Archive for the ‘Hawaii’ Category
This unique destination was originally called ‘Ohe’o Gulch, but a Hana hotel operator concluded that any name that included “Gulch” might not be a great tourist draw in a tropical paradise … so the “Seven Sacred Pools” were born. They are a part of the Haleakala National Park … but the summit is 10,023’ above you, and you can’t get there from here.
What you can do is wander around the riverside, watching people break the rules as they scramble across the rocks and frolic in the sun.
Seven Sacred Pools
This is no simple road trip. But if you are fortunate enough to visit Maui, you need to go on the road to Hana.
A tropical paradise is all around you!
This trip is not about the destination: it’s about the journey. We’ve been to Hana, and found there really was no there there. This isn’t about going to Hana … it’s about how beautiful it is to get to Hana.
Your driver will be busy. There are 57 one-way bridges on the Road to Hana. The drive is not that difficult, but it does require some road etiquette (let the first one to the bridge go through first) and patience throughout the drive. Remember a few things:
- You are on vacation.
- You are not on a schedule.
- People want to pass you? Let them. More open road for you. It’s prettier that way.
Gypsy Guide mixed historical trivia with scenic outlook tips and directions.
A great tool that we found for our trip was Gypsy Guide, which provides a purpose-built GPS system that will direct you to the wonderful sights along the road — it even shows you pictures of famous Hawaiians and explains their roles in history during your journey. Just the thing so I didn’t have to talk to Velda on the road; well worth the nominal cost. JOKE. Joking. I love talking to Velda. Talk talk talk, that’s me in the car.
Picked the unit up in Lahaina at 6:30am; it was a great addition to the trip. $39 for the day: very cheap for a guided tour.
But back to the road.
We got a recommendation to get on the road early, so we were through Kahului by 8am, and began our day with an early visit to the Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden. You’ve got to admit: it’s a pretty grand name. It’s definitely a good side trip: it was a couple of hours in an interesting garden, but not essential. Spend your time as you choose (remember, it’s about the journey).
We chose to stop at every waterfall. Particularly noteworthy were 3 Bears Falls and Wai’anapanapa State Park and its black sand beach. Don’t miss those!
Once you get past Hana, you can continue to the Seven Sacred Pools, which are a part of Haleakala National Park if you want to see it all … or wander back and see what you missed while you were driving east.
So, the day is yours. Wander from waterfall to waterfall (see the pictures below), fruit stand to fruit stand (we found Longans, AKA Dragon’s Eye Fruit, for the first time on this trip, and that is no small thing!), Kodak Photo Spot to Kodak Photo Spot (remember those?).
Remember: it’s about the journey.
It’s a short walk down the path to Ching’s Pond, where we saw some locals “cliff diving” from road level down into the pool about 25′ below. Not for the faint of heart! Note the guided tour bus … just driving by. Not the way I would choose to see the sights!
3 Bears Falls, AKA Upper Waikani Falls, is a gorgeous 3-part waterfall in a spendor of ferns and tropical jungle. This picture was simply taken from the road’s shoulder!
This spectacular shot is my favorite shoreline picture I’ve taken in Hawaii … and I’ve practiced extensively on 4 islands!
Wai’anapanapa is the only black sand beach on Maui.
Koki Beach has signage warning of the dangerous offshore currents. Not much danger when you take pictures from terra firma, though!
The crater of Haleakala — you can go camping there if you like. The cinder cone on the left is called Kamoali’i; on the right is Ka Lu’u o Ka ‘O’o (Plunge of the digging stick).
Pineapple Ginger, from New Guinea
Umauma Falls is part of the World Tropical Garden, which is a gated attraction. It’s the only waterfall in Hawaii that you have to pay to see … and then you can stroll through the garden while you are there.
Akaka Falls is 422′ tall.
Our grand tour of Hawaii was in the home stretch when we made it to “the Big Island” of Hawaii. We had some great times, but we didn’t maximize our experience.
Kahuna Falls is just up the path from Akaka Falls. Waterfalls are everywhere in Hawaii!
Our biggest surprise was that we were unprepared to visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
We drove to the Volcano House and grabbed lunch. At the visitor’s center for the Park, we learned about visiting the volcano … and were surprised to learn that it was dangerous. Molten rock from the center of the earth? Dangerous? I know, I know. But we were surprised.
We found that they recommend you wear hiking shoes, leather gloves, long pants and shirtsleeves. Cooled lava can be as sharp as glass; you need to be prepared. And, of course, if a shelf unexpectedly collapses, you will die. I was surprised that the Park’s presentation was so negative about going to visit … it’s not like people die while visiting on a regular basis! However, Velda and I had not dressed appropriately, so we did not visit the live lava flow. We toured much of the rest of the park, which is interesting.
There was much, much else to see, and we got some great pictures, as you can see. Click on any picture to expand it to full size.
