Kahului, Maui County, Hawaii
Kahului is a community based on the beautiful northern coast of Maui Island, Hawaii. Kahului contains the island's main seaport and airport as well as serves as a key distribution point for agricultural products. The main products include pineapples and sugarcane, both of which are processed in the area too. Tourists always comment about the Kanaha Bird Sanctuary; it is a place not to miss. Kahului Community College serves the 20,146 and growing population.
The next to largest of all Hawaiian Islands, Maui is a land blessed with fertile lands, beautiful beaches, and colorful scenery. Rich in history and tradition, this is probably among the most famous of all places in Hawaii. Among the other places in this town, there is nothing that comes close to the city of Kahului.
Despite other people's claims that this city has not much to offer in comparison to the other places in Maui, people who pass by Kahului after disembarking from planes or luxury liners find themselves enjoying their short stay. Like a successful woman who has both beauty and brains, Kahului is a city that beats with both the techno rhythms of the bright metropolis and the mellow strings of country-style living. Comparable to other U.S. cities like New York and California, Kahului is both an industrial hub and a quiet retreat as well. Visitors may choose to spend time on their shopping centers or to walk around Paia and look at its old plantation village. It boasts of being the site of the Maui Harbor and Maui International Airport, and industrial centers. Kahului also has gorgeous beaches and houses that have been witness to Maui's earlier days. These contradictions continue to shroud Kahului in mystery, making tourists wonder if they have suddenly passed through a wormhole towards a different place in the island.
Considered the largest city in Maui, Kahului has an estimated population of 20,146 people, with most of them having Asian, Latino or Hispanic, American, and African-American origins.
Kahului's History
Since the time of King Kamehamehama I, Maui was already the main hub of trade and commerce in Hawaii. Whalers docked their ships along the coastlines to buy freshwater and rations, or relaxed and drank wine. However, when the industry of whaling diminished, another industry emerged. Agriculture, particularly the sugar trade, became the new trend as former whalers and plantation owners arrived in Maui.
The city of Kahului was first established during the 1850s with the acquisition of the land between Makawao and Paia by Henry Baldwin and Samuel Alexander. This was made in order to grow sugar. Both soon realized that the source of water was miles away, so they built an irrigation ditch 17 miles long from Haleakaka to the plantation. The project was finished some two years after it was started in 1876.
With the finishing of the irrigation ditch, the plantation flourished and the owners bought more land for additional sugar mills. The city was dubbed as Maui's 'Dream City' because of its numerous opportunities for the workers of the plantation. While the workers increased, more houses and establishments were built until the community of Kahului grew. Soon, the development paved the way for roads, subdivisions, and markets to emerge; this then established the place as Maui's major city. The addition of the harbor and the international airport only cemented Kahului's status.
Today, Kahului is known as the shopping capital of Maui. Among its establishments are the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Home Depot, and Maui's one and only Wal-Mart. They also have numerous bakeshops, fruit and vegetable stores, and souvenir shops that cater to local residents and tourists.
Kahului's Attractions
Kahului, the biggest town in Maui, is definitely among the best places to visit. With impressive sights and scenery, tourists will find themselves enthralled with an array of activities, ranging from the adventurous to the philosophical.
Since Kahului is mainly a commercial area, there are large shopping and cultural establishments that you should visit. First is the Kahului Shopping Center, situated along the Kaahumanu Avenue. With its four large malls and a great handful of stores, this complex is a regular hang-out for Kahului residents. Or else, try the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Maui's premier town square. Named after Hawaii's famous queen who was born in Maui, this place is full of trendy boutiques, over a hundred shops and restaurants, and several state-of-the art cinemas to choose from.
A short, walking distance away from the Kahului Airport is the Kanaha Beach Park. A magical place along Kahului Bay, this beach provides a spectacular view of the Iao Valley, and the West Maui Mountains. Guests will find themselves enjoying the sea and sand as they go about playing volleyball, having picnics, and of course, swimming. Another tropical paradise of a different kind is the Kanaha Pond Waterfowl Sanctuary. Found along the Amala road, this pond is a tourist attraction because of the endangered Hawaiian birds that take up residence.
For a different view of Kahului, the plantation village of Paia is indeed a refreshing change from the city. An old sugar plantation village, Paia still retains the laid-back environment of long ago. Boasting a selection of antique stores, bakeshops, boutiques, and other specialty shops, Paia exudes with warmth and hospitality that is uniquely theirs. Among the restaurants in this town, the Mamas Fish House Restaurant is a famous hang-out of tourists and Paia locals because of its menu, bar, and ambiance.
Kahului's Economy
As the economic capital of Maui, Kahului is fortunate to have a balance of flourishing business districts and small rural towns. Primarily considered as a stopover of tourists as they go around the island, Kahului's rich natural resources and cultural sites contribute to the factors that make Kahului an ideal vacation spot. While they are pushing tourism as a source of income, Kahului's retail trade is also a vital point in their economy, as their ports serve as distribution points for pineapple and sugarcane products. With its diversity in attractions and shopping centers, Kahului's economy has bright prospects.
Tourists enter Kahului via their two main ports -- the Kahului Airport and the Kahului Harbor. Located along north of Maui, Kahului Airport provides all the general aviation operations, and therefore is the one of the busiest airports in Hawaii. While the island's main port is only 5 minutes away from Maui's International Airport and Kahului. In connection to this, the hotel and accommodation industries benefit greatly, especially during the peak season for tours.
With the number of visitors to Maui, Kahului's shopping centers are among the primary sources of income. With over a hundred different stores and restaurants, local residents can find employment within their shopping districts.
Not to be outdone is the agriculture and manufacturing industry. With Paia being Kahului's plantation town, the area is able to produce sugar and pineapple both for consumption and retail. It is also noted that Kahului is able to process these products, generating additional jobs and revenue for Maui.
Kahului Statistics:
Population: 20,146Households: 5,880
Median resident age: 35.9 years
Median household income: $46,656
Median house value: $226,500
Land area: 15.2 square miles
Elevation: 40 feet
Latitude: 20���°52'N
Longitude: 156���°28'W
Zip code: 96732
County: Maui
