Climate - Maui's climate is warm and moist. Showers are common although usually short. High rainfall is contributed to by the volcanic mountains that make up the island, as trade winds blow moisture in from the sea and drive it up the slopes to cool and condense.
Soils - Soil is fertile, volcanic and often moist due to tropical showers, consisting largely of ash erupted from the island's two volcanoes. The free-draining soil is useful for farming, and is made use of for growing sugarcane and pineapples.
Relief - The landscape is made up of steep sided volcanic mountains which have been eroded by wind and rain. Step ravines run down the sides, directing water down to the flat plain and shoreline below.
Vegetation - The vegetation is largely tropical due to the high rainfall and warm, stable temperatures. At high altitudes, mosses and grasses grow up the sides of the volcanic hills.