We visited a couple of gardens. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden was fabulous. The meandering path took you by many exotic plants on your way to the ocean. This is a great place; plan on a couple of hours if you’re going to take pictures and immerse yourself in the lush shade of this exotic place.
Steam venting from the Kilauea Caldera. Shot taken from the Volcano House overlook.
We also visited the World Botanical Garden, a much younger attraction that was a bit pricey for the experience. You have to pay their admission to see Umauma Falls. There’s quite a bit to see, but it’s the least appealing of the gardens we have visited in Hawaii. Maybe it will improve with age; perhaps we should visit it again in 2018.
We drove around the island (literally), and it was surprising to see the miles and miles of lava fields. Hawaii, AKA The Big Island, is the youngest of the islands (indeed, it’s still growing as the lava continues to flow into the ocean!). Driving the perimeter of the island is a great day. See the sights along the way; it will be a nice leisurely excursion.
Steam rising from the ground near the volcano is an everyday event.
A very large lava tube, which happens when lava cools, and then hot lava burns a new path through it, leaving a hollow shell.
Watch closely and you’ll see a mongoose.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
World Tropical Garden
Good to know this road is the way to leave, right?
These are the best places we have found to eat on Kauai. Three of the four are extremely affordable — you can easily eat for less than $15 each.
In Hawaii, that’s no small thing. Enjoy!
Love the color of the ocean seen from Kilauea Lighthouse!
Buy some fish to grill for dinner while you enjoy lunch.
Kilauea Fish Market
Best ahi wrap we’ve found. The reviews are great, too. Very difficult to find this little place; its entrance is in the back of the building, facing away from the road. Keep looking; this will be worth your time.
Have lunch there on the way to or from the Kilauea Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is described as picture postcard perfect (and that’s about all it is, in my opinion). Take that picture, and then have fun looking at the coastline laid out below you. The inlet that it overlooks is gorgeous, and the many albatross nesting on the cliffs and riding the wind currents are more than worth the trip.
Mermaids Cafe
This hole in the wall delight is in Kapaa. Don’t let the outer trappings dissuade you, however. This has clearly outgrown this old kitchen; check out the menu on the website! You’ll find that this little restaurant serves some of the best fresh food around.
The Ahi Nori wrap is a delight and recommended. Seating is limited; there are counters running down the alley towards the ocean with stools when they’re available. Call it rustic. Call it charming. And enjoy the food!
TCs is the best part of the Coconut MarketPlace.
Wander around the shops of Kapaa while you’re there.
Coconut MarketPlace, TC’s Island Grill
We wandered into the MarketPlace on our first visit to Kauai, and we’ve returned on every visit. The location is between Lihue and Princeville, so you’ll find it’s convenient no matter where you are and where you are going when you’re on the east shore.
The shopping center has a very typical range of shops for Hawaii, from t-shirts to luggage, from jewelry to souvenirs. After you’ve done a quick lap to see the sights, then settle in for a very informal lunch or dinner at TCs. Whether you have fish and chips or a catch of the day grilled platter, you’ll enjoy this shack that would be a diner if it was located on the mainland. Here, it’s an Island Grill!
Luau Kalamaku at the Kilohana Plantation
This is the best luau we have found. It’s currently showing on Tuesdays and Fridays, so plan accordingly.
Arrive early to tour the grounds and see the wares offered by the craftsmen. Velda needed this nose flute, though her playing hasn’t advanced much since she stopped drinking the rum punch.
The cost is currently $65 for the all-you-can-eat buffet and show. In my opinion, you don’t go to a luau for the food, you go for the show. For the ohana. You’ll eat, of course, and the food here is fine for a buffet. Try the poi (it’s required) and expect a macaroni salad. But this show was worth the price of admission.
I’ve read reviews that prefer other luaus, which is always understandable. Opinions will vary.
This luau has:
Comfortable seating in and around the performance area. The principal stage is in the middle; the main performance is in the round. A few ancillary stages bring the action even closer to the audience.
The show tells a story (loosely!) and takes the audience on a journey. It’s more than just a variety show, as some luaus tend to be. This gets big points in my book.
Nice performances from dancing to fire juggling. Very visual, very colorful, very theatrical. For me, that’s a win, win, win.
Other Options
We had our 30th Anniversary dinner at Gaylord’s at Kilohana, which is also located on the Kilohana Plantation. Nice event meal. Pricey, and nice. Our problem, unfortunately, was that we ate at the restaurant on our anniversary, and that was a Tuesday evening … when the luau was happening 100 yards away. We enjoyed the meal but the drums were a bit annoying. Wish we would have known to avoid the restaurant on luau nights!
We’ve explored many other restaurants OF COURSE but none have risen to the level that I would recommend them. One of the nicest restaurants on the island is Roy’s on south shore, and we’ve yet to try it, honestly. We haven’t tried the one in LA, either. Or the one in Honolulu. Or the one in Las Vegas. Maybe someday.
Luaus are about family. Ohana.
