Watching Sunrise and Sunset at Maui

We enjoyed Maui Sunrise and Sunset along its coastline, despite the fact that we did not get the chance to watch Sunrise at Haleakala due to inability to obtain the permit to enter summit area in the early morning, or Sunset. 

We watched Sunrise at Nakalele Blowhole in a lava formation at sea level. The Sunrise view from lava formation there was as good as any, and has its unique features, geyser eruption and breaking waves at foreground,  not seen anywhere else.

Sunrise viewed from Nakalele Blowhole

Sunrise viewed from Maui Norther tip

The Nakalele Blowhole is a geyser in the ocean near Maui's north tip, and is the closest location to Lahaina where we stayed, to see Sunrise at the end of the December, due to its unique location. Note the Sun was about 22 degree south from exact east near the end of the year. I found this location by studying Maui map. We only needed to get up around 6am to get to the location to see Sunrise at around 7am, and the last couple miles to Nakalele Blowhole from Lahain is almost as good as road to Hana!

It was still dark when we left our Lahaina rental home around 6am, and we observed the light hue change at dawn.  The morning glow was mesmerizing. As the Sun rose from horizon, and kept rising and the mythic light in the east turned into daylight.  

The light at Dawn near Nakalele

The reflection of morning glow from clouds

After the Sunrise, we explored the area a bit, watched the Nakalele Blowhole's eruptions a few times.

Nakalele Blowhole

On day 5, we located a great place to watch Sunset on way home from a day at Southern beaches. In fact the huge rainbow over west Maui mountains, in northeastern sky, drew our attentions first, and then we noticed the more beautiful scene in southwest!

As the Sun set, the lights became diffusive, and the white clouds turned reddish.

The huge rainbow dwarfed the west Maui mountains

setting Sun over Lanai Island

The rainbow in the clouds during sunset

Sunset at Maui

Haleakala - House of the Sun

 Haleakala is a massive shield volcano, which covers about 75% of Maui island. Haleakala, means the house of the Sun, with its peak stands at 10023 feet, is the legendary place to see Sunrise. We did not get the chance to watch Sunrise there due to inability to obtain the permit to enter summit area in the early morning. We went to Haleakala summit area after sunrise to enjoy the day time vista it provides, and hiked down to the crater to experience the power of nature! 

The day started beautifully. The mountain looked gorgeous.

View from roadside of switchbacks to the summit

We picked sliding sand trail (Keonehe‘ehe‘e) to explore the crater area. We hiked about half way of the point to point trail, and returned  from  kapalaoa cabin via bottomless pit (Kawilinau). It was a ~ 7 hours, 21 km, ~ 1600 m elevation change, hike. Except the initial/final 3 - 4 kilometers, the trail is mostly gradual and easy.

The crater area viewed near the summit

The landscape was ever changing as we descended into the crater, and clouds moving in and out of vision added the mythical feel of this mostly barren place. But there are small plants here and there, and most common plant is the silversword. The national park warned visitors of not disturbing Nene (the Hawaiian goose), but they were nowhere to be seen. We did spot a Chukar (a type of pheasants).

clouds moved in

The clouds cleared up a bit

Hanakauchi Peak - the most prominent and beautiful mountain seen on the trail

view of Haleakala peak on the return trip

the brownish mass in the center of the photo is a volcano cone

Chukar

Silversword

On the return trip, when we were near the steep slope, 3 - 4 km from trailhead, it started to turn cold real fast, sunlight become hazy, the temperature was near freezing. We got back to Haleakala summit in time for Sunset, the eastern sky cleared briefly but the clouds blocked the western sky and the view of sunset. The colorful clouds made up for the disappointment.

hazy sun in late afternoon ( ~ 5pm)

brief clear up in the western sky

the color of the sky near sunset

Note

For high elevation, long distance hiking, layered clothing for the changing weather and having enough water are the two critical components.  On our return hike, about 4km from trail head, we saw a woman trail running in short pants and short sleeve shirt, with no water, into the bottom of the crater! As we were about 2km from trail head, she caught up with us, saying she was thirsty, and asked for water from us … fortunately we did have some extra to spare, then she was shivering due to fast temperature drop... she could barely move by now. Lily gave the runner a protein bar, and lent her a light jacket. She walked slowly, a totally different person than who she was 1 hour ago. The runner could be seriously injured from dehydration and hypothermia  if not dead from her reckless behavior. She realized that and was grateful for Lily's help.

Road to Hana

Road to Hana is the scenic drive along the northeast coastline of Maui, from Kahului (where the airport is) to the town at the east tip of Maui island. This winding 64.4 mile (103.6km) highway is narrow, with 46 one lane wide bridges along the way.  With the blue ocean, rocky shoreline, breaking waves on one side, lush green tropical forest, gulches, water falls on the other side, there are many options for stops along the way …  one has to pick and choose so that at least one way drive can be completed before dark!

We adjusted our plan according to the weather to truly appreciate the beauties along the road to Hana. We drove on the road on our fourth day at Maui, started early in the morning. 

Our first stop was Ho'okipa Beach on high way 36, before the official road to Hana starts on highway 360, well-known for its surfs and sea turtles. We stopped at around 7 miles marker again, to see Painted Bark Eucalyptus trees. The trees have unique barks that have shades of red, purple and green, which seem to be hand-painted! We stopped at a few vistas before our main stop, Garden of Eden. The Garden is the only fee-required stop along the road, $20/person. This is very beautiful place, many beautiful tropical plants, and spectacular views of the ocean and three water falls, which were viewed from above! We spent nearly 2 hours at the garden,  thoroughly enjoyed it; it was  well worth the entrance fee.

Ho'okipa Beach

Painted Bark Eucalyptus trees

A gulch 

one of many water falls

Garden of Eden

Rocky shoreline along the road to Hana

Hana forest and Haleakala (to the upper left corner of the photo)

Rocky shore

We took a break from the road to Hana around 1pm, detoured to Ke'Anae to buy some lunch at Aunt Sandy's Banana Bread. We enjoyed the expensive bread, and a close up view of the rocky shore and breaking surfs. We arrived at Hana after 3pm, and visited Koki Beach Park, which has red sand and a view of ‘Ālau Island Seabird Sanctuary. We got to our last stop, Haleakala National Park, Waimoku Falls area, for a hike and view of awesome waterfalls. 

On the way returning to the rental home at Lahaina, it quickly turned dark and later became rainy. 

It was a marvelous scenic drive, a feast to sensory!

‘Ālau Island Seabird Sanctuary, and Koki Beach

Falls of Makahiku

Oheo Gulch

Waimoku Falls

Snorkeling at Coral Garden on Christmas Day - by Lily

It was Christmas day at Maui, Hawaii, and we had booked a snorkeling trip for the early afternoon. With no rush in the morning, we let the boys slept in while we decided to take a morning walk along the coastline. We drove to a nearby place called turtle rock in hope to see some sea turtles. Walking along the rocky shore, listening to the waves crashing, and bathing in the morning sunshine made us feel relaxed and happy. There were no sea turtles on shore, so we walked on the rocks for a stretch with our eyes scanning the water. All of a sudden, Allan saw a movement near shore, and there it was, a sea turtle was trying to reach the rocks. It got pushed by the waves toward the shore and tried to grab a rock using its front flippers but only to be pushed back by the receding waves. Then it tried again. The rocks were slippery, and the waves were strong. It kept trying and trying. We saw a few more sea turtles in the nearby area, all trying hard to get on the rocks, but none succeeded during our watch.

turtle rocks at Lahaina

a green sea turtle trying to reach the shore

After a hearty brunch at our condo, we drove to the harbor where we were taken to coral garden for snorkeling. The weather was gorgeous and the sea water green and clear. 

Rocky shore at West Maui

typical coral fish at coral garden

Everyone was geared up and excited to get into the water quickly. I decided to take a few pictures of the boys getting into water before jumping in. With some practice the previous day, snorkeling was an easy task. The area was definitely a great spot, I saw fish all around me right away. Snorkeling over the coral reef under the sea was like flying over the mountains. Fish of all colors were swimming and feeding on this fertile ground. There’s black durgeon, yellow tung, blue striped snapper, parrot fish, green and pink colored saddleback wrasse, rainbow wrasse, black and yellow striped Moorish idol, and more. I watched them playing and chasing each other, not bothered by me at all. They were almost close to touch; I couldn’t help reaching out my arms. Following the fish I went further out, and there I found myself surrounded by a school of trumpet fish. They swam right under the sea surface in front of my eyes.

After a while, I swam back toward our boat trying to see if I could find the boys. I saw Nick first, he was really enjoying it. Heading out again, Justin saw me and signaled me to follow him. Wow! There’s a sea turtle! It was almost as big as me. I followed it in the water, watching it head down first to graze on the reef then swam upward and forward. I felt like I was mimicking its motion and dancing in the water.

It was about time to head back when I found Allan. Together we swam toward the boat.

Green Sea Turtle and colorful fishes (from internet)

Note: 

1)we saw more beautiful sea turtle scenes than this, but did not have camera for underwater photography.

2) snorkeling is pretty easy, you can just mimic others who could snorkel, We learned by trial-and-error. a) the foot fins are necessary for open sea snorkeling; b) properly cover nose and eyes, the mouth piece fully in mouth, when wearing the full set, breath with mouse only

3) Hindsight taking a systematic training, such as a video demo will definitely help to enjoy snorkeling on the first try. Here is the link to a youtube class.