Haleakala..the House of the Sun

When the alarm went off at 2:12 am, I didn't know if I could or should get up...it was windy & raining here in Kahana, but who knows what was going on 50 miles away at 10,000'. So up we got, loaded up some goodies and off we went for a two hour drive. The rain played out & it looked clear while driving to Kahalui, and up Haleakala Highway to 2000', to 4000' and into the park..Senior Pass!..and on up the switchback road to 10,000' and the visitors center at the summit. It was extremely windy..50-70 mph..at the top & 41 degrees. We relaxed for a while & then KK went over to the edge to watch for the sun coming up. By the time we saw light, there was a ton of people up there & lots of folks getting ready to "bike down the volcano". It was a spectacular sunrise, but very cold & still windy. The bikers had to go on down the mountain with the support people before unloading the bikes as the wind would have blown them over. We took a lot of pictures and the views were good until a massive cloud cover came in shortly after sunrise & it started to rain. We're out of there and headed back down to Paia & a breakfast date at Charley's. It rained off & on in Paia & we had a great breakie (Italian Omelet for me & KK had the scrambler)we changed into our shorts before going on to K-Mart! A little shopping & back to the condo for a nap & some reading. A sandwich for a late lunch & off to Kakaplua for some late afternoon snorkeling. (But first, we tour a 2 BR condo for sale here at the Royal Kahana..only 1.1 mil..but great views!) The reef fish are really great this afternoon & two sea turtles, and of course, another wedding that went on for almost an hour. Back to the room, clean up & head over to Dollies for supper..wings for me & a grinder & salad for KK. A great day on Maui!

The "Flipper" Family

And just why would get to a rocky beach..Honolua..find a spot, put your entire snorkeling stuff on & trip down thru the rocks to the water? Well, some family..all 5 of them..did just this and no one was injured..it was funny to watch however. So our day went fine..breakie here & then up to D. T. Fleming beach park where we then hiked the Kapalua Trail again, but saw a lot more things as it was sunny..no rain. I even chatted with a Hawaiian man (Iaso Nakagawa) who helped set up the nesting area on Hawea Point for the sea birds. I got a quick history lesson on Maui & what he liked about this area of the Island. On we went down to Kapalua Bay & then back to the car, where some big event is gettin' ready to happen,,,huge tents everywhere! Back to the room for lunch & to get our stuff for snorkeling at Honolua bay. The bay is clear and lots of fish & beautiful coral..nothing unusual but really nice..lots of humu's, needle fish, Bluestripped snappers & wrasse's. We stayed out for quite a long time & then rested a bit before walking back thru the micro-climate to the car. To the room to shower & go to see if we can fix KK's camera. Down to Lahaina, but no camera shops are open, so we buy a few things have supper at "Cool Cat's Cafe"..the BEST hamburger on Maui! They were pretty damn' good, but the live entertainment for the eve was a little late, as he sang his first song at 8:10, instead of 7:30. Turned out that was ok as he wasn't very good..not drunk enough yet I suppose. Someone suggested we try Walgren's for the camera & turns out the card was went bad,,after only two years. So we get a new 2 gig card & we're good to go! Back to the room thru some rain droplets & prepare our stuff for an early wakeup..2:12 am & a drive up to the sunrise on Haleakala..see ya at 10,000'! Bring a hoodie!

