This last weekend we took a trip to the other side of the island, to the town of Lahaina.  Maui is a small island, but it has such contrasts from here in Hana.

First, the land: unlike eastern Hana, which is a lush, green rainforest, the western part of Maui is dry. Although palm trees still abound, much of the plant life is like sagebrush, the mountains brown, the sun usually shining.  

But the biggest difference is the people.  Unlike Hana which is 80% native Hawaiians, Lahaina is clearly a tourist town. It reminded us of the coastal towns of Key West and Provincetown and Venice Beach, but without the blatant debauchery.