Wailuku: Halekii-Pihana Heiau in Waiehu and Kepaniwai County Park at Iao Valley

Today we visited the remains of the an ancient Hawaiian "Heiau" or temple, at Halekii-Pihana State Monument and the Cultural Heritage Pavilions at Kepaniwai County Part at Iao Valley. These two parks offer the conveniences of being close to the city, close to each other and have easy access to people who want to go for a short walk.

Halekii-Pihana Heiau in Wailuku.

Kepiniwai County Park has a series of pavillions and monuments, dedicated to the people from China, Japan, Korea, The Phillipines, Portugal, Puerto Rico and the American/European Missionaries that came to the island at the beginning of the 20th Century, in search of a better life working in the sugar plantations of Maui.

Chinese Pavilion

Monument to Puerto Rican immigrants on Maui.

Korean Pavillion.

Aloha!

McGregor Point &
First Humpback Whale Sighting of the Season

Today we visited McGregor Point near Maalaea. The intent was have some fun "geocaching", or seeking "hidden treasures" using GPS. Although we never found the geocache, we did enjoy the views of the ocean, as well as discovered this monument to the Scandinavians on Maui which - since it is off the beaten path - we had never seen before.

Later in the day, we went to Kam II beach to enjoy the sunset. From there we had our first humpback whale sighting of the season: A goup of whales somewhere near Molokini islet. We watched them through our binoculars as they came up to breathe several times. So yes, the whales are officially back.

Aloha!

Trip To Arizona
September 30 - October 8, 2006

We visited Arizona, where we spent a wonderful week exploring the natural wonders, Native American ruins and modern cities of the State as well as making a brief incursion into Nogales, Mexico.

We took over 300 photos of our trip, and while we pick the ones that are going to make the final cut for the blog entry, here is a link to Yahoo! Photos, where most of them are already posted for your view and enjoyment.


Yahoo! Photos Link


Aloha!

Friends of Haleakala Service Trip to Paliku Cabin

September 2-4, 2006

On Labor Day Weekend 2006, we joined a group of 8 other hikers, and accompanied by a guide from the Friends of Haleakala and two Park Volunteers, for a hiking, camping and service trip to Paliku Cabin, located at the bottom of the eastern rim of the Haleakala Crater. We started on Saturday (9/2/06) at the Haleakala Summit, hiking down the Sliding Sands Trail, across the bottom of the crater, arriving at Paliku Cabin for a total of 11 miles.

On Sunday, we did volunteer work at the ranger's cabin doing inventory of tools and equipment and on the surrounding fields, pulling out invasive, non-native plants.

On Monday, we hiked seven miles from Paliku Cabin to the Kaupo Gap Trailhead, where we were pickd up by a van that took us back to the Summit to get our cars.

Here are some photos of the hike.

At the Summit, prior to the start of the hike.

Starting the hike at the Sliding Sands Trailhead. The Big Island of Hawaii is partially visible above the rim of the crater on the far side.

At Slinding Sands trail, looking towards the Ka Moa O Pele volcanic cone.

Our guides, Mellisa and Matt, explain some of the features on the crater. This is at Sliding Sands trail, about two miles in, looking towards Koolau Gap.

Hiking down Sliding Sands Trail

At the bottom of the crater, about five miles into the trail, looking towards the Haleakala visitor center.

About 8 miles into the hike, looking towards Paliku.

Arriving at Paliku Cabin, mile 11 of the hike.

The Nene were there to greet us.

Sunrise at Paliku, September 5, 2006,looking west towards the Visitor Center, locted at the rim near the center of the photo. Even though I was about 9 miles (As the crow flies) from the Visitor Center, I could see the camera flashes of people taking photos of the sunrise from there! I could also see the headlights of cars heading down the road from the sumit.

A bunch of happy campers, just before we left the Cabin to hike down Kaupo Gap.
Front: Jeanne, Mayumi, Melanie, Ruth, Wen-Lu, Melissa (Park Volunteer), Richard and Mary
Back: Steve, Gwen, Juan and Matt (Friends of Haleakala Guide).
Chuck (Park Volunteer) took the photo.

