Aloha to Hawai'i

I can't believe our Hawaiian "Hana hoʻopīhoihoi" (Adventure) is over! Where does time fly?? I know I was a pain in the butt a few times this trip {I'm normally a pain-in-the-butt vacationer. Dang! Sorry!} but I am very grateful for the opportunity that our family had to share this together. Once in a lifetime! Mahalo Dad & Edette. We'll never forget it!

Aloha to Hawaii! Mahalo for the memories!

OK...
I took so many amazing pictures of the flowers in Hawaii but didn't really showcase them anywhere! So here we go--- one last look at the beauty of Hawaii and it's plant life.

Red Eye Flight

As the sun was setting, we returned our rental and made it to the airport. We took a few minutes on the lawn in front to eat all the food we had leftover that couldn't be taken through security.

And we enjoyed one last sunset. (Actually we pretty much missed it but this is a super cool shot of the moon & palm trees. So Hawaiian!!

The kids and I laughed as my prosthetics (my fake boobs) got checked for drugs by security. You should have seen the look on the lady's face when she felt them in the zipper pocket of my suitcase. It was so funny! Brett had gone through separately and was wondering where the heck we were! LOL We also stopped at a photo booth to just to be silly! Man! I love these kiddos!

The wait seemed awfully long to get onto the plane! Probably because it had already been a long week and it was 10 o'clock at night. (which is already like 2am back in Helena) But we passed the time with electronics plugged into the wall or running up & down the moving walkways. In fact, we almost didn't make the flight because Justice & Victoria went down a few too many walkways in the wrong direction!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhggggg! Get us out of here! LOL But we are super grateful to be able to stop in Seattle and visit with Shauna before our long drive home. Thank heavens for Shauna!!! ;)

I always wondered why they called it a "Red Eye Flight" but sweet Victoria was living proof of the name! LOL I tried to get them to sleep but the fact that we were scattered all over the plane and I couldn't get them to stop watching the in-flight movie--- I'm pretty sure Brett's the only one that got much sleep. {He rode all the way in the back by himself!;}

I couldn't get to my nice camera and I was really on the wrong side of the plane for it--- but this is the sun rising as we made it back to the mainland. It was amazing to watch even from my limited view as a couple of my kids had finally zonked on my row. Whew! Long night!

Maalaea Bay Overlook

We still had some time to kill so we headed back towards Lahaina to check out the Maalaea Overlook. It's a pullout on the side of the road where you can see 5 different islands that surround the Maalaea Bay and protect it from the tradewinds. [as well as the crater that we didn't make it out to this time] During the winter months, you can often see whales here. How cool would that be? {Note the drawing at the bottom of this sign. I got real life pictures at the end of this post. So cool!}

The family walked down to the cliffs below and threw in rocks to the swirling water below. It about made me throw up with how close they got to the edge. Ahhhh! I loved the little lighthouse around the corner that can point out to the Molokini Crater.

Here's the Pano I took of all 5 islands. It is sooooo gorgeous! You almost have to be able to zoom in to see all the islands though. That's a bummer!

Here's the best I can do to zoom in from left to right:

I am blown away with the majesty of Hawaii and all the blue, gorgeous water! I am sad to leave that part behind.

Iao Valley

Since we had a late flight but had to be checked out of the hotel- we had saved the Iao Valley for today. We took a short drive west to the Iao Valley State Park. Iao in Hawaiian means Cloud Supreme.

Towering emerald peaks guard the lush valley floor of Iao Valley State Park. Located in Central Maui just west of Wailuku, this peaceful 4,000-acre, 10-mile long park is home to one of Maui's most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot Iao Needle. This iconic green-mantled rock outcropping overlooks Iao stream and is an ideal attraction for easy hiking and sightseeing.
Aside from its natural tropical beautiful, sacred Iao Valley has great historical significance. It was here in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui's army in his quest to unite the islands. Even with Iao Needle serving as a lookout point, Kamehameha defeated Maui's forces in a ferocious battle that ultimately changed the course of Hawaiian history.

