lava become whitened as a result of the salt spray that occurs in the past centuries.