Airport & Beyond

Up a little later today..6:45 & put KK's coke in the freezer,put on the coffee & watch for whales from the lanai..not much action today. We have a date with Marty for breakie at the "Sands", as this is her last day (morning) on the Isle. Off we go to the lovely outdoor bar for the "early bird" 3.99 specials & fighting the birds for leftovers. I get the pancakes, with coconut syrup & the girls get the eggs, roasted potatoes & bacon..oh, and pineapple. Back to our room to download pics onto the laptops from the Spears camera & off we go to OGG..the airport at Kahalui. We drop off Marty for her flight back home & all decide it was a fun time! Then we head upcountry again to visit Makawao, an artsy little Cowboy town. We buy a few things, and get sandwiches made for our upcoming lunch at the local general store..they're great! Back down the curvy road to the coast & looking for beaches that may "host" Ashley's wedding in December. First there's Hookipa Beach & lots of windsurfers, surfers & kite-surfers..and even a fly-over of the Coast Guard helicopter (Yes, it's BIG surf!). This is where we have a picnic & wolf down our homemade sandwiches & watch the action out in the surf. On to lower Paia Beach, Baldwin Beach & Kanaha Beach. We take a lot of pics & chat with a lifeguard, who says you need a permit from the county to have a wedding in any park..note that! Now we head for MM 14 and some snorkeling, but it is too rough there, so we go on to Kapalua & in we go! Lots of fish here & 3 Sea Turtles along the left shore! What a treat! KK reads while sunning & I snooze a little before, up comes a "cloud"..(HI Fonda!) and to the car we go. Back to the room to shower, watch the sunset & have supper in..Annie's mackies. What's up for tomorrow? who knows...oh, and it never rained.

Sightseeing in Upcountry

A MASSIVE breakfast at the Sea House Restaurant, overlooking Napili Bay, so we don't have to eat for days! French toast, bacon, pineapple, omelets..FAB! On the road and a drive to Wailuku & the beautiful IAO Valley state park. We all love it, as usual, with the needle, streams & the history of it all. Ahhh, that stream is soothing to the feet! Load up and head toward Paia & up to Makawao for a cool drink & directions to the Tedeschi Winery at the Ulupalakua Ranch. It's a wonderful 30 minute drive to the winery along a 2000' ridge, overlooking the Pacific, south Maui & Molokini..WHAT A VIEW! The traffic up here is much lighter & it's a little cooler too, with many changes in the trees & plants. We get there & partake in some wine tasting..4 is the limit...purchase a couple of bottles & head back down to the Pacific Whale Foundation & some shopping. Into Old Lahaina Town, where the Spears want to look at some artworks. Kevin "almost" buys an original, but finally, no deal! Down to the HUGE Banyan tree and watch the people off-loading/ on-loading to a big cruise ship in the harbor--the town is packed with shoppers! OH, and a Dairy Queen for lunch. Back to the rooms by 6:00 & a "date" for 7:00 to have dinner at the Sea House at the Napili Kai Resort. Another great meal, macadamia nut crusted Mahi-Mahi, the mixed grill, and a fisherman's stew..all of then FAB!(And those cute umbrella drinks & wine.) We're stuffed, so back to the room to download Kevin & Marty's pics from their camera...SUCCESS! Kevin will get up at 4:30 and head over to Wailea for his meetings that start at 7:00. We'll take Marty to the airport for a 1:00 flight back to Hotlanta & probly go snorkeling somewhere on our way back.

Snorkelers delight!

Up early today for a Pacific Whale Foundation cruise to Molokini & Lanai. A short drive down to Maalaea Harbor & check in at 7:45 for our 8:30 departure. The boat holds 150 people, but today they are 86 going on the trip, so it was comfy on board. Captain Doug..born in Tallequah, OK..explains all the rules & heads out toward Molokini (and breakie too!), with a few whales on the way..blows & flukes..before anchoring inside the crater in crystal clear water. One hour of snorkeling here with good coral & lots of fish, but not as many as Honolua. Pull up anchor and head off toward Lanai, with a smooth Pacific & we can see 5 islands from here, including the BIG Island of Hawaii, 90 miles in the distance. We end up at Shark's Fin Bay & once again, clear water. A little rougher than we'd like but good coral and even instruction from one of the Pacific Whale workers on the reefs & fish, while we snorkel. Oh, and a good lunch just before we get to Lanai..grilled chicken, dogs, burgers, pasta salad & drinks. Another hour here & up anchor to see a massive pod of spinner dolphins all around the boat..WHAT A SHOW! And now the bar is open! Drinks for everyone, and Capt Doug is "buying"! A nice cruise back to Maui & Capt stirs up some sea turtles over by Olowalu. Into the harbor about 3:30 & a wonderful day. We top it off with some local ice cream & cookies & then back to the condo. A short power nap & clean up for dinner. We walk up to the plaza to Maui Brewing Co and some mahi-mahi, burgers, calamari & local brews. Not bad! Some good laughs about old times in Uppity St Clair & back to the rooms by 9:15. See ya "Upcountry"!