Iao State Park is one of the wettest places on Earth. It has an average of 385 inches of rain each year. So... it was no surprise that only Justice would get out of the car as we pulled up to the trailhead. We promised it would be a shorter hike this time but the girls weren't buying it, I guess. LOL We are losing them quickly to their electronic devices. ;) Sad day for the beauty of Maui we still have left to see.

The rest of us took the "paved 0.6 mile walk that provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (ʻIao Needle), an erosional feature which abruptly rises 1200 feet from the valley floor." It was super wet and drizzling the whole time. But it was so beautiful and lush! The "Cloud Supreme" name held up it's end of the bargain!

We enjoyed the walk up to see the needle and the short trail to check out the local vegetation.

It was amazing to watch the water pool of the Taro plants and then roll together. Amazing!

We also stopped and watch the locals jump from the cliffs into the stream below. The pools there looked so clear and refreshing.

Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului

We found a hotel for our last night on Maui in Kahului because it was super close to the airport and also a Church for Sunday morning. They upgraded us to a suite that had this awesome view of the beach in the backyard. [I was a little poopy for the upgrade because it didn't have the fold out couch I was planning on but Brett had them bring up a rollaway bed and set up some cushions on the floor so it worked out ok] We did a little swimming in their rooftop pool. We ate Krispie Kreme donuts! Yum! {We miss them so much!!!} And got a good night rest before we have to face our all-nighter flight this evening. 

We took a short walk down to the beach. Check out those HUGE crab holes. Scary! Would have hated to see those things run into the ocean! LOL We climbed on the rocks to check out little fish swimming in the still waters. And we finished off our stay by collecting a few seashells and empty crab shells. Good times!

Ocean Front Room

Maui Beach Hotel

170 Kaahumanu Ave

Kahului, HI 96732

(808)877-0051

$170/night

Evening "Hana hoʻopīhoihoi" in Lahaina

After all our Alohas (goodbyes) we decided to hang out in Lahaina for a while. We wanted to do a little shopping before we headed north to our hotel for the night. We walked the Wharf across from the big Banyan Tree and got a few souvenirs. Then we headed back to the Lahaina Cannery Mall for some Sarongs & Ukuleles the girls had really wanted.

It was getting close to sunset and we really wanted to see one last sunset over the ocean. [If we headed north, the sunset would be on the wrong side of the island.] We found a little roadside park and hung out for a bit. There was this Kama'aina (local) lady doing some fishing. I abseoluetly love this shot of her fishing at sunset!!

We met her mom & her son. He was such a cute little kid! He was so excited to show us his mom's fish!

We were hoping to see the sun set into the ocean but too many clouds rolled in as it set. It was still gorgeous though and we enjoyed our last sunset over the Hawaiian ocean!!

Hawai'i is so magical!

Ohana Aloha

Ohana means Family!
Our little family got cheaper tickets to come back a day later so we said our last goodbyes to our family before they all left to catch their flights back to the mainland! It was so great to have spent the week with you all. Aloha nui loa and Mahalo nui loa!

Lahaina Surfing & Shaved Ice

We took our surfers back to Lahaina to use our free time with boards from Maui Wave Riders. Because of the rains yesterday, the tide was a little crazy. Everyone got a little frustrated with surfing today & only a couple got up on the waves but at least, they all got a longer chance to try it out! And they looked super cool doing it! ;)

The other kids played on the beach and in the ocean.

Most of the families had to head back to Kahului to catch their flights but Trave, Tauni & Ryler got to hang out a little longer. We decided to make the most of it and do a little shopping in Lahaina & share some Shaved Ice! It was seriously AMAZING! Why did we not have one of these every day?????? Probably my favorite part of Hawaii. DELICIOUS!

Pipiwai Trail- Bamboo Forest, Waimoku Falls, & Sacred Pools

The destination I really wanted to go to on the east side of Maui was the Pipiwai Trail. I was even hoping we could go the back way and skip the actual Road to Hana. No such luck! But it turns out I was glad that we experienced the Road to Hana. Go figure!

