Wailea Real Estate

	COMMUNITIES                     Kanaio The Kanaio Coast offers an opportunity to explore a rarely seen part of Maui and a variety of remote, exotic snorkeling sites, including both spinner dolphin and green sea turtle habitats. HISTORY AND FACTS: Kanaio was named for the naio trees that once flourished in this ancient ahupua'a that stretches form the land to the sea. As in Kaupo and Kahikinui, before the introduction of cattle in the area, the forest zone was at a much lower elevation and there were greater amounts of rain. At one time dryland taro was cultivated in the lower forest zone. The area is rich in cultural and historical sites and includes a houlu ua, rain shrine, about which it is said, "whenever the clouds gathered over this spot it would surely rain." The Kanaio district includes the 30,000 acre Ulupalakua Ranch. At the upper reaches above the ranch, Polipoli State Park and the Kula Forest Reserve are home to pine trees that grow in wierd shapes, pushed by the wind. Polipoli State Park is the launching place for intrepid hang-gliders and pilots of gossamer light aircraft powered by small engines. Still further up the mountain sits the Haleakala Observatories, a cluster of observatories, tracking stations and communications facilities, established in 1956 under the auspices of the University of Hawaii.   To learn more about  Homes in this area, please contact us at 808-385-4665 or email: george@mauihometeam.com