Carol & David's Hawaiian Adventure

One view of our first Hana waterfall.

The Road to Hana, Maui The highway to Hana became a narrow one lane each direction as it meandered the East/Southeast Maui coastline. It boasts 617 curves and 56 "one car at a time" bridges, along with lava cliffs to the ocean on one side and waterfalls amid lush bamboo groves, Koa & Kukui nut trees, wild ginger and other plants on the othe side.

Another view of our first Hana waterfall.

Sprinkling in the sunlight.

The Road to Hana, Maui It was stop and go, as we kept stopping the car and clicking the camera for every waterfall we found. Big or small, they all had a personality. Some were secluded and we had them all to ourselves. Others like the twins to the right (Pauohokamoa Falls), we had to wait for other people to move out of our shot.

Waterfall twins.

One beautiful floral arrangement.

The Road to Hana, Maui Some plants were new to us, while familiar ones that also grew at home were just bigger here. Not only was the road narrow and windy, but the drop to the ocean was usually close at hand.

Looking back on the road already travelled.

Water drips between small ferns.

Water triplets in the shade.

The Road to Hana, Maui

Another stop was not much farther from this dark and quiet spot with a set of three waterfalls.

Black sand beach of Hana Bay.

The Road to Hana, Maui In Hana Bay, we stopped and picnic'd on the black sand beach and watched a pair of common Myna birds. Continuing on after lunch, we found a couple more waterfalls.

It's a jungle out there.

Another gem just past Hana.

The Road to Hana, Maui Wailua Falls -- This one is a gem not only for its secluded features, but notice the tiny waterfall near the lower left. For this one on the right, I'm standing on the one-car wide bridge six feet from the waterfall and had to do it in two shots to get it top to bottom.

A tall, long, drink of water.

The upper pools.

The Road to Hana, Maui The end of our wild ride was Oheo Gulch with a walk down to the Seven Sacred Pools. A combination of waterfalls and cascading pools (large enough to swim in) down to the sea. From the bridge toward the mountains, we could see the upper pools. This was one of the larger pools midway to the ocean.

One of the sacred pools.

The lower pools.

Where the ocean and sharks meet the pools.

The Road to Hana, Maui

During years with high water in the pools, it is advisable to NOT swim in the pools. Reason: You may be washed out to the ocean where the grey sharks swim waiting for stuff to get washed down to them.

Lava flows past the pools have eliminate the road to the West, so to leave you must go back the way you came. The "I survived the Road to Hana" t-shirt really means a total of 1,234 curves and 112 bridges. David's comment on the road -- "It's like driving to Julian (in the San Diego mountains) only greener".

A lookout point.

Iao Valley, Maui Iao Valley State Park on the Northeast side of the island. The sun came out as we hiked up to a 2000 foot natural rock pinnacle (Iao Valley Needle). It was used as a lookout during a famous battle that changed Hawaii's history. King Kamehameha fought the Maui chiefs and their warriors to unite the islands under his rule. The battle in Iao Valley was so fierce the bodies dammed the water flow out of the valley and the only liquid to reach the coast was blood.

Iao Valley floor.

The view from our condo patio

Kamaole Beach #3

Kamaole Sands in Kehei, Maui

Kelly, Valeta, and Kayleen.

Hawaiian Christmas Our shopping in November brought a definite Hawaiian look to our Christmas. A few of our recipients modeled their goodies (coconut bikinis and pareaus) and treated us to their hula rendition.

A hula step or two.

Return to the beginning of the adventure with Part I

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Page last updated June 22, 2000