Combine the maple sugar and the butter in a saucepan. Place the pan on the stove. Turn the dial to medium. Stir continually until the butter and sugar melts. There may be a few small lumps left at this point, but that is ok, just make sure there are no large lumps. Whisk the mixture so it is well combined.
Pour the maple sugar and butter mixture into the bottom of a well greased cake pan.
Drain the pineapple juice off and set it aside. Place pineapple slices on top of the maple sugar and butter mixture. Place maraschino cherries in the pineapple holes. Place pecans in the open areas between the pineapple slices.
Set the pan aside while the cake batter is being prepared.
To prepare the cake batter, combine the pineapple supreme cake mix with the 3 eggs, 1/3 cup of oil and 1 1/3 cup pineapple juice. If there is not enough pineapple juice, add enough water to make 1 1/3 cup of liquid.
Stir by hand or with a mixture until the cake batter is smooth. Then pour the cake batter into the pan on top of the fruit and nuts.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 28 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Be sure to read the baking instructions on the back of the cake mix box and to adjust for pan size and altitude.
Notes
Tip: For a real taste of the tropics, sprinkle some shredded coconut around the pineapple slices before adding the cake batter.