There is no doubt that Maui is one of the most wonderful islands in the United States. This gorgeous place attracts tourists and visitors due to its fantastic scenery, stunning beaches, and luxurious resorts and hotels.
Maui is nicknamed “The Valley Isle” because it sits between two mountains and it offers all tourists to see the raw beauty of the island.
Hailed as the second-largest Hawaiian island, Maui is rich in rainforests, sandy beaches, and breathtaking mountains.
And in this guide, we’ll go through the 10 fascinating facts, statistics, and basically everything we need to know about Maui, Hawaii.
If you’re looking more for things to do, checkout our following guides:
- Things to Do in Kihei and Wailea (South Maui)
- Things to Do in Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua (West Maui)
Basic Statistics
- As of Apr 10, 2022, the average annual pay for the Maui jobs category in Hawaii is $49,694 a year. That works out to be around $23.89 an hour. This is the equivalent of $956/week or $4,141/month. (ZipRecruiter)
- The estimated population of Maui County Hawaii in 2022 is 168,752 with a growth rate of 0.26% in the past year. Maui, Hawaii has seen a growth of 8.86% since its 155,020 population number in 2010. (WorldPopulationReview)
Demographics
Population Statistics
Population Estimate based on 2021 Census Data – 164,221
- Male population – 49.71%
- Female population – 50.29%
- US Born Citizens – 79.7%
- Non-US Citizens – 11.77%
- Not Citizen 8.53%
Racial Makeup of Maui
- White alone – 34.9%
- African American or Black alone – 0.8%
- Asian alone – 29%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone – 10.6%
- Two or More Races, 24.2%
- Latino or Hispanic – 11.6%
Of the Asian population, Filipino’s (14.5%) recently topped Japanese (13.6%) throughout all of Hawaii.
Employment Statistics
- White-Collar Jobs – 81.52%
- Blue-Collar Jobs – 18.48%
- Self Employed – 14.33%
- Private Businesses – 65.17%
- Government Employees – 13.39%
- Non-Profit Businesses – 7.11%
Household Statistics
- Family Households – 71.56%
- Non-family Households – 28.44
Source: Point2Homes, US Census Bureau
Interesting Facts
If you adore the island or are planning to stay, you’ll be curious to discover some fun facts about Maui. Here are some of the island’s interesting facts.
- Maui offers 30 miles of squeaky-clean beaches with white, red, and black sand, created by crushed lava rock. It is a total of 80 beaches! (GoHawaii)
- Happy Face Spiders are found only in Hawaii! They have a yellow formation on their backs resembling a smiley face that even arachnophobes have to appreciate. (HawaiiNatureJournal)
- The average water temperature in Maui only fluctuates between 74-80 F degrees and the air fluctuates between 70-80 degrees F. (SnorkelMolokini)
- You can find no billboards in Maui, Hawaii. An environment group called ‘The Outdoor Circle’ led the campaign to ban billboards in Hawaii in the 1920s. All the better to see the beautiful landscape. (GoVisitHawaii)
- Maui has 21,000 (and rising) lodging units, “Luxury and Deluxe” priced units represent 81% of the supply (MauiNow)
Black Volcanic Beaches
Maui is known to have some of the best beaches in the world, One of the most mesmerizing in Maui is its black sand beaches. The sand on these beaches is made of oppressed and eroded volcanic material. Appreciating the unique look of the black sand next to the crystal clear ocean is definitely a must. (SkylineHawaii)
Haleakala Volcano
One of the world’s largest dormant volcanoes can be found on Maui. It soars 10,023 feet above sea level. Its crater alone is huge enough to cradle all of Manhattan Island. Comprising over 30,000 acres, its crater also received an international distinction for going down as the most silent place in the world. (HaleakalaCotours)
Humpback Whales
There are about 10,000 humpback whales migrating to Maui each year. These beautiful creatures head to Maui between December and April in what is known as humpback whale season. You can even hear them when you’re snorkeling!
The whales pick Maui during this time due to the island’s warm waters, which are an excellent place to reproduce. (HawaiianPaddleSports)
Largest Banyan Tree
Maui is also home to one of the largest banyan trees in the United States. Imported from India and planted in front of the Lahaina Courthouse and Lahaina Harbor in 1873, this tree is the size of a whole city block and stands more than 60-feet high! (GoHawaii)
Endangered Species
Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve in Maui is home to an extensive collection of marine life, and one of the finest places to spot sea creatures. It is also home to 6 protected endangered species:
- Hawaiian Goose (nene)
- Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (honu)
- Hawaiian Hoary Bat (‘Ope‘ape‘a)
- Hawaiian Monk Seal (‘Ilio holo I ka uaua)
- Humpback Whale (kohola)
- Scarlett Honeycreeper (‘i’iwi)
Source: HawaiiOceanProject
The Local Legend
The name “Maui” comes from a mythological being
According to the legends, the demigod Maui was on a fishing trip with his brothers when he caught the ocean floor with his magical fishing hook. He asked his brothers to paddle as hard as they can. And then from that, an island rose from the sea into the sky.
Maui theme repeated it a couple more times, creating the Hawaiian Islands.
Source: KeliisKayak
Why Choose Maui?
So when you decided to move to Hawaii, you’ll then have to decide on the island. Much of the population resides on these 4 islands: Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island.
Whether you want to tour, work, or retire—Maui has always been a superb choice. And since each island is home to lush beaches and really good food, deciding which one to visit is just part of the fun.
The remarkable history of Maui and also its untouched coastlines are one of the best reasons to make a visit to the fabulous island.
From its green, clean views to deep farmstead roots – it’s no surprise why a lot of out-of-state travelers and vacationing locals are making the leap.
And if you need more reasons to visit this extraordinary place, check this out:
- The title of the best island in the US often goes to Maui
Maui is indeed a lovely island with amazing beaches, a crystal clear ocean, and lots of attractions. Due to its natural beauty, the island is often voted one of the best islands in the United States.
Conde Nast Traveler has rated the island one of the best islands in the country for 20 years!
Although one negative effect of this distinction are issues with overdevelopment and biodiversity loss, and disruption due to over-tourism. So if visiting, be sure to follow as many ecotourism guidelines as possible.
Source: Medium
Lastly, living in Maui can extend your life!
Yup, you have read that right.
If you’re looking to improve your quality of life, then living in Maui could actually increase your life expectancy. In particular, Hawaii as a whole has the longest life expectancy of any US state, with an average of 82.3 years old.
Women live at an average of 85 years old, while men have a life expectancy of 79.
These ages contrast to an average life expectancy of 74.8 years old in West Virginia, the state with the lowest life expectancy.
Source: Life&Letters
Conclusion
Maui has always been a choice of travelers because it embodies everything that people think of when they imagine what is in Hawaii: A beautiful mix of beaches, volcanoes, palm trees, and tropical agriculture.
And to add to that, the locals in Maui are also very friendly and you will always feel welcome!
If you’re wondering, the best times to visit Maui are April through May and September through November. The spring and fall shoulder seasons provide the pleasant weather Hawaii tourists seek without the high costs and huge crowds that accompany the summer and winter.
Overall, Maui is definitely worth a shot to be part of your bucket list as it will bring you an experience you will never forget.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags now and enjoy what the Valley Isle has to offer you.