Hiking down Kaupo Gap. Big Island of Hawaii is visible in the background, near the ridge.

Hiking down Kaupo Gap. Big Island on the Background.

After seven miles and several hours of grueling hiking down a very steep, poorly maintained road, we made it to the trailhead. From here, we took a van back to the summit to get our car and go home.

Aloha!!

HIKING
Waihee Ridge Trail
Haleakala Crater: Sliding Sands to Halemauu
Waihee Valley Trail

Here are a few photos of our latest hikes on the island.

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Waihee Ridge Trail
July 22, 2006

We chose a trail we had never done before. This trail is along the northern ridge of the Waihee Valley and parallels the Waihee Valley (Swinging Bridges) Trail below. This hike is above-average strenuous, but with great views of the valley, the Wailuku-Kahului area and the ocean.

Waterfall on West Maui Mountains

View of the Waihee Valley from the Ridge Trail
(The Waihee Valley Trail runs by the stream seen at the bottom of the valley)

Enjoying the view from the Ridge Trail

Another view of the Valley from the Ridge Trail looking towards the Wailuku-Kahului area.

Hiking Down the Ridge Trail.

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Haleakala Crater: Sliding Sands to Halemauu (11 miles)
July 29, 2006

Since we have been planning a hiking trip to the Grand Canyon, and need to practice for it, we chose to hike the Haleakala Crater to test our hiking abilities in conditions similar to those we expect at the Grand Canyon. We were not dissapointed: Even with near perfect weather, the Haleakala hike was long and strenuous. And that was even before we got to the infamous Haleakala switchbacks, which climb 1400 feet on a mercyless +20% incline for about two miles. We were happy we did it, but even happier to finish it. The lesson learned: Keep hiking to be ready for the Grand Canyon!

At the Sliding Sands Trail Head near the Haleakala Summit.

View of the Haleakala Crater from Sliding Sands Trail

Ahihahiha (Silversword) Plants Along Sliding Sands Trail.

Climbing Around Ka Moa O Pele Cinder Cone

Resting by the Holua Cabin

View of Koolau Gap from the Switchbacks

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Waihee Valley Trail (a.k.a. "Swinging Bridges")
August 5, 2006

This is the same trail we did last fall, with the swinging brigdes and irrigation channels. We chose this trail today because after the Ridge Trail and the Haleakala Trail, we wanted a hike that was moderate, shady and with cool, fresh air and water.

Waterfall at the end of Waihee Valley

Here we are, taking a break at the end of the Waihee Valley Trail. The trails ends at an old dam that is still used to divert water for sugar cane irrigation on Maui's central valley. Note the waterfall in the background.

Summer 2006

The summer of 2006 has been very busy so far: Kids visiting, a trip to Ohio, a graduation, hiking trips, camping trips and, of course, the beach. Here are some selected photos of our summer adventures so far.


Laura, her housemate Julie and their friend Jon, visited us in March. Here they are at the Iao Valley State Park and at the Nakalele Blowhole.




Then Diana came to visit in April. Here she is, having a great time at Wailea and Lahaina.



Then, it was time for another camping trip to Kipahulu. Here we are at Koki Beach in Hana and at the Pools of Oheo.




After the kids visited, it was my turn to go to Ohio. Here I am with Laura and Diana. Celebrating Diana's Graduation from Pickerington High School on June 3, 2006. Diana would be back on Maui five days later to work a couple of summer jobs and spend the summer with us before going off to college at OSU.



Friends from the mainland came for a short visit. Here we are at Kamaole III Beach where we had a cookout and watched the sunset.



In July, Gwen and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary with a fabulous romantic dinner at Roy's.

Short Notes
Diana is still spending the summer with us, although she did go back to Ohio for a week to attend her freshman orientation at Ohio State. She is working hard and having a great time here in Hawaii. We are very happy for her.

Congratulations to Laura on her 20th Birthday on July 25. We miss you and love you a lot. Looking forward to your visit later this summer.

We are looking forward to our 2 night hiking trip at the Haleakala Crater for Labor Day Weekend and a trip to Arizona and hiking in the Grand Canyon in October.

Aloha!!!