West Maui Mountains
West Maui Mountains—a complex volcanic massif and rain-shadow barrier often called the Great Pāʻia Ridge—traverse northwest Maui from Pali Trail to Lahaina.
Learn More
Geography
| Continent | Oceania |
|---|---|
| Region | Hawaiʻi |
| Subregion | Polynesia |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaiʻi |
| County | Maui County |
| District | West Maui Mountains |
| Timezone | PacificHonolulu |
| Latitude | 20.975 |
| Longitude | -156.5 |
| Maps |
6:34 PM LOCAL TIMEWest Maui Mountains form a steep, rugged backbone that dominates the northwestern part of Maui. Rising from near Lāhainā and Kāʻanapali, they push upward to about 1,700 meters at Puʻu Kukui and include dramatic ridges, deep valleys, and high-elevation forests. Historically a barrier to east-west travel, the mountains now offer spectacular hike opportunities, lookout points, and ecological sanctuaries that protect native plants like Zoochlorella, Brighamia insignis (Cabbage Tree), and native bird species like ʻōʻō. Travelers visit for short climbs to vantage points, challenging multi-day trail routes, and to understand the region’s volcanic and climatological history. Nearby settlements—Lāhainā, Kāʻanapali, and Honokōwai—serve as staging points for drives, tours, and access to trailheads.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:55 AM