Pitt Friends

A-L-O-H-A!! Our old friends from Pitt..now from Atlanta got in last night, so today we took them to breakie at the "Sands" & then snorkeling at Kapalua & Honolua bay. Conditions we perfect! Calm waters, sunshine & lots of fish turtles & beautiful coral. Both were a little crowded but ok. I saw a Bluespotted Grouper, a few eels & lots of Humu's...the Spears saw a sea turtle. I think we all had a good time & it was just a gorgeous day. After all of our water activities, we cleaned up and went down to the Whaler's Village Mall & had a dinner at the Hula Grill..a beach bar & restaurant right on Ka anapali Beach. Our meals were FAB, with mahi-mahi, opkua and great sauces & fresh Maui veggies...and of course, Island drinks with tiny umbrellas..Kevin loved that part. Marty, in her own way, ordered precisely..(when harry met sally). We took our time and managed to see a FAB sunset and hear some good music & hula from the local performers. Followed by a stroll thru the mall & more local flavor with a Hawaiian Dance show by some talented kids. Back to the room by 9:00 & prepare for our Molokini snorkel trip for tomorrow..early with the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Whale "blows"

Yep, we sat out on our lanai this am and watched many whale blows (surfacing Humpbacks spouting air & water into the air at 200mph), but no breaches or flukes. It was exciting to watch them however, as you never knew when one might pop up. Then down to the local market to purchase some lovely Hawaiian flowers for our room and some for The Spears room too.. 20 bucks for two great bouquets! On to Kahauli so KK could shop at the scrappin' store.."Island Paperie." A really great lunch at Marcos Italian Grill..I had the Vodka Rigatoni & KK had the Shitake Chicken--WOW! Back thru Lahaina & viewing some new shops down by the Lahaina Shores Hotel & great beach views. To our room to get the snorkeling stuff and head to Kapalua Bay and some late afternoon turtle & fish viewing. The coral was also good this pm & we saw at least 5 sea turtles (honus) & one who had just nested and laid some eggs on the beach! Quite a bit of excitment at this lovely beach. Back to the room to clean up, watch the sunset & wait for the Spears to arrive from Atlanta. They got in about 9:15 and we head over to Dollies for a drink and some snacks. It was great to see them! It's been at least 10 years since we've seen them, and we talked and drank & talked and ate, before heading back about 11:00..5 am for them. Some serious snorkeling tomorrow...Aloha!

Rain-drops & Rainbows

ALHOA! another rainy morning, but only liquid sunshine..mist actually..we decided not to go up to see the sunrise on Haleakala, as the weather is not co-operating. So we had breakie in house. Sitting on the lanai, we saw a complete rainbow! After awhile it was gone, then another showed up, then another!! The last one was so cool, it was really low on the horizon, looked like a sunset or something,,,GREAT... Then drove up to Kapalua & hiked the 3.7 mile (each way) around to D.T. Fleming State Park, where a ton of surfers were having a great day. The Trail was very nice and went thru a lava flow that was a nesting area for many burrowing birds. We got caught in a rain storm out here and had to hide behind some big lava boulders..ahah..then thru some boardwalk areas over sand dunes..and finally down thru the Kapalua golf course, by some ancient Hawaiian ruins & burial mounds to the park. Back to the car & dry off for lunch at the Sea House Restaurant at Napili Kai resort. A lovely view of Napili Bay, snorkelers, surfers & the persistent rain. I had the Mahi Cajun seared wraps & KK opted for the stir fry fish & veggies with rice..PDG! Then a short walk to Kapalua to snorkel a couple of times & really great fish & coral today, especially when the sun was out. Back to the room to shower & watch the Pens loose in triple OT & the Thunder defeat the lakers. What's for supper? The Outback Steakhouse down in Lahaina..the 8oz Special with Crablegs for me & KK got a burger & a couple of "Ritas". The weather is supposed to be getting better, but it is paradise ya know. Our Hotlanta friends, The Spears will arrive tomorrow night. In some sad news, My uncle, Bob VanNest, passed away yesterday & I know my mom will be deeply saddened. Also, our good friend Bob Delancey, passed away in Pittsburgh, and he too, will be missed by all.

