Oh no, the exterminator is coming today, so we need to be out most of the day while this is going on, so we're off for the Hawala Valley, which is 28 miles from Kaunakakai & that's about 20 miles from here. We are to meet Kalani a "the" little green & white church in Hawala, so off we go. It's easy going for most of the way, to about the 20MM, then the road gets narrower & very curvy, like the Road to Hana, but hardly any traffic. A couple of stops to watch for whales & thar she blows! We see some good blows & some serious activity! Flops, breaches..a good start to our trip! Down & around the winding road & into Hawala & there's the church, As we park, Kalani comes riding up on a mountain bike & tells us what's going on. Restrooms down toward the beach & now to load up the backpack & off we go. Kalani is farming his ancestors land & has tropical flowers & fruit, He does the hikes on the side, since his land goes through part of the park. Across a little bridge & a left into the valley. You can see the waterfall from here...Moaula Falls..it's about a 3 hour round trip hike, plus some free time to swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls. It's a wonderful hike through some ancient sites, where the ancient Hawaiians farmed taro & fished is this area. There were at one time over 2,000 people living in the valley & developed a great system of taro ponds, terraced up from the river, with irrigation, houses and temples. We even stopped at a temple where they sacrificed "things" to appease the god of agriculture. Kalani stops to bring down some fresh fruit & will pick it up on the way back. Onto the waterfall & it is fantastic! A 140' drop into the pool below, but above that it goes up another 250'. Let me tell you, this pool is really cold, but how invigorating! I swim over to the falls, but the rest only test the waters: Steve jumps in but right out; KK just steps in & Marlene stays up top as her knee may not hold up. Kalani dives in with his clothes & looks like he really enjoys it & he did this in crocks, no water or snacks. OK, back on the trail & some more history lessons and Kalani picks up an addition to his farm..a "Bird nest fern" laying on the ground, plus the fruit he knocked down earlier..he's going to use this fruit & others to make smoothies when we get back. Turns out he worked a smoothie stand on Maui, and the road to Hana for a few years & really likes making them. What a treat for the end of the hike! He mixes up Guava, bananas, honey, & even some fresh squeezed sugar cane. A guy from Brazil, "Fabio" helps with the cane & we all enjoy the setting...even a tiki hut for effect! Kalani has his own solar panels for power, as no one else has electricity in the valley. Oh, and you can order his flowers via his website. Wow! What a day we've had! (and this for $35 each!) Now down to the beach & some snacks, sandwiches & relaxin'. I'll drive back, so off we go about 4:00 & a little more autos going back, but everybody yields & no problems. No whale activity this time, but a few mongooses crossing the road, but no wild boars or deer. Now we're on a mission to get to the Hotel Molokai for some drinks & pupus, and we're betting, a nice sunset. We also get some local Hawaiian music & the food & drinks are good! The sunset is also FAB & I get a lot of pictures from the bar, despite a pig on the beach, and actually with a collar. Eddie's (another guide we met) band, The Mysterious Hawaiians, did a good job & our food, coconut shrimp, stir-fry & salads were really excellent! Into the auto & check out the wharf to see them unloading a barge with goods for the island, and then some ice cream. Up to the condo & me & the Mrs walk down to the hot tub to finish off a perfect day..man, that feels great! Check out some e-mails , read & hit the hay. Watch out for "Phil tomorrow!
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