There is plenty to see and do on the Valley Isle besides spending time on the beach. To get yourself oriented, first look at a map of the island. You will notice two distinct circular landmasses. These are volcanic in origin. The smaller landmass, on the western part of the island, consists of 5,788-ft Pu'u Kukui and the West Maui Mountains. The interior of these mountains is one of the earth's wettest spots. Annual rainfall of 400 inches has sliced the land into impassable gorges and razor-sharp ridges. Oddly enough, the area's leeward shore is sunny and warm year-round.

The large landmass on the eastern portion of Maui was created by Haleakala, the cloud-wreathed volcanic peak at its center. One of the best-known mountains in the world, Haleakala is popular with hikers and sightseers. This larger region of the island is called East Maui. Its dry, leeward South Shore is flanked with resorts, condominiums, beaches, and the busy town of Kihei. Its windward shore, largely one great rain forest, is traversed by the Road to Hana.

Between the two mountain areas is Central Maui, the location of the county seat of Wailuku, from which the islands of Maui, Lana'i, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe are governed. It's also the base for much of the island's commerce and industry.

Maui has 120 miles of coastline, not all of which is accessible. Less than one-quarter of its land mass is inhabited. The best way to see the whole island is by car, but there are opportunities for good walking tours. In the Islands, the directions mauka (toward the mountains) and makai (toward the ocean) are often used.