|
|
|
|
|
United States - Hawaii
The Rainforests & Needle of Iao Valley
Maui, Hawaii
United States
United States
December 2008 (Rainy Season)
The lovely, deep valley of Iao features the Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle presiding over the Iao stream and surrounded by the walls of the Pu'u Kukui Crater. Once used as a natural altar, the 2,250-foot stone pillar, covered in green foliage, is really a basaltic core that has survived eons of swirling water. Iao Valley is a peaceful lush area with easy hikes, exotic tropical plants, and clear, natural pools. The ridge-top lookout offers a fantastic view of the valley and Kahului Harbor.
A thousand years ago, Hawaiians gathered at Iao Valley to celebrate and honor the bounty of Lono, god of agriculture, during the annual makahiki festival. More than a hundred years ago visitors began coming to witness the natural beauty of this valley.
Today Iao Valley is recognized as a very special place for both its spiritual value and spectacular scenery. The trails in the park are paved, but may be slippery when wet. The trail is also steep in places, so visitors should take their time.
Iao means "cloud supreme", the bank of clouds that often sits over the valley. These clouds bring the frequent rains that feed the streams in the valley. It is these waters that carved this spectacular landscape over the past 1.5 million years.
Iao Valley is the site of one of the most famous and bloody battles that changed Hawaii history forever. On this site, In 1790, King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in his effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
The full album is available at:
The Rainforests & Needle of Iao Valley
Sources
- "Iao Valley Needle Maui" (19 April 2012). HawaiiWeb.com. Retrieved from http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/iao-valley-needle.html#detaileddescription.
- "Iao Valley State Park on Maui, Hawaii" (19 April 2012) by John Fischer. About.com. Retrieved by http://gohawaii.about.com/od/maui/ss/iao_valley.htm.
Oahu's Pounding Waves, Calm Seas & Angry Geysers
Oahu, Hawaii
United States
United States
December 2008 (Rainy Season)
Oahu, known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and the most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital, Honolulu, is on Oahu's southeast coast. Including small close-in offshore islands such as Ford Island and the islands in Kaneohe Bay and off the eastern (windward) coast, it has a total land area of 596.7 square miles (1,545.4 square km), making it the 20th largest island in the United States.
In the greatest dimension, this volcanic island is 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across. The length of the shoreline is 227 miles (365 km). The island is the result of two separate shield volcanoes: Wai'anae and Ko'olau, with a broad "valley" or saddle (the central Oahu Plain) between them. The highest point is Mount Ka'ala in the Wai'anae Range, rising to 4,003 feet (1,220 m) above sea level.
Well-known features found on Oahu include Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbour, Diamond Head, Hanauma, Kane'ohe Bay, Kailua Bay, and the North Shore.
Oahu, known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and the most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital, Honolulu, is on Oahu's southeast coast. Including small close-in offshore islands such as Ford Island and the islands in Kaneohe Bay and off the eastern (windward) coast, it has a total land area of 596.7 square miles (1,545.4 square km), making it the 20th largest island in the United States.
In the greatest dimension, this volcanic island is 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across. The length of the shoreline is 227 miles (365 km). The island is the result of two separate shield volcanoes: Wai'anae and Ko'olau, with a broad "valley" or saddle (the central Oahu Plain) between them. The highest point is Mount Ka'ala in the Wai'anae Range, rising to 4,003 feet (1,220 m) above sea level.
Well-known features found on Oahu include Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbour, Diamond Head, Hanauma, Kane'ohe Bay, Kailua Bay, and the North Shore.
Makai Research Pier, 41-305 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanal :
Two submarines - one white, one yellow - are parked here for oceanographic studies
Manana/Rabbit Island, Waimanalo :
A scenic island in the middle of the cerulean blue sea...
Sandy Beach, Kalanianaole Highway :
The sunlight bounces off the sea as couples sit and chat by the beach...
Halona Blowhole : A tremendous dash of water gushes through each time the waves hit the channel!
Hanauma Bay : Rocks that look like a curtain & Rocks that look like reclining dinosaurs
White Sand Beach near a native settlement...
Nuuanu Pali State Park, Nuuanu Pali Drive : Scraggy cliffs with an incredible view over miles...
Kualoa Beach Park opposite Mokolii Island, near Kualoa Ranch, Kamehameha Highway :
Two submarines - one white, one yellow - are parked here for oceanographic studies
Manana/Rabbit Island, Waimanalo :
A scenic island in the middle of the cerulean blue sea...
Sandy Beach, Kalanianaole Highway :
The sunlight bounces off the sea as couples sit and chat by the beach...
Halona Blowhole : A tremendous dash of water gushes through each time the waves hit the channel!
Hanauma Bay : Rocks that look like a curtain & Rocks that look like reclining dinosaurs
White Sand Beach near a native settlement...
Nuuanu Pali State Park, Nuuanu Pali Drive : Scraggy cliffs with an incredible view over miles...
Kualoa Beach Park opposite Mokolii Island, near Kualoa Ranch, Kamehameha Highway :
A beach with white sands and diagonal column-streaked cliffs...
The full album is available at:
Oahu's Pounding Waves, Calm Seas & Angry Geysers
The full album is available at:
Oahu's Pounding Waves, Calm Seas & Angry Geysers
Maui - The Valley Island Of Stunning Blues, Browns & Greens
Maui, Hawaii
United States
United States
December 2008 (Rainy Season)
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1,883 square km) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the State of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444 - the third-highest of the Hawaiian Islands, behind that of Oahu and Hawaii Island.
Maui has a sweeping canvas of scenic natural attractions. The western, or leeward side, is the drier side of the island and features Maui’s world-famous beaches, including the beautiful Kaanapali Beach, home to a nightly sunset cliff diving ceremony. West Maui is also home to historic Lahaina, where you can find great shopping, dining and entertainment.
The eastern, or windward side, of the island is the wetter side of the island, home to the lush Iao Valley and the scenic road to Hana. The cool, elevated slopes of Haleakala are where you can find the farms and gardens of Upcountry Maui and the soaring summit of Haleakala National Park.
Maui has a sweeping canvas of scenic natural attractions. The western, or leeward side, is the drier side of the island and features Maui’s world-famous beaches, including the beautiful Kaanapali Beach, home to a nightly sunset cliff diving ceremony. West Maui is also home to historic Lahaina, where you can find great shopping, dining and entertainment.
The eastern, or windward side, of the island is the wetter side of the island, home to the lush Iao Valley and the scenic road to Hana. The cool, elevated slopes of Haleakala are where you can find the farms and gardens of Upcountry Maui and the soaring summit of Haleakala National Park.
The blues...
The browns...
The browns...
The greens...
Historic buildings dot the landscape as we move around the island...
Drivers park in designated lots according to the duration of their parking...
Whaling memorabilia attest to the whaling history behind Whalers Village...
"Pride And Joy" an Orca sculpture and fountain by Maui artist, Barclay Hill..
An intriguing clock without hands. Maybe time does indeed stop here in Maui...
The lush Pineapple Hill & Kapalua Bay Golf Course...
As we move around to the other side of the island, the weather changes. Dark clouds loom ahead...
Maui Garden of Eden, Botanical Gardens & Arboretum :
Plants grow in amazing colours and fruits abound in humongous sizes!
(The valley scene in Jurassic Park was filmed here!)
The full album is available at:
Maui - The Valley Island Of Stunning Blues, Browns & Greens
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
