Lahaina, Census-designated place on Maui's northwest coast, Hawaii.
Lahaina is a settlement on the northwest coast of Maui, between the Pacific and the West Maui Mountains. The place stretches along several miles of shoreline, with streets running parallel to the water and climbing toward the slopes.
The settlement served as capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845, where King Kamehameha III signed the first Hawaiian constitution. Later the place evolved into a center for whaling, before tourism became the main activity.
The original name Lele shifted to Lahaina, a term in Hawaiian language that points to the burning sun shining here each day. Visitors feel this intense brightness especially during afternoon hours, when light bounces off the surrounding mountains.
The area has several bank branches, including locations of Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank. Kapalua Airport sits around 5.3 miles away and offers regional flight connections.
More than one third of workers are employed in fields such as arts, entertainment, dining and lodging, twice the rate of the rest of Maui County. This concentration shapes daily life and the streetscape with numerous galleries, restaurants and small stages.
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