The north and west side of the island of Hawai’i is mostly lava. The landscape is black.The McDonald’s in Hawai’i have a few menu items we do not have on the east coast: Taro Pie, Portuguese Sausage, SPAM and Rice.So we went into this submarine for an underwater tour.At this depth, there is no color, so this coral looks colorless, but it would be colorful if it was up at sea level.Shipwrecks from the 1990s.Seaweed on the sea floor.The sea floor.This is the deepest we have ever been!We are rising!Leaving the submarine.Reconstruction of King Kamehameha’s home.Kamakahonu Beach.Moku‘aikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian islands. The congregation dates back to the 1820s, and this building was constructed in 1837.Hulihe‘e Palace, the vacation home for Hawai’i’s royalty built in 1838, and the last royal home of King Kamehameha I.
We made it to our fifth island – Hawai’i! The Big Island! So we relaxed with dinner at the Lava Lava Beach Club.Very relaxed, beach atmosphere.Sunset at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach.Cool distance markers.So Windoek, Namibia is the furthest place on earth from Hawai’i – 19,490 miles!Live entertainment.
Going to the summit of Haleakalā is supposed to be an amazing experience, and being at the summit to watch the sunrise is the #1 thing to do on the island of Maui. So we left our B&B at 1:30 AM to drive 3+ hours to get a good spot. Sunrise was expected at 6:20 AM.This is the route we drove to get to the top of Haleakalā. The payoff was worth it!This is the view from the summit of Haleakalā at 5:40 AM.6:02 AM.6:14 AM.Clouds look like water rushing over the hilltops.6:19 AM – sunrise! This is Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Perfect!6:21 AM.Observatories at the Haleakalā summit.Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.In the distance, Mauna Kea (left) and Mauna Loa on the island of Hawai’i.The moon sets in the west as the sun rises over Haleakalā. You can see Haleakalā’s shadow in this picture.One of the views as we descend Haleakalā.Silverswords are extremely rare, and they are found only on the summit areas of Haleakalā, Mauna Kae and Mauna Loa. They live between 3 and 90 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind. They are quite striking with their silvery leaves.Mauna Kea from the Kahului airport.
Sunday morning we drove into Lahaina. There are memorials on the roadside for those who were lost in the Lahaina fire last August.The burned out parts of Lahaina are behind barrier fences, and entrances are guarded, allowing only Lahaina residents into the area. Behind this fence you can see some of the devastation, even seven months after the fire.Walkway to Ka’anapali Beach, ranked 4th most beautiful beach in the world.Long row of shaded lounge chairs.Ka’anapali Beach.Ka’anapali Beach.We worshipped at Kihei Baptist Church in Kihei. The young pastor preached on discipline as a mark of a healthy church.This is Ukumehame Beach. There are small beach parks all along the coastal highway. People set up camp sites and tents for fishing and overnight stays.After church and lunch, we went to the Maui Ocean Center, a pretty good aquarium.They have a 3D presentation about saving the humpback whale.Large moray eel.Sea horses.Sea star and sea urchin.Octopus.Jellyfish.Stingray.Shark.Sea turtle.Coral.Coral.
The most perfect rainbow I have ever seen in person! I am literally standing on Ho’okipa Beach taking this picture. The beach is right next to a farm! And the Pacific Ocean is just to the left of this picture.Ho’okipa Beach with double rainbow.The waves are quite active at Ho’okipa Beach.Dinner at Mama’s Fish House.