Surf & Honolua

A cloudy am, but up at 6:00 & put KK's coke in the freezer, start the coffee & back to bed until the Vanilla macadamia nut java is ready. A couple of cookies to tide me over until breakie. Off we go to the Sands of Kahana for a great breakfast & ocean views. We once again see our Canadian friends who we met at the LAX layover. They're playing volleyball--sorta-and having a good time with 11 family members on the island. I had the skillet & KK had the omelet..no lunch for us! One of those plates would have fed both of us. Back to the room and get ready to go snorkeling at Honolua Bay. A short drive up there & a pretty good hike thru a micro-rain forest to the rocky beach & some really good snorkeling. The surf is really BIG at the point, but somewhat calm where we are & the fish & coral are good along the shores..Humu's, eels, a turtle, needle fish & lots of Tangs & Bluestripped Snappers. We do two rounds of water stuff, some snoozing, reading & visiting & also spot a few whales having some fun just off shore from our spot. Back to the room to shower, have a sandwich & decide on where to go this eve. A quick drive to Lahaina & Hilo Hattie's for a little shopping. Also a stroll on Front Street in Old Town Lahaina & some cool art shops..and yes, ABC! Finally we stop at Bubba's for an appetizer & drinks, with the surf still pounding away & good tunes playing at the resturant. Now to get our car "out of hock" and head back to our condo. A good day and seems like we've been here for a week. think we'll sleep in tomorrow & do the volcano later as it's raining now (11:30) and that would ruin the sunrise. see ya tomorrow..in Paradise!

Windy Tuesday

OK, we know it's trade winds, but not this strong! We finally got to bed late and woke up at 6:15 local time, not being really sure what time it was. Put in KK's coke and the coffee & went back to bed. Finally up at 6:45 and check e-mails & have some lovely Hawaiian coffee, and cookies! Down to the lobby and sit thru a "Orientation" for stuff to do and NO pineapple! We then walk across the street to rent some snorkeling equipment at Boss Frogs. A short drive up to the Napali Market to get a few things & have lunch at Maui Tacos,,,the Tuesday special!..3 tacos for 5 bucks! back to the condo to put up the stuff and on to Kapalua Bay for our first snorkel of the trip. It's still windy but the Bay is protected and we have good fish & coral. We did book a whale watching cruise at 4 this pm, so back to the condo to get ready. A pretty nice boat in slip 83 at Ma'alaea Harbor, but a screaming baby--putting it mildly-- drives us nuts. Off we go into the windy surf to try & stir up some Humpbacks..it's their last trip of the season, but we see a few breaches, flukes & tale flaps. back to the slip by 6:00 & a drive to Kehei for supper at Alexander's Fish & Chips.(Rated the best on Maui!) A little shopping in Kehei & back to Lahaina & some serious action on Front Street, before hitting the DQ for dip cones! (We missed the evening hula show at the Cannery Mall--damn!) Back to the room by 9:30 & check the net. A good first day in paradise! What's up for tomorrow? see ya!

April, 2010-westerly bound

Well, off we go again to Hawaii..this time a two week stay on the beautiful island of Maui..an 11 am departure from OKC, with Chop picking us up, before headding off to visit the Dunlaps at the hospital & then to Wetumka--A DQ! We leave on time and a flight to LAX & on to Maui by 5:15 pm. Very windy on the Valley Isle & after we get our rental car..an ORANGE Jeep!, we proceed on to supper at "Beach Bum's Bar & Grill" and then to our room at the Royal Kahana. We're beat by now , but unpack, shower & watch local stuff on the tube. A nice surprise in our room,,a gift basket from our travel agent, Judy! THANKS Judy! Post the blog & hit the rack at 4:02 am..our time..ALHOA!