By the time we got to the Kipahulu Visitor Center- we were a little pooped. But in our research before coming we had made plans to do:
1) Trailhead
2) Makahiku Falls
3) Bridges & Banyan Trees
4) Bamboo Forest
5) Waimoku Falls
6) Oheo Pools {Back by Visitor Center}
So we were determined to make all that happen! We decided to first head up the 2 mile trail (one way and reaches an elevation of 650 feet) to check out all the cool things that the Pipiwai Trail has to offer. {Someone wrote about it here} We told the kids we'd go swimming in the Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Pools) to cool off before we headed home.
We checked out the Trailhead sign and then we were off!

It was a very long hike or we are super slow hikers!!! As soon as we headed up the 1)Trailhead- it started to rain. And it rained and rained and rained the whole way. The trail was almost like one big puddle. We were soaked to the bone. We hiked through a literal rain forest past the 2) 200 ft Makahiku Falls.

3) There was this super cool Banyan tree we checked out!

4) We got to travel through a seriously tall Bamboo Forest. It was amazing!!

5) After what seemed like FOREVER- we made it to the 400 foot Waimoku Falls! It was pretty impressive! By then my kids (well-all of us!) were wet & tired so I think their exact quote was "That's it?" Obviously this amazing work of art from God was not worth their "2 mile hike" tired legs and wet skins. LOL Brett took the 3 younger kids past the caution sign and up a little closer. You can see them hiking back where I put the arrow. Brett & I thought it was super neat and glad we made the trek. Then we headed back down!

This is taken through my soaked poncho but we literally felt like this.

We made it back down as the Visitor Center was closing. That means we took a really, really long time to do the hike. ;) We dragged our tired kids down the short hike to the Oheo Pools (aka Seven Sacred Pools).

Unfortunately, because it was late and it had rained the whole afternoon- they had closed the Pools. WHAT??? Are you kidding me? My kids were super disappointed! And then to top it off- they had no where to wash off the mud and grime from our hike. Our legs were splattered with mud! Grrr! I took a few pictures of the Oheo Gulch that was clearly overflowing from the extra rain but was super gorgeous!

And I walked out on the Kuloa Point before heading back to the car. The waves were coming in really strong. It's amazing to witness the majesty of the ocean.

Here's what the pools look like on a calm day! Would have been fun for sure!

What a scenic day! We saw so many things but it was long! Thanks to Brett for being willing to drive us all the way back mostly in the dark. It was a rough trip back but we made it!!! Hallelujah!

Kipahulu Visitor Center (808)248-7375

Mile Marker #42

9am to 4:30PM

Hana Highway's Garden of Eden

One of our 1st stops along the Hana Highway was The Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden. We had no intention of stopping but then Liberty found out it had the Keopuka Rock from the opening shots of Jurassic Park. It was then a MUST!! LOL


The Garden of Eden was gorgeous! "It is a botanical paradise, located along the famous Hana Highway on Maui's northern coastline. The garden encompasses 26 acres of trails and is home to rare trees, hidden waterfalls and unique flowers in a natural island setting."
Some of the highlights include:
100 Year Old Mango Tree
Keopuka Rock Overlook (as seen in Jurassic Park opening)
Enchanted Forest
Banana Patch
Anthorium Garden
Upper Puohokamoa Waterfalls (restricted access, so your only way of viewing the Falls legally is from here)
Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

We were trying to be fast here since we got a late start. We split up after we saw the Keopuka Rock so Brett could go get the back where we parked it. The younger kids and I got lost but we did see some cool things. They got to touch the 100 year old Mango tree.

And we got to see a few Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Which Liberty really wanted to see but never did end up seeing one on this trip (she had headed back to the car with Brett) Bummer!

But she was one happy camper with seeing the Jurassic Rock. It made her day!!!

Here's a scan of the map they give out when you enter. We could have spent a couple hours there if we hadn't been in a hurry! 

10600 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708

(808) 572-9899

http://www.mauigardenofeden.com/