Geography: Maui is located at approximately 21 degrees north of the equator in a small island group that is the most isolated land in the world. The nearest land mass to Hawaii is San Francisco, approximately 2,400 miles away. Of the total of more than 100 islands in Hawaii, eight are considered major islands—Ni’ihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lanai, Kaho’olawe, and the Big Island of Hawaii — only seven are inhabited. Maui has no navigable rivers, but there are hundreds of streams. The only natural body of water is the 40-acre Kanaha Pond, a major bird sanctuary near the airport in Kahului.

Highest Peaks: Puu Ulaula at the summit of Haleakala, 10,023 feet; second highest is Puu Kukui in the West Maui mountains, 5,788 feet.

Climate: Hawaii’s temperature is usually a sunny, comfortable mid-70 to mid-80 degrees with two mildly discernible seasons – winter and summer.