Hula dancers and luaus are the only "traditional" culture most visitors see during their short stays on the Island. The Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Maui. - Footprints in Paradise: Photos of Maui & the Hawaiian Islands

This part of the island is dominated by the cloud-capped heights of the West Maui Mountains, the other member of the pair of volcanoes (which includes Haleakala) responsible for the formation of Maui.

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Michael Garrison > Halloween 2005 in Lahaina.

Superman, as always, striding with purposeful gait toward the parade assembly point. It's now about 5 PM and Lahaina's living up to its Hawaiian name ("heat of the sun") with temperatures in the high 90s. But the "S Man" is still lookin' cool!

Michael Garrison > Halloween 2005 in Lahaina.

Those folks wearing the fanciest Halloween costumes seemed to be the friendliest and most willing to accomodate this photographer with cheesy smiles and creative poses. This "wahine" and her Batman should have won a prize for getting into the spirit of the celebration.

Michael Garrison > Halloween 2005 in Lahaina.

Most of the adult reveller's costumes don't make much sense, theme-wise, but they ARE colorful. Of course, everyone wears their best aloha smiles, too!

Michael Garrison > Lahaina Harbor and its signature landmarks: The white-washed harbor beacon light and the two-masted brig "Carthaginian II", a replica of a 19th Century island "lugger" like the ones that brought the missionaries to The Islands.

Michael Garrison > Lahaina Wharf on Front Street. Just behind the beacon light is the Pioneer Inn. Lahaina became a popular port-of-call with whalers NOT because of the proximity to their intended prey, but because it is sheltered from the strong prevailing winds out in the AuAu Channel (between Maui and Lanai). Without the cooling air brought in on the Trade Winds, Lahaina afternoons can be blazingly hot, hence the town's Hawaiian name, which means "Cruel Sun".

Michael Garrison > October 31st, 2005 -- Stripped of its topmasts and most of its rigging, the Carthaginian rides forlornly at anchor in the Lahaina Yacht Harbor. It was sold to Atlantis Submarines and was sunk off Puamana to serve as an attraction for submarine tours and divers. I and many other residents were astonished at the loss of this well known and much-photographed long-time Lahaina landmark.

Michael Garrison > Hula dancers and luaus are the only "traditional" culture most visitors see during their short stays on the Island. The Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Maui.

Michael Garrison > A traditional hula dancer at the Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Maui.

Michael Garrison > Some of the wait-staff at the Old Lahaina Luau are as colorful as the performers... and they work just as hard! There are several commercial luaus on Maui; many are sponsored by the larger chain hotels. The quality varies and the bill of fare is all about the same. Not so for the independent Old Lahaina Luau: kama'aina and malehini all agree that it's the best of the lot. It's so popular that you need reservations weeks in advance to attend. It's well worth trouble.

Michael Garrison > Tandem parasilaers off Lahaina, West Maui.

Michael Garrison > Keka'a Point (known locally as "Black Rock"), Ka'anapali Beach, west Maui. Note the wanna-be "cliff divers" perched atop the basalt promontory. The leeward side of the promintory is a good dive spot for beginner snorkelers. The Sheraton Maui Hotel is in the background.

Hula dancers and luaus are the only "traditional" culture most visitors see during their short stays on the Island. The Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Maui.