History of Lahaina
Sunset in Lahaina
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Though Maui is known for its sunny climate and gorgeous beaches, there is more to the island than sun and surfing. In fact, Lahaina (pronounced lah-HIGH-nah) was once the capital of Hawai’i and still maintains much of its rich culture and history. Here’s a quick overview of Lahaina’s fascinating history.
Lahaina, which means “cruel sun,” began as a whaling town. By the mid nineteenth century, Lahaina had as many as 1,500 sailors in port. Perhaps most famous of those sailors was Herman Melville, who chronicled the period in the novel, Moby Dick.
The whaling town served as the center of government for nearly fifty year until the mid-1800s, when the capital was relocated to its present location in Honolulu on the island of O`ahu (pronounced oh-AH-hoo). In 1893, American settlers overthrew Hawai’i’s constitutional monarchy. Hawai’i became the 50th state admitted to the United States in 1959.
Lahaina features attractions including Maui Surf Clinics, the Wo Hing Museum, and the Baldwin Home. For more on Lahaina, check out this virtual tour of historic Lahaina. Happy travels!
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