[post written on November 5, 2009]
The adventure in Hawaii was a success, and the warm weather was a welcome change after the early winter temperatures we experienced in Alaska. Other than the cockroach infestation in our rental car on Kauai we really have no complaints.
Our survey of three islands—The Big Island, Kauai, and Maui—leaves us undecided about which is our favorite. Each was amazing in its own way.
The Big Island (which we visited first, from October 6 - 13th, 2009) is the newest of Hawaii’s islands and is still growing. We were lucky to witness this magnificent sight on our last night on the island. We walked about ½ mile in the dark to a point where it was possible to see the red, glowing magma flowing down the mountainside and into the ocean. This was truly an unreal sight, and the nighttime pictures don't do it justice, so here is a daytime shot from a distance:
On the Big Island we also enjoyed really wonderful snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, where we also went sea kayaking. At Ho’okenna beach we spent some time watching dolphins play about while sitting on the black sand.
We went to Kauai next, where we hiked the amazing Kalalau trail (see other post of this title). We spent a relaxing day exploring Waimea canyon where we hiked to and lounged in a beautiful waterfall. Luckily we didn’t contract leptospirosis. We topped that day off with a delicious shave-ice (like a snow cone on steroids) from Jojo’s, and retreated to our ‘luxury’ hotel (much nicer accommodations than camping, but with awesome 70s décor including bright turquoise carpeting throughout).
Sunset at Kalalau beach
Our final stop was Maui, definitely the most touristy of the islands we visited. We spent two chilly nights camping on the slopes of Mt. Haleakala (with few other tourists) and watched a gorgeous sunset from its slopes at about 8500 feet. From there we drove the road to Hana with many other tourists, most of whom were in convertibles. This windy mostly two-lane road snakes around the east coast of Maui and is famous for its lush forests, waterfalls, and views of the pristine coastline. The highlight of our day was swimming in a waterfall about half way to Hana and the red sand beach we scrambled to towards the end of the road. We spent that night camped near cliffs above the ocean next to a crazy man who was blasting hard rock music while stoking an inferno of burning logs in his BBQ grill with lighter fluid. The drive from Hana back around the desolate south side of Haleakala – an arid landscape littered with remnants of lava flows from years past – around to where we began was a harsh contrast to and at least as beautiful as the lush drive from the day before.
Sunset from near the top of Mt. Haleakala.
Rich likes Kalua pig sandwiches.
Carissa and Rich at a windy black-sand beach near Hana.
Rich hanging from a tree near our beachside campsite in Haleakala national park.
Secret beach south of Kihei, Maui.
We spent the last 2 days on the island lounging on the beaches of Kihei (South Maui), snorkeling with the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Hawaii’s state fish), and eating deliciously spicy Thai food. [Editor’s note: having actually been to Thailand and surveyed lots of its delicious food, we now believe the description of this Maui food as ‘spicy’ to be exaggerated.]
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