Despite its popularity and growing local and tourist populations, Maui continues to maintain its sense of paradise. Citizen and environmental groups are active in their efforts to ensure that development is conscientious and that many natural places are kept relatively pristine. This bodes well for a beautiful island whose popularity shows no sign of declining.

People love to go to Maui. The great Maui chiefs Pi'ilani and Kahekili wouldn't recognize much of the coastal areas of their home island today. While the chiefs traveled from place to place on foot or in canoes, modern jets comfortably transport visitors from afar in only a few hours. Several airlines now fly directly to Maui, bypassing the great hub of Honolulu altogether.

Maui is a pretty and relaxing place. Much of the west coast almost gives the impression of being one big extended resort. In the last few decades, hotels and condos have greatly multiplied, and the population has more than doubled. Some will say that Maui is becoming too popular, but maybe the island's sense of vacation paradise just isn't their style. Although the last 200 years have seen tremendous changes, an old spirit of aloha lives on here.