Three native xylose fermenting strains, Pichia stipits CBS 6054, and NRRL-Y7124 along with Spathaspora passalidarum NN245, were compared for their fermentative abilities in a hot water maple hydrolysate (MH).  Fermentations were carried out for 120 hours at 150 rpm, 30˚C.  Initial sugar concentrations were 8%, 14% and 20% (mainly xylose) in a rich basal medium with (Slininger).  For 8% maple hydrolysate (MH), Y7124, CBS 6054, and NN245 produced 36.2, 33.3, and 31.7 g/ of ethanol with ethanol yields of 0.354, 0.273, and 0.280 in 48 hours.  NN245 also showed fast-utilization of rhammnose and arabinose and fast-growth in the first 25 hours as compared to CBS 6054 and Y7124.  For 14% MH, Y7124, CBS 6054, and NN245 produced 50.8, 37.8 and 51.0 g/L of ethanol with ethanol yields of 0.363, 0.341, and 0.363, respectively. When Y7124, CBS 6054, and NN245 fermented with 20% MH, sugar inhibition was observed with highest ethanol concentration of 41.2 g/L from CBS 6054 after 120 hours.  NN245 produced only 37 and 26 g/L of ethanol at 14 and 20% MH, respectively, which indicated the strong effect of sugar inhibition on ethanol production in the hydrolysate.  However, the fast growth and fast utilization of rhammnose and arabinose in the first 25 hours implied a better ability of NN245 to metabolize hydrolysate in a full strength, 8% MH medium.