Maui

Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727 square miles (1883 km²). Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island's name in the legend of Hawaiʻiloa, the Polynesian navigator attributed with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. The story relates how he named the island of Maui after his son who in turn was named for the demi-god Maui. According to legend, the demi-god Maui raised all the Hawaiian Islands from the sea. The Island of Maui is also called the "Valley Isle" for the large fertile isthmus between its two volcanoes.

Modern Development

The island has experienced rapid population growth in recent years (e.g., 4.6% in 2001/2002) with Kīhei one of the most rapidly growing towns in the U.S. (see chart). The growth is occurring because many people, having visited Maui, decide to move or retire to the island.

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Maui County Population, 1960-2000

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19601970198019902000

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Total

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42,576

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45,984

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70,847

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100,374

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128,094

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Change

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3,408

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24,863

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29,527

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27,720

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Percent Change

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8.0%

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54.1%

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41.7%

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27.6%

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source: CensusScope 2000 Census analysis

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Population growth—partly due to an influx of new people typically from Canada and the U.S. mainland—is producing strains, including growing congestion on many of the major roads. There is concern about the availability of affordable housing and access to water. Property prices have risen to levels that families on average incomes find it difficult to afford housing (either renting or buying). Property developers have insufficient regulatory or financial incentive to build less expensive (affordable) homes. Maui County Council has been investigating ways of changing the situation.

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There have been long-term concerns about the reliability of supply of potable water: droughts have been declared in most recent years and the Ī‘ao aquifer has been drawn down at what are believed may be unsustainable rates of above 18 million US gallons (68,000 m³) per day. Whilst the situation remains unclear, and reliable supply has not been secured, recent estimates indicate that the total potential supply of potable water on Maui is, at an estimated 476 million US gallons (1,800,000 m³) per day, many times greater than foreseeable demand.

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There is a great deal of discussion about the meaning of, and the way to achieve, smart development. There is clearly a tension between economic growth and urbanisation on the one hand, and the wish to preserve the beauty of Maui and a relaxed way of life on the other. In the past there existed a pro-growth bias in policy with developers and politicians working to stimulate the economy; now the balance has swung toward more sensitive consideration of community concerns (about the dangers of unwise growth/development) and developers no longer have everything their way.

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