Dive Map of Maui, The Valley Isle (Franko's)
Franko's Dive Map of Maui is the third of four in Franko's original series of Franko's Hawaiian dive maps printed on waterproof, rip-proof plastic, which also includes Franko's Dive Map of Kauai, Franko's Dive Map of Oahu, and Franko's Dive Map of Hawaii. Franko's Maui Dive Map, The Valley Isle is the best, probably because the underwater scene is so fantastic in Maui. Diving Maui is an amazing experience whether you are snorkeling in the shallows of Olowalu Bay on a balmy summer day, or if you are SCUBA diving amongst sharks, manta rays, and a myriad of tropical fishes early on a winter morning at Molokini Island. Maui is a place where you can snorkel during the humpback whale season and hear them singing their magnificent underwater songs as if you are close to them — and you just might be close! Over the sounds of the whales you might hear the clicks of spinner dolphins as they discuss their next aerial twirling leaps out of the water.
Maui provides rich snorkeling experiences even right in front of the hotels and condos on the West Shore from Lahaina to Kapalua or South Shores from Kihei to Makena. Just across the street from your condo in Kihei you can wade in at Kamaole Beach Parks I, II, or III and have an immediate encounter with Maui's beautiful underwater life. Or, you can go to seemingly remote spots on the top end of Maui's West Shore and have a snorkeling or SCUBA experience that is 100% different than the last. The variety in and around Maui's waters is astonishing and could keep you busy for years. And if that is not enough, there are 15 miles of reefs along the northwest side of Lanai, where snorkel tours have endless choices to let their customers take a plunge into crystal waters full of green sea turtles, all kinds of fishes, and the sounds of whales.
Franko's Dive Map of Maui is a beautiful shaded relief map showing the majesty of Maui's vast upcountry and its miles of coastline. The island of Maui rises up out of descending hues of ocean blues like a 700 square mile jewel. The deep and steep valleys of “The Valley Isle” can accurately be seen on the map. Just as accurately, you can follow the roads all around Maui as this map serves as an excellent road map as well. From the airport at Kahului you can follow the roads to all parts of Maui. The road goes eastward to the famous Road to Hana, southward to Kihei, Wailea, and Makena, and westward through Maalaea, Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahana, and Kapalua. You can also find your way to the West Maui Mountains and the Iao Valley, or to Maui's awesome Upcountry where classy homes dot the hills around Kula, cowboys hang out at Makawao, and farmers grow lavender and grapes for Maui's winery at Ulupalakua Ranch.
Of course this is still a dive map. Thus there are dozens of dive sites for SCUBA divers and snorkelers to find and explore. However, Franko is an ocean lover not restricted in his activity to diving. Maui has its great surfing as well. In fact, there are a few surfing breaks offshore that rival any of Hawaii's great surfing. Oahu, of course, is the king of the surfing world. But Maui's great surfing deserves recognition, and many of Franko's map customers have requested that he include surfing spots. Yes, he also loves the surfing in Maui, and thus this map also features over 30 of Maui's most known and notable surf spots.
Eventually Franko realized that Maui is such an amazing island, with so many things to see and do that he also had to create a second Maui map. Franko's Dive Map of Maui does a fabulous job at showing off what he loves about Maui the most, but there is a need for a second Maui Map. So, in case you need to know all of the great things to see and do on Maui — including its top few diving and surfing spots, plus 100 more things to see and do, you ought to have a look at Franko's Guide Map of Maui.
As Franko has learned from experience, it turns out that the number one thing to see or do on Maui is the underwater. Snorkeling may be the number one activity in Hawaii in general, but most specifically for visitors to Maui. So whereas Franko's Guide Map of Maui captures Maui's real essence, this map captures the part of Maui that Franko really loves the most — the underwater. Of course, everyone knows that he is an ocean nut, and that is part of why he loves Maui's SCUBA diving and snorkeling. Franko's Dive Map of Maui shows the viewer most of Maui's most popular diving and snorkeling destinations, gives you the locations on the map, and guides you with a description. Franko has noted that diving in the same spot several times, he could describe the experience rather differently each time. Maui diving is different in different weather and at different times of day as well. Franko would suggest that you use this map of Maui diving and make mental notes or a journal to create your own memories of the many dive sites. In a way, this map is Franko's own journal of Maui. Also, Franko's Dive Map of Maui is a good check list for divers and snorkelers.
When developing this map Franko didn't dive every single spot in Maui in every different condition (that would take a life time). However, he did tap into the vast knowledge of Maui's numerous dive experts from its many SCUBA and snorkeling shops. In fact, a special thanks goes to his fellow Los Alamitos High School alumnus, Rachel Domingo of Maui Dreams Dive Company of Kihei. Rachel not only encouraged and helped Franko with her immense enthusiasm and knowledge of Maui's wonderful diving, she also provided fabulous underwater photography of fish and turtles on this and other maps that he produces. Maui's dive scenery is so photogenic and Rachel is a master at photographing it! A few little photos on Franko's Maui Dive Map hardly show you the scene though. You must go to Maui now and you must get wet! Yes, go right now! Well, if you don't go right this minute, after you study Franko's Dive Map of Maui (especially if you buy a map and place it on your table to study while you eat every day) it will magically cause your goal of going to Maui to come to fruition. It is the Franko's Map effect — it actually causes you to go to your dream destination! Go check the airlines schedules and start planning your next visit to Maui, The Valley Isle.
As you might guess by looking closely at the details on this map, Franko loves Maui and he loves Maui diving. People in California where Franko lives seem to say the word “Maui” rather often when they talk about dream destinations. He is frequently asked which of the Hawaiian Islands is his favorite. The Hawaiian Islands are so different, and yet they have much in common. It is really impossible to say which Hawaiian Island is Franko's favorite, just as it would be for a parent to say which child is their favorite. Well, if Maui was his child, he would have to say he loves her very much, and she is his very favorite for many reasons, but he would also have to say that his children Oahu, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and his big one, Hawaii are also wonderful, and he loves them just as much, but for all kinds of reasons. Locals and visitors often say, “Maui, no ka oi”, which means “Maui is the best”, and it is. It is the best Maui in the world! Although it is indeed impossible for Franko to say which Hawaiian Island is his very favorite, it is just as hard to say that Maui is not his favorite. How can a place on earth get more beautiful than Maui? How can a place on earth be more lovely and enjoyable? Franko indeed loves Maui, and this map captures the idea that for Maui lovers, Maui no ka oi. Also this map definitely shows that Maui diving (and surfing) no ka oi!
Franko's Dive Map of Maui Side 1:
Franko's Map of Maui, The Valley Isle was begun as a first edition in the year 2000. He later changed the name to Franko's Dive Map of Maui, because he also introduced a map called Franko's Guide Map of Maui. Franko wanted a clearer distinction between the two, and thus the name change. He remembers coming to Maui in 2000 to explore and to ask questions amongst the local experts. He had printed out a prototype Franko Map of Maui and he expected that he could get a lot of editing and help on site. It was a new concept for Hawaii to have Franko Maps. In fact, most of the maps in the world at the time did not show the technical beautiful shaded relief of the mountains, nor did they show dazzling colors as inspired by the island and its environment. In fact, I had never seen a really colorful, beautiful map like this until I created my first “dive map”, which was Franko's Map of Santa Catalina Island. This California island map was followed by Franko's Map of Channel Islands, and then others.
When Franko made the Catalina map he was already dreaming of making a map of Hawaii. It turned into individual dive maps for Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii, and Maui, then fish cards for Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, and Maui, plus a surfing map for Oahu, and Guide Maps for Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii, and Maui. Along the way he has produced several tens of thousands of customized fish cards for major resorts, such as the Ko Olina Marriott in Oahu and the Westin Maui in Kaanapali, as well as the Maui Ocean Center, who also had Franko make a Hawaiian shark identification card. A few of the sharks for that card appear on the maps now.
Franko's Dive Map of Maui, side 1, was and is a completely unique depiction of one of the most beautiful, popular islands on earth. The shaded relief that Franko's techniques created, first with his California dive maps and trail maps, and then with his Hawaiian Islands maps, depicted the islands in a new, interesting, and extremely pleasing way. It was technical art — where Franko, the ocean engineer could join abilities with Franko, the artist and ocean lover to become Franko, the cartographer. It is difficult for an engineer naturally interested in quality control and perfection to do an artistic project and actually be pleased with it. However, taking his original printout of sides 1 and 2 of this Maui map proved that his maps were really unique and the interest was high. Help was easy to come by as the proud Maui folks gave Franko their support.
This map was done with a lot of perspiration and a lot of inspiration. Even though most people would not consider Franko's trips to the Hawaiian Islands as real “work”, he really worked hard on this! But Maui turned out to be so inspiring! When he was at home on his computer looking at Maui and then applying the colors and captions on Franko's Dive Map of Maui, he must admit that he was dreaming of Maui the whole time, and that the colors and all were truly from the inspiration that comes from Maui herself. It is hard to say that Franko really “worked” at all. The Valley Isle was such a beauty and joy to ponder or explore. The captions of the dive sites on this map began with personal diving and snorkeling, but eventually were aided by many local Mauians.
Franko's experience from California dive maps was that he wanted to put the fish on the map too. Franko wasn't even familiar with what we call a “fish card” at the time, but he began putting kelp forest creatures on his California dive maps, and logically began to insert drawings (and some computer-modified photos) of Hawaiian reef creatures on the Hawaiian maps. By the time Franko did this for Maui he had already completed and was selling Franko's dive maps of Kauai and Oahu. He merely took most of the same fish and placed them on the Maui map. The shape of the island and the number of words that he put on it to describe the dive and surf spots made him put some of the Hawaiian reef creatures on side one, the Maui side of the map, and some more on side two, the Maui County side of the map. There are continually different fishes you'll see and the currents and weather make changes constant.
Dive experiences are not easy to describe for the purpose of a dive map of Maui, because one really needs a few paragraphs for each to do it justice. Maui's corals and fishes are just spectacular and Franko hopes to convey that with his descriptions. However, since a picture tells a thousand words, he came up with the idea of showing the fishes and reefs on the map in full, artistic color. Franko started this idea with his Catalina Island, California map in 1997, when he showed the kelp forest creatures. On his dive maps of Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii, Franko shows around 80 species of reef creatures, including a few invertebrates, that are most commonly seen. A few dive sites are featured on side one of Franko's Dive Map of Maui, and then the dive sites of Lanai and Molokai are described on side two, which shows all of Maui County. Both sides of the map feature the noted surfing locations by name and description as well, including Lanai and Molokai. There are nearly 80 captions on side one of this map.
Franko's Dive Map of Maui Side 2
Turning to the other side of the map you will find Franko's Map of Maui County, with a beautiful shaded relief map of the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. These islands look like emerald jewels against descending hues of turquoise ocean blue on the map. The colors are unbelievable, but so it is true with Maui and her sister islands, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.
Since Kahoolawe is a restricted area, there are no places to visit there (yet). In fact, all personal boats must keep 2 miles away! However, there is much to see in the waters of Lanai, The Pineapple Isle, and Molokai, The Friendly Isle. Dive shops in Lahaina, Maalaea, or Kihei on Maui often take tourist divers to Lanai, but excursions to Molokai are rather rare due to rough seas and distance. In either case, the waters can be pristine and wonderful.
It may interest the potential diver to know that the name “Shark Fin” describes a rock that breaks the surface and marks the spot to dive. However, on one dive Franko saw a pair of whitetip reef sharks, and 3 out of the 15 divers saw a genuine tiger shark. The tiger ditched the crowd of bubble makers though, and was not seen again. Even when he was seen, the shark was only within about 125 feet of the group. That was the edge of visibility, and so when he saw the group, just barely, he got the heck out. However, as the group dove around, encircling the Shark Fin's underwater features, “Sharky” returned to the boat to check it out. The captain was standing on the bow of the boat when the big tiger shark happened to pass in front of her. So, it is on the authority of the captain, who had the only good look at the shark, that it was between 12 and 14 feet in length. The boat has a 12 foot beam, and it was said that the shark was just a little bit longer than the boat was wide.
Although Franko also sells a great fish card for Maui, as well as ones for Lanai and Molokai, the fish and other reef creatures also appear on this map. This not only makes for a colorful, fun map, but it is informative to the snorkelers and SCUBA divers. The dive spots, and a bit of surfing information of Lanai encircle the island. Lanai has one of Hawaii's most popular SCUBA dives at Cathedrals. The dives are fabulous. There are at least 6 dive spots on Lanai, which are widely known, but Franko has no description for them (yet). This means that he has yet to do all of the Lanai exploration that he needs to do.
The story of Molokai is similar to Lanai in that there just aren't that many visitors going there. This means that Molokai does not have a large number of resorts from which to choose, and there are not a lot of dive operators there or going there. However, this is what makes Molokai so fantastic. It is relatively untouched! To this day there have been very few divers visiting Molokai, and it will continue to be rich and diverse as long as this trend continues. Molokai has only a handful of noted dive sites, plus some good shore snorkeling, and a couple of surf spots that the locals might consider sharing with an outsider.
Besides all of these dive spots and surfing breaks on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai, don't forget that Franko's Dive Map of Maui is also a good road map. If you want to find your way to the top of the world at Haleakala, check out the map. If you want to drive the famous Road to Hana, and then return to town via the southern Pi'ilani Highway route, it is on the map. If you want to go see Upcountry Maui, it is on the map. If you want to improve on the map, not as a dive and ocean recreation map, but as a guide map, you should also buy “Franko's Guide Map of Maui.” As for the fish and the number one favorite activity by visitors to Maui, this is it, “Franko's Dive Map of Maui, The Valley Isle.”
It is interesting to note that the fish are listed in Hawaiian and English. It is nice to know that the “Humuhumu Nukunuku Apua'a” or the state fish of Hawaii, is called the reef triggerfish in English. Everybody loves the little “Humu”, and you should practice saying his name before you go to Maui. These are by no means all of the species of fish in Hawaiian waters. There are about 435 species, with around 100 of those being endemic (i.e., found here only). Franko's Dive Map of Maui shows many of the most common fish, and is a good tool for snorkelers and divers to identify what they saw when they were diving in Maui's beautiful waters.
* Please note that due to the nature of maps, the look and apperance may change without notice.
You may receive a different looking map than what you see on this website.
Two-sided, self-cover, waterproof folding map.
Size:
4.2” x 7” folded21” x 14” unfolded
Price: $7.00
Ships Immediately.
Part # 29876
