Maui Hawaii with all the major resorts viewed from space. Lahina is in the area commonly called West Maui. Maalaea Bay is considered Central Maui. Kihei extending down to Wailea is called South Maui. The major airport on Maui is located in Kahului. These places are on the leeward or dry side of the island. The leeward side of Maui is such because the moisture rich trade winds which blow from the top right corner of the picture to the bottom left corner of the picture are sucked dry by the west Maui Mountains and Haleakala which rises 10,033 ft. above sea level and just as far to the ocean floor. The smaller tip of Maui is the location of the West Maui Mts. and are much older than the much younger Haleakala. In between is the isthmus (caused by erosion of the 2 volcano's over the milenium) which connect the two to form the Valley Isle. This is the location of Kahului and the village of Maalaea Bay. If you go to Maui, you will see why Maalaea Bay is central to most everything on Maui. To the right you can see Hevenly Hana which sits on the windward or wet side of the island. This side of the island has an abundance of waterfalls unless it is dry which is not to often.