West Maui Mountains


The West Maui Mountains, West Maui Volcano, or Mauna Kahalawai which means "holding house of water," is approximately 1.7 million years old and forms a much eroded shield volcano that constitutes the western quarter of the Hawaiian Island of Maui. Since its last eruption approximately 320,000 years ago, the West Maui Mountains have undergone substantial stream erosion.
The three moku or districts of west Maui are Lāhaina, Kāanapali, and Wailuku. Wailuku is also known as Pūalikomohana, or Nā Wai Ehā which means the four waters. The 4 waters are the ahupuaa, which are Waikapū, Wailuku, Waiehu, and Waihee.
The port of Lāhainā lies on the southwestern slope.
The summit peak is called Puu Kukui, at elevation. Pu'u Kukui translates into "candlenut hill".

Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve

Established in 1988, the Puu Kukui Preserve is the largest private nature preserve in the State of Hawaii. Since 1994, the preserve has been managed by Maui Land & Pineapple Company in participation with The Nature Conservancy and the State Natural Area Partnership. These groups work together to protect the watershed lands of the West Maui mountain.

Geological history

The West Maui Mountains were formed through at least three series of major volcanic eruptions during its shield building period. Rocks from the latest major shield-building eruptions are called the Honolua volcanic series, which are roughly 500,000 years old. However, there were several rejuvenated stage eruptions more recently, the last dating to roughly 320,000 years ago.