The Hawaiaan word "Ka'anapali" means divided cliff. And if you drive in the Kaanapali area and look to the West Maui mountains that is exactly what you see. King Piilani was Hawaii's great road builder. He was the first to build roads into West Maui as well as roads that circumnavigate the Island. Piilani Rd. in Kihei is named after him, as are the highways in West Maui. There are six bays in the Ka'anapali area that were said to the King's favorite honos (Hawaiian for "bay"). Thus the bays or the Honos of Piilani. Our highway is known as "Honopiilani" and "Lower Honopiilani" highways. King Piilanai's favorite honos or bays were were Honokowai, Honokeana, Honokahua, Honolua, Honokohau, and Hononana. Honokahua is more popularly know as Kapalua today.
Maui Land and Pineapple Co (MLP) are the major landholders in West Maui and were the developers of the Kapalua area. There are 22,000 acres of land under their stewardship presently. Right now they are used for hiking trails, ziplines,  and climbing towers. The Kapalua Adventure center is

Kaanapali Trolley Sche  History of Kaanapali   Kaanapali Beach Walk    Beautiful Kaanapali Beach Condo   1 BR Ocean View  - Direct